Historic Memoirs of Ireland; comprising secret records of the National Convention, the Rebellion, and the Union; with delineations of the principal characters connected with these translations, etc

Front matter

ROBERT STEWART, VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH. HISTORIC MEMOIRS OF IRELAND; COMPRISING SECRET RECORDS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE REBELLION, AND THE UNION; WITH DELINEATIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS CONNECTED WITH THESE TRANSACTIONS. BY SIR JONAH BARRINGTON, MEMBER OF THE LATE IRISH PARLIAMENT FOR THE CITIES OF TUAM AND CLOGHER. ILLUSTRATED WITH CURIOUS LETTERS AND PAPERS IN F AC-SIMILE ; AND NUMEROUS ORIGINAL PORTRAITS IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR HENRY COLBURN, BY RICHARD BENTLEY, NEW BURLINGTON STREET. MDCCCXXXIII. PRINTED BY HOWLETT AND BRIMMER, 10, FRITH STREET, S0HO. CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

Chapter I

Duke of Portland pursues the System of dividing the Irish Leaders. — Mr. John Scott, the Irish Attorney-General, makes a most extraordinary Speech. — Totally recants his despotic Principles. — Secedes from Government. — The unprecedented boldness of his Language. — He tenders his Life and Fortune to put down the Usurpation of England, and effect the Independence of the Irish Nation. — Anecdotes of Mr. Scott. — Extraordinary Sensations occasioned by this Declaration, and Insincerity of the Duke of Portland. — He attempts to take Advantage of the Moderation and Confidence of Lord Charlemont and Mr. Grattan. — Irresistible Attitude and Power of the Irish People at that Period. — Census of the Volunteers- — Their Numbers and Preparations for Actual Service. — Perilous Situation of England. — Cautious and deceitful Policy of the British Cabinet. — Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt. — Their Views and Opinions respecting Ireland. — Meeting of Parliament. — Duke of Portland goes in State. — The Volunteer Regiments and Artillery occupy the Quays and Avenues to the House of Commons. —The Regular Troops line other Streets immediately adjoining. — Perfect Harmony exists between the Volunteers and the Regular Army. — They accidentally come into Contact, and salute each other with the usual military Honours. — Extraordinary and interesting Scene. — The Viceroy's Speech. — The King and British Parliament entirely accede to the Declaration of Irish Independence.— Mr. Grattan moves the Address. — Opposed by Sir Samuel Bradstreet, Recorder of Dublin, and Mr. Walshe. — Their Characters, and motives for their Opposition.— They persist, and divide the House, and remain the only two in the Minority. — General Congratulations. — Arguments of Sir Samuel Bradstreet and Mr. Walshe prophetic, and afterwards verified.— Unbounded Popularity of Mr. Grattan throughout the entire Kingdom Page 1

Chapter II

The Credulity of the Country Gentlemen of Ireland. — The deceptions Objects of the Government. — Mr. Bagenal. — His great Eccentricities and extraordinary Character. — Some curious Anecdotes of that Gentleman. — He gives Notice of a Motion to reward Mr. Grattan.— Deceived by the plausibility of the Duke of Portland. — His Speech and anti-prophetic Observations. — Bills to repeal the 6th Geo. I., and concede to the Claim of CONTENTS. Independence of Ireland, passed precipitantly by the British Legislature. — Fears and Responsibility of Ministers.— Mr. Bagenal proposes a Grant of 100,000/. by Parliament, without any previous Consent or Recommendation of the Crown, to purchase an Estate for Mr. Grattan —Mr. Grattan wishes to decline it.— Motion of Mr. Conolly, by the direction of the Duke of Portland, to grant the Viceroy's Palace, and a corresponding Pension to Mr. Grattan and his Heirs for ever, insidiously intended by the Duke to supersede tbe popular Grant proposed by Mr. Bagenal.— The Motion unprecedented, rejected by the House in silence, and a Sum of 50,000/. immediately voted uncondi tionally to Mr. Grattan as a Reward for his Patriotism.— Chagrin of Colonel Fitzpatric. — Sketch of his Character. — His indiscreet Speech. — Developes the Jealousy and Decep tions of Government. — The Irish Nation calumniated. — Objects of the Volunteers misrepresented. — Ireland' defended from the Charge of indigenous Disloyalty. — Historic Anecdotes of the earliest Periods disprove the Imputation. — The Loyalty of the Irish and English Nations compared 25

