CAULFIELD. 437 monarch, and to appoint any regent they thought fit, with- out being limited by any considerations of the hereditary rights of the heir apparent; but, as matter of discretion, they voted the office to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with restricted authority: while the parliament of Ireland asserted its own independence, and distinct power of appointing a regent for Ireland, uncontrolled by the example, or the decisions of the Britith parliament; they considered the right of the heir apparent to represent bis royal father during bis incompetency, as paramount to all other considerations; and they voted the regency of Ireland to the Prince of Wales, with the full powers of the crown to which he was the rightful heir.Lord Charlemont and all his parliamentary friends joined in supporting the independence of the parliament of Ireland-and in voting the regency unrestricted to his royal highness. Their object was strongly opposed by the whole influence of the viceroy. An address was moved to his royal highness, in the house of commons, by Mr. Grattan, and in the house of lords by Lord Charlemont-requesting him to assume the government of Ireland, with the style and title of Prince Regent, and in the name and behalf of his majesty to exercise all regal powers during his majesty's indispo- sition, and no longer; and it was carried. With this ad- dress both houses waited on the lord-lieutenant, to request its transmission to England. But his excellency refused the transmission, as inconsistent with his official oath.A vote of censure upon this conduct of the viceroy, passed both houses; and the lords delegated two of their mem- bers, the Duke of Leinster, and Lord Charlemont; and the commons, four, Mr. Jobn O'Neal, Mr. Connoly, Mr. Wil liam Ponsonby, and Mr. James Stewart, to wait on his royal highness with the address; and they proceeded forth with to London. But the happy restoration of his ma- jesty's health, terminated all further proceedings respect- ing the regency in both kingdoms. The delegates, how- ever, were received by bis royal highness with the most courteous expressions of the high sense he felt of the
