be found infinitely useful, as forming a groundwork of information absolutely necessary to be obtained. On the subject of the Roman Catholics generally, the letters of the Bishop of Meath, in one of which he treats specifically of a provision for their Clergy, are too instructive and too impressive, even at the present day, not to demand the most earnest attention. Myles Keon, Esq., to Lord Castlereagh. Keon Crooke, near Carrick on Shannon, My Lord-The success that has attended my exertions in Roscommon to obtain signatures in favour of the Union has vexed and surprised a great many, indeed, for it was boasted that I should not get one, and no wonder this should be said; for I never knew an instance, on any former public occasion, where people was not bound by illegal oaths, that an opposing unanimity so much prevailed, and this was what I did not at all expect to meet with. However, from the arguments I made use of with the Clergy and laity of the Roman Catholic persuasion in particular, and with several Protestants likewise, I engaged Lord Roscommon, his brother-in-law, Mr. James Begg, of Beech Abbey, Mr. O'Donnel, of Greyfield, Mr. Reynolds, Parish Priest of Kilroonan, and many others, to take an active part. My brothers-in-law, Mr. Hu. O'Beirne, and Mr. Patrick Walsh, always co-operated with me in Leitrim and Roscommon. The consequence of this was that I forwarded yesterday, to Colonel Littlehales, the signatures of upwards of 1,500 Catholics, exclusive of the Protestant signatures; and my idea is, which I humbly submit to your Lordship's consideration, that none but the signatures of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of known property and freehold should be published at full length; the number of the rest to be mentioned in one line; and for this reason, that the common freeholders and landowners may not be exposed to the resentment of their landlords by having acted contrary to their advice. Very few would have signed if this had not been promised to them. Mr. Hu. O'Beirne (who tells me he had the honour of some conversation with your Lordship) is very capable, from his local knowledge, to point out who the independent freeholders are that may, with safety to themselves, have their names set forth; and who (for the reasons assigned) may be enumerated in one line. I have before made these observations to Colonel Littlehales. My name and others are to be met with in different declarations, to induce our acquaintances to sign. This Mr. O'Beirne will be able to certify: I had not time to do it myself. I suppose Serjeant Stanly will assist on this occasion he wrote to me to send him such signatures as I should be able to obtain, but I thought it would be more expeditious (as the time was short) to forward them directly to the Castle. : In all that regards this business, from the beginning, I have acted to the best of my judgment and with unceasing diligence; and I shall continue to support Lord Cornwallis's administration with all the ability I am master of, both from principle and inclination. I have the honour to be, &c., MYLES KEON. Lord De Clifford to Lord Castlereagh. King's Weston, January 10, 1800. My dear Lord-I beg to return you my sincerest acknowledgments for the very obliging manner in which your Lordship has at various times communicated to me the outlines of the plan for the intended measure of Union. It is with great regret I feel myself necessitated to oppose a measure so warmly adopted by your Lordship and the rest of his Majesty's Ministers; but, the more I consider it, the more I feel convinced that the advantages that may accrue to Ireland from it are extremely doubtful, and that the attempt to force it upon the country is fraught with the greatest danger, particularly at this time, when I should have imagined it would have been much more advisable to strengthen the hands of Government to the utmost, than to drive many of those into opposition who have hitherto been in the habit of supporting Administration. At the same time, I must beg to assure your Lordship, that it is far from my wish to join in any illiberal attempt to impede and embarrass Administration. All that I desire of my friends is, that they should firmly oppose the Union. Mr. W. Rowley arrived here last night, and has shown me your Lordship's letter of the 2d inst. I feel truly sensible of the very delicate and flattering manner in which your Lordship has been pleased to communicate Lord Cornwallis's kind intentions towards me; but I must take the liberty of observing that your Lordship does me but justice, in supposing that my conduct upon this important question would not be influenced by any such considerations. I have the honour to remain, &c. DE CLIFFORD. Robert Bradshaw, Esq. to Lord Castlereagh. Belfast, January 13, 1800. My Lord-Although a very ample apology might be deemed necessary for intruding on your Lordship's time at present, you may, perhaps, not be displeased at hearing how we are now going on in this place. Until very lately, Union was a subject very little talked about, less understood; it has now become a very general topic, and, although the great majority approve of it, we have some dissentients. The cotton business, though at present considerably damped, is certainly an object of great moment to this neighbourhood; and our West India trade, once so very considerable, is still looked upon as capable of revival. The people in these branches say that, if we have a Union, British capital and British skill will ruin them. This argument (like that against machines for the expediting of labour) is almost too absurd to be answered: answered, however, it has been, and I hope that many have been convinced of the folly of it. It is pretty nearly a general wish that this great object may be speedily settled, as the most certain means of for ever quieting the unhappy distractions that have too long tormented this country, as well as procuring for us benefits highly essential both to our commerce and constitution. We would not wish a narrow bargain; we ought to give all we can afford, and, in return, receive from Britain. all that she can afford, each striving to assist and benefit the other. Union on this principle will, I am certain, at present please almost the whole of this part of the kingdom; and, indeed, I think the day is not far distant when the rest of it, not even excepting the metropolis, will do justice to your Lordship's motives for the very active part you have taken in this great national business, I have the honour to be, &c. Mr. Foster to Lord Castlereagh. January 14, 1800. The Speaker presents compliments to Lord Castlereagh, and has had the honour of receiving his invitation to the meeting at the Castle to-night. As he understood that his not having received a summons to a similar meeting last year arose from his sentiments being known to be adverse to a Legislative Union, he begs leave to acquaint his Lordship that his sentiments will continue the same. VOL. III. ♦ Lord Castlereagh to Mr. Foster. Merion Street, January 15, 1800. Lord Castlereagh presents his compliments to the Speaker. He has had the honour of receiving his note, which has been communicated to the Lord-Lieutenant. Lord Castlereagh takes this opportunity of recalling to the Speaker's recollection, that he had the honour, on the evening the speech was read, previous to the opening of the last Session, to explain by letter to the Speaker, that his not having received the customary invitation to attend that meeting arose from an official inaccuracy, and not from any consideration of the Speaker's political sentiments; and Lord Castlereagh expressed at the same time his regret that this neglect had happened in his office. The Rev. H. Dowling to Lord Castlereagh. Tullamore, January 17, 1800. My Lord Though an obscure individual, yet extremely anxious lest the intemperate conduct of some of my brethren in communion of the City of Dublin (for I am a Catholic clergyman) should impress Government with an opinion that the sentiments of the generality of that communion were in unison with theirs, I have taken the liberty thus to intrude myself on your Lordship, in order to assure you that I, and thousands of my brethren in the country parts of Ireland, whose sentiments I speak, feel exceedingly indignant at the rash and intemperate conduct of the Dublin Catholics, on a late, or rather a present, occasion-I mean, relative to the business of a Legislative Union. In the country parts of this kingdom, we only wait to be called upon, in order to declare our decided opinion in favour of that measure. We are well aware, that all we have hitherto received has been through the recommendation of our Most Gracious Sovereign; and that all we are to expect hereafter must come from the same benign hand. We, therefore, highly disapprove, nay, condemn, the |