Cabinet, brought forward a similar proposition. His speech was full of sophisms; his personality offensive, and his arrogance unbounded, At its conclusion he declared, "that if he lived to see that measure, the union, completed, to his latest hour he should feel an honourable pride in reflecting on the share he might have had in contributing to it." The measure was carried, and he did live; but not to congratulate himself on his success. His fate was that of other corrupt and unprincipled statesmen. He was neglected by the party he had so assiduously served, and his last moments were marked by a sincere repentance for the share he had taken in the destruction of his country's independence-of him it may be truly said that he descended "Into the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung." The first step having succeeded, all the cunning of diplomacy was called into action to keep up the delusion that in union consisted the safety of Ireland. The terrors of the rebellion was still fresh in the minds of the people, and was adroitly used to convince. The timid were alarmed, and those implicated in the recent outbreak trembled for their safety. But the most pestilent of all traitors to their country were those who sacrificed character, truth, and independence—who dared publicly to barter the constitution to which they had been appointed guardians by a too confiding people, for their own aggrandizement, and the selfish interests of their dependents. The people of all countries have been too apt to pardon, and sometimes even to applaud the vices and foibles of those who from birth and riches are their superiors, and although an aristocracy must always exist wherever there is education, talent and riches, still it is incumbent on that aristocracy, in whose hands the morals and liberties of those beneath them are necessarily placed, to be careful how they abuse the power with which they have been entrusted. It behoves them for their own safety to be very watchful over the privileges of their fellow-countrymen, and not to forget that in their eagerness to serve themselves they may bring down ruin on the whole social fabric. The greater portion of the Irish nobility and gentry either despising or losing sight of this principle, sold themselves to government, and the social state of Ireland is a melancholy example of the truth of these observations. CHAPTER XVI. Compensation to proprietors of boroughs-Ireland declared a colonyHouse of Commons surrounded by military-Tithes-Inefficiency of the Protestant Church-The Irish Protestant-Means to force the UnionConclusion. THE permission to introduce a bill for a legislative union being granted, the viceroy and secretary had recourse to every description of meanness and deception to procure addresses favourable to their views. Every town and village was ransacked by their agents for signatures. The beggar was stopped on the highway, and received money for affixing his mark; the cottager was tempted by the promise of a lease; the tradesman by an assurance of custom, and the squireen—a race of small gentry peculiar to Ireland—by the promise of place, or the payment of ready money. Even felons under sentence purchased pardon by signing a paper that was presented them, and the poor peasant, unable to read, put his mark to a document, of the contents of which he was totally ignorant. The anti-union addresses were called seditious, and those who signed them disloyal.* In many places force was used to prevent meetings to petition, on the unconstitutional plea that the numbers assembled endangered the public peace, although no statute limits the number who may quietly meet to petition for a redress of grievances. Major Darby, the High Sheriff of the King's County, and Major Rogers of the artillery, placed two six pounders at the doors of the court house where the freeholders were assembled, and threatened to fire if they did not disperse. The fear of grape shot made them obey, and the petition was abandoned. These proceedings were so public that they could not be denied. Therefore all secrecy Mr. Humphry Butler, Clerk of the Pipe, was dismissed for having attended one of those meetings. was unnecessary, and the purchase of political opponents by the agents of the castle was now as common as that of potatoes by the forestallers in the market. The only remaining difficulty was the parliamentary Compensaproprietors of boroughs, who began to feel alarm for their tion to proprietors of property. That, however, was soon overcome by Lord Boroughs. Castlereagh publicly announcing that compensation would be given to all who possessed them. He declared that every nobleman should receive £15,000 for each member he returned, that every member who had purchased a seat would be indemnified; that all members who should be losers by the Union would be recompensed by the treasury, and that £1,500,000 of the public money should be appropriated for this wholesale bribery. In short, that all who should support the measure should be amply provided for ; to render him justice, it is necessary to state he kept his word, as after the debate on the union, a bill to raise one million and a half of money upon the Irish people was passed, which was expended in paying the unprincipled betrayers of their country. Three members were appointed commissioners, at a salary of £1200 a year each, to parcel out the wages of corruption, these were the Hon. Mr. Annesley, Secretary Hamilton, and Dr. Duignan, all useful servants of the minister. The conspiracy was now complete, and the moment approached to strike the last fatal blow against Ireland as a kingdom, against Irish happiness, Irish prosperity, and Irish tranquillity. The House of Commons had adjourned to the 5th of February, on that day Lord Castlereagh brought on the motion that blotted his country as a nation, out of the map of Europe. Certain of a majority his exultation could not be concealed, and his tongue gave utterance to the joy that illuminated his countenance; yielding to the visions of ambition about being realised, his demeanour was haughty, and his language overbearing. After an ardent and pro Ireland declared a Colony. The House of Com mons sur tracted debate of the entire night a division sealed the fate For Lord Castlereagh's motion..................158 Majority. ..115 43 By this division it appears the anti-Unionists had added to their number, and the names of the minority, men whom court favour had failed to flatter, or government money to bribe, will be handed down to posterity as senators whose patriotism has rendered them immortal, and whose conduct has saved the gentry of Ireland from the reproach of being all bought to swerve from their duty. During the debate the House was surrounded by the military, although no danger could be apprehended from a rounded by desponding and depressed people. The rebellion had prothe military duced the effect that was anticipated, the people were disorganised and deterred by fear from making any effectual resistance. The period for an attack on the liberties of Ireland was judiciously chosen, the panic was general, places promised, and compensation freely offered. To these causes may be attributed the success of the minister in perfecting the union, and to that union the increased poverty and misery of the population. Had the measure been deferred for a few years, all the influence of the crown, and all the corruption of the cabinet, would have failed in making Ireland a British colony. On the act of Union, impartial posterity will pronounce a verdict of condemnation against the perpetrators of this great national crime, and though concealed under the courtly varnish of titles, their names will ever remain on the black list of infamy and treachery. Forty years have elapsed since the legislative union between the two countries, and during that time have either the promises or prophecies of those who proposed it been |