the measure of Union was neither likely to conciliate the Roman Catholic or the Churchman. In effect to agree to an Union, were to adopt a change of the Conftitution of Parliament, but would even fuch a wild and extravagant project cure the influence of Great Britain, always fo fatal to Ireland; would it cure every corruption which from time to time found its way into the Irish Legislature; was it a cure of every corruption to add 100 Members of the Legiflature of Ireland to the 558 Gentlemen who form the House of Commons of Great Britain. The most emphatical differences diftinguished the two people. The Irish in general fpoke one language; England fpoke another. The Irish from time immemorial regarded the English as innovators, they diftinguish them in their language by a name repulfive to every unlettered Irishman, a "Saffanoch," or Saxon, was understood to mean an Englishman and an oppreffor, what would their feelings be when they understood that the whole of their Government was to become Saxon. They cannot read the debates either of the Houle of Commons of England or the House of Commons of Ireland; their difference of language perpetually occafions a difference of popular feeling and fentiment, and that measure which fhould in its progrefs diffipate the native energies of Irishmen, muft fucceed effectually in enervating one of the effential limbs of the British Empire. Hence if there exifted for the adoption of the propofed meafure of Union, otherwife the strongest reafons imaginable, fo great a difference of language and fuch neceffary difference of habit muft eternally keep animofities and cherish refentments, which no legiflative prohibitions could fupprefs or reftrain. The papers alfo which were brought down and prefented to the House as the foundation of this meafure, were prefented on the fame day on which the Meffage came down. The Committee to whom these papers were referred, he believed, had not even yet made their report, notwithstanding that the House was required to make that report the foundation of their decifion. There even was fomething in the name propofed to be given to the united kingdoms which might lead to heats and broils. In the Union with Scotland a general name was adopted, the two kingdoms being united under the general name of Great Britain. Thus were the recollections of the Scotch in no long time obfcured, and Scotia blotted from their memories. It might be politic to purfue a fimilar line of conduct on an occafion important as the prefent. It might be politic not to leave to Irishmen a name which must ever 5 X 2 continue continue to harrow up their national feelings, and induce in them habits of difaffection to any Government, however tempered. If therefore Union fhould pofitively be infifted on, would it not be politic instead of the name "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland," or "Imperial Parliament," to adopt the name of "The United Kingdom and Parliament of the British Ifles." There was nothing in the History of the Scotch Union which could in any way apply to the present cafe. The two countries were then involved in disputes which must have terminated in feparation and warfare, had not fome measure of that kind been adopted. The propofition of an Union became, however, in the progrefs of difcuffion, more popular with the Parliament of Scotland than it was at firft; but with the country at large, it was more popular before the particular articles were difclosed than after they were known. In Ireland, on the contrary, the measure of an Union never was popular. When ever any of the old factions of Ireland wished to raise a clamour against a Lord Lieutenant, they never failed to reprefent him as having received inftructions from the British Government to endeavour to bring about an Union. This was the conduct of a great portion of the people of that country, while Great Britain claimed a fovereignty over IreJand. Was it to be fuppofed then that they should be more eager for an Union now that they were independent. The Union with Scotland was carried into effect by the means of Commiffioners, which was certainly a better mode than the two Parliaments proceeding as in the prefent inftance, the interefts of the two Parliaments were in fuch a cafe fo oppofite, that there was no point of approximation at which they could meet for fair difcuffion, and it was not eafy to conceive why the example of their ancestors was on this occafion to be departed from. In Scotland there was a clear and decided majority of every order of the State in favour of the measure, before an Union took place; but in Ireland only one House of Parliament had as yet given any thing like an affent upon the queftion. With regard to to the argument that Scotland had been benefited by the Union, it would be fufficient to say only a few words. In the first place, it would be difficult to prove that this was actually the cafe, and if were it would it would not make for the question.It was ridiculous to say that because Scotland was then poor, and is now comparatively wealthy, that her profperity was to be entirely afcribed to the Union. With equal truth might the profperity of England be attributed to the fame event; with equal truth might it be faid, that Great Britain was benefited by the lofs of America, because her wealth and commerce had increased since that period; but if it fhould ftill be contended that the fituation of North Britain proved an Union to have been for the advantage of Scotland, the argument certainly would not hold with regard to Ireland, fince it was admitted on all hands that the trade and the manufactures of Ireland had rapidly improved fince 1782. This was a proof that Ireland could profper without an Union, and, therefore, that there was no neceffity for urging it upon that ground. The time chofen for agitating this question was the most unpropitious that could have been felected. A queftion had been started refpecting the competency of Parliament. He was forry to fee in all the County Addreffes the fame topic was brought forwards and infifted upon. It was, in truth, the difeafe of the