PONSON BY. 485 of government, proclamations, imprisonments, prosecu tions, and penal enactments, were the remedies adopted. Such was the alarming state of things, when the British cabinet felt the necessity of taking some measures to tran quillize and conciliate the people. Catholic emancipation, and a total abolition of the test laws, were allowed by all, except the Orange party, to be at once indispensable, and effectual for every desirable purpose; and Earl Fitzwilliam was deputed, as the genius of peace, to come over as viceroy, in the room of Lord Westmoreland. This noble man was in every way suited, from the just popularity of his principles, the mildness of his manners, the dignity of his character, and his large landed property in Ireland, to effect the objects of his mission. His friends in Parlia ment announced the glad tidings of his appointment and his approach, with full powers to propose the measures of conciliation and unity to a l l parties. The noble Earl landed late o n a Sunday evening, and went first t o the house o f his friend Mr. Ponsonby, i n Granby-row
the news o f his arrival was announced b y salutes o f ordnance, and the whole metropolis was i n a few minutes brilliantly illuminated. Joy and gratulation pervaded a l l ranks, except that party who must now recede from office and power, but not from secret influence. Lord Fitzwilliam met the Parliament. The objects o f his mission were explained b y his friends, and implicitly accredited: and, a s a n earnest o f anticipating gratitude, a motion was made i n the House o f Commons, b y Mr. Grattan, for a grant o f three millions t o England i n aid o f the war against France, and i t was cheerfully carried. But scarcely had this vote received the sanction o f the other House o f Parliament, when the authority o f Earl Fitzwilliam t o propound the promised measures was denied b y the British cabinet; and the noble earl was charged with misconceiving h i s instruc tions. The subjeet o f the emancipation was discussed i n the Irish privy council, preparatory t o i t s introduction i n Parliament, and was strenuously opposed b y the Orange party i n that assembly, particularly b y Lord Clare aud an
