1795. Fitzwilliam had so openly attacked and so fearfully alarmed, felt the irresistible effect. All good Irishmen beheld with sorrow and indignation the reconciliation, of all parties, interests, and religions defeated, the cup of national union dashed from their eager lips, and the spirit of discord let loose upon the kingdom with an enlarged commission to enflame, aggravate, and destroy. The catholics of Dublin took the lead*, and deputed three of their body to present a petition to the king at the levee, praying on behalf of their body, that his majesty would be graciously pleased to continue his excellency in the government of Ireland. On the 5th of March, the Duke of Leinster, in the house of lords, rose at a late hour, and, after prefacing what he was about to propose with a warm and affectionate eulogy upon the character of Lord Fitzwilliam, moved the following resolution, that his excellency Earl Fitzwilliam since his arrival in that kingdom, had, by his public conduct, merited the thanks of that house, and the confidence of the country." Lord Dillon opposed the motion: upon which a warm debate ensued; but with a slight amendment, the resolution passed. The ferment in the country was greatly increased by the rumours then afloat concerning the extraordinary movements in the cabinets of both kingdoms.

Catholics address to

On the 27th of February,.1795, the catholics of Mr. Grat Dublin appointed two gentlemen of their body to pre

tan

*The resolutions of this meeting are given in my Hist. Rev. vol. II. p. 503.

sent an address to Mr. Grattan, which fully spoke their feelings and sentiments of the political posture of affairs to which they received an immediate answer, which has been more censured by the enemies, and applauded by the friends of that gentleman, than any thing, that ever came from his mouth.

* Mr. Grattan's reply to that address is too pointed and appropriate to existing circumstances not to submit parts of it to the reader. "In supporting you, I support the protestant: we have but one interest and one honour; and whoever gives privileges to you, gives vigour to all. The protestant already begins to perceive it. A late attack rallied the scattered spirits of the country from the folly of religious schism to the recollection of national honour ; and a nation's feuds are lost in a nation's resentment. Your emancipation will pass, rely on it; your emancipation must pass it may be death to one viceroy; it will be the peace-offering of another; and the laurel may be torn from the dead brow of one go. vernor, to be craftily converted into the olive of his successor.

"Let me advise you by no means to postpone the consideration of your fortunes till after the war: rather let Britain receive the benefits of your zeal during the exigency which demands it; and you yourselves, while you are figh ing to preserve the blessings of a constitution, have really and bona fide those blessings.

My wish is, that you may be free now: there is no other policy, wh ch is not low and little : let us at once instantly embrace and greatly emancipate.

"On this principle I mean to introduce your bill, with your permission, immediately after the recess.

"His excellency, Lord Fitzwiliam, may boast that he offered to the em; ie the affections of millions, a better aid to the war than his enemies can furnish, who have forfeited those affections, and put themselves in their place.

"So decidedly have the measures of Ireland served the empire, that those, who were concerned in them, might appeal from the cabals of the British cabinet to the sense of the British nation. I

1705,

1795.

Lord Fitz

williani

leaves Ire

land.

Addresses and resolutions were daily multiplied from different bodies of catholics, who not content with having addressed his Majesty, his viceregent, and parliament, now addressed particular characters of extraordinary influence or supposed power in the country, as the last resort in their despondency; calling upon their exertions to prevent the threatened catastrophe. All was fruitless. On the 25th of

know of no cause afforded for the displeasure of the British cabinet; but if services done to Ireland are crimes, which cannot be atoned for by exertions for the empire, I must lament the gloomy prospects of both kingdoms, and receive a discharge from the service of government as the only honour an English minister can confer on an Irish subject.

"I conceive the continuance of Lord Fitzwilliam is necessary for the prosperity of this kingdom: his firm integrity is formed to correct, his mild manners to reconcile, and his private example to discountenance a progress of vulgar and rapid pollution if he is to retire, I condole with my country-for myself, the pangs on that occasion, I should feel on rendering up my small portion of ministerial breath would be little, were it not for the gloomy prospects afforded by those dreadful guardians, which are likely to succeed. I tremble at the return to power of your old task-master; that combination which galled the country with its tyranny, insulted her by its manners, exhausted her by its rapacity, and slandered her by its malice should such a combination at once, inflamed as it must be now by the favour of the British court, and by the reprobation of the Irish people, return to power, I have no hesitation to say, that they will extinguish Ireland, or Ireland must remove them; it is not your case only, but that of the nation. I find the country already committed in the struggle; I beg to be committed along with her, and to abide the issues of her fortunes. Whatsoever shall be the event, I will adhere to her interests to the last moment of my life."

March, 1795, Lord Fitzwilliam took his departure from Ireland, when the resentment, grief, and indignation of the public were most strongly marked. It was a day of general gloom: the shops were shut; no business of any kind was transacted, and the whole city put on mourning. His coach was drawn to the water-side by some of the most respectable citizens, and cordial sorrow appeared on every countenance.

1795.

1795. w Appointment of

den.

CHAPTER VII.

Administration of Earl Camden.

EARL CAMDEN, who before the appointment of Lord Cam his immediate predecessor had been destined by Mr. Pitt to fill the situation of viceroy, as the best calculated to continue the system of Lords Buckingham and Westmoreland, arrived in Dublin, five days after Lord Fitzwilliam had le t it. Mr. Pitt's two grand objects had been carried by the unprecedented vote of 1,700,000l. towards carrying on the war, and the degradation and further division of the proselytes he had enticed from the Rockingham party. So much displeasure appeared on Lord Camden's arrival, that it was found necessary to call out the military to prevent outrage.

Catholie meeting in Francis

street.

Still the rage for meetings continued. On the 9th of April the catholics met in their chapel in Francisstreet, in Dublin, to receive the report of the delegates, who had presented their petition at St. James's: when Mr. Keogh reported, that in execution of their mission they had on the 13th of March presented their petition to his Majesty, and had received what was generally termed a gracious reception. That they had afterwards felt it their duty to request an audience with the Duke of Portland, the secretary of state for the home department, to receive such information as