Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

The example of the Scotch Union was followed by Ireland in the formation of their first quota of the imperial parliament. No new election was resorted to, but the most zealous supporters of the measure were, generally, rewarded with seats in the imperial legislature.* In consequence of the proclamations issued in Great Britain and Ireland for the purpose, a selection was made of the persons to represent the boroughs of Ireland in the imperial parliament.

At ten o'clock in the morning, the deputy clerk of the crown and hanaper attended in the place of meeting of the House of Commons, where several members of that house also attending, the names of such members as were to be ballotted were written upon slips of paper, and drawn from a glass placed upon the table.†

"believe, will prove to be merely local, and will, I doubt not, be soon effectu"ally terminated.

"The pressure of scarcity on the poorer classes, though much relieved by "private generosity, and by the salutary provisions of the legislature, has been "long and unusually severe, but I trust that under the favour of Providence we may draw a pleasing prospect of future plenty from the present appear. " ance of the harvest.

[ocr errors]

16

"I am persuaded, that the great measure which is now accomplished, could "never have been effected but by a decided conviction on your part, that it "would tend to restore and to preserve the tranquillity of this country, to in crease its commerce and manufactures, to perpetuate its connexion with "Great Britain, and to augment the resources of the empire. You will not "fail to impress these sentiments on the minds of your fellow-subjects. You "will encourage and improve that just confidence, which they have manifested "in the result of your deliberations on this arduous question. Above all, you "will be studious to inculcate the full conviction, that united with the people "of Great Britain into one kingdom, governed by the same sovereign, pro"tected by the same laws, and represented in the same legislature, nothing "will be wanting on their part but a spirit of industry and order, to insure to "them the full advantages under which the people of Great Britain have en"joyed a greater degree of prosperity, security, and freedom, than has ever yet "been experienced by any other nation.

"I cannot conclude without offering to you and to the nation at large, my per"sonal congratulations on the accomplishment of this great work, which has "received the sanction and concurrence of our sovereign on the anniversary of "that auspicious day which placed his illustrious family on the throne of these "realms. The empire is now, through your exertions, so completely united, "and by Union so strengthened, that it can bid defiance to all the efforts its enemies may make, either to weaken it by division, or to overturn it by force. "Under the protection of the Divine Providence, the united kingdom of Great "Britain and Ireland will, I trust, remain in all future ages, the fairest monu"ment of his majesty's reign, already distinguished by so many and such vari"ous blessings conferred upon every class and description of his subjects."

*Not one of the 28 peers who opposed the Union, was elected. Amongst the 100 commoners, some few of the Anti-unionists appear, such as Mr. Foster, sir John Parnell, Mr. Ogle, sir Lawrence Parsons, Mr. W. B. Ponsonby, Mr. J. C. Beresford, lord Corry, &c.

The following list will shew the result of the several resignations, and of the ballot. The names of the gentlemen in the second column, shew the pre

On the 31st of December, 1800, his majesty entered the House of Peers, when the usher of the black rod was sent to desire the attendance of the commons.

Several members of the House of Commons appeared at the bar, preceded by the speaker, who addressed his majesty in a dignified and impressive speech. That part of it which related to Ireland was as follows:

"These, Sire, the last proceedings of your parliament previous "to the great era now on the point of commencing, are the indi❝cation and result of that common interest and fellow-feeling "with the people, by which it has ever been actuated, and which "are the best safeguard of all that is most valuable in society. "To that era your commons look forward with a confident ex"pectation, that the consolidated wisdom and authority of the "legislature of Great Britain and Ireland, under the auspicious

sent sitting members; those in the third, their late colleagues :-when a drawing took place, the successful is in Italics.

[blocks in formation]

10 Galway, town

11 Clonmel

12 Wexford, town

13 Youghal 14 Bandon

15 Armagh, city 16 Dundalk

17 Kinsale

18 Lisburn

19 Sligo, town
20 Carlow
21 Ennis

22 Dungarvan
23 Downpatrick
24 Coleraine
25 Mallow
26 Mallow
27 New Ross
28 Trawlee
29 Cashell

30 Dungannon
31 Portarlington
32 Enniskillen

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

"government of your majesty, and your illustrious house, will "diffuse, throughout every part of the united kingdom, the full "benefits of that constitution which has been proved to be favour"able, in an unexampled degree, to the enjoyment of civil liberty and public prosperity; which cannot therefore fail to animate the zeal and determination of those who may share its "blessings, to cherish and maintain it during their own times, "and to transmit it as the best inheritance to their posterity."

66

His majesty was then pleased to make the following most gracious speech from the throne to both houses of parliament : "MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"I CANNOT suffer this session to close with"out particular acknowledgment for the distinguished industry "and zeal with which you have applied yourselves to the interesting object, which, at the commencement of the session, I "most especially recommended to your attention.

66

"It has been my earnest wish, that nothing should be omit❝ted which could tend to relieve the pressure occasioned by the present dearth of provisions, and to insure a sufficient supply "till the produce of the next harvest can be brought into use.

