The great object of the national committee was, if possible, to preserve unanimity: most of the members were to attend their respective provincial meetings, and it was thought, that the only chance of unanimity was, to fix on one point, that they would support and recommend in their particular provinces. On the same day Leinster met, and agreed with the national committee, as appears by their addresses to his majesty and viceroy. On the 21st of June, Ulster met, and gave fatal proofs of the malicious industry with which discontent had been propagated. Falsehoods of the most glaring nature had filled many of the papers, and misrepresentations disgraced the freedom of the press. English perfidy was inculcated, and the insufficiency of what had been obtained, asserted. Without any change whatsoever on the part of Great Britain, a number of men, who were even ready a few days before to cross the channel to the aid of England, became unhappy and discontented, and the evening preceding the 21st of June, wore a very melancholy aspect.

It fell to the lot of Major Dobbs to open the business. However, he explained his reasons for being fully satisfied, and moved the following address to his majesty:

ULSTER VOLUNTEERS, IRELAND.

Dungannon, June 21, 1782.

"Colonel William Irvine in the chair.

"AT a meeting of three hundred and six companies of this "province, pursuant to public notice, the following address was "unanimously agreed upon, and ordered to be presented to his majesty by the chairman, Major Francis Dobbs, Captain James "Dawson, Captain Francis Evans, and Colonel Thomas Morris "Jones.

"To the King's most excellent majesty.—The humble address of "the Volunteers of Ulster.

MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,

"With the most unfeigned attachment to your "majesty's person and family, we approach your throne. You are our true and lawful sovereign; and we trust that every act "of ours will evince, that we are your faithful and loyal sub"jects.

"The addresses of the Irish parliament having disclaimed any power or authority, of any sort whatsoever, in the parliament "of Great Britain over this realm, we shall consider an unquali"fied and unconditional repeal of the statute of the 6th of George "I. by the British parliament, made in pursuance of the said

"addresses, a complete renunciation of a principle hostile to the "rights of Ireland, and of all the claims contained in the said "statute; and as such we will accept it, and deem it satisfactory. "Thus united by the sacred bond of freedom, we request our "gracious sovereign to assure our sister kingdom, that we will "be sharers in her fate, standing or falling with the British em"pire.

"We humbly beg leave to express our gratitude for the ap"pointment of his grace the Duke of Portland to the government "of Ireland. Prevented by situation from enjoying the presence "of our benevolent sovereign, we rejoice in a viceroy, whose "character assures us, that he will faithfully discharge the duties "of his station.

"The economy and retrenchment which your majesty has been "graciously pleased both to recommend and practise, will, we 、 humbly hope, be extended to Ireland. Should a more equal representation of the people be also adopted, our prosperity "would be for ever secured, and your majesty's reign most hon"ourably distinguished in the annals of mankind.

"We rejoice in the great and signal success of your majesty's “ arms: every enemy must yield to the efforts of a great, a brave, "a free, and an united people. Your majesty's choice of those, "whom you have entrusted with the administration of public af"fairs, gives us the most heartfelt satisfaction; public confidence "is revived; and we doubt not but your majesty's crown and empire will speedily be raised to the highest pinnacle of human "glory.

We have ever beheld with admiration your majesty's do"mestic virtues. May your majesty, and the truly great and "amiable partner of your throne, long, long live to bless each "other; may the offspring of your happy union reward your pa"rental fondness, by a display of every grace and every virtue; " and when, at length, the immutable law of nature shall demand "that tribute, which even kings must pay, may your mourning "subjects with one voice lament, that the great, the benevolent "father of his people is no more.

"WILLIAM IRVINE, Chairman. JAMES DAWSON, Secretary."

It passed unanimously, and with a loud tribute of applause. Captain Pollock then moved an address to the Duke of Portland, which was carried unanimously; as was also an address to Lord Charlemont, appointing him general of the volunteers of Ulster, moved by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Stewart, and an address to Mr. Grattan, expressing the highest satisfaction at

A resolution

the vote of 50,000l. moved by Captain Pollock. moved by Colonel Knox, for assisting in raising the 20,000 seamen, and a resolution for erecting a monument at Dungannon, in which Lord Charlemont and Mr. Grattan were to be particularly distinguished, moved by the Rev. Mr. Crawford, were also carried unanimously.

The province of Connaught likewise expressed its satisfaction, in addresses to his majesty and the lord lieutenant, as appears by those addresses: Munster met, but did nothing.

The gentlemen who were appointed to present the addresses to his majesty, immediately sailed for England. Lord Shelburne treated them with the greatest politeness; and his majesty was ' pleased most graciously to receive their addresses, and every mark of attention was paid through them to the volunteers of Ulster. But scarcely had their addresses been presented, when the packets from Ireland announced the dissatisfaction of two corps in the town of Belfast, which had been represented at Dungannon; they, who were executing their commission, were vilified and traduced in the news-paper; and Mr. Grattan, who had been addressed from every quarter as the saviour of his country, who had been voted a statue by a full meeting of the lawyers of Ireland particularly convened, and 50,000l. by the House of Commons of Ireland, had become the object of the most illiberal

abuse.

The Belfast review was approaching; those who were dissatisfied determined there to make their stand: and it had been for the two preceding years distinguished as the greatest in Ireland, and therefore its decision must carry considerable weight. The 1st Belfast company had taken the lead, and was indefatigable in the pursuit of its object, that dissatisfaction should be expressed at Belfast: this company sent a very strong address* to the corps who were to assemble at the review; which was ably drawn up, and very fully expressed the grounds and particulars of their dissatisfaction. Major Dobbs also addressed the same corps on the opposite side of the question by way of reply to their address.

The 31st of July displayed a truly glorious exhibition. A volunteer encampment of near three thousand men, and the volunteer garrison of upwards of one thousand, all completely clothed, armed, and accoutred. Their military knowledge and appearance struck the veteran with wonder.

Anonymous papers in thousands were dispersed through the camp and garrison. Every private was taught that he was competent to legislate, and consequently to express his sentiments on

Both these addresses are expressive of the different opinions circulated abroad upon the question, and are to be seen, Append. No. LXIX.

the most speculative points. Declaration, renunciation, simple repeal, legal security, better security, and bill of rights, were all before them, and they were to instruct their delegates on these important points. The delegates assembled on the 3d of August, and Colonel Stewart (member for the county of Down) was unanimously called to the chair; and Major Dobbs, as exercising officer, moved an address to the Reviewing General Lord Charlemont, in which he inserted a clause of their being fully satisfied. A debate commenced whether it should not be expunged; at the end of eleven hours a division took place, when there appeared for expunging 31, against it 29.

The address thus altered, passed unanimously.

Thus by the efforts and exertions of a wise and liberal administration were the liberties of Ireland restored; peace, unity, and content diffused through a revived nation, and the prosperity and glory of the British empire increased by adding strength, vigour, and felicity to that important part of it.

END OF THE SECOND VOLUME.