rence fubject at the fame time to the humble fenfe which he had of his own faculties, and the refpect which he was difpofed to feel for the fuperior judgment of others, fuch bigotry he profeffed to entertain, and he confidered it neither as difhonourable nor blind. But it was afked, why, fince he held thefe fentiments, did he coalefce with his right honourable friend, who was fo eminently diftinguished by his contrary fentiments-The union they conceived to be advantageous to their country, without being difgraceful to themselves. They had made no facrifice of fentiments in confequence of their junction; they had met on a great and most important occafion, the fettlement of the peace; and upon that occafion they acted in concert. Was it to be held out, that because men differed on fome topics they must therefore be separated upon all? Certainly not. The peace they confidered as framed with fo little attention either to the claims or the neceffities of the country-with fo little intelligence in refpect to the objects about which they had to treat, or with fo little reverence for the deareft concerns of the crown, whom they profeffed to ferve, that his honourable friend and himself would have confidered it as an abandonment of every duty which they owed to their King and country, not to have ftood forward, and published their reprobation. That peace was a dereliction of what America not only did not claim as a right, but which he did not afpire to as a boon; and it yielded away to every power, without even the merit of a pretext, or the colour of reciprocity. But it was asked, why his friends had fuffered the commencement of the Earl of Shelburne's adminiftration? And why they did not oppofe his cutfet in the famous fpeech which had been mentioned? To this he muft fay, that his friends were by no means willing to inftitute a factious oppofition. They were dif pofed to fecond the measures of his miniftry, if they were fuch as they conceived to be favourable to the country. His promifes were magnanimous, and they trufted to his promifes. But his performances bore no fimilitude; they oppofed his performances, therefore, with as much zeal as they had yielded to his promifes. It was asked how, fince his right hon. friend and he had formed fo powerful a connection, they had been fo fuddenly overpowered? This was a queftion, he acknowledged, which he could not anfwer. Those perfons only could tell how they were overturned who were in the fecret. The noble lord then took notice of the very curious pains which the Chancellor of the Exchequer had ufed in denying and explaining the terms of the letter of Mr. Wyvil. He had denied that the terms were fuch as he had authorifed Mr. Wyvil to use: he had explained them away with a great deal of ingenuity, and yet he had defended them with all parental tendernefs. The words undoubtedly were fingular, and ftood in need of some defence. The difference between the words, à man and a minifter, was fo dark and ambiguous, that he knew not how to interpret it. Did it mean, that as a man he poffeffed influence diftinct from the open and avowed influence of the minifter? Was there fome fecret aid to his adminiftration, which he could not defcribe by any other means than by calling it perfonal? The Earl of Surrey concluded the debate with a few fentences, in which he faid that he had received no fatisfaction from the minifter's explanation of his intentions on the fubject of reform, and that he was, therefore, convinced it would fall to nothing; but he fhould not in the mean time oppofe the addrefs. The question on the amendment was then put and negatived, and the address was carried nem. con. REFLECTION. Have frequently thought that the duty of vifiting the fick fhould not be vested in the prieft; for who knows but the conftant fights of dying perfons HAT our readers may be enabled to judge of the fentiments entertained by the Volunteers on at fome pains to lay before them at one view the principal addreffes and refolutions on that fubject, beginning with the addrefs prefented to Lord CHARLEMONT, by the meeting of Volunteer Delegates at Belfast, after the grand review on the 12th and 13th of July, with his lordship's memorable anfwer. MY LORD, TO THE EARL OF CHARLEMONT. WIT your lordship's character, and affectionate folicitude for your welfare, the Volunteers affembled at Belfast beg leave again to congratulate your lordship on your arrival among them-and to wish to your lordship a long continuation of every enjoyment that rank, reputation, and integrity can bestow on a faithful and perfevering volunteer, unpolluted by the corruption of