and a century of remedial legislation to be commenced, for repairing the evils of past misgovernment.

Residence of

One of the first improvements in the administration of Ireland was a more constant residence of the lordlieutenant. The mischievous rule of the lords jus- lord-lieutices was thus abated, and even the influence of the parliamentary undertakers impaired; but the viceroy was still fettered by his exclusive cabinet.1

tenant.

Attempts were made so early as 1761 to obtain a septen nial Act for Ireland, which resulted in the passing Octennial of an octennial bill, in 1768.2 Without popular Act, 1768. rights of election, this new law was no great security for free dom, but it disturbed, early in the reign of a young king, the indefinite lease of power, hitherto enjoyed by a corrupt confederacy; while discussion and popular sentiments were beginning to exercise greater influence over the legislature.

Executive

mons, 1769.

A new Parliament was called, after the passing of the Act, in which the country-party gained ground. The Conflict government vainly attempted to supplant the un- between the dertakers in the management of the Commons, and the Com and were soon brought into conflict with that assembly. The Commons rejected a money bill, "because it did not take its rise in that House;" and in order claim to to prove that they had no desire to withhold sup- money originate plies from the crown, they made a more liberal bills, 1769. provision than had been demanded. The lord-lieutenant, however, Lord Townshend, - marked his displeasure at this proceeding, by proroguing Parliament as soon as the supplies were voted, and protesting against the vote and resolution of the Commons, as a violation of the law and an invasion of the just rights of the crown. So grave was this 1 Adolphus' Hist., i. 331.

2 This difference between the law of the two countries was introduced to prevent the confusion of a general election, on both sides of the channel, at the same time. Walpole's Mem., iii. 155; Lord Chesterfield's Letters, iv. 468; Plowden's Hist., i. 352, 387; Hardy's Life of Lord Charlemont, i. 248

8 Lords' Journ. (Ireland), iv. 538. The lord-lieutenant, not contented

Dec. 21, 1771.

Oct. and
Nov. 1775.

8

difference, that the lord-lieutenant suspended the further sitRepeated ting of Parliament, by repeated prorogations, for prorogations. fourteen months,1-a proceeding which did not escape severe animadversion in the English Parliament. Parliament, when at length reassembled, proved not more tractable than before. In December, 1771, the Commons rejected a money bill because it had been altered in England; and again in 1773, pursued the same course, for the like reason, in regard to two other money. bills. In 1775, having consented to the withdrawal of four thousand troops from the Irish establishment, it refused to allow them to be replaced by Protestant troops from England,5- -a resolution which evinced the growing spirit of national independence. And in the same year, having agreed upon the heads of two money bills, which were returned by the British cabinet with amendments, they resented this interference by rejecting the bills and initiating others, not without public inconvenience and loss to the revenue. This first octennial Parliament exhibited other signs of an intractable temper, and was dissolved in 1776.8 Nor did government venture to meet the new Parliament for nearly eighteen months."

with this speech on the prorogation, further entered a separate protest in the Lords' Journal. -Commons' Journal (Ireland), viii. 323; Debates of Parliament of Ireland, ix. 181; Plowden's Hist. of Ireland, i. 396; ii. 251 Grattan's Mem., i. 98-101; Lord Mountmorres' Hist., i. 54; Hardy's Life of Lord Charlemont, i. 290.

1 From Dec. 26th, 1769, till Feb. 26th, 1771; Comm. Journ. (Ireland), viii. 354; Plowden's Hist., i. 401.

2 Mr. G. M. Walsingham, May 3d, 1770; Parl. Hist., v. 309.

8 Comm. Journ. (Ireland), viii 467; Adolphus, ii. 14; Life of Grattan, i. 174-185.

4 Dec. 27th, 1773: Comm Journ. (Ireland), ix. 74.

5 Comm. Journ. (Ireland), ix. 223; Grattan's Life, i. 268.

6 Viz., a Bill for additional duties on beer, tobacco, &c.; and another, imposing stamp-duties.

7 Dec. 21st, 1775; Comm. Journ. (Ireland), ix. 244; Plowden's Hist. i. 435.

8 Plowden's Hist., i. 441.

The old Parliament was prorogued in June, 1776, and afterwards dis

Effect of the

war.

