our families, and our country, once more to solicit the attention of this honourable house to the subject of our said petition. We state, that the Catholics constitute the most numerous and increasing portion of the inhabitants of Ireland, comprising an immense majority of the manufacturing, trading, and agricultural interests, and amounting at least to four-fifths of the Irish population; that they contribute largely to the exigencies of their country, civil and military; that they pay the far greater part of the public and local taxes; that they supply the armies and navies of this empire with upwards of one-third part in number of the soldiers and sailors employed in the public service; and that notwithstanding heavy discouragements, they form the principal constituent part of the strength, wealth, and industry of Ireland. Yet such is the grievous operation of the penal laws, of which we complain, that the Roman Catholics are thereby not only set apart from their fellow subjects as aliens in their native land, but are ignominiously and rigorously proscribed from almost all situations of public trust, honour, or emolument, including every public function and department, from the houses of legislature down to the most petty corporation. We state, whenever the labour of public duty is to be exacted and enforced, the Catholic is sought out and selected; where honours or rewards are to be dispensed, he is neglected or contemned. Where the military and naval strength of the empire is to be recruited, the Catholics are eagerly solicited, nay compelled, to bear their full share in the perils of warfare, and in the lowest rank; but when preferment or promotion (the dear and legitimate prize of successful valour) are to be distributed as rewards of merit, no laurels are destined to a Catholic's brow, or fit the wearer for command. We state thus generally the grievous condition of the Roman Catholics of Ireland, occasioned solely by the fatal influence and operation of the penal laws; and though we forbear to enter into greater detail, yet we do not the less trust to the influence of reason and justice (which eventually must prevail) for effecting a full and deliberate inquiry into our grievances, and accomplishing our effectual relief. We do beg leave, however, most solemnly, to press upon the attention of this honourable house the imminent public dangers, which necessarily result from so inverted an order of things, and so vicious and unnatural a system of legislation; a system, which has long been the reproach of this nation, and is unparalleled throughout modern Christendom. And we state it as our fixed opinion, that to restore to the Catholics of Ireland a full, equal, and unqualified participation of the benefits of the laws and constitution of England, and to withdraw all the privations, restrictions, and vexatious distinctions, which oppress, injure, and afflict them in their country, is now become a measure not merely expedient, but absolutely necessary; not only a debt of right due to a complaining people, but perhaps the last remaining resource of this empire, in the preservation of which we take so deep an interest. VOL. II. C We therefore pray this honourable house to take into their most serious consideration the nature, extent, and operation of the aforesaid penal laws, and by repealing the same altogether, to restore to the Roman Catholics of Ireland those liberties so long withheld, and their due share in that constitution, which they, in common with their fellow subjects of every other description, contribute by taxes, arms, and industry, to sustain and defend. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. &c. No. XII. Circular Letter of the Right Hon. W. Wellesley Pole. Dublin Castle, February 12th, 1811. SIR, It being reported that the Roman Catholics in the county of are to be called together, or have been called together, to nominate or appoint persons or representatives, delegates or managers, to act in their behalf as members of an unlawful assembly, sitting in Dublin, and calling itself the Catholic Committee, you are required, in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of the 33rd of the King, chap. 29, to cause to be arrested, and to commit to prison (unless bail shall be given), all persons within your jurisdiction who shall be guilty of giving or having given, or of publishing or having published, or of causing or having caused to be given or published, any written or other notice of the election and appointment, in any manner, of such representative, delegate, or manager, as aforesaid; or of attending, voting, or acting, or of having attended, voted, or acted, in any manner, in the choice or appointment of such representative, delegate, or manager. And you are to communicate these directions, as far as lies in your power, forthwith, to the several magistrates of the said county of N. B. Sheriffs are to act under the warrant of magistrates in cases where the crime has been committed. By command of His Grace the Lord Lieutenant. W. W. POLE. Letter of the King on his leaving Ireland in 1821. MY LORD, Dublin Castle, September 3rd, 1821. The time of the King's departure from Ireland being arrived, I am commanded by His Majesty to express bis entire approbation of the manner in which all persons acting in civil and military situations in the city of Dublin and its neighbourhood have performed their several duties during the period of His Majesty's residence in this part of the kingdom. His Majesty is pleased to consider, that to your Excellency his acknowledgments are particularly due: he is conscious how much he owes to your Excellency's attentions and arrangements; and His Majesty gladly avails himself of this occasion of declaring the high sense which he entertains of the ability, temper, and firmness, with which your Excellency has uniformly administered the great trust which he has placed in your hands. I am further commanded to state, that the testimonies of dutiful and affectionate attachment which His Majesty has received from all classes and descriptions of his Irish subjects, have made the deepest impression on his mind; and that he looks forward to the period when he shall revisit them with the strongest feelings of satisfaction. His Majesty trusts that, in the mean time, not only the spirit of loyal union which now so generally exists will remain unabated and unimpaired, but that every cause of irritation will be avoided and discountenanced, mutual forbearance and good-will observed and encouraged, and security be thus afforded for the continuance of that concord amongst themselves, which is not less essential to His Majesty's happiness than to their own; and which it has been the chief object of His Majesty, during his residence in this country, to cherish and promote. His Majesty well knows the generosity and warmth of heart which distinguish the character of his faithful people of Ireland; and he leaves them with a heart full of affection towards them, and with the confident and gratifying persuasion, that this parting admonition and injunction of their Sovereign will not be given in vain. I have the honour to be, With great truth and regard, my Lord, And faithful Servant, His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. SIDMOUTH. |