Chapter III

Elizabeth succeeds to the English Throne. — Her Character. — Mr. Hume's Character of that Princess falsified by his Anecdotes of her Life. — Project to exterminate the Aboriginal Irish. — Biographical Sketch of Henry the Eighth. — Mary and Elizabeth compared. — Elizabeth authorises her officers to torture all suspected Irish. — The Irish forced into Rebellion, by the Tyranny of Elizabeth's Officers, Carew and Mountjoy. — Tyrone, his Character, Speech, and Insurrection. — Similitude of Cruelties exercised in Ireland, in 1598 and 1798. — The English rebel against Charles. — The Irish remain loyal, and espouse his Cause against the English Rebels.— The Irish Royalists slaughtered without mercy, and the whole Island desolated byCromwell. — Massacre at Drogheda.— Charles the Second. — James the Second. — The English rebel against James. — The Irish remain loyal. — William usurps the Throne. — His Character. — Invades Ireland. — Historic comparison of English and Irish Loyalty to their Kings. — New Principles of Liberty introduced into the British Constitution, through William's Usurpation. — The Benefits of that Revolution never extended to Ireland. — Sanguinary Rebellions raised by the Protestants and Presbyterians of England and Scotland, in favour of a Popish Prince, in 1737, and 1745. — Unshaken Loyalty of the Irish Catholics to a Protestant King during the same Periods.

Insurrection in Ireland in 1798, political.— First excited by the English and Scotch Protestant Societies. — Not originating in Ireland. — Not put down promptly by the English Government. — The Reason.— Policy of Mr. Pitt. — Future Dangers to England, by Lord Londonderry's being outwitted at Vienna. — Ingratitude of the Powers of Europe to England.— Superior Loyalty of the Irish People to the English Kings, on every occasion " CONTENTS. V

Chapter IV

Bills to relax the Penal Code brought into Parliament. — Opposed by Mr. Rowley and Sir Edward Newnham.^Their Characters. — The extraordinary Character of Doctor Duigenan. — Curious Anecdotes of that Person. — His Writings.— Doubtful Tenets. — Lieuenant Heppenstal (named the Walking Gallows).— The Catholic Relaxation Bills pass. — A prophetic Reason given for opposing them. — The Objection against the Sufficiency of Ample Repeal gains Ground. — Duke of Portland's Insincerity.— Mr. Fox's Candour. — Avows the Insufficiency of the Arrangement with Ireland. — Marquis of Rockingham and Lord Charlemont. — Sketch of Mr. Burke's Conduct. — Acrimonious Debates in the Irish House of Commons. — Mr. Flood and Mr. Grattan commence Hostilities. — Several Divisions. — Mr. Flood's Motion negatived. — Mr. Grattan's most extraordinary and objectionable Motion. — Mr. Flood's reply. — Close of the Session. — The Duke of Portland's plausible and deceptious Speech from the Throne. — A Document of great consequence in Irish History 88

Chapter V

Mistaken Policy of British Ministers. — Irish Credulity. — New Ministry. — Earl Temple sent over as Lord Lieutenant, accompanied by his Brother, Mr. (now Lord) Grenville. — His public Character. — Earl Temple's. — They injudiciously alter the four Regiments of Horse Guards. — This Measure displeases the Irish. — Mr. Isaac Corry. — His Character. — Earl of Limerick. — General Discontent. — The Volunteers resolve that no British Statute should be obeyed in Ireland. — Magistrates and Juries refuse to act. — Dangerous Situation of Ireland. — Unfortunate Dissention of Mr. Flood and Mr. Grattan. — Sir George Young's Conduct in the British Parliament excites great Disturbance in Ireland. — Augmented by that of Lord Mansfield, who continues to act as if the 6th of Geo. I. had not been repealed. — Lord Abingdon's Conduct alarms the Nation. — All Confidence ceases as to the Sincerity of England, and ulterior Measures by the People appear to have become necessary. — Some distinguished Members of the Irish Parliament are brought over to Government • 113

