History of the Union of the Kingdoms of Great-Britain and Ireland: with an introductory survey of Hibernian affairs, traced from the times of Celtic colonisation

Front matter

J HISTORY OF THE UNION or THE KINGDOMS OF GREAT-BRITAIN AND IRELAND WITH AN INTRODUCTORY SURVEY OF HIBERNIAN AFFAIRS, TRACED FROM THE TIMES OF CELTIC COLONISATION'. BY CHARLES COOTE, LL.D. Uno se peetore Condidit, et major conjunctis viribus exit. Claud, LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, Ey S. Hamilton, Falcon-Court, Fleet-Street; AND SOLD BY G. KEARSLEY, NO. 46, IN THAT STREET. 1S02. TO THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE. MY LORD, 1 OUR great ancestor, sir William Petty, was one of the earlv advisers of a consolidation of the English and Irish parliaments : sensible of its expediency, he recommended it by strong arguments. As, with his fortune and talents, you inherit his predilection for such a measure, a work which traces the progress and relates the completion ofthe late scheme of union may with obvious propriety be inscribed to your lordship.

Your judgement, on a perusal of this history, may induce you to disallow the pretensions of the author to the praise of literary merit ; but your politeness will excuse the freedom of the dedicator. If the performance should be entitled to approbation, your lordship DEDICATION. ship will have no reason to complain : if cen sure should be more justly due to it, your character will suffer no discredit, as your name was introduced without your knowlege or consent. I am, my lord, Your respectful servant, CHARLES COOTE. Doctors* Commr.r.si March 13, 1802.

Preface

. J. HE union which took place on the first day of the present century was a transaction of sufficient dignity and moment to claim the tribute of a distinct history. The causes which gave rise to it, the circumstances which attended its progress, the incidents by which it was hastened or retarded, and the successive adjustment of the terms of incorpo ration, demand a copious narrative, and re quire a fullness of illustration. As, from the political constitution of each of the kingdoms which the framers of the scheme pro posed to unite, it could not be carried into effect without the deliberation and assent of the respective legislatures, the greater part of the history will necessarily consist of parliamentary debates : but the discussion of so important a project, by the enlightened mem bers of the British and Hibernian senates, cannot prove uninteresting either to the politician or the general reader. Splendid dis plays of eloquence will sometimes illumine b the

PREFACE.

. the page : closeness of argumentation will at other times prevail : varieties of remark and allusion will occasionally illustrate the sub ject ; and the information which the work will contain will not be unaccompanied with the gratifications of entertainment. The compiler of this history has not merely consulted the ordinary vehicles of intelligence, but has had recourse to numerous pamphlets published by respectable and well-informed individuals, and has also been favored with private communications. He therefore con fidently hopes that the work will be found authentic, and the statements correct ; and he has endeavoured to render his style not unworthy of the subject. FORMINC AN