STATE 
government in a very marked and 
distinguished manner. 
rathly, Because it appeared in the 
- debate, that one of the matters 
of discussion between his majesty’s 
confidential servants in England 
and. the said iord-lieutenant, had 
arisen on occasion of a bill intend- 
ed to be introduced into the par- 
Jiament of Ireland by Mr. Grattan, 
“ for the farther relief of his majes- 
ty’s catholic subjects in that king- 
dom.’’ Of subjeéts.to be agirated 
in the parliament of that kingdom, 
this house can take no cognizance ; 
but they may take cognizance of 
the conduc of a British peer, mem- 
ber of this house, and representing 
his majesty, for his conduct in his 
majesty’s service, in any part ot his 
dominiens. If the late lord-liea- 
tenant gave countenance tO any” 
Measure tepugnant to that service, 
and in defiance to that authority, 
and positive instructions given by 
his majesty’s ininisters here, it 
“ms a matter of constitutional 
discussion in this house. Upon 
that point earl Fitzwilliam has ai- 
leged that he is ready to put him- 
self upon the judgment of this 
house; for he contends that the 
motion for leave to bring in such 
a bill (which he admits to have 
been made at his express desire), 
did not afford cause of alarm or 
“ apprehension in any manner what. 
ever. He contends that the prin. 
ciple of such a bill was highly 
conformabie to other former pro- 
ceedings known to be countenanced 
by his majesty’s ministers ; nor does 
it appear by any thing alleyed in 
the debate, chat the countenance 
ynderstood to be given by the late 
lord-lieutenant of Ireland for a far- 
ther relief, could be a just ground 
Sor his removai; when a recom. 
™ 
PAP E:IRA; 1A7 
mendation from the throne itself, 
by his predecessor the earl of West- 
morland, in the year 1793, forad. 
vantages of infinitely greater ex. 
tent, that is to say, a general ca- 
pacity for all offices and franchises 
(about thirty oifices and seats in 
parliament only excepted), has 
been made matter of merit. 
13thly, Because it appears for 
several years past to have been the 
policy of his majesty’s British coun. 
cils with regard to Ireland, and of 
the parliament of that kingdom, 
to remove the several civil re- 
straints which had been made in 
consequence of religious differences ; 
for all offices had been opened to 
protestant dissenters, without any 
limitation whatever, by the repeal 
of the test in that kingdom, in the 
ear 1779, 1gth and zoth of his 
Wisi ten, vi. From those dis. 
senters no test whatever was ex- 
afted, in lieu of that from which 
they were exonerated. But for the 
catholics, by an act of the 13th or 
14th of his present majesty, chap, 
XXXiV..a test oath was proposed for 
ascertaining the allegiance and 
fidelity of catholics, assuch. About 
four years after, that is, in the year 
1777-8; 17th and 18th of Geo. III. 
chap. xlix. 10 consequence of this 
oath, a strong legislative declaras 
tion was Ale in which the prin. 
ciple, which had been gradually 
followed up by subsequent acts, is 
strongly and decidedly affirmed 5. 
for the ‘preamble of that aét, after 
stating certain penalties and inca. 
pacities under which the catholics 
did then labour,. thus proceeds: 
‘© Whereas, from their uniform 
peaceable behaviour for a long se- 
ries of ycars, it appears reasonable 
and expedient to reiax the same ; 
and it must tend not only to the 
L2 cultivation 