Chapter VI

Lord Charlemont and Mr. Grattan content with single Repeal.— Mr. Flood and the Volunteers insist on ulterior Measures.— Great Animosity between Mr. Flood and Mr. Grattan.— Injurious Results to Ireland.— Comparison of Mr. Flood and Mr. Grattan. —Arguments of Mr Flood for a renunciation by England.— Mr. Grattan's Reasons against it, in a Letter to th'e Author.— Fae Simile of that Letter.— New Difficulties arise.— Volunteers discuss the Question of Parliamentary Reform. —Arguments for it.— State of the Representation.— First Grounds for the National Convention.— Mr. Curran.— His Character. — Extraordinary Wit and unparalleled Eloquence. — Inefficiency as a Judge. — vi CONTIvNTS. vl • Resigns the Bench.— His Duel with Lord Clare.— With Mr. Egan, and his extraordinary Duel with Major Hob-art (Earl of Buckinghamshire).— His Portrait, and Bon Mot on it. — Dies in Obscurity at Brompton 138

Chapter VII

State of the Volunteer Army.— Prosperity of Ireland.— Confidence and Enthusiasm of the People. — Dissensions between Mr. Flood and Mr. Grattan, with their Effects upon the Country. — Popular Disapprobation of the Parliament. — Delegates appointed from the Volunteer Army to reform the Legislature. — Alarm of England.— The Arrival of the Delegates in Dublin, and their Reception by the People. — Procession of the Delegates from the Exchange to the Rotunda. — National Music. — Peals of Artillery. — Enthusiasm of the People.— Awful Situation of the Capital. — Inaugural Meeting of the National Convention 163

Chapter VIII

Splendid Procession of the Bishop of Derry. — His Character and decided Conduct. — Alarm and sinister Policy of the English Government. — Necessity of a Parliamentary Reform in Ireland.— Character of Lord Charlemont. — His Presidency of the Convention. — Is opposed by the Bishop of Derry and Mr. Flood. — Bill of Reform digested by the Convention, and brought into Parliament by Mr. Flood. — Violent Debate. — Conduct of Mr. Yelverton, Mr. Fitzgibbon, and Mr. Conolly. — Rejection of the Bill. — Its Effect upon the Convention and upon the Volunteers. — Lord Charlemont determines to dissolve the Convention. — His Bill of Reform and Stratagem. — The Convention dissolved. — Disgrace of Lord Charlemont. — Popularity of the Bishop of Derry. — His celebrated Reply to " The Bill of Rights' Battalion."— Mr. Fitzgibbon's Proposal to Arrest the Bishop. — Distraction of the Council. — Conflict of Opinions upon violent or moderate Measures. — Mr. Flood's Second Reform Bill. — Decadence of the Volunteers. — Wisdom of moderate Measures. — Tranquillity of Ireland 185

Chapter IX

State of Public Feeling in Ireland. — Commercial Jealousy and Monopolizing Spirit of the English. — Taxation and Expenditure. — Tariff between England and Ireland. — Splendor of the Vice-Regal Court.— Its Laxity of Morals.— Condition of Ireland.— Mr. Pitt's Eleven Commercial Propositions — Violent Debates.— Artifices of Mr. Orde The Propositions amended.— Mr. Pitt's Twenty Commercial Resolutions. — Violent Debates. — Conduct of Messrs. Grattan, Flood, and Conolly. — Characters of Messrs. Forbes and Hardy, and of Lord Carleton.— Death of the Duke of Rutland.— The Marquess of Buckingham appointed Viceroy.— The Regency Question. — Conduct of Mr. Pitt, of the Marquess of Buckingham, and of Mr. Fitzgibbon.— The Ponsonby Family secede from Government.— Debates upon the Regency Question.— Address to the Prince.— The CONTENTS.

