S24 IRELAND, 



passed, by which all those acts were repealed which had prohibited 

 the exportation of woollen manufactures from Ireland, and other acts 

 by which the trade of that kingdom to foreign countries had been 

 restrained ; and it was likewise enacted, that a trade between Ireland 

 and the British colonies in America and the West Indies, and the 

 British settlements on the coast of Africa, should be allowed to be 

 carried on, in the same manner, and subject to 'similar regulations 

 and restrictions with that carried on between Great Britain and the 

 said colonies and settlements. 



These laws in favour of Ireland were received with much joy and 

 exultation in that kingdom : and the Irish nation being indulged in 

 their requisitions respecting trade, now began also to aim at impor- 

 tant constitutional reformations ; and in various counties and cities of 

 Ireland, the right of the British parliament to make laws which should 

 bind that kingdom, was denied in public resolutions. By degrees, the 

 spirit which had been manifested by the Irish parliament seemed a 

 little to subside ; and a remarkable instance of this was, their agree- 

 ing to a perpetual mutiny bill, for the regulation of the Irish army, 

 though that of England had always been passed, with a true constitu- 

 tional caution, only from year to year. This was much exclaimed 

 against, by some of the Irish patriots ; and it is, indeed, not easy to 

 clear their parliament from the charge of inconsistency ; but this bill 

 was afterwards repealed, and the commercial advantages afforded 

 them by several acts in their favour, greatly contributed to promote 

 the prosperity of Ireland. As before observed, by the act repealing 

 the statute of the 6th George I, they were fully and completely eman- 

 cipated from the jurisdiction of the British parliament; and the ap- 

 pellant jurisdiction of the British house of peers in Irish causes was. 

 likewise given up. 



In the year 1783, the government, the nobility, and the people of 

 Ireland, vied with each other in countenancing and giving an asylum 

 to many families of the Genevese, who were banished from their city, 

 and to others, who voluntarily exiled themselves for the cause of li- 

 berty, not willing to submit to an aristocracy of their own citizens, 

 supported by the swords of France and Sardinia. A large tract of 

 land, in the county of Waterford, was allotted for their reception, a 

 town was marked out, entitled New Geneva, and a sum of money 

 granted for erecting the necessary buildings. These preparations. 

 for their accommodation, were, however, rendered ultimately useless, 

 by some misunderstanding (not fully comprehended) which arose be- 

 tween the parties ; and the scheme accordingly fell to the ground. 



Upon the occasion of the unhappy malady with which the king was 

 afflicted in 1788, the lords and commons of Ireland came to a resolu- 

 tion to address the prince of Wales, requesting him to take upon him 

 the government of that kingdom, during his majesty's indisposition, 

 under the style and title of prince regent of Ireland ; and to exercise, 

 and administer, according to the laws and the constitution of the 

 realm, all the royal authorities, jurisdictions, and prerogatives, to the 

 crown and government thereof belonging. The marquis of Buck- 

 ingham (being then lord lieutenant) having declined presenting the 

 address, as contrary to his oath and the laws, the two houses resolved 

 on appointing delegates from each; the lords appointed the duke of 

 Leinster, and the earl of Charlemont; and the commons, four of their 

 members. The delegates proceeded to London, and, in February, 

 1789, presented the address to his royal highness, by whom they 