"The diligence with which your inquiries have been con"ducted, has afforded you the best means of ascertaining the true "circumstances of our present situation; and the extensive mea"sures which you have wisely adopted in consequence, for the

diminishing the consumption of grain, and procuring an in"creased supply, will, I doubt not, be found productive of the "most salutary effects.

"Much, however, must depend on the disposition which will, I "am confident, be manifested by all those who have the means "of carrying into execution my solemn recommendation and in"junction, issued at your desire, for the adoption of all practi"cable economy in the use of those articles which are necessary to the subsistence of the poorer classes of my subjects.

"The time fixed for the commencement of the Union of Great "Britain and Ireland necessarily terminates your proceedings "on this important subject; but I am persuaded, that the con"sideration of it will be resumed with the same zeal and tem"per on the first meeting of the parliament of the united king"dom.

"The early period I have appointed for that meeting will af"ford a speedy opportunity of completing whatever you may "have necessarily left unfinished, and of considering what mea66 sures may tend further to alleviate the pressure on my people, or to prevent the danger of its recurrence."

66

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS,

"THE detention of the property of my subjects "in the ports of Russia, contrary to the most solemn treaties, "and the imprisonment of British sailors in that country, have "excited in me sentiments, in which you and all my subjects ❝ will, I am sure, participate.

"I have already taken such steps as this occasion indispensa"bly required, and it will afford me great satisfaction if they prove "effectual. But if it should become necessary to maintain, "against any combination, the honour and independence of the "British empire, and those maritime rights and interests on "which both our prosperity and our security must always de66 pend, I entertain no doubt either of the success of those means, "which, in such an event, I shall be enabled to exert, or of the de"termination of my parliament and my people to afford me a support proportioned to the importance of the interests which we "have to maintain."

[ocr errors]

Afterwards the lord chancellor, by his majesty's command,

said,

"MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

"IT is his majesty's command, that the procla"mation, declaring his majesty's most gracious intention, should "be read to the members of the parliament of the united king"dom of Great Britain and Ireland on the part of Great Britain, "and that the said parliament should be assembled on the 22d day of January next, be delivered in full parliament, and now "read, which closes the present session."

And the said proclamation was read by the clerk at the table, as follows, viz.

66

"GEORGE R.

"WHEREAS, by the fourth article of the "articles of the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, as the same are ratified and confirmed by two acts of parliament, the one "passed in the parliament of Great Britain, intituled, An Act "for the Union of Great Britain and Ireland, to have force "and effect from the first day of January one thousand eight "hundred and one, it is provided, That if we, on or before the "said first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and one, on " which day the Union is to take place as aforesaid, should de"clare, under the great seal of Great Britain, that it is expedient, that the lords and commons of the present parliament of "Great Britain should be the members of the respective houses "of the first parliament of the united kingdom of Great Britain " and Ireland, on the part of Great Britain: then the said lords "and commons of the present parliament of Great Britain should "accordingly be the members of the respective houses of the

[ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]

"first parliament of the united kingdom, on the part of Great "Britain: And whereas it is our intention to appoint Thursday, "the twenty-second day of January next ensuing, for the assem"bling of the parliament of the united kingdom, of Great "Britain and Ireland, by proclamation under the great seal of "the united kingdom; we do judge it to be expedient, that the "lords and commons of the present parliament of Great Britain "should be the members of the respective houses of the first "parliament of the united kingdom, on the part of Great Bri"tain: And we do, pursuant to the said articles of Union, and "to the acts of parliament ratifying and confirming the same, "hereby declare, under the great seal of Great Britain, that it is "expedient, that the lords and commons of the present parliament "of Great Britain should be the members of the respective houses "of the first parliament of the united kingdom of Great Britain " and Ireland, on the part of Great Britain; and the lords and commons of the present parliament of Great Britain are accordingly to be the members of the respective houses of the "first parliament of the United kingdom of Great Britain and "Ireland, on the part of Great Britain; and the said lords, spi"ritual and temporal, and commons, are hereby required and "commanded to take notice hereof, and to give their attendance "accordingly, at Westminster, on the said twenty-second day of "January next ensuing.

"reign.

"Given at our court at St. James's, the fifth day of November, one thousand eight hundred, in the forty-first year of our "GOD save the KING." Immediately after his majesty had left the house, he held a grand council, in which several arrangements required by that great event were settled. In honour of the Union many promotions were made, and several new titles created. And on the next day, viz. the first of January, one thousand eight hundred and one, the incorporate Union of Great Britain and Ireland was formally announced in the following proclamation.

"GEORGE R.

[ocr errors]

"WHEREAS by the first article of the ar"ticles of Union of Great Britain and Ireland, ratified and con"firmed by two acts of parliament, the one passed in the parlia "ment of Great Britain, and the other in the parliament of Ire"land, and respectively intitled, An act for the Union of Great "Britain and Ireland,' the said kingdoms of Great Britain and "Ireland should upon this day, being the first day of January, in "the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one, for "ever after be united into one kingdom, by the name of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; and that the royal style and titles appertaining to the imperial crown of the

« ZurückWeiter »