VII Marquess of Buckingham refuses to transmit the Address — A Deputation of Lords and Commons appointed to carry the Address to the Regent. — Vote of Censure against the Marquess of Buckingham. — He leaves Ireland. —Reception of the Irish Deputies by the Regent. — The Recovery of the King. — The Earl of Westmorland appointed Viceroy, 212

Chapter X

Character of Lord Westmorland, and of Major Hobart. —Their Administration of Affairs. — Opposition in Parliament. — Place Bill, Pension Bill, and Responsibility Rill. — Inquiries into the Sale of Peerages and into the Police Jobs of Dublin. — Observations upon the Place Bill Its fatal Consequences. — Character of Mr. Grattan; he is over-reached b\ the Government. — Catholic Claims. — The Elective Franchise, and Forty-Shilling Freeholders. — Concessions spurned and granted by the same Parliament. — Inconsistencies of Lord Clare and Lord Charlemont. — Character of Mr. Keagh.— Is opposed by Mr. Duigennan. — Arguments upon the Coronation Oath, and upon the Position of the Catholics. —Lord Fitzwilliam. — His Integrity and Spirit — Treachery of Mr. Pitt towards him. — He is dismissed. — Arrival of Lord Camden.— Popular Tumults. — Lord Clare's Life saved by his Sister. — United Irishmen. — Character of Lord Camden and Mr. Pelham. — Lord Castlereagh appointed Irish Secretary. — Lord Carhampton, Commander-in-Chief, resolves to prevent the Rebellion. —Refuses to obey the Lord Lieutenant. — Submits to the Royal Sign Manual. — Resigns his Command, and denounces the Designs of Mr. Pitt. — Sir Ralph Abercromby appointed Commander-in-Chief. — Refuses to enforce the Cruelties of Government. — Resigns with Disgust. — Horrible State of Ireland. — Crimes committed against the People. — Dexterity of the Irish at the Pike. — Sketches of the Counties of Wicklow and Wexford. — The Gentry of Wexford. — Their Violence aud Cruelties against the People. — Sir Richard Musgrave and Lord Cornwallis.— Popular Retaliation. — Feelings of the People against the Aristocracy and Gentry. . 229

Chapter XI

Commencement of Hostilities. — Number of the Rebels.— Their Want of Discipline, Officers, Cavalry, and Artillery. — Their Valour and Perseverance. — Projected Attack on the Metropolis. — Measures of Defence.— Night Scene in Smithfield. — Patrolling dark Streets. — Lord Roden's Attack on the Rebels. — Disgusting Scenes before the Castle Windows. — Brutal Executions on the Lamp Posts. — Unnecessary Cruelty. — Excess of Sanguinary Vengeance. — Martial Law Proclaimed. — State of Dublin. — Conflicts in the Counties of Kildare and Dublin.— Massacre at Prosperous. — Conflicts in the County of Wexford.— Gallantry of Captain Hay. — Defeat of Major Foot, of Colonel Walpole, aud of General Fawcett. — Gallantry of the Rebels towards Females. — Ferocity of the German Regiments towards them. — General Dundas. — The Heavy Cavalry defeated by the Pikemen. — The Execution of J. and H. Sheares. — Armstrong and Reynolds the Informers. — Affecting Letter of H. Sheares. — Lord Clare's Mercy. — Scene at Newgate. — Battles of Gorey, Arklow, Ross, Enniscorthy, or Vinegar Hill.— Attack on Arklow. — CONTENTS.

