Let Truth and Justice, devotion and piety, concord and unity, brotherly kindness and charity, with other Christian Virtues, so flourish amongst us, that they may be the stability of our times, and make this our association a praise here on Earth. This we most humbly beg, in the name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Amen.

Form of Prayer to be used at Closing.

O Almighty God, who art a strong Tower of Defence unto thy Servants, against the face of their Enemies; we yield thee praise and thanks for our deliverance from those great and apparent dangers wherewith we were encompassed; We acknowledge thy goodness, that we were not delivered over as a prey unto them, beseeching thee still to continue such thy mercies towards us, that all the world may know thou art our Saviour and mighty Deliverer, through Jesus Christ. Amen.

HISTORY OF IRELAND,

CHAPTER I.

Administration of MARQUIS CORNWALLIS.

1801.

Union Mr.

THIS period of the History of Ireland opens scenes, which let in broad day light upon those Legislative principles of the system, which with some tem- Pitt's mas porizing modifications, that country has been ter piece. governed for centuries. The incorporate union was now accomplished, upon the success of which Mr. Pitt had vauntingly rested his reputation with posterity. The sequel will bring to a fair test, the justness of that Minister's assertion,* that

* Historical Review, 3 Vol. 888. This was Mr. Pitt's solemn opinion in the debate of the British House of Commons in January 1800 upon Mr. Sheridan's motion for addressing the crown, "not to listen to the counsel of those, who should "advise or promote the measure of Legislative Union at that "crisis, and under the then existing circumstances of the Empire." The severe experiment of 10 years has at length worked off the scales from the eyes of an easily blinded people. They now behold the baleful measure of union in its full deformity,

VOL. I.

1801.

Union pro claimed in

Treland.

upon the accomplishment of that great work depend the internal tranquillity of Ireland, the general interest of the British Empire, and perhaps, the happiness of a great part of the "habitable world."

The Ministerial victory was solemnly announced on the 1st day of January 1801 by a display at noon of the Imperial united standard on Bedford Tower in the Castle at Dublin, and by the firing of the guns of the Royal salute battery in Phoenix Park. In like manner was it proclaimed in every fort and garrison throughout Ireland, that the Legislative Union became on that day the operative law of the land. The event was dignified by an extraordinary promotion in the army and a* numer

They also practically feel the force of Mr. Sheridan's reproof of Mr. Under Secretary Cooke's official pamphlet in favor of the union, in which he derided and insulted the Irish nation by assuring them, that they had nothing to hope for from an Irish Parliament and that however revolting to their first feelings might be the proposal of extinguishing their national Legislature and independence, yet that disaffection would soon sink inte acquiescence, and acquiescence soften into content.

It is useful to reflect on past circumstances, which connect the theory and practice of the statesman. On the 31st of Jan. 1800 after Mr. Pitt had delivered a brilliant speech in favor of a complete and entire union, and submitted to the consideration of the House of Commons eight resolutions embracing a general plan of the measure,, Mr. Sheridan moved: "That no measure can have a tendency to improve and perpetuate the ties of amity and connection now existing between Great "Britain and Ireland, which have not for their basis the mani"fest, fair and free consent and approbation of the Parliament of the two countries: and that whoever shall endeavour to "obtain the appearance of such consent and approbation in

ous creation of Peers. Either Peerages had been

"either country by employing the influence of Government for "the purpose of corruption or of intimidation, is an enemy to "his Majesty and to the constitution." Mr. Pitt opposed the motion, by explicitely declaring, that "it went to stigmatize every minister, whose persuasions should procure the dismissal "of officers of the crown on account of a difference of senti "ment on any great political question. The practice arose out "of the very nature of regular Government, and was necessary "for the public service." In that same debate Lord Hawkesbury (now Earl of Liverpool) justified the dismissals; and roundly denied any intimidation or corruption: so did Mr. Canning; who was reproved by Mr. Sheridan "for pleading the

cause of bold and barefaced corruption, and thus clouding and "contaminating with its foul fog and baneful breath the pure "morning of his political life.".

It was not a little singular, that on this occasion amongst the army promotions, which could hardly be grounded on any merit in forwarding the union, appear the names of four Catholic officers of the Irish Brigade late in the service of France. (O'Moore, M'Donnell, M'Carty and Stack,) and they head the list of the Lieutenant Colonels, whom his Majesty was then pleased to appoint to be Colonels in the army. As the union peerages are become lasting badges of service rendered to the Pitt administration by the more prominent favourers of that measure, it is of national importance, that the recollection of them should be facilitated to posterity. New Baronies of Ireland were on the 27th of December 1800 granted to the following persons, viz: Lord Charles Fitzgerald, was created Baron Lecale; the Hon. William Waldgrave Baron Radstocke; the Right Honourable Sylvester Douglass Baron Glenbervie; the Right Honourable John Toler Baron Norbury; Sir Alan Gardner Baron Gardner; Marchioness Buckingham Baroness Nugent with remainder to her 2d son Lord G. Grenville and the heirs male of his body; Frederick French Esqr. Baron Ashtown, remainder to the heirs male of his late father; Eyre Massey, Esq. Baron Clarina; the Honourable Robert King Baron Erris. On the 29th of Dec. 1800 the following dignities

1801.

1901. promised to Commoners or promotions to Peers, who had pledged themselves to support or not to oppose that measure. Individual engagements. were generally observed to that effect with fidelity by the British Minister; national pledges only were disregarded.

Situation of

the British

to the Con

According to Lord Castlereagh's report to ParEmpire as liament, the military force in Ireland at this time tinent. amounted to 126,500 men; viz, 45,839 regulars, 27,101 Militia, and 53,557 Yeomanry. Notwithstanding the defensive and offensive means of warfare were proportionally great in other parts of the British Empire, the success of Mr. Pitt's military plans and operations had so generally failed during nine years contest with France, that he then had the mortification to behold the French

were granted with limitations to the heirs male of the Grantees, viz. The Earl of Inchiquin was created Marquis of Thomond; the Earl of Bective, Marquis of Headfort; the Earl of Altamont, Marquis of Sligo; the Earl of Ely, Marquis of Ely; Viscount Castle-Stewart Earl of Castle-Stewart; Viscount Donoughmore, Earl of Donoughmore; Viscount Caledon Earl of Caledon, Viscount Kenmare, Earl of Kenmare; Thomas Earl of Clanricard to be Earl of Clanricarde of the County of Galway, with remainder to his 1st and other daughter and daughters severally and respectively according to priority of birth and the heirs male of such daughter and daughters severally and respectively; Lord Glentworth, Earl of Limerick; Lord Somerton Archbishop of Cashel, Viscount Somerton; Lord Yelverton, Viscount Avonmore; Lord Longueville Viscount Longueville; Lord Bantry, Viscount Bantry; Lord Monck, Viscount Monck; Lord Kilconnel, Viscount Dunlo; Lord Tullamore, Viscount Charleville; Lord Kilwarden, Viscount Kil warden.