Thus marked were absent on the first question. Tellers. The following is a List of the Members who voted for the Union, on the Motion on the Address, on the 22d and 24th January, 1799. Rutledge, R. Staples, John Toler, Right Hon. John Tyrone, Earl of, Teller * Thus marked were absent on the last question 106 including Tellers. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.- UNION. THE SIR LAURENCE PARSONS MOVES AN AMENDMENT ΤΟ ADDRESS, EXPRESSIVE OF THE DETERMINATION TO SUPPORT THE FREE CONSTITUTION OF IRELAND, AS ESTABLISHED IN 1782. January 15. 1800. On this day the Parliament met, when the session was opened by the Lord-lieutenant (Cornwallis), with the following speech from the throne to both Houses of Parliament: "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I have received His Majesty's commands to assemble you in Parliament. 66 Upon a review of the important and glorious events that have distinguished the period which has elapsed since I last addressed you, the most gratifying and encouraging reflections present themselves to our consideration. By the brilliant course of victories achieved by the combined imperial armies, the various kingdoms and states of Italy have been delivered from the ravages and the tyranny of the French. "The throne of Naples, and our friendly connection with that kingdom, have been restored. "The French expedition to Egypt has been checked in its career by the exertions of the Turkish arms, assisted by a small detachment of His Majesty's forces, and the gallantry of their heroic commander. "The hostile plans of the common enemy in India have ter minated in the total destruction of the power which had been misled by their artifices, and through the timely, vigorous, and decisive counsels of the Marquis Wellesley, and the consummate skill and valour of His Majesty's generals, officers, and troops, the British possessions in that quarter of the globe have been beneficially extended and effectually secured. "By the descent of His Majesty's forces and of his Russian allies on the coast of Holland, the Dutch fleet has been happily rescued from the power of the enemy; and although the season, peculiarly unfavourable to military operations, produced the necessity of relinquishing an enterprize so fortunately begun, and prevented the complete accomplishment of His Majesty's views, yet the result of that expedition has been peculiarly beneficial to this kingdom, in removing all fear of attack on our coasts from a quarter whence it had been so often planned, and in enabling His Majesty's fleets to direct their vigilance exclusively to the single port from which the enemy can attack this country with any hope even of a temporary success. "My utmost care has been exerted to carry into execution the extraordinary powers which you have committed to my discretion with vigour, and, at the same time, with moderation; all tendency to insurrection has been effectually repressed; but it gives me true concern to acquaint you, that the painful necessity of acting with severity has been too frequently imposed upon me; and although public tranquillity has been in a great measure restored, yet I have to lament that a disposition to outrage and conspiracy still continues in several districts; that much industry is used to keep alive the spirit of disaffection, and to encourage among the ́lower classes the hopes of French assistance. "I trust that the recent revolution in France cannot fail to open the eyes of such of His Majesty's subjects as have been deluded by the artifices which have been unremittingly employed to withdraw them from their allegiance, and that it will restore and increase the love of constitutional order and of regulated freedom, by demonstrating that the principles of false liberty tend ultimately to despotism, and that the criminal struggles of democratic faction naturally close in military usurpation. "So long as the French government, under whatever form it exerts its influence, shall persevere in schemes of destruction and projects of ambition, subversive at once of the liberties of Europe and of the security of His Majesty's dominions, there can be no wise alternative but to prosecute the war with increasing energy. It is by great exersions alone that either their views of aggrandizement can be frustrated, or a solid peace procured. "His Majesty has therefore availed himself, with peculiar satisfaction, of the cordial and great assistance which has been afforded him by his faithful ally the Emperor of Russia, and has thought right to make every exertion for augmenting the disposeable military force of his own dominions; His Majesty, therefore, has been highly gratified in accepting the services so generously offered by his English militia, and I am to express to you the entire confidence which His Majesty feels that the zeal and loyalty of his militia of this kingdom, in forwarding at this important crisis the active operations of the empire, will not be less prompt and conspicuous. "The apprehensions of general scarcity which some time since took place, called for my early attention to this most important subject; and I was induced, with the advice of the council, to offer premiums