a court, and uninfluenced by the politics of fluctuating adminiftrations. of our countrymen in every measure directed to remedy the abufe of power and well-known defects in the Commons Houfe of Parliament; defects which threaten the annihilation of our boafted form of government, and are productive of the highest oppreffion to the inhabitants of this loyal and independent nation. Before we bid adieu to our beloved general, permit us, my lord, to exprefs our fatisfaction at the decay of thofe prejudices which have fo long involved us in feud and difunion-a difunion, which, by limiting the rights of fuffrage, and circumfcribing the number of Irifh citizens, has, in a high degree, tended to create and fofter that aristocratic tyranny which is the fountain of every Irish grievance; and against which the public voice now unanimously exclaims. We rejoice at the military ardour of a country, in which every man is either already enrolled a foldier, or, from a general attention to the ufe of arms, would in a few weeks be qualified to act in the army of the people; and we pledge ourfelves to co-operate with the collective, body To the DELEGATES of the VOLUNTIER ARMY, reviewed at Belfast on the 12th and 13th of July, 1784. GENTLEMEN, cerely rejoice at the military ardour of my country, and at the permanency and increase of the Volunteer Affociations, while they ftrictly adhere, as I truft they ever will, to the principles on which they were first established, and preferve their original reform refpecting the numbers of whom they are compofed. The civil army of Ireland has been refpectable throughout the world, effectual and fafe in its operations, and falutary in its confequences, because it is perhaps the only army upon earth, each of whofe private individuals has a property in the land it is embodied to defend.Such an army is fingular and refpectable indeed, and may it never lofe a jot of its fingularity and confequent refpectability! TO be poffeffed of your good opinion has ever been the highest honour, as well as the greatest pleasure of my life; and the kind expreffions contained in your addrefs are now moft peculiarly pleafing to me, as I am by them induced to hope, that you will pardon me if now, for the first time, I venture to differ from you in fentiment. From your difapproving the prefent limitation of the right of fuffrage, I am to conclude that you would wish to communicate the elective privilege with our Catholic fubjects. This is, indeed, a matter of nice and delicate difcuffion; but, as the fubject has of late been generally treated, both in converfation and in writing, I have given it every confidera tion in my power, and am forry to fay, that my decifion effentially differs from your's. The limited nature of what I am now writing must preclude me from entering into a train of reaToning upon this point: and I fhall, therefore, content myself with declaring, that though perfectly free from every illiberal prejudice, though full of good-will toward that very refpectable body, my judgement, as far as it has been hi-the fame time conjure you to restrain within the therto informed, will not fuffer me to agree with you. Neither am I by any means fingular among the real friends to reform in my idea upon this fubject: if I were, I should, perhaps, be lefs ardent in my entreaties to you to defift from a purfuit which would fatally clog and impede the profecution of our favourite purpose. Indulge not, I befeech you, any opinion which must and will create difunion. Your ftrength, your honour, your utility, confifts in concord; which is best maintained by perfect fimilarity of fentiment. I fhall ever moft finLOND. MAG. Jan. 1785. With you I pledge myself, to leave no conftitutional mode untried to obtain that more equal reprefentation of the people, without which the conftitution is moft certainly imperfect. But, while in the fincerity of my heart I make this promife, while I approve and emulate the fteadiness of your principles, I must at bounds of prudent moderation that ardour, my dear and virtuous countrymen, the impru→ C fault, productive of confequences worse even than thofe which are natural to them. Be, as you hitherto have been, prudent, moderate, and firm. Your fortitude can never be doubtedIt is the general and acknowledged attribute of Irithmen. But moderation has ever been your peculiar characteristic: by that your renown has been established through the nation; all that has been gained has been, by that means, atchieved; all that remains will by that be gained. Precipitation alone can difhonour us, and injure the cause we have molt at heart! ADDRESS