Troops sent from Dublin in Carriages.— Extremity of Danger.— Colonel Skerritt.— Battle of Ross.— Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey.— Conflagration of the Town.— The Rebels led by a Boy of Thirteen.— Alternate Success.— Horrible Scene of Slaughter.— The Rebel Entrenchments on Vinegar Hill— Fury of the Women.— Excitement of the Priests.— Cannonade.— Slaughter.— The Rebel's Retreat. -The Torture.— Murder of Sir W. Crooly and Mr. Grogan.— Recall of Lord Camdeu— Appointment of Lord Cornwallis— Continuation of Lord Castlereagh in Office.- Landing of the French in Killala Bay.— Battle of Castlebar. -Surrender of the French.— Defeat of the Rebels at Killala.— Armistice.— Its Object and Consequences 253

Chapter XII

Character of Lord Cornwallis.— Of Lord Castlereagh.— Execution of Captain Keugh and Mr. Grogan.— The Union.— Mr. Cooke's Pamphlet.— The Bar Meeting.— Lord Clare's Patronage.— The Beresford Family.— Opening of Parliament.— The King's Speech.— Lord Tyrone moves the Address. — Debates upon the Union — Character of Mr. Ball. — Bribery of Mr. Trencb, Lord Ashtown, in the Body of the House.— The Stratagem of Mr. Luke Fox with the Place Bill.— Division on the Address.— Violent Excitement of the Country. — Renewed Debates on bringing up the Address. — Exertions of the Government to secure a Majority.— Conduct of Admiral Pakenham and of Mr. Marshall. — Gallery of the House of Commons.— Defeat of the Treasury Bench.— Mr. Ponsonby's Declaration of Rights.— Extraordinary Scene in the House. — Mr. W. C. Fortescue's Dissent from the Declaration. — Mr. Ponsonby's Motion withdrawn.— Debates in the Lords 282

Chapter XIII

Effects of the Divisions in Parliament. — Lord Corry's Motion. — The Viceroy's experimental Tour. — Its Object and Effects. — Reflections upon Mr. Fortesque's Conduct, and upon the State of Parties. — Public Opinion. — The Catholic Clergy deceived by Lord Cornwallis. — They support the Union. — Lord Clare's Motives for supporting the Union. — His Influence upon Lord Castlereagh. — Mr. Pitt's private Instructions to Lord Cornwallis contemned by Lord Clare. — Personal Conflicts. — Lord Castlereagh's Plan of Retaliation. — Dinner, and Fighting Conspiracy, at Lord Castlereagh's House. — Meeting of the Opposition at Lord Charlemont's. — Pacific Disposition of the Meeting. — Mr. Grattan's Duel with Mr. Corry, the Chancellor of the Exchequer 323

Chapter XIV

Proceedings of Lords Cornwallis and Castlereagh. — The Compensation Bill. — Opening of the Session of 1800. — The Viceroy's Speech. — Lord Viscount Loftus moves the Address and Sir Laurence Parsons the Amendment. — Vehement Debate. — Personal Hostilities, resolved upon by the Treasrury Benches.— Eloquence of Mr. Bushe and of Mr. Plunkett. CONTENTS. IX They are attacked by Mr. Saint George Daly. — His extraordinary Speech. — Speech of Mr. Peter Burrows.— The Election of Mr. Grattan for the Town of Wicklow.— Efforts made by Government to prevent his Return. — His unexpected Appearance in Parliament, and extraordinary Speech. — Its electric Effect. — Is replied to by Mr. Corry. — Adjournment of the House. — Resumed Debate.— Majority for the Treasury. — The Union v Bill in the Committee. — Mr. Annesley illegally placed in the Chair. — Sir W. Gladstow Newcomen. — Mr. F. Knox. — Mr. Crowe. — Lord Belvidere. — The Rev. Mr. Usher. — Incident in the House. — The Bill is passed 329 Red List, or the Members who voted against the Union in 1799 and 1800, with Observations , 370 Black List 377 CONTENTS OF