times, and he was forry to fee men driven upon it. He thought it would be much more prudent not at the prefent crifis to puth men to fuch confiderations. It was a topic which readily found admiffion into the minds of men; and he quoted the authority of Mr. Hume to prove, that it was not well done to bring forwards fuch points for public difcuffion; they ought to be regarded as principles over which a veil ought to be thrown in times of tranquillity and good order. The difcontents which the Union occafioned in Scotland would afford fome idea of what might be expected in Ireland, where fuch a multitude of other caufes of irritation prevailed. The Hiftorian of the Union (Dr. Burnet) had defcribed the difcontents in Scotland to have risen to fuch a height for feveral years after the Union, that there was an almost universal inclination to throw themselves into the hands of the enemy. We had already feen that our Enemies now were determined and capable of making efforts against Ireland. Notwithstanding our complete maftership upon the feas, they had already been able to effect a landing in Ireland.A fleet arrived at Bantry Bay, which Providence alone difperfed. They too fent troops, which had landed; and again they found means to fteal in a frigate with arms. Any measure therefore which irritated that country, and threw down into a state favourable to the enterprises of our enemy, was moft cautiously to be avoided. He wished the Houfe moft feriously to confider the mifchiefs that were likely to enfue by pursuing a line of conduct inimical to the wishes, and contradictory to the refolution of the Irish na tion. They had already declared their fentiments, and would still be able to persevere in them, for except the city of Cork, the whole of the Nation feemed averfe to the propofal. Upon thefe grounds therefore, that it was not now well-timed; that it departed from the practical wisdom of our ancestors; that it tended to irritate the Irish nation, and above all, that it gave additional ftrength and facility of enterprise to our enemies. It was not to be fuppofed that an Union with Ireland could be concluded in a moment, and during the agitation of the question much mischief might occur; but even if the measure were carried into effect, its advantages could not be rapid. Its beneficial effects would be flow, while the irritation and discontent it would occasion, would be immediately felt. For thefe reafons, he confidered himself bound to oppofe the motion for the Speaker's leaving the chair. The Question being repeatedly called for, the House divided, Ayes 131. Noes - 19.-Majority - 112, The House then went into a Committee, the Right Hon. Sylvefter Douglas in the chair, when it was moved to report progrefs, on an understood agreement that the House would the next day go at once into the Committee. Adjourned. HOUSE OF LORDS. Tuesday, February 12. The feveral Bills before the House were forwarded in their respective stages. Some private bulinefs was difpofed of, after which the Order was read for the fecond reading of BARTELOT'S DIVORCE BILL. Mr. Serjeant Shepherd and Mr. Graham were heard at the Bar in fupport of the Bill. Mr. Serjeant Shepherd stated, that Captain Bartelot had been married at Portsmouth, about 13 years ago, to the Lady from whom he then defired to be divorced-that they had lived for fome time together in a great conjugal affection; until she was feduced by a Major Hawkefley. Articles of Separation having been entered into between Captain Bartelot and his wife, she went and lived in a state of adultery with Major Hawkefley. The other was for fome time prevented from bringing an action for crim. con. on account of his not having evidence at firft of any act of adultery before the feparation. But he afterwards procured this evidence, and in an action which he brought he obtained 700l. damages. damages. The caufe was afterwards brought into the Ecclefiaftical Court, where a final judgment was, after confiderable delays, given, and a divorce pronounced a menfa et thoro. It was proved by a woman in whofe houfe Captain Bartelot refided in Canterbury, that Major Hawkefley, as well as other officers, ufed to vifit him and his wife frequently. When Captain Bartelot happened to be abfent from home, Major Hawkelley used to come and fee his wife; and one night in particular the witness saw him loitering about the door for two or three hours, and about eleven o'clock he came in, went up to the bed-chamber where Mrs. Bartelot was alone, ftaid there that night, and did not go away till three o'clock the next day. The Duke of Clarence asked the witnefs feveral questions, from which it appeared that Captain Bartelot was in the habit of entertaining officers at his house at unfeasonable hours, that the lady was very young, and that no woman ever visited her. His Royal Highness then faid, he would move, according to the ftanding order of the House, that Captain Bartelot be called to the Bar to be examined. The Lord Chancellor faid, he certainly should. On the Counsel having ftated that fome material witnesses, whose refidence could not be afcertained for fome time, were not in town, and that it would take feveral days to fend for them; the House agreed to put off the further proceedings in the cause till the 1ft of March. Certain accounts were brought up by Mr. Newland from the Bank.-Adjourned to Monday. HOUSE OF COMMONS. An account was prefented of the Progrefs made by the Commiffioners for the Reduction of the National Debt towards this object in the year 1799 The Secretary at War prefented a Lift of the Staff Officers at prefent employed in Great Britain. The Sheriffs of London prefented a Petition from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, for and towards carrying into effect the improvements projected at Temple bar; a Petition for leave to bring in a Bill for the better collection of Small Debts, and a third Petition against the Merchants' Wet Dock Bill. The Petitioners were ordered to be heard by Counfel. Mr. Manning objected to the hearing of Counsel upon the various Petitions, unless they were different from thofe prefented |