IRELAND. , 525 



were most graciously received ; but his majesty having, to the infi- 

 nite joy of all his subjects, recovered from his severe indisposition, 

 the piince reiurned them an answer fraught with the warmest senti- 

 ments of regard for the kingdom, and of gratitude to parliament, for 

 the generous manner in which they proposed investing him with the 

 regency, tnough the happy recovery of his royal father had now ren- 

 dered nis acceptance of it unnecessary. 



The parliament of Ireland afterwards extended liberal indulgences 

 to the Rop.ian-cathoiics of that kingdom, by establishing the legality 

 of intermarriage between them and the protestants, by admitting 

 then to the profession of the law, and the benefit of education, and 

 by removing all obstructions upon their industry in trade and manu- 

 factures ; and in the year 1793, in consequence of the concessions of 

 government, a bill passed the legislature, by which the Roman-catho- 

 lics, being freeholders, were entitled to vote tor members to serve in 

 parliament. 



But notwithstanding the catholics of Ireland had been restored, in 

 some measure, to their civil rights, by the concession of the elective) 

 franchise ; it does not appear that either their own leaders or their 

 parliamentary adherents were satisfied with what had been granted, 

 or were likely to be contented with less than a total repeal of all re- 

 maining disqualifications ; and when, in the beginning of the year 

 1795, earl Fitzwilliam was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland, after 

 the accession of the Portland party to administration, they consider- 

 ed the point in dispute as absolutely conceded by the ministry. A 

 committee was therefore appointed to bring forward a petition to par- 

 liament for a repeal of all remaining disqualifications. Notice of this his 

 lordship transmitted to the minister, stating at the same time his own 

 opinion of the absolute necessity of concession, as a measure not only 

 wise, but essential to the public tranquillity. To this no answer was re- 

 ceived, and on the 12th of February Mr. Grattan moved for leave to 

 bring in a bill for the further relief of his majesty's subjects profess- 

 ing the Roman-catholic religion ; and after a feeble opposition leave 

 was given. By the intrigues, however, of another political party, at 

 the head of which was a Mr. Beresford, a gentleman who had united 

 in his own person, or in that of his son, the impot'tant and discordant 

 offices of minister ; commissioner of the treasury ; of revenue ; 

 counsel to the commissioners; storekeeper, and banker; the mea- 

 sure was defeated, and lord Fitzwilliam suddenly recalled. His lord- 

 ship left Dublin for England on the 25th of March, which day was ob- 

 served in that city as a day of general mourning : the shops were 

 shut ; no business was transacted ; and the citizens appeared in deep 

 mourning. In College-green a number of respectable gentlemen, 

 dressed in black, took the horses from his excellency's carriage, and 

 drew it to the water's side. His lordship wished, as usual on such 

 occasions, to distribute money ; but, with the noblest enthusiasm, the 

 offer was rejected, even by a mob." The military had been ordered 

 out, in expectation of some disturbance ; but nothing appeared 

 among the populace but the serious emotions of sorrow, and the ut- 

 most order and decorum. 



Earl Camden, who was appointed to succeed his lordship, arrived 

 in Dublin on the 31st of March. The whole system of administra- 

 tion was now changed ; all ideas of concession on the part of go- 

 vernment were abandoned, and coercive measures alone employed to 

 ulence all complaints. Of this harsh and unyielding system, the fac,- 