Appendix

TO VOLUME II. No. I. Bill of Rights Battalion Page 385 II. Arguments used by Grattan and Yelverton on the Repeal of 6th Geo. I., and on the Act of 1783 388 in. Lawyers' Resolutions 392 iv. Speech of the Lord Lieutenant, and consequent Debate in the Irish Parliament, on the Subject of the Union 395 v. Message from the Lord Lieutenant, in Reply to the Address to the Throne, with the Propositions submitted by Lord Castlereagh, in regard to the Union ; and the Debates ensuing ■ PORTRAITS AND DOCUMENTS ILLUSTRATING THE SECOND VOLUME. LORD VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGH, - - ... To face the Title. DR. DUIGENAN, page 90 HENRY FLOOD, ESQ., WITH HIS LETTER TO MR. AYRE, - -"* 106 FACSIMILE OF A LETTER FROM THE RIGHT HON. HENRY GRATTAN TO SIR JONAH BARRINGTON, --.- 146 J. P. CURRAN, ESQ., 155 RICHARD DAWSON, ESQ., M.P. - 166 FACSIMILE OF A LETTER OF COUNSELLOR HENRY SHEARES TO SIR JONAH BARRINGTON, 266 LORD HUTCHINSON, 279 COLONEL VEREKER, - - 281 MARQUIS CORNWALLIS, 282 T. GOLD, ESQ 288 RIGHT HON. JAMES FITZGERALD, 290 J. BALL, ESQ. - - 294 MR. SECRETARY COOKE, --------- 301 SIR L. PARSONS (EARL OF ROSS), 307 J .EGAN, ESQ. 311 DR. DICKSON, BISHOP OF DOWN, ------ 321 DR. MARLEY, BISHOP OF WATERFORD, 321 CHARLES KENDAL BUSH, ESQ. 345 RIGHT HON. W. C. PLUNKETT, 347 RESOLUTIONS OF THE EARL OF BELVIDERE, - 362 SIR JOHN MACARTNEY, M.P 373 THE ROUND ROBIN, 377 FACSIMILE OF A LETTER FROM MR. CROWE TO THE EARL OF BELVIDERE, ERRATA.

Page 76, fine, 21, far 1737, read 1715. „ 106, „ 1, Jar 29th July, read 19th July. ,, 297, „ 10, for Woodlaw, read Woodlawn. v A LIST OF PORTRAITS, &c PUBLISHED WITH THE SEVERAL PARTS; , AT 2s. 6(1. EACH. OF WHICH MAY BE HAD SEPARATELY PROOF IMPRESSIONS FART IV. FART I. Colonel Charles Vereker. Humphrey Butler, Esq. Marquis Cornwallis, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The Earl of Clare, Lord Chancellor of Ireland. The Earl of Moira. Right Honourable James Fitzgerald, late Prime Sergeant of Ireland. Lord Edward Fitzgerald. Right Honourable John, Lord de Blaquiere, K.B. John Egan, Esq. K.C. Chairman of Kilmainham. Si'r Jonah Barrington, K.C. Judge of the High Court John Philpot Curran, Master of the Rolls. Charles Kendal Bush, Solicitor General. of Admiralty in Ireland. Richard Dawson, Esq. M.P. FART II.

Resolutions in the hand-writing of the Earl of Belvidere, prepared by him for the Freeholders of the County of West Meath, against a Legislative Union, in 1799. Fae Simile of a Note from Mr. Flood to Mr. Ayre, January 31, 1785. FART V. Robert Emmet, taken when Sentence was being passed on him. The Duke of Leinster. The Earl of Granard. Doctor Patrick Duigenan. Right Honourable General Lord Hutchinson, Knight of the Bath. Rev. Doctor Marlay, LL.D. Bishop of Waterford. The Earl of Charlemont. • James Napper Tandy, Esq Mr. Secretary Cooke. Laurence Parsons, Earl of Ross. The Right Honourable Hussey Burgh. Fae Simile of an original Letter from Counsellor Henry Sheares to the Author, a few hours before his Execution for high Treason, May 1798. The Right Honourable William Cunningham Plunket. The Rev. Dr. Dickson, LL.D. Bishop of Down.