for the early importation of grain. This measure will, I flatter myself, meet your approbation; and I have full confidence in your wisdom, if it shall be necessary to resort to any further extraordinary means for procuring a supply. "Gentlemen of the House of Commons, "The evident necessity of securing this kingdom from every danger, whether foreign or domestic, and of rendering the success of invasion, if attempted, impracticable, will demonstrate to you, the wisdom of continuing that enlarged system of defence you have so wisely adopted. "I have, therefore, ordered the public accounts and estimates for the ensuing year to be laid before you, and have the fullest confidence that in the supply which such a situation shall appear to you to require, you will equally consult the safety of the kingdom, and the honour of His Majesty's government. "I am induced to hope that the great increase of the revenue which has taken place in the present year, may enable you to raise the sums which may be wanted for the current services without any distressing addition to the burthens of the people. "My Lords and Gentlemen, "I recommend to your usual attention the agriculture, the manufactures, and particularly the linen manufacture of Ireland; and I doubt not that the Protestant charter schools, and those public institutions, whether of charity or education, which have been protected by your liberality, will still receive a judicious encourage ment. "It will be for your wisdom to consider, how far it will be necéssary to continue any of those extraordinary powers with which you have strengthened the authority of His Majesty's government for the more effectual suppression and punishment of rebellious conspiracy and outrage. "His Majesty places the most entire reliance upon your firmness and wisdom, and he has no doubt that you will anxiously pursue such measures as shall be best calculated for bringing the present war to an honourable termination, and for restoring the country to permanent tranquillity. "It will be my constant object to attend to your suggestions and advice, that I may by this means most beneficially accomplish the commands I have received from His Majesty, and most effectually forward the interests and happiness of this kingdom." Lord Loftus moved an address of thanks in answer to the speech. He was seconded by Colonel Crosbie; neither the mover or seconder introduced the subject of the Union. They adverted to the late successes of the allies over the French; to the victory of Lord Nelson at the Nile; and to the zeal and loyalty of the militia in the late insurrection. Sir Laurence Parsons (afterwards Lord Rosse), desired that the Lord-lieutenant's speech at the conclusion of the preceding session should be read. He said that speech recommended an incorporating Union with England. The minister had prevented the House from giving an answer to His Majesty at that time, by a sudden prorogation, and by omitting any mention of the subject; and he now wished to prevent their giving an answer at all. He had employed the most unwarrantable means to pervert the sentiments of Parliament on that subject. He had used the prerogative of the Crown in appointing places to corrupt and pack the House of Commons: that while the country was covered with armies greater than were ever known before; while martial law prevailed, the English ministers hoped to destroy the independency of Ireland. That the internal legislation of Ireland had been secured by the original contract of Henry II., and by the great charter of King John; that it had been ratified by Henry III., consecrated by a usage of 600 years, and confirmed by the final settlement of 1782; that neither the short paroxysm of rebellion, nor their unfortunate religious divisions should so subdue their spirits as to make them surrender the rights of their country; that they should not suffer themselves to be deluded by the idea that the trade of the country would be extended, or that English capitalists would come over to settle in Ireland; on the contrary, the Irish absentees would be greatly increased by a Union: that Great Britain would lose her best security if the Irish Parliament was destroyed; that the country was too great to be ruled by an external Parliament; that the constitution which had protected the country for so many ages should be suffered to exist; and if they removed the Parliament, they abandoned their country. He concluded by moving the following amendment: "Humbly to assure His Majesty that this kingdom is inseparably united with Great Britain, and that it is the sentiment, wish, and real interest of all His Majesty's subjects, that it ever shall continue so united, in the full enjoyment of the blessings of a free constitution, in the support of the honour and dignity of His Majesty's crown, and in the preservation and advancement of the welfare and prosperity of the whole empire; which blessings of a free constitution we owe to the spirited assertion of this kingdom, of its birthright to a free and independent Parliament resident within it, and to the parental kindness of Your Majesty, and the liberality of the British Parliament ratifying the same in the year 1782, |