202 GRATTAN. has asserted their independence, they approach this House as humble suppliants, and beg to be admitted to the common rights of men. Upon the occasions I have men tioned, I did carefully observe their actions, and did then determine to support their cause whenever it came before this House, and to bear a strong testimony of the consti tutional principles of the catholic body. Nor should it be mentioned as a reproach to them, that they fought under the banner of King James, when we recollect that before they entered the field, they extorted from him a Magna Charta, a British constitution. In 1779, when the fleets of Bourbon hovered on our coasts, and the Irish nation roused herself to arms, did the Roman catho lics stand aloof? or did they, as might be expected from their oppressed situation, offer assistance to the enemy No ; they poured in subscriptions for the service of their country, or they pressed into the ranks of her glorious volunteers.” - Lord Carlisle foreseeing, in the change of ministry, a total change of principles and measures, with reference to Ireland, and having received no fresh instructions or support from the British cabinet, wished only to convoy some of the then pending bills up to the Lords; and, on the 14th of March, 1782, adjourned the parliament to the 16th of April. By that time a general change having taken place in the British ministry, the Rockingham party having gained the ascendancy, Mr. Eden went to London with Lord Carlisle's resignation of the lieutenancy of that kingdom, desiring only time to make some necessary arrangements, and to close the session of parliament. His lordship was succeeded in the viceroyalty by the Duke of Portland, who arrived in Dublin on the 14th of April, accompanied by Colonel Fitzpatrick (brother to Lord Ossory) as his secretary. His grace, on his arrival, was hailed by a l l ranks a s the harbinger o f liberty, conci liation, and peace. Parliament met according t o adjournment, o n the 16th o f April; the galleries and bar o f the House o f Commons