FART VI. FART III. Sir John M'Cartney, M.P. Thomas Gold, Esq. one of his Majesty's Counsel at Law. John Ball, Esq. His Majesty's second Sergeant at Law FART VII. Arthur O'Connor, Esq. in Ireland. FART VIII. Major-General Montague Matthew. Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh. Viscount Kilwarden, Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Ireland, murdered by the Insurgents in Dublin, 1803. FART X. The Round Robin agreement entered into, February 27, 1789, by the Members of both Houses of Parliament in opposition to the Marquis of Buckingham, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. Francis Hardy, Esq. Right Honourable Henry Grattan. Fae Simile of a Letter from Robert Crowe, Esq. to the Earl of Belvidere. Fae Simile of a Letter from the Right Honourable Henry Grattan to Sir Jonah Barrington. Henry Flood, Esq. M.P. HISTORIC ANECDOTES cVc

Chapter I

Duke of Portland pursues the System of dividing the Irish Leaders — Mr. John Scott, the Irish Attorney-General, makes a most extraordinary Speech — Totally recants his despotic Principles — Secedes from Government — The unprecedented boldness of his Language — He tenders his Life and Fortune to put down the Usurpation of England, and effect the Independence of the Irish Nation — Anecdotes of Mr. Scott — Extraordinary Sensations occasioned by this Declaration, and Insincerity of the Duke of Portland — He attempts to take Advantage of the Moderation and Confidence of Lord Charlemont and Mr. Grattan — Irresistible Attitude and Power of the Irish People at that Period — Census of the Volunteers — Their Numbers and Preparations for actual Service — Perilous Situation of England — Cautious and deceitful Policy of the British Cabinet — Mr. Fox and Mr. Pitt — Their Views and Opinions respecting Ireland — Meeting of Parliament — Duke of Portland goes in State — The Volunteer Regiments and Artillery occupy the Quays and Avenues to the House of Commons — The Regular Troops line other Streets immediately adjoining — Perfect Harmony exists between the Volunteers and the Regular Army — They accidentally come into Contact, and salute each other with the usual military VOL. II.

B Honours— Extraordinary and interesting Scene— The Viceroy's Speech— The King and British Parliament entirely accede to the Declaration of Irish Independence— Mr. Grattan moves the Address— opposed by Sir Samuel Bradstreet, Recorder of Dublin, and Mr. Walshe— Their Characters, and motives for their Opposition— They persist, and divide the House, and remain the only two in the Minority — General Congratulations — Arguments of Sir Samuel Bradstreet and Mr. Walshe prophetic, and afterwards verified — Unbounded Popularity of Mr. Grattan throughout the entire Kingdom. The foundation of Irish independence had now been laid, by the spirit of the Parliament and the unanimity of the people ; and the stately structure of Irish liberty seemed likely to rise with solidity and magnificence. The labourers were numerous and indefatigable ; and nothing was to be dreaded but contrariety in the plans, or jealousy among the architects :— dangers which are proved, by the sequel of her history, to be the true and substantial cause of Ireland's misfortunes and annexation.

It is demonstrated by facts, beyond the power of refutation, that from the moment the British Ministry found it imperatively necessary to accede to this declaration of Irish independence, no consideration was paramount in their councils to the desire of counteracting it. In furtherance of that object, from the period of the Duke of Portland's administration to that of Lord Cornwallis, the old and vicious system of dividing the Irish Chiefs against each other, and profiting by their dissentions, was artfully pursued by the English Ministry, as the most effective means to recover and re-establish their own supremacy ; and they resolved to achieve, at any risk or price, the disastrous measure, which, at one blow, prostrated the pride, the power, and the Legislature of Ireland, and reduced her from the rank of a nation to the level of a department.

But the people had now no leisure for suspicious forethought, or mature reflection ; and the interval between the declaration of independence, and the reply of His Majesty to that declaration, though a period of deep anxiety, neither awakened serious doubts, nor produced implicit confidence. An adjournment for three weeks was now proposed in the Commons, to give time for the arrival of His Majesty's Answer to their Address and Declaration. This motion, though it gave rise to a con versation rather than a debate, produced one of the most singular political phenomenons that had ever appeared in the history of any nation. Mr. John Scott, then Attorney- General, whose character has been delineated in the early part of these Memoirs*, and whose despotic conduct had previously given rise to many and severe animadversions, took advantage of this occasion to renounce, in unqualified terms, his former and favourite political principle, that " might constitutes right."

