mentary constitution itself. The abuses in that constitution he has protected; it is only its existence that he destroys: and on what ground? Your exports since your emancipation, under that constitution, and in a great measure by it, have been nearly doubled; commercially therefore it has worked well. Your concord with England since the emancipation, as far as it relates to parliament, on the subject of war, has been not only improved, but has been productive; imperially, therefore, it has worked well. To what then does the minister in fact object? that you have supported him, that you have concurred in his system: therefore he proposes to the people to abolish the parliament, and to continue the minister. He does more; he proposes to you to substitute the British parliament in your place, to destroy the body that restored your li berties, and restore that body, which destroyed them. Against such a proposition, were I expiring on the floor, I should beg to utter my last breath, and to record my dying testimony."

Mr. Corry replied at large to Mr. Grattan. The inferiority of the Irish constitution was obvious in the want of that power of controlling the exercise of the royal prerogative in questions of peace and war, which the British lords and commons possessed. Where, he might ask, was the control of the Hibernian parliament over the British minister advising the king to declare war, when even with respect to the minister in Ireland the power of that borough was totally inoperative over what the honourable gentleman himself had so often expressively termed the fugacious responsi bility of those, who could elude the grasp of parliament, and scoff at its authority by stepping on board of the packet?

On the division about ten o'clock in the morning, 96 voted for the amendment, 138 against it. This majority of 42 exceeded the warmest expectations of government; and the viceroy hoped to increase it by allowing an interval of some weeks to pass, before he sent to either house a copy of the resolutions of the parliament of Great Britain.

The defeat of the Anti-unionists by a majority of 42, flushed the minister with confidence, and drove their opponents almost to desperation. The members were now so far marshalled into their ranks, that considerable changes or conversions were not to be expected on either side: some solitary instances of conversions did appear. No means of conversion or confirmation were omitted on either side. In order to counteract the first effects of this ministerial triumph in the capital, within an hour or two after the adjournment of the House of Commons (at ten o'clock on the 16th of January) an aggregate meeting of the freemen and freeholders of the city of Dublin was convened by instant requisition, at which they passed very strong resolutions,* and amongst

The following were the proceedings of the meeting, which shew the spirit of that day.

others a most enthusiastic panegyric on the talents, virtue, and patriotism of Mr. Grattan, their late member. The quick shiftings of the popularis aura should not here pass unnoticed. The ingratitude and calumnies of Mr. Grattan's late constituents had

AGGREGATE MEETING.

16th January, 1800. At a most numerous and respectable meeting of the freemen and freeholders of the city of Dublin, assembled this day by requisition, at the Session house, The HIGH SHERIFFS in the Chair,

The following gentlemen were constituted a committee, who reported the following resolutions and address, which were unanimously agreed to by the meeting; Mr. Hartley, Mr. Dease, Mr. Rawlins, Mr. R. M'Donnell, Mr. Moore, and Mr. Alderman Howison.

"1. That the constitution of Ireland, as established at the memorable period *of 1782, is the indefeasible and unalienable right of ourselves and our posterity.

"2. That we do most solemnly and firmly protest against any act, which in "destroying that constitution, exceeds the powers with which our representa. "tives in parliament have been invested; and we do assert, that they have no " right to adopt the disgraceful proposal of this our extinction for ever Their

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powers are limited in time and extent, but the rights of the people are unpre "scriptable and immortal.

"3. That the re-proposal of the measure of a Legislative Union with Great "Britain to the same parliament, which not a year since rejected even its dis"cussion with indignation, is as insulting, as its consequences may be dread❝ful.

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"4. That the means resorted to for the purpose of procuring a parliamentary concurrence in this measure, and a delusive approbation of the people, are "base and unconstitutional; and we call on those who supported the measure, "to recollect, that while they think they can violate the constitution with im"punity, we remember we have taken a solemn oath to maintain it.

5. That we contemplate with horror, the ungenerous language held to us "in the hour of our distress. The manner in which we acquired our glorious "constitution is openly avowed; it remains only for us to say, that a constitu"tion which we proudly asserted, ought never to be basely surrendered, and "we pledge ourselves most solemnly, while we have life, we never will be the "living slaves of dishonourable negociation.

