CHAPTER II. Adminiftration of the EARL of HARDWICKE. - p. 95 - Principles of the new adminiftration--Parliamentary debates caution.Apprehension, trial and execution of Emmett ——- Trials in the North, Mr. Russell- - Peculiar imbecility of Government- -System of secret rigor― -General condu& of official men- -Parliament convened, King's speech and address- -Renewal of coercion and debates thereon-Further acts of the legislature Dwyer surrenders to Mr. Hume Mr. Wickham retires from ill health- -Further cautionary measures- -King's illness and conduct of Ministers- Minifters called upon by Mr. Grey Linen duty imposed- Sir John Wrottesley's motion on the rebellion-Lord Redesdale's correspondence with Lord Fingal- Mr. Perceval's justifica- INTRODUCTION. The ef tempora THE history of Ireland has been brought from Advanits first connection with England down to its tage of coUnion with Great Britain. That political event ry histohas not realized the flattering, prospects which ry. the British Minister held out to the Irish people, as inducements to adopt the measure. fects of the Union are of transcendent importance to the British Empire, and cannot be otherwise made known, than by continuing the history of Ireland from its incorporate Union up to the current year. The task of writing modern history is arduous and invidious. Nothing reprehensible, unsuccessful or disastrous can be fairly represented, without wounding the feelings of those, who planned or executed the measure. On the other hand, cotemporary history must gratify a people interested in the faithful re ever Necessity cording of their national atchievements. If the truth be at first disguised, distorted or suppressed, it may then be readily rectified or supplied by co-existing documents or testimony; and the existing generation will be assured, that their actions will be handed down in true colours to posterity. The liability of a co-temporary historian to be questioned either in or out of a court of justice for any falsehood, slander or malice, is a security not to be looked for in the writer of remote events. Though Ireland be legislatively united with Great Britain, the history of her people and Government is wholly distinct, and widely different. In order to bring under the eye of the reader of deve a comprehensive and impartial view of the histoloping the Society of ry of Ireland for the last nine years, which may men. be Orange- called the first fruits of the Union, it will be requisite to trace to its source that political power, which had swayed, the country for several years previous to the Union, as it still continues, though in a somewhat different manner, to sway it at this hour. As many of the facts, which gave rise and strength to that power happened before the period, which forms the subject of this volume, they are brought forward as introductory matter to the history, which they more materially, than perhaps, ostensibly affect. The existence of the Society of Orangemen in Ireland, has ever |