XLI. 1798. CHAP. the measure; which they condemned at a public meeting, 'as a dangerous innovation:' it was, however, dangerous only to their private interests; since numbers of them got into the Irish house of commons, and raised themselves to notice by political contests: such opportunities they would lose by the removal of the parliament to England, on account of their obligation to attend the Irish courts. Of all public bodies, however, the proceedings of the Irish parliament are intitled to most attention; and these will come before us in the regular course of our narrative. CHAP. XLII. 1799. CHAPTER XLII. GEORGE III. (CONTINUED.)-1799. Committee of secresy; new bill of restriction and other regulations-His majesty's message to parliament respecting a union with Ireland-Discussion, and address carried-The subject introduced into the Irish legislature, &c.-Government influence used in favor of it, &c.-Renewal of the subject in the British parliament-Mr. Pitt's resolutions as a basis of the measure-Conference between the two houses-Debates in the lords-Speech of the lord-lieutenant at the prorogation of the Irish parliament-Supplementary militia-Mr. Wilberforce's annual motion-Parliament prorogued-King's speech Affairs of India-Lord Teignmouth's policy-Administration of the marquis Wellesley-Efforts of the new coalition in Europe-French system of attack-Operations in Germany under Jourdan, who is defeated-Massena takes the command- Operations in Italy and Switzerland-Events in Naples and Rome-Joint British and Russian expedition to Holland-Capture of Surinam - Exploits of the British navy-Bonaparte's conduct in Egypt--His flight to France, and establishment of a new government-Meeting of the British parliament; supplies, militia bill, &c.-State of the public mind inclined toward peace-Correspondence on this subject between Napoleon and the British government. ary regula THE suppression of jacobinical principles at home Parliamentbeing considered equally necessary with the prose- tions. cution of foreign war, the report of a committee of secresy, appointed to inquire into the proceedings of ENG. IV. 2 B XLII. 1799. CHAP. British and Irish associations, led to a new bill of restriction the committee imputed the mutiny of the fleet, and other evils, to these dangerous combinations, which held close communication with the French government; and they gave it as their opinion, that an insurrection of a most alarming nature was meditated in London at the time of the Irish rebellion, which was only prevented by the seizure of certain leaders, and the timidity of others. Following the advice given by the framers of this report, Mr. Pitt proposed, that his majesty should be empowered to transfer to any eligible place within the realm, persons detained on suspicion of treasonable practices, in order to prevent that facility of organising and carrying on conspiracies, which the metropolis and other large towns afforded he also advised that such societies should be declared illegal, and those who continued members of them be subjected to fine or imprisonment, and in aggravated cases to transportation: debating clubs also were put under strict regulations; and to prevent the propagation of sedition through the press, the names of printers were required to be affixed to every publication. This bill, though strenuously opposed, was carried by large majorities. Not long before, his majesty had showed his marked displeasure against one of the most eminent politicians of the day, whose conduct was considered as affording encouragement to sedition among the lower orders: at a board of privy council on the twenty-fifth of May, when the clerk produced the list of counsellors, the king took his pen, and drawing it across the name of Charles James Fox, returned the book without any comment.9 Discussions on the union with Ireland. On the twenty-second of January a message was received from his majesty, relative to the important measure of a legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland, as an effectual method for defeating the 9 This act of his majesty was attributed to a toast which Mr. Fox had given at the whig-club,- The sovereignty of the people of Great Britain.' The name of Henry Grattan was soon afterwards erased, in consequence of the part he took in the tumultuous proceedings in Ireland. XLII. 1799. design of our enemies to effect a separation of the CHAP. two kingdoms, and for consolidating the power and resources of the British empire. This message was next day discussed in the commons; when Mr. Dundas moved and carried an address, importing that the house would proceed, with all due despatch, to a consideration of the several interests submitted to their attention. In the debates to which this address gave rise, no one more strenuously denied the justice and policy of the proposed union than Mr. Sheridan: he was answered in a very masterly speech by Mr. Canning; who, arguing the question on general principles, arrived at the conclusion to which they naturally conducted him. The object of the proposition,' he said, was most important: it was not the making of a provincial regulation, not the adjusting of an internal difference, not the arrangement of a plan for balancing parties: the object was nothing less than to secure Ireland to us and to herself, and thereby to promote the happiness and security of the whole empire.' For the general opinion of the protestant party in Ireland regarding this measure, he appealed to the ingenious work of Dr. Duigenan, in answer to Mr. Grattan. That gentleman,' said Mr. Canning, is well known to be decidedly hostile to the pretensions of the catholics; he insists on the necessity of their continued exclusion from a share in the legislature, or in the great offices of state; but he confesses that such necessity of exclusion would be done away by the adoption of some plan similar to that proposed in his majesty's message: he states it as an unavoidable alternative, either that a plan of union be adopted, or some other method devised for the fortification of protestant ascendency. This fortification Dr. Duigenan would fain build on the re-enactment of the popery code; but he admits this to be unnecessary in case of a union between the two countries. now the other, the catholic party; and what is their answer? Why, let us have a union, or a continued struggle for that which you have hitherto denied us, Ask CHAP. 1799. a repeal of the remaining part of the penal code. In XLII. adopting the amendment of my honorable friend, and refusing to go into a consideration of the address, the house would put an end to the only great and comprehensive view which it has ever taken of the affairs of Ireland. The plans hitherto proposed respecting that country, except in the case of the Irish propositions, have generally been to answer some immediate purpose; to catch at a little popularity, by decrying one party and extolling another; and by echoing in this country the distractions and disturbances of that, whenever it has so happened that our own affairs have furnished no immediate ground for popular declamation.' The same day on which his majesty's message was delivered to the British senate, the session of the Irish parliament commenced; and the lord lieutenant brought the subject of a union regularly before them, by a recommendation similar to that laid before the other legislature. In the house of lords the address, approving such a measure was carried by a large majority; but in the commons it was opposed with great acrimony, and even with menaces of armed resistance. During the course of the session, the subject was variously discussed; but, though the unionists were foiled in some questions, as the session advanced they obtained a small majority. It was not, however attempted to bring the matter to a final discussion at this time: meanwhile agents actively exerted themselves in tampering with members; inducing many strong opposers of the measure to vacate their seats, that others more pliable might be elected in their room; and not only during the session, but after its conclusion, government exerted its whole influence, lavishing the public money on all sides, and entering into numerous engagements, for the purpose of making proselytes: the enemies of the union also were active, but they were not supplied with the same powerful means. The populace of Dublin were violent against the measure, and expressed un |