to the EARL of CHARLEMONT, by the DELEGATES of Two Thousand, Five Hundred, and Fifty-four VOLUNTEERS of the Province of ULSTER, who were reviewed at Londonderry by his Lordship on the 22d of July. To his Excellency General Earl of Charlemont, Commander in Chief of the Volunteer Army of the Province of Ulfter. MY LORD, WHEN laft we appeared in array before your lordship, we flattered ourselves that ere this day the juftice of parliament would have put it in our power to congratulate with your lordship on the renovation of our conftitution. We have been disappointed. The history of the laft feffion of our parliament remains a monument of the injuftice, ingratitude, and oppreffion of an Houfe of Commons holding power independent of the people. We know the dignity of the Volunteer character-and we are confcious, that to be fpirited in claiming, and firm in afferting, the rights of the people will never obfcure the luftre of that character, Determined not to be rash or imprudent, we will not be timid or lukewarm. It is the part of the people of Ireland to fay what is to be done at this aweful crifis-it is our's to pledge ourselves, that, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, we will accomplish it. Actuated by fentiments fuch as thefe, and firmly relying on the equity and juftice of our claims, we entertain as little doubt of your lordfhip's concurrence, as we do of our own fuccefs. Supported by the united voice of the people of Ireland, we will refcue our country from the tyranny of a corrupt and profligate aristocracy. Our veneration for your lordship's private virtues, and gratitude for your exertions in fupport of the cause of freedom, will, we truft, be as pleafing to your lordship, as every opportunity of expreffing them is to us. ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY. To the DELEGATES of the VOLUNTEER ARMY reviewed at Londonderry July 22, 1784. GENTLEMEN, GIVE me leave to congratulate you and myfelf upon the appearance you have made in the field; an appearance which must have furpaffed even my fanguine expectations, fince it as fully equalled my wishes. Every renewal of our annual intercourfe muit neceffarily afford me the greateft pleafure-yet s that pleasure, I. muft confefs, fomewhat allayed by the warmth of expreffion into which your well-founded difcontent at fome meafures lately purfued has betrayed your honeft zeal. That you fhould be grievously difappointed by the failure of your favourite measure, a Parliamentary Reform-that you should be much difpleafed at many tranfactions in the late feffion cannot by any means furprife me, for I also am difappointed-I alfo am difpleafed! Our principles, our withes, being the fame, our feelings muft be fimilar, Yet, perhaps, we ourselves have been in fome degree erroneous, The honest zeal of fome among us has overftepped the exact bounds of prudence. An ill-founded alarm, propagated and increafed by the ill-intentioned, has gone abroad, to the prejudice not only of our infant commercial credit, but to the injury of the caufe we wished to fupport. Some of our nt timid friends have caught it, and our opponents have made ufe of it as a plea and pretext for an abject concurrence with every meafuge of government, under the affumed necef fity of not weakening it too much by oppofition. Let your moderation, my countrymen, deprive them of every excufe, and conciliate the minds of all honest men. By firmnefs and temper you will infallibly fucceed. Remember the difficulties which oppofed the just claim of this country to independent legiflature and jurifdic tion. How were they obviated? How were they overcome? By temperate firmness! A revolution was brought about, the moft furprifing, perhaps, that ever happened-without tumult, without lofs, without danger! Shall we then reject the force of reafon, when fortified by experience? Surely no. That we fhall finally obtain the object of our wishes, I can harbour no doubt. The wishes of a great and free people, when founded in wif dom and in justice, and conftitutionally preffed, muft be complied with. By perfeverance in moderate meafures you muft fucceed. Precipitation alone can delay fuccefs-precipitation and violence would difhonour you, and injure the caufe we have moft at heart! but indeed I cannot fear any fuch untoward event. I know you too well to doubt your conduct. I know your. patriotifm, I know your wifdom. For my own part, you may be affured, that I will chearfully and steadily co-operate with you in every conftitutional measure which may tend to the attainment of our object; and I beg that you would would accept my warmeft thanks, for