"6. That we hail the auspicious moment of internal unanimity, when the cor. "dial concurrence and co-operation of all sects and persuasions, as common "brothers in a common cause, shall render any attempt upon our liberties, "from whatever quarter it may proceed, disgraceful and ineffectual.

"7. That the grateful thanks of this meeting be returned to the virtuous mi"nority of the House of Commons, who supported the independence of Ire"land, by opposing a legislative Union with Great Britain.

"8. That our worthy representatives, J. C. Beresford, esq. and the right "honourable George Ogle, highly merit, and we do hereby tender them our "sincere acknowledgments for their uniform and steady opposition to an at"tempt to annihilate the independence of Ireland.

"9. That our warmest thanks and gratitude are due, and are hereby given "to the right honourable John Foster, Speaker of the House of Commons, "whose virtuous and patriotic conduct have endeared him to every Irishman, "who loves his country; and that we can never despair of the success of a cause, supported by the talents and virtue of a man, who has on all occasions "proved himself the steady friend of Ireland.

10. That we feel the most lively satisfaction at the return of our late able "and virtuous representative, H. Grattan, esq. to our senate, at this alarming

weighed not lightly in the scale, which turned that gentleman's resolution to retire from parliament. They now placed him at the head of the triumvirate of their affections and adoration with Messrs. Foster and Ogle, who had been unceasing objects of Mr.

"crisis of our liberty; and that we derive the most encouraging presage from “the addition of such splendid talents, and such well-tried virtue, to the ho "nest friends of Ireland, who, unseduced by corruption, and unawed by power, have continued firm to the trust reposed in them by their country; and "that the following address be presented to Mr. Grattan:

" SIR,

"FOR your spirit and patriotism, accept our most grate"ful acknowledgments. You have come forward at a time most critical to "Irish liberty, to save the constitution.

"This attempt of the minister, the annexation for ever of the kingdom of "Ireland to the British parliament, is hateful to every lover of his country. "When you so illustriously distinguished yourself in establishing the inde "pendence of the Irish legislature, the support of the people was not wanting. "You will have it on this occasion, and with your virtues and talents, it would "be criminal to despair of success."

“Resolved, That the high sheriffs be requested to present said resolutions " and address, accompanied by such freemen and freeholders as choose to at"tend.

"Resolved, That the aforesaid resolutions, with the answers of the speaker, "our representatives, and Mr. Grattan, (when received) be printed."

The high sheriff having quited the chair, it was taken by Mr. Alderman Crothers, and the unanimous thanks of the meeting were returned to the high sheriffs, for their patriotic conduct displayed by their readiness in calling this meeting, and their highly proper conduct in the chair.

The high sheriffs were pleased to appoint Saturday, at one o'clock, to meet at the Royal Exchange, to proceed to the several gentlemen with the resolutions of thanks, &c.

The following are the answers to the above resolutions: "GENTLEMEN,

"I AM truly thankful for your approbation of my conduct, "and the very flattering terms in which it is expressed.

"A sincere conviction of the ruinous consequences attendant on a legisla"tive Union, bound me to oppose it. Every day's reflection since has served "to increase that conviction, and to shew me that the great safeguard and true "security of our own liberties, and of what is equally dear to every loyal Irish"man, our perpetual connexion with Great Britain, lie in the preservation of a separate independent parliament within the kingdom, under the constitu"tion established and ratified in 1782.

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"

"Accept my warmest thanks, and believe me to be with the most sincere respect and attachment your, very faithful and obedient servant, "JOHN FOSTER."

"GENTLEMEN,

"YOUR resolution does us great honour; we are grate"ful for it. When we cease to deserve your confidence, we hope you will "withdraw it from us for ever.

" GENTLEMEN,

"J. C. BERESFORD. "GEORGE OGLE."

"I AGREE with you in thinking the present crisis to be "truly alarming. After considering the project of an Union fully, fairly, and "dispassionately, with every advantage promised and professed, I do really

Grattan's opposition during the whole course of his political career in parliament.

