general principle impartially applied to all, according to the nature of the case. This might be effected by stating, as the basis of the plan, that, as the number of the Representatives for Boroughs must be reduced in Ireland, and as the extinction of some, with Compensation, seems a much simpler mode than any division among classes, it is proposed to select the 32 Towns, which are in themselves most considerable for wealth or population, without regard to what is the description of their right of Election. This principle would, in point of fact, include most but not all of the Boroughs. It would not exclude enough to form any material practical obstacle to the measure, and of the small number excluded, a large part would, in fact, consist of interests likely to be decidedly hostile. At the same time, it would hold out no principle fairly applicable to a Representation where, as in England, there is no absolute necessity for reduction of the numbers. It would afford an ostensible principle of selection reasonable and equitable in itself, but which nevertheless admits no preference as to modes of Election, and seems to give as little colour as possible to any theoretical notions of Reform; it certainly would retain a large proportion of objectionable open Boroughs, but it would give them no preference as such, or on account of the nature of the Election, but on account of the comparative weight and consideration of the place. The particular Boroughs which it is imagined would be selected on this principle are stated in the annexed list. It is of great importance to the character of the measure that the practical application of the principle should be strictly impartial, as it would operate unfavourably to some of the opposers of Government, a circumstance which, though the reverse of an objection, if the scheme be in itself a right one, ought clearly to be shown to be the result of a principle selected for its own sake, and not a secret motive for arbitrarily assuming one. Counties. Boroughs in Ireland at the time of the Union. Antrim Lisburne Randalstown Armagh Armagh Charlemont Carlow Carlow Leighlin Date of Charter. 17 Car. II., January 5, 1665. Carrickfergus 11 Eliz, March 20, 1568. Baltimore1 Cork City3 Kinsale No C., inrolled. July 1, 1614. 1st ent. 11 J. I., March 30, 1613. 8 J. I., November 15, 1610. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 11 J. I., March 25, 1613. 11 J. I., March 30, 1613. 26 Car. II., July 28, 1674. 23 Car. II., May 29, 1671. 11 J. I., May 5, 1613. 7 J. J, March 10, 1608. 31 Car. II., May 1, 1679. 5 Rich. II, January 28, 1381. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 22 Car. II., January 2, 1670. 33 Car. II., March 11, 1681. 5 Henry VI., May 12, 1427. 10 Jac. I., March 23, 1612. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 13 Jac I,, December 14, 1615. 10 Jac. I., February 27, 1612. 16 Jac. I., August 6, 1618. 10 Jac. I., March 18, 1612. Downpatrick 5 Henry IV., January 28, 1403. 13 Car. II., December 19, 1662. Charleville Youghall Newry7 Newtownards Dublin DroghedaR Newcastle Swords Galway 10 10 J. I., March 10, 1612. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 11 J. I., March 26, 1613. 3 & 4 Ph. & Mary, April 6, 1557. 38 Henry VIII., April 20, 1510. 11 Jac. I., May 12, 1613. 11 Jac. I., March 30, 1613. 21 Eliz, May 2, 1578. 10 J. I., February 27, 1612. 3 Edw. VI., November 8, 1549. 16 Eliz., July 8, 1574. 11 Jac. I., March 30, 1613. It should be 1596. Elizabeth became Queen in 1558. Boroughs of Ireland (continued). Open. Counties. Close. Date of Charter. No charter appears. No charter appears. 118. Notes and Observations. 1 Baltimore is one of King James's Boroughs, having the right of election in the Sovereign and the twelve free Burgesses only, without the intervention of the Commonalty. It is only put down as an Open Borough. 2 Bandon. The same observation likewise applicable to Bandon. 3 Cork City. Although the date of the Charter is put down the 7th James I., yet it appears that several former Charters had been granted so far back as Henry III., and members returned to Parliament from 1374. 4 Mallow is one of King James's Boroughs, having the right of election in the Provost, and twelve Burgesses only. It is only put down as an Open Borough. 5 St. Johnstown sent no members to Parliament till 1661. 6 Downpatrick. This Borough was incorporated previously to the date of the Charter set down. The Charter set down is merely a grant of protection to the "Mayor, Bailiffs, and Commons of the City of Dune." It did not, however, send Members to Parliament till 1613. Newry appears to me, from the Abstract set forth in the MS. Parliamentary Register, to be one of King James's Close Boroughs, having the election in the Provost and twelve free Burgesses only, and not, as set forth in No. 1, in the inhabitants at large. Query: Why set down as an Open Borough? 8 Drogheda has several earlier Charters than that set down. 9 Dublin has Charters as far back as King John. 10 Galway has several Charters previous to that put down: although the Charter here set down is a confirmation Charter, and presupposes prior ones. 11 Dingle-Icouch. The date set down in the MS. P.R. is 5 J. I., June 6, 1607; but it appears that a former Charter was granted 28th Elizabeth without further date, which I have accordingly set down. Dingle sent Members to Parliament in 1585. 12 Ardfert. No Charter appears in MS. P.R., but a grant of fairs and markets to Thomas, Lord of Kerry, the date of which I have here set down. No Members were sent to Parliament by Ardfert till 1634. Athy. It appears that Members for this Borough were returned in the Parliament of 1559, though no previous Charter appears to that set down. 13 14 Kildare returned Members from the year 1559. 15 Naas returned Members to the Parliament of 1559, i. e. ten years before the Charter set down. 16 Callan returned Members for the first time Anno. 1585. No Charter is set forth in MS. P.R. Ergo, query, whence the date set down is taken. 17 St. Canice. There is no Charter peculiar to St. Canice set forth in the MS. P.R. It appears that St. Canice, or Irishtown, was incorporated with Kilkenny, October 16, 1608, and April 11, 1609, and formed a component part of that Corporation. This shows that, previously to this period, notwithstanding the documents set forth in the MS. P.R., the Borough of St. Canice was not a Corporation in itself. The date set down is taken from the exemplification of a record in the King's Bench, which (as appears by the MS. P.R.) 29 Car., their being a separate Corporation is confirmed: by the same record, as well as by the MS. P.R., it appears, that the first time Members were sent from St. Canice to Parliament was Anno. 1661. 18 Gowran. The date set down here is not of the first Charter. It appears, by the MS. P.R., that Gowran, or Ballygaueran, was incorporated February 6, 1414, 8 Henry V., but re-incorporated, as the town had fallen to decay, by the Charter set down. This Borough had sent no Members to Parliament prior to 1613. 19 Innistroge. This town sent Members to Parliament in 1585, and it appears by the Charter set down to have been an ancient Burgh. 20 Several Charters appear prior to the one set down, but this is a confirmation of them all. 21 Knocktopher. Though this Corporation is asserted to be by pre |