the juftice you do me in entertaining no doubt of my hearty concurrence. I return to you as I left you, the fervant of the public. I have received its wages, and those of none other, honour and favour; they have been punctually paid me. Would any man in his fenfes change fuch a mafter for I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, INDEPENDENT WICKLOW FORESTER S. AT a meeting of the Independent Wicklow Foresters, held at Redcrofs, September 26, 1784, purfuant to a requifition of feveral members, for the purpose of taking into confideration the propriety of allowing Roman Catholics a right of fuffrage in the election of members to ferve in parliament, and of admitting them into Volunteer Corps, Colonel HAYES in the chair, Refolved unanimoufly, That the present fituation of this kingdom demands the ferious attention of all men who with well to the Protestant religion and government; and that it is indifpenfably neceffary they fhould avow their fentiments with freedom and firmness. Refolved unanimoufly, That though we highly approve of every act of the legislature, allowing to our fellow-fubjects, the Roman Catholics of this kingdom, the free and uninterrupted exercife of their religion, and alfo of the repeal of fuch reftrictive laws as prevented their acquirement of landed property; and though we highly approve of a parliamentary reform, yet having affociated as volunteers, as well to defend our country from foreign and internal enemies, as to preferve the conftitution, of which the Proteftant religion is the bafis, we will never behold with indifference any attempt that may tend to weaken, and, in courfe of time, to overturn that conftitution: and we are decidedly of opinion, that granting liberty to the Roman Catholics to vote for members to ferve in parliament would have that effect. Refolved unanimoufly, That allowing Roman Catholics to enter into volunteer corps is, from the peculiar fituation of this country, highly inexpedient: evil confequences may arife from fuch violation of the laws; but we cannot perceive it to be productive of any good: the Proteftant volunteers of Ireland having proved themfelves fully adequate to every purpose for which they originally formed. Refolved unanimoufly, That, conformable to the fpirit of our inflitution, we will not admit a Roman Catholic to become a member of this corps, being determined not to fuffer amongst ourselves, or to countenance in others, fuch a breach of the laws of our country, which we affociated to defend and enforce. Refolved unanimoufly, That we will fupport the Proteftant religion and Proteftant government of this kingdom, at the hazard of our lives and fortunes. Refolved unanimously, That the fincere thanks of this corps be given to that most virtuous and fpirited nobleman, General Earl of Charlemont, for his zealous and uniform attachment to the true Volunteer caufe; and for his fteady and patriotic determination of supporting the Protestant religion and government of this kingdom, manifefted by his candid and ingenuous declaration of his fentiments, in his answer to the Addrefs of the Delegates of the Volunteer Army, reviewed at Belfait the 13th of July, 1784; and our colonel is requested to convey the fame to him. SAMUEL HAYES, Colonel. To the Right Honourable JAMES, EARL of CHARLEMONT. The Addrefs of the Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons, and Citizens of the City of Dublin, in Common-Council affembled. WE, the Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons, and Citizens of this City, who have long beheld with gratitude and refpect your lordship's unceafing efforts to advance the happiness and profperity of your country, think ourselves, as the firft Proteftant corporation, peculiarly called upon to declare our entire approbation of your lordship's manly and conftitutional anfwer, delivered to the corps reviewed at Belfatt on the 13th of July lait." While we admire the fpirit and moderation of that anfwer, we concur with your lordship in declaring, that as the interefts of our country are great objects, fo we will fteadily pursue them by conftitutional means alone. Having the utmost good will to our fellowfubjects of the Roman Catholic perfuafion, we rejoice in the late privileges which an enlightened legislature has extended to them; but we never can confent to any meafure which may weaken or endanger the Proteftant establishment in church or itate. In teftimony whereof we have caufed the common feal of the faid city to be affixed, this 15th day of October, 1784. To which Addrefs his Lordship was pleased to return the following anfwer: To the Right