He declared his firm and unqualified adherence to the claims of Ireland, in terms which, a week before, he would have prosecuted as a seditious libel ; and tendered his large fortune towards a general fund, to enforce from Great Britain the rights of Ireland, if force should become necessary. He said, that " he now felt it indispensable for him to throw off * See Character and Anecdotes of Mr. Scott, vol. i. page 37- " all equivocal and mysterious silence, and declared, as his " unchangeable opinion, that Great Britain never had any right " whatever to bind his country ; and that any acts she had ever " done for that purpose were decided usurpations. That if the " tenure of his office of Attorney-General depended upon the " maintenance of doctrines injurious to the rights and independence " of Ireland, it was an infamous tenure ; and if the Parliament of " Great Britain were determined to lord it over Ireland, he was " resolved not to be their villain in executing their tyranny *.

That * It is a very curious fact, that Mr. Attorney-General Scotfs declaration of resisting the usurpation of England in 1782, was repeated in 1800, by two other successive Attorney- Generals of Ireland, though under different circumstances. Mr. William Saurin, in his place in Parliament, declared that he considered the Irish Representatives incompetent to enact a legislative union ; and that any statutes, made by a Parliament so constituted, would not be constitutionally binding on the Irish people. That gentleman, some time after, became Attorney-General of Ireland himself, and never afterwards repeated his scepticism. Mr. Plunkett made the same declaration, but in rather stronger terms, as he vouched for his son as well as himself; and soon after became Attorney-General. Mr. Forster, and numerous able lawyers, some of them junior judges, and many country magistrates, united in those sentiments.

However, both the Attomies-General, the lawyers, and the magistrates appear to have been better advised, if we are to judge from the large proportion of the Irish peasantry who have been hanged, whipped, or transported, under penal laws enacted by Union Parliaments for the sole use of Ireland, since the time of those declarations. No Member of the Irish Parliament opposed the Union more strenuously than the Author of this Work, and he united with those gentlemen in their opinion as to the incompetence of the Irish Parliament. But the measure being enacted de facto, he considered fhat, ex necessitate rei, it must be carried into execution, " if matters should proceed to the extremity to which he feared " they were verging, he should not be an insignificant subscriber " to the fund for defending their common rights.

That a life of " much labour, together with the blessing of Providence, and what " is commonly called good luck *, had given him a landed property of " 5,000/. per year, and an office of great emolument, — all which " should certainly be devoted to the service of his country. That " it would be disgraceful, for the paltry emoluments of an office, * Mr. Scott (afterwards Lord Clonmcll) used humorously to observe, that " He " believed good luck had fallen in love with him.'" He was of very humble birth, and came to the bar without money or connexion. The coarse effrontery of his address procured him the name of " Copper-face Jack." — He soon rose in his profession as an advocate,— never as a Lawyer. He was one of the most fortunate men in the world. All his objects were attained : no person ever left him a legacy that death did not immediately put him into possession of it.

He wished for a younger wife, and death very soon gave him an opportunity of marrying an heiress. If he was promised any office by Government, the incumbent very seldom tarried long in the world to keep him out of it. The only cir cumstance which seemed to prey much on his Lordships mind, and which indeed almost fretted him to death, was his contest with a Mr. Magee, editor of The Dublin Evening Post, whom he had by a fiat severely handled. This Mr. Magee purchased a small piece of ground close to, and immediately in front of, his Lordship's magnificent mansion near Dublin. He named it Fiat Hill, and there entertained the populace of Dublin once a week with the most ludicrous games and exhibitions ; — prizes of soaped pigs — dancing dogs, in barristers' uniforms — ass races, the jockeys in wigs and gowns, et cetera.