ment,

1782. externally on the part of Great Britain, their work

would be but half done, and Ireland might again be enslaved by the first corrupt minister, who should choose to avail himself of the unsuspecting and too liberal conduct of Ireland. Mr, Flood's doctrines gained more proselytes out of doors than in parlia

Mr. Grattan, and by far the greater part of the house confided implicitly in the good faith of Great Britain, and contended, that the simple repeal went the whole length of their own demands. Both Mr. Yelverton and Mr. Grattan declared, that if they could be convinced, that the simple repeal was insufficient, they would most cordially join Mr. Flood in his motion. Never was contest more fiercely fought, than this between the two rival patriots, Messrs. Flood and Grattan. It ended on the division of the house upon Mr Flood's motion on the 19th of July, 1782*, for leave to bring in the heads of a bill for declaring the sole and exclusive right of the Irish parliament to make laws in all cases whatsoever internal and external for the kingdom of Ireland,

The death of the Marquis of Rockingham had ocadministra- casioned dissentions in the British cabinet, which tion by the

obliged Mr. Fox, Lord John Cavendish, Mr. Burke, ingham. and others of his friends to resign. Mr. Fox would

not submit to remain in a cabinet, in which he, and his friends, who had come in and acted uniformly upon an open principle, were outvoted; he had de

Change in the Brush

death of Lord Rock

clared before the death of the marquis, that if certain 1782 measures were carried in the cabinet, he should resign; and as they had been carried since his death, he did resign, disdaining to be responsible for measures he disapproved of, or to lend his name to a system, in which he had no share. In the new arrangement of Lord Shelburne's adininistration, which took place on the 13th of July, 1782, Lord Temple* was fixed upon to succeed the Duke of Portland in the viceregency of Ireland. Every possible dispatch was therefore given to the parliamentary business in Ireland, in order that the Duke of Portland might close the session, and as far as conveniently could be, adjust all the arrangements then pending between the two kingdoms respecting her legislative independence and commercial freedom. Lord Shelburne, who was the head of the new administration, had been fully as explicit, open, and liberal in his speech to the lords, with reference to Ireland, as Mr. Fox, in his speech to the commons. It was therefore generally presumed, that the change in the British administration would cause no alteration in the system of concession to that kingdom.

The more beneficial acts, which passed under the Acts under Duke of Portland's administration, were Mr. Eden's of Portact for establishing the national bank; an Act, ministra“ for better securing the liberty of the subject,” commonly called the Habeas Corpus act, similar to the English act; the repeal of the act requiring the sacramental test, by which dissenting protestants were

influence

1782. excluded from offices of trust under the crown; the

repeal of the perpetual mutiny bill ; and the act for the independence of the judges. An act was also passed to render the manner of conforming from the Popish to the Protestant religion more easy and expeditious, Another for sparing to his Majesty, to be drawn out of this kingdom whenever he should think fit, a force not exceeding 5000 men (part of the troops appointed to be kept therein for its defence). On the 27th of

July, 1782; the lord-lieutenant concluded the session. Continuing The volunteers had now too long been enured of the vo- to arms, as well as to the agitation of political sub

jects, not to partake of the spirit of enthusiasm, with which the questions of simple repeal and renunciation were contended for in parliament: frequent appeals to them were made by persons in parliament; and the volunteers assumed a consequence little short of legislative control. Provincial meetings were called to take into consideration addresses suitable to the occasion. Some meetings explicitly avowed their intent to canvass the proceedings of their representatives in parliament. A spirit of dissent had created discontent; and the immediate object of their consideration was, whether there existed or not just cause of complaint. At their first meeting nothing was agreed upon : at their next a resolution was unanimously carried in favour of the simple repeal. At a future meeting, an address to his majesty was determined on to express the opinion of 306 companies of volunteers in favour of the simple repeal. It passed unanimously, and with loud applause. Captain Pol

lock then moved an address to the Duke of Portland, 1782. which was carried unanimously; as was also an address to Lord Charlemont, appointing him general of the volunteers of Ulster. An address to Mr. Grattan, expressing the highest satisfaction at the vote of · 50,0001.; a resolution moved by Colonel Knox, for assisting in raising the 20,000 seamen; and another for erecting a monument at Dungannon, in which Lord Charlemont and Mr. Grattan were particularly to be distinguished, were also carried unanimously.

The gentlemen, who were appointed to present the Gracious address to his majesty, sailed for England. Lord of the dele. Shelburne treated them with the greatest politeness ; the volunand his Majesty was pleased most graciously to receive their address, and every mark of attention was paid through them to the volunteers of Ulster. But scarcely had their addresses been presented, when the packets from Ireland announced the dissatisfaction of two corps in the town of Belfast, which had been represented at Dungannon; their delegates were vilified and traduced in the news-papers : even Mr. Grattan became the object of abuse. The Belfast review was approaching; those who were dissatisfied determined there to make their stand. The 31st of July exhibited a volunteer encampment of near three thousand men, and the volunteer garrison of upwards of one thousand, all completely clothed, armed, and accouired. Anonymous papers in thousands were dispersed through the camp and garrison. Every private was taught, that he was competent to legisiate, and consequently to express his sentiments on the most specu.

1782. lative points. Declaration, renunciation, simple re

peal, legal security, better security, and bill of rights, were all before them, and they were to instruct their delegates on these important points. The delegates assembled on the 3d of August, Colonel Stewart was unanimously called to the chair. Major Dobbs, as exercising officer, moved an address to the Reviewing General, Lord Charlemont, in which he inserted a clause of their being fully satisfied with the simple repeal. A debate commenced, whether it should not be expunged; at the end of eleven hours a division took place, when there appeared for expunging 31, against it 29. The address thus altered, passed una. nimously. By the exertions of a wise and liberal administration were the liberties of Ireland restored ; peace, unity, and content diffused through a revived nation, and the prosperity and glory of the British empire encreased by adding strength, vigor, and felicity to that important part of it.

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