1807.] 
those in England, ‘ Quamdiu se bene 
gesserint.” An Octennial bill was next 
asked and granted, and thus Ireland was 
in some slight degree, and for a short 
time, apparently rescued from the 
clutches of both undertakers and state- 
secretaries, 
On the dissolution of the oid parlia- 
ment in 1768, a fresh triumph was ob- 
tained for the popular interest ; as, when 
a new one met, a money-bill which had, 
as usual, been transmitted to England, 
and returned under the great seal, was 
rejected by the Commons on the 21st of 
November, 1769, by minety-four to se- 
venty-one, “ because it did not take its 
rise in this house.” . 
On that, the Lord-Lieutenant, follow- 
ing the example of Lord Sidney in 1692, 
entered his protest against the vote, and 
ended the session by a sudden proroga- 
tion. .Lord Shannon, and Mr. Ponsonby, 
were immediately dismissed from their 
employments, and the latter soon after 
resigned the chair of the [louse of Com- 
mons, on which, Mr. Perry became his 
successor. These being joined by the 
Duke of Leinster and the patriots, gave all 
possible opposition to the future mea- 
sures of the Viceroy, and for some 
months the debates were generally pro- 
tracted to midnight, and at times to the 
morning. 
Weshall here close the political career 
of Lord Townshend as Viceroy, with a 
short quotation from a Memoir by the 
Secretary of State, written m 1773, pre- 
Mmising that we cannot exactly agree to 
the conclusions. 
‘‘ Whatever errors may be imputed to 
him, (Lord Townshend,) it is certain that 
he acted according to the best of his 
judgment. He was strongly impressed 
with the principles of the new system, 
and, as far as was in his power, endea- 
voured to maintain the King’s authority 
against the undertakers. Though often 
unsuccessful, he never despaired ; though 
often repulsed, he always returned to the 
charge; so that at last, by dint of pati- 
ence and perseverance, he was enabled 
to lay such a foundation, as, if strictly 
adhered to, may render the government 
of Ireland secure and independent for 
ever hereafter.” 
After five years’ residence m Treland, 
amidst much festivity, many convivial 
hours of enjoyment, added to some un- 
pleasant ones devoted to business, Lord 
Townshend returned to his native coun- 
try. Nor was the path on his arrival 
Strewed over with flowers. He had 
Monzury Mae., No, 163. 
Memoirs of the late Marquis of Townshend. 
363 
publicly and wantonly affronted the Earl 
of Bellamont, at the castle of Dublin, 
in February, 1770, by a message highly 
indecorous, although obvicusly softened 
by the «ade-de-camp, who was the 
bearer. This high-spirited nobleman 
unmediately repaired to England, and, 
after an interval of twelve days, em- 
ployed the late Earl of Charlemont to 
carry a paper, in which the insult was 
speciticaliy stated, and an apology ex- 
pressly demanded. 
On this Lord Townshend replied as 
follows: “I cannot ask pardon, as it 
would be an acknowledgment ef an of- 
fence I never intended.” In conse- 
quence of this* refusal, the parties met 
on the afternoon of February 2, 1773, 
between four and five o’clock, in Mary- 
le-bonne-fields, accompanied by their re- 
spective seconds. The Honourable Mr. 
Dillon, acted as the friend of the one, 
and Lord Ligonier of the other. 
After they had taken their proper dis- 
tance, Lord Bellamont pulled off his hat, 
and the salute being immediately re- 
turned by his antagonist, the latter de- 
sired Lord Townshend to fire, who com- 
plied, and shot the former ia the belly, 
near the groin, while the latter dis- 
charged his pistol without effect. The 
ball was immediately extracted by Mr. 
Bromfield, and the wound speedily cured. 
Lord Townshend was now rewarded 
for his real or supposed services in Ire- 
land, with the post of master-general of 
the ordnance, which he obtained Octo- 
ber 17,1772. During the course of the 
ensuing year,f his lordship married his 
second wife, who survives him; Anne, 
daughter of Sir William Montgomery, 
Bart. an eminent army agent, who, 
afterwards represented Ballynahill, in 
the Irish parhament. He also obtained 
about the same time, a considerable ad- 
dition to his income by the colonelcy of 
the Queen’s or the second regiment of 
Dragoon Guards, which he held for many 
years. : 
Lord Townshend presided at the Ord- 
nance Board during nearly the whole of 
the American war. Mr.Courtenay,whom 
he had become acquainted with in Ire- 
land, and who has since distinguished 
himself here by his wit and hilarity, 
acted for along time assecretary. That 
gentleman was then brought in for a 
* Lite of Ear) Macartney, vol. 1. p. 157. 
+ On May 19, 1773.—His former lady died 
in Dublin, September 14, 1779, and her re- 
mains were brought to England and interred 
at Rainham, in Norfolk, October 1. 
3B government 
