193 him in February before I forwarded it to the Bank, but otherwise the anonymous calumny might have had the effect of raising a few idle conjectures; as it was, the attack discredited the accuser, and gave credit to the accused. We are expecting with impatience the arrival of three Hamburgh mails. The weather abominable. Believe me, my dear Beresford, very affectionately yours, AUCKLAND. LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD. Eden Farm, 27th Dec., 1798. MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I have written an instructive and urgent letter this evening to Messrs. Abel, for the purpose of procuring the very best possible Chateau Margeaux claret for your venerable friend Colonel Barré. Your account of Ireland is not exhilarating in the midst of this unamiable weather, but the new preparations for revolt seem to have no connection with the fermentation respecting Union, except that they furnish new arguments either for connecting your distracted country more intimately with England, or, if she has the perversity to choose to remain in a state of misery to herself and of risk and burden to England, at least to check that system of liberality and fostering protection which tended to increase Irish capital and prosperity and give extended means of mischief. God knows what may be the result of VOL. II. your Jacobin excesses, but as to the Union question I am, upon the coolest and most unprejudiced reflection, satisfied that we ought to bring it forward, and manage it in the discussion with moderation, liberality, and unchangeable good temper. Mr. Pitt has requested me, if you should be well enough to come to this place for a couple of days before you set off, to carry you for a morning to Holwood, where, however, he will not be till next week. Thursday and Friday I am likely to be in town to attend the Income Bill. My dear Beresford, I am yours affectionately, On AUCKLAND. MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND. Dublin, 24th Jan., 1799. MY DEAR AUCKLAND, I wrote you two or three lines from my bed last night, merely to say that we were defeated to all intents and purposes. I all along thought that Government were deceived in their numbers, and that this business was likely to end like the Irish Propositions. When the division came, the numbers were 106 and 105-many deserters on the side of Government, and the greatest violence on the part of Opposition. I never was witness to such a scene; you would have thought that you were in a Polish diet. Direct treason spoken, resistance to the law declared, encouraged, and recommended. I never heard such vulgarity and barbarism. I cannot bring myself to repeat what was said or done. The result was that, with a majority of one, it was impossible to proceed, and Castlereagh was obliged to say that he would not press the measure while the disposition of the House was such. Mr. Ponsonby pressed him to declare how far he meant to relinquish the measure, but Sir J. Parnell interfered, and stated that in Lord Castlereagh's situation it was impossible for him to answer such a question. This pacified for the moment, but I fear that the Speaker has persuaded them to insist on a total relinquishment of the measure, and to oppose the Address on the Report until such a declaration is made. What will be done I know not; the House is now sitting: I am very unable to go there, but though relapsed, I have desired them to send for me if I can be of any use. a It is said that the Opposition have received some reinforcements since the division. Sir John and Mr. Blackwood are arrived and with them. Conolly and I are ill. b Our second division, that for the Address, after the rejection of the Amendment, was 107 to 105. Two, therefore, taken from ours, and two added to theirs, would make them 107, and us 105. But I trust that a Sir John Blackwood, second Baronet, son of Sir Robert Blackwood and Joyce Leeson; born 1721; M.P. for Bangor 1768; for Killeleagh 1776 and 1783; for Bangor 1790; for Killeleagh 1797; married, 1751, Dorcas Stevenson, created Baroness Dufferin; died 1799, within a month after this debate. b Mr. Blackwood, his eldest son, afterwards James, Lord Dufferin; born 1755; M.P. for Killeleagh 1790 and 1797; M.P. in Imperial Parliament, 1807, for Helston; 1812, for Aldborough; married, 1801, the Hon. Anne Foster, daughter of the Speaker; died 1836. many who went a certain length will not join in this plan. I should hope Parnell will not, and many others, but there is no answering for the heat and violence of party. The sword is now fairly drawn, and the Speaker will now attempt to force Government, and try who shall rule Ireland. He will be very troublesome, and will be joined by the Ponsonbys, and followed by many wellmeaning people; but he will not prevail at the end, unless through the pusillanimity of Government. At this moment I speak only my conjectures; a few days will open things. There were the greatest rejoicings last night through the city-bonfires, illuminations, &c. The mob drew the Speaker home; they broke all windows not illuminated, amongst others the Chancellor's. He fired on them, and dispersed them immediately. I am able to give you a very indistinct account of the business, for I am known to be confined and obliged to let in people; I have been forty times interrupted writing this letter. Mr. Johnstone, whom I sent to the House, is just returned, and tells me things are very violent there, and that I am likely to be sent for directly; so I must conclude and prepare. Yours ever, J. BERESFORD. a Robert Johnstone, M.P. for Hillsborough 1790 till the Union; called to the bar 1776; appointed Counsel to the Revenue Board 1797; Justice of Common Pleas 1801; removed 1807; died 1833. MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND. Dublin, 25th Jan., 1799. MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-The House sat till seven this morning; the debate was on expunging the words which stated, that we would take the part of the King's speech into consideration which related to "uniting more closely, &c., &c." The result was, we were beaten by five. I was very ill, and not sent for. Mr. Conolly was ill. Sir Hercules Langrishe was, I hear, ill, and one of the Knoxes; but had we all been there, we should have been defeated by one. I am afraid to write to you as to who did not perform their professions, as I hear different stories, and I would not willingly misrepresent any one. ment will detail that. When they carried this question, Mr. Ponsonby moved a substantive resolution, containing his amendment of Tuesday, and endeavoured to pledge the House in eternum against the measure; but Lord Cole, John, and Ogle, and young Fortescue, opposed him, and said that, although they would not dispose of their constituents' interests, they were as unwilling to pledge themselves or future constituents or Parliaments, a b с Govern a John Willoughby, Lord Cole, eldest son of William, first Earl of Enniskillen, and Ann Corry; born 1768; M.P. for county Fermanagh from 1790 till the Union; and in the Imperial Parliament; succeeded his father 1803; married, 1805, Lady Charlotte Paget; died 1840. b John Claudius Beresford, third son of Mr. Beresford; born 1766; M.P. for Swords 1790; for city of Dublin 1797; again for city of Dublin in Imperial Parliament 1800 and 1802; for county of Waterford 1806 and 1807; died 1843. c William Fortescue, third son of Right Hon. James Fortescue and Miss Hunter; M.P. for borough Monaghan 1797. |