XXII. 1784, on that maxim of antient wisdom, which pro- BOOK nounced treason to be a crime of so deep a dye, that nothing less was adequate to its punishment. than the total eradication of the person, the name, and the family, out of the community. Happily, on dividing the house, this nobleman was left in a small and disgraceful minority, and the bill finally passed with that public approbation and applause it so justly merited. revenue. An end was put to the session August 20, 1784, the king returning his warmest thanks to the two houses for their zealous and diligent attention to the public service. He predicted the happiest effects from the bill for the better government of India. He spoke in terms of high commendation of the laws enacted for the improvement of the He thanked his faithful commons for their provision for the arrears of the civil list; deploring, nevertheless, in the accustomed style, the unavoidable burdens imposed upon his people. He noticed the definitive treaty with Holland, and the peace concluded in India; and trusted, from the assurances of foreign powers, that the present tranquillity would prove of permanent duration. val of bap In the interval between the prorogation of the Short interparliament and its re-assembling in the course of piness and the ensuing winter, the nation enjoyed a flattering and delightful repose. Highly gratified with the repose. XXII. 1784. BOOK recent change which had taken place, they viewed with unbounded complacency and confidence the minister now at the head of affairs; and indulged the most fond and sanguine hopes, that under his auspices Britain would be restored to her former enviable state of prosperity and greatness: and the name of PITT, endeared by the recollection of all that can interest the feelings of a generous and grateful people, seemed anew consecrated to patriotism, to liberty, and to virtue. State of Ireland. Ireland, however, at this period, exhibited at very dissimilar picture. The political tempest which had agitated that kingdom during the latter years of the late war had not yet subsided. Much had indeed been acquired, but much also yet remained to be done. The two questions which at the present juncture chiefly occupied the public attention were those which related to the state of their commerce and the state of their representation. So long since as the 1st of July 1783, the delegates of forty-five volunteer corps had assembled at Lisburne, in the county of Antrim, to consider of the measures proper to be adopted, in order to effect a reform in the national representation. A committee was by them appointed to meet at Belfast, at the head of which presided colonel Sharman. By this committee letters were addressed to many persons in the sister kingdom SUFFRAGE. XXII 1784. most distinguished for their talents, their virtues, BOOK and their zeal in the cause of liberty, requesting their advice and opinion on this important sub ject; among these were the Duke of Richmond, lord Effingham, Mr. Pitt, Dr. Price, and Dr. Jebb. The most remarkable of the answers returned to this committee was that of the Duke of Richmond, who recommended with great force, and in the most decided language, the plan of UNIVERSAL "I have no hesitation in saying," such is the memorable declaration of this bold reformer, "that from every consideration which I have been able to give to this great question that for many years has occupied my mind, and from every day's experience to the present hour, I am more and more convinced that the RESTORING the RIGHT of VOTING UNIVERSALLY to every man not incapacitated by nature for want of reason, or by law for the commission of crimes, together with ANNUAL ELECTIONS, is the only reform that can be effectual and permanent. I am further convinced that it is the only reform that is practicable. All other plans that are of a palliative nature have been found insufficient to interest and animate the great body of the people, from whose earnestness alone any reform can be expected.-A long exclusion from any share in the legislation of their country had rendered the great mass of the people indifferent whether the monopoly that subsisted conti BOOK nued in the hands of a more or less extended com XXII 1784. pany, or whether it is divided by them into shares of somewhat more or less just proportion. The truth is that the people have been so often deceived, that they will now scarcely trust any set of men; and nothing but self evident conviction that a measure tends effectually to the recovery of their rights, can, or indeed ouGHT, to interest them in its favor." The meeting at Lisburne was quickly followed by an assembly of delegates held at Dungannon, for the province of Ulster; at which the earl of Charlemont, generalissimo of the volunteer corps throughout the kingdom; Mr. Conolly, considered as the first commoner in point of property; and the bishop of Derry, brother to the late earl of Bristol, nominated in the year 1766 to the lordlieutenancy of Ireland, were present. The provinces of Leinster and Munster followed the example of Ulster-a NATIONAL CONVENTION Was appointed to be held at Dublin on the 10th of November. Such was the posture of affairs in that kingdom, when the parliament of Ireland, recently elected, met on the 14th of October, 1783. The earl of Northington opened the session with a judicious speech, in which he professed to anticipate the greatest national benefits from the wisdom and temper of the new parliament. On the very first: XXII. 1784. day of the session the thanks of both houses were BOOK voted to the different volunteer corps of Ireland for their public services: and a farther proof of the independent spirit now prevalent appeared in the resolution proposed by lord Mountmorres, and which received the sanction of both houses, "That, in the present state of the kingdom, it was expedient that there should be a session of parliament held every year." convention Dublin. On the 10th of November the national conven- National tion met agreeably to their appointment. Of this held at formidable assembly the earl of Charlemont was elected president. On the motion of the bishop of Derry, a committee was forthwith appointed to digest a plan of reform, who in a short time reported their opinion, That every Protestant freeholder, or leaseholder, possessing a freehold or leasehold for a certain term of years of forty shillings value, resident in any city or borough, should be entitled to vote in the election of member for the same: That decayed boroughs should be enabled to return representatives by an extension of franchise to the neighbouring parishes: That the suffrages of the electors should be taken by the sheriff - or his deputies on the same day at the respective places of election: That pensioners of the crown, receiving their pensions during pleasure, should be incapacitated from sitting in parliament: That every member of parliament accepting a pension |