HISTORY OF EUROPE. 
come to his knowledge, . and of 
which, indeed, he had recently 
been witness. In addressing his 
“majesty, to the effect proposed, the 
house would not: only exercise ane 
ef its. most important, privileges, 
but fulfil one of its most important 
duties. If it appeared that the 
counsellors, more immediately about | 
his Thajesty’s_ person, his majesty’ $ 
ministers; had not given that ad- 
vice which was calculated to en- 
sure the happiness and prosperity 
of Ireland, it was the duty of their 
lordships to approach the throne 
with advice more wise and _salu- 
tary. But it might be said, What 
influence could “such an address 
carry with it, to change the coun- 
cils by which Ireland was govern- 
ed? To prove the influence of 
the British cabinet, he appealed to 
arecent fact: he meant the recall 
of the earl Fitzwilliam, at a time 
when all freland-concurred. i in the 
measures which he pursued, when 
that country gave the fairest pro- 
_spect of tranquillity, and the surest 
pledge of assistance and support 
to Britain, in the arduous circum- 
stances in which she was placed.— 
It might be asked, What plan he 
% wished to pursue? This, lord Moira, 
observed, was indicated in the mo- 
‘ment, would quickl 
[239 
people with confidence in govern- 
call fortl» 
that fond affection of the inhabi- 
tants of Ireland to this country, 
which circumstances might.cloud, 
but could not extinguish ; inspire 
that zeal so necessary in the pre-~ 
sent moment ; and furnish those 
resources which were. requisite for 
the critical situation in which we 
were placed, and the arduous con- 
test in which we:,were engaged. 
On these,,grounds;he rested the 
motion which he was now to pro- 
pose: ‘* That a humble address 
be presented to his, majesty, pray- 
ing, that he would. be. graciously 
pleased to interpose his paternal 
and beneficent interference to allay 
the discontents which at. present 
subsist in-his kingdom of Ireland, 
and which threaten the dearest in- 
terests of the British empire.” 
Lord Grenville said, in reply to 
lord Moira, that his motion could 
not be adopted without breaking 
the solemn coittract which had been 
entered into between the two coun- 
tries ; without tearing asunder every 
boar of union and.connéction, and 
spreading distraction and, division 
between the members of the British 
empire. He should, therefore, give 
his decided opposition. to the pre- 
POKES 
tion, he was about to make, itself. 
When they addressed his majesty to 
interpose his pater nal care and be- 
sent motion, and every proposition 
of a similar tendency. The motioa 
fom 
Agia Ce 
mevolence, the known goodness of 
’ his nature left no room for doubt 
as to the result. It was by temper, 
_ equity, and good faith, that the 
distractions of Ireland were to be 
appeased, and their affections con- 
ciliated. No good could be ex- 
pected from a prosecution of the 
present system. He was confident, 
» however, that the adoption of mea- 
sures, calculated to impress the 
he considered, first, as unnecessary 
secondly, as mischievous. Under i 
the first head he expatiated on the 
measures that had been taken by 
his majesty, in the course of a reign 
of thirty-six years, from year to 
year, to remove every ground of 
uneasiness or discontent which the 
situation of the [rish presented; the 
improved state of their commerce ; 
their full enjoyment of civil and 
religious liberty 5 the Catholics ad- 
. mitted 