In the mean time, causes superior to the acts of a govern ment, the efforts of patriots, and the combinations of parties, were rapidly advancing the indepen- American dence of Ireland. The American colonies had resented restrictions upon their trade, and the imposition of taxes by the mother-country; and were now in revolt against the rule of England. Who could fail to detect the parallel between the cases of Ireland and America? The patriots accepted it as an encouragement, and their rulers as a warning. The painful condition of the people was also Condition of betraying the consequences of a selfish and illib. the people. eral policy. The population had increased with astonishing fecundity. Their cheap and ready food, the potato, — and their simple wants, below the standard of civilized life, removed all restraints upon the multiplication of a vigorous and hardy race. Wars, famine, and emigration had failed to arrest their progress; but misgovernment had deprived them of the means of employment. Their country was rich in all the gifts of God; fertile, abounding with rivers and harbors, and adapted alike for agriculture, manufactures, and commerce. But her agriculture was ruined by absentee landlords, negligent and unskilful tenants, half civilized cottiers; and by restraints upon the free export of her produce. Her manufactures and commerce, the natural resources of a growing population, were crushed by the jealousy of English rivals. To the ordinary restraints upon her industry was added, in 1776, an embargo on the export of provisions. And while the industry of the people was repressed by bad laws, it was burdened by the profusio and venality of a corrupt government. What could be expected in such a country, but a wretched, ignorant, and turbulent peasantry, and agrarian outrage? These evils were aggravated by the pressure of the American war, followed

solved: the new Parliament did not meet till October 14th, 1777. - Comm Journ., ix. 289, &c.; Plowden's Hist., i. 441.

1 Grattan's Life, i. 283.

by hostilities with France. The English ministers and Par liament were awakened, by the dangers which threatened the state, to the condition of the sister-country; and England's peril became Ireland's opportunity.

Encouragement had already been given to the Irish fisheries in 1775; and in 1778, Lord Nugent, sup

Commercial restrictions removed, 1778.

2

ported by Mr. Burke and favored by Lord North, obtained from the Parliament of England a partial relaxation of the restrictions upon Irish trade. The legislature was prepared to make far more liberal concessions; but, overborne by the clamors of English traders, withheld the most important, which statesmen of all parties concurred in pronouncing to be just. The Irish, confirmed in the justice of their cause by these opinions, resented the undue influence of their jealous rivals; and believed that commercial freedom was only to be won by national equality. The distresses and failing revenue of Ireland again attracted the attention of the British Parliament in the ensuing session. England undertook the payment of the troops in the Irish establishment serving abroad, and relieved some branches of her industry; but still denied substantial freedom to her commerce. Meanwhile, the Irish were inflamed by stirring oratory, by continued suffering, and by the successes of the Americans in a like cause. Disappointed in their expectations of relief from the British Parliament, they formed associations for the exclusion of British commodities and the encouragement of native manufactures.

Further re

strictions removed, 1779.

6

1 Grattan's Life, i. 283-289, 298, &c.; Hardy's Life of Lord Charlemont, i. 368-379.

2 15 Geo. III. c. 31; Plowden's Hist., i. 430.

8 Parl. Hist., xix. 1100-1126; Plowden's Hist., i. 459-466; 18 Geo. III. c. 15 (flax seed); c. 55 (Irish shipping); Adolphus' Hist., ii. 551-554; Grattan's Life, i. 330.

Parl. Hist., xx. 111, 136, 248, 635, 663.

5 King's Message, March 18th, 1779; Parl. Hist., xx. 327.

6 E. g. hemp and tobacco. 19 Geo. III. c. 37, 83.

7 Plowden's Hist., i. 485;

Lord Charlemont, i. 389.

Grattan's Life,

362-364; Hardy's Life of

Another decisive movement precipitated the crisis of Irish affairs. The French war had encouraged the The volunformation of several corps of volunteers, for the teers, 1779. defence of the country. The most active promoters of this array of military force were members of the country party; and their political sentiments were speedily caught up by the volunteers. At first the different corps were without concert, or communication;1 but in the autumn of 1779, they received a great accession of strength, and were brought into united action. The country had been drained of its regular army, for the American war; and its coasts were threatened by the enemy. The government, in its extremity, threw itself upon the volunteers, distributed 16,000 stand of arms, and invited the people to arm themselves, without any securities for their obedience. The volunteers soon numbered 42,000 men, chose their own officers, chiefly from the country party,made common cause with the people against the government, shouted for free trade, and received the thanks of Parliament for their patriotism.2 Power had been suffered to pass from the executive and the legislature into the hands of armed associations of men, holding no commissions from the crown, and independent alike of civil and military authority. The government was filled with alarm and perplexity; and the British Parliament resounded with remonstrances against the conduct of ministers, and arguments for the prompt redress of Irish grievances. The Parliament of Ireland showed its determination, by voting supplies for six months only; and the British Parliament, setting itself

1 Plowden's Hist., i. 487; Grattan's Life, i. 343.

2 Plowden's Hist., i. 493; Lord Sheffield's Observations on State of Ireland, 1785.

8 Debate on Lord Shelburne's motion in the Lords, Dec. 1st, 1779.Parl. Hist., xx. 1156; Debate on Lord Upper-Ossory's motion in the Commons, Dec. 6th, 1779; Ibid., 1197; Hardy's Life of Lord Charlemout, . 380-382; Grattan's Life, i. 368, 389, 397-400; Moore's Life of Lord E. Fitzgerald, i. 187.

Nov., 1779; Plowden's Hist., i. 506.