Hon. the Lord-Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons, and Citizens, of the City of Dublin. My Lord and Gentlemen, EVERY fresh mark of the approbation of my countrymen, and their kind partiality has rendered fuch marks frequent, must at all times have been received by me with the higheft fatisfaction, not only as containing a proof of their perfevering favour, but also as I have been thereby enabled to flatter myfelf that a conduct, which they had honoured with their applaufe, could not be erroneous. Can it then be neceffary that I fhould endeavour to explain my preĆ 2 lent fent feelings; that 1 fhould labour to exprefs thofe fentiments of pleafure and of gratitude, which must neceffarily arife from the high honour conferred on me by your Addrefs; by the concurrence, applaufe, and thanks of the corporation of this great metropolis? Surely no.The extent of my acknowledgements will be beft inferred from the greatnefs of the 'obligation, and the only one I can make, and to you, I am fure, the most pleafing, is by an affurance, to which the tenour of my life will, I truft, add credit, that, as far as my abilities reach, my country's fervice shall at all times be the rule and purpofe of my actions, that I will fteadily. and zealously co-operate in pursuing her inte refts, and in every conftitutional means for the obtaining what is yet wanting to the perfection of her conftitution, and that, unbiaffed by any confideration, I will ever remain the faithful fervant of that public, to whofe partial goodnefs I muft for ever be indebted. I have the honour to be, my Lord and Gentlemen, your most obliged, most faithful, and moit obedient humble fervant, Oct. 25, 1784. BALLYMASCANLON RANGERS, Lieutenant HENRY MACNEALE, in the Chair. Refolved unanimoufly, That the following Addrefs be prefented to the Earl of Charlemont: THE Ballymafcanlon Rangers, a Proteftant corps, forming no inconfiderable company in the Lowth regiment, which has the honour to be commanded by your lordship, with the higheft efteem for the many liberal virtues which conftitute your public and private character, entreat leave to offer their humble approbation of the fentiments expreffed in your lordship's anfwer to the addrefs prefented on the laft Belfaft review. CHARLEMONT. On PARADE, October 17, 1784. COUNTY LOWTH. With every refpect and focial affection for their fellow-fubjects of the Roman Catholic perfuafion, they still confider the Protestant religion cemented with the conftitution; nor can they forget, that when King William came in vited to restore and preferve that constitution, the motto on his flag was, "The Proteftant Intereft." Refolved, That the foregoing addrefs be pre- To the CORPS of BALLYMASCANLON RANGERS. PLEASE to accept my moft grateful acknowledgements for the honour of your addrefs, and give me leave to affure you, that, as to be approved of by my countrymen must at all times afford me the highest fatisfaction, so must I feel a peculiar pleasure in the concurrence DUBLIN AT a general meeting of the Dublin Legion, October 28, 1784, according to fummons, proceeded to ballot for a colonel, when Capel Molyneaux, Efq. was unanimoufly elected." Refolved, That a committee be appointed to wait on Colonel Molyneaux with the following addrefs: SIR, THE Dublin Legion have very particular pleasure in embracing this opportunity of addreffing you in that style of respect and veneration which we confider due to your character; the various points of view in which we GENTLEMEN, THE diftinguished fentiments of approbation that accompany your kind election, enhance, if poffible, the honour you have conferred on me, and call for my warmest gratitude. That certain men of enlarged education and fortune fhould facrifice the prefent confirmation of our doubtful liberties to the contemptible fpeculations of felfifh intereft is to me inexplicable indeed. If this policy and knowledge of the world, may ignorance be ever my lot: a citizen, equally interested in the fate of the community, as in that of his deareft and approbation of a corps fo truely refpectable, Your moft obliged, most faithful, connections, will, I know, Gentlemen, experience from infenfible men, at this infulting period, the illiberal imputation of intemperate, zeal. From the first moment of reflection, a decided champion for the rights of mankind, I muft naturally co-operate with your hopes for a Reform and Protecting Duties; bleflings too intimately entwined with the future happiness of my country, not to engage the fondeft wishes of my heart, which I can fafely affure you, Genticmen, never cherished an idea unconnect |