On the 15th of February, 1800, petitions against a legislative Union with Great Britain were received from the counties of Dublin, Limerick, Wexford, Cavan, Longford, Tipperary, Galway, Meath and Fermanagh, as also from the city of Limerick, and the town of Belfast, and several others. When on the introduction of the Tipperary petition,

Mr. Bagwell (one of the representatives of that county) declared, that notwithstanding the support he had been induced to give the measure of a legislative Union, on the first night of the ses sion, from the resolutions of a number of his respectable constituents, in favour of it, having been presented to him by the high sheriff; yet, on inspecting the list of names affixed to the petition before the house, he observed so large a majority of the independence and property of the county, among whom he discerned the names of several, who had before declared a different sentiment on the question, that he was now determined to oppose the measure whenever brought forward in parliament.

Sir L. Parsons stated to the house an act, which he considered as the greatest enormity, an high infringement of the privileges of parliament, and a violation of the liberties of the subject. He said he had it from a most respectable authority, which he named, that some time ago Major Rogers, who commands at Birr, having been told that there was an intention of assembling the freeholders and inhabitants to deliberate on the propriety of petitioning against a legislative Union, the major replied he would disperse them by force if they attempted any such thing; that the major, however, applied to government for direction: what answer or directions he received could only be judged of by his immediate conduct. On Sunday last several magistrates and respectable inhabitants assembled in the session-house, when the high sheriff (Mr. Derby) went to them and ordered them to disperse, or he would compel them; they were about to depart, when a gentleman came and told them the army was approaching; the assembly had but just time to vote the resolutions, but not to sign them; they broke up, and as they went out of the session-house, they saw moving towards it a column of troops with four pieces of cannon in front, matches lighted, and every disposition for an attack upon the session-house; a building so

"and sincerely think it the worst measure ever proposed in this country. I "shall contribute my mite to oppose it; I have no confidence in the powers "of my own broken and shattered exertions; but I have sufficient strength re"maining to bear my last testimony against an Union. "HENRY GRATTAN."

Dublin, Jan. 18, 1800,

constructed, that if a cannon had been fired, it must have fallen on the magistrates and the people, and buried them in its ruins. A gentleman spoke to major Rogers on the subject of his approaching in that hostile manner; his answer was, that he waited but for one word from the sheriff, that he might blow them to atoms! These were the dreadful measures, sir Laurence said, by which government endeavoured to force the Union upon the people of Ireland, by stifling their sentiments and dragooning them into submission. He then proposed two resolutions to the house to the following effect:

1st. "That to prevent by military force the freeholders of any "county from meeting to petition parliament, is a gross violation "of the privileges of this house, and a subversion of the consti"tution.

2d. "That Verney Derby, esq. and major Rogers do attend "at the bar of this house on Wednesday next."

Mr. Bowes Daly seconded the motion. He reprobated such violent conduct, and hoped country gentlemen would make a comImon cause of it.

Lord Castlereagh said, that he had never before, either in his official or parliamentary capacity, heard a syllable of the matter then stated to the house. The honourable baronet ought to have come prepared with proofs of the facts alleged; but his manner seemed more calculated to inflame than to inform. He had assumed as fact, perhaps upon very slight authority, an outrage which every man must condemn, if true; and then he had thought proper to impute to government the odium of that outrage. As to the first resolution, his lordship said it would be derogatory to the dignity of parliament to vote an acknowledged truism. It was one of the many inflammatory tricks which had of late been frequently played off, and if now adopted would seem to admit the fact alleged, by unnecessarily declaring a principle always and universally asserted.

Sir John Parnell, Mr. Ogle, and Mr. J. C. Beresford spoke against the enormity of the alleged offence; but they agreed that the parties accused should be heard at the bar; and, upon the suggestion of those gentlemen, sir Laurence Parsons withdrew his first resolution, and the second passed unanimously.

Then lord Castlereagh acquainted the house that he had a *message from his excellency the lord lieutenant, which he read;

• "CORNWALLIS, "AT the close of the last session, in obedience to the particu** lar commands which I received from his majesty, I acquainted this parlia❝ment, that a joint address of the two houses of parliament of Great Britain