GRATTAN. - 3.15. I was in office, registered my principles in the books of government; and the moment I could not influence go yernment to the advantage of the nation, I ceased to act with them. I acted for myself. I was the first who ever told them, that an Irish mutiny bill must be granted. If this country is now satisfied, is it owing to that gentle man? No; the simple repeal, disapproved and scouted by a l l the lawyers i n England and i n Ireland, shews the con trary; and the only apology h e can make i s , that h e i s n o lawyer a t all. A man o f warm imagination and bril liant fancy, will sometimes b e dazzled with his own ideas, and may for a moment fall into error; but a man o f sound head could not make s o egregious a mistake, and a man o f a n honest heart would not persist i n i t after i t was disco vered. I have now done: and, give me leave t o say, i f the gentleman enters often into this kind o f colloquy with me, he will not have much t o boast o f a t the end o f the session.” Mr. Grattan. -4: I n respect t o the House, I could wish t o avoid personality, and return t o the questipn, but I must request liberty t o explain some circumstances alluded t o b y the honourable member. The honourable member has alluded t o St. Christopher's bill, I will declare the fact—he may tell a story: when I received a copy o f that bill, i t gave me much pain and much offence; I thought I saw the old intention o f binding Ireland b y English laws; I therefore spoke t o that effect i n this House; I also shewed the bill t o all the most able and virtuous men i n this kingdom, who were o f opinion, that my suggestion was wrong; under this opinion I acqui esced, and the opinion has justified it: a s t o coming a t midnight t o obtain a vote, imposing silence o n the people, I deny i t
i t was mis-stated i n the papers; my resolution was t o declare this country free, and that any person who should speak o r write t o the contrary, was a public enemy. All the House, a l l the revered and re spected characters i n this kingdom heard me, and know what I say i s true. But i t i s not the slander o f a bad
