apprehended and brought to trial by a well-known informer in London, and, on conviction of being a Popish priest, had been condemned to perpetual imprisonment. The sentence, he added, would have been executed, had not he himself, as Secretary of State, advised the King to grant a pardon.[1] A similar measure was now passed through the Irish Parliament,[2] and measures were at the same time taken to put the country in some state of defence by passing a Militia Bill and making a loan to the Irish Government. These tardy measures however gave neither satisfaction nor security, and armed and well-organized bodies of volunteers began to assemble without the sanction of the Government, nominally to protect the country: in reality to obtain a redress of grievances. These associations, Shelburne told the House of Lords, would only be dissolved when it was known that the English Parliament intended to grant real relief.[3] A practical proof of their necessity as against the enemy was shortly given; the towns of Belfast and Carrickfergus having applied to the Government for garrisons, were told that only sixty troopers could be spared from Dublin.
On the 11th of May 1779, Rockingham brought forward a resolution asking for papers, and condemning the Administration for their neglect of the affairs of Ireland. On the motion of Gower, whom Shelburne supported, that portion of the resolution which censured the Government was omitted, in order to give time for the development of their policy.[4] For his conduct on this occasion, Shelburne was loudly accused by many persons in Ireland of having betrayed their cause; an opinion which was also conveyed to him by more than one anonymous correspondent. Nothing was however done by the Government, and not long after the debate on Rockingham's motion, North himself took the opportunity of declaring, that it was out of his power to form a plan for the relief of Ireland; that next session he would lay the necessary accounts before Parliament, and
