- CONTENTS

THE FIRST VOLUME.

CHAP. I.

The treaty of Limerick-Government of William-Bene-

ficent intention towards Ireland - Consequent prosperity

-Jealousy of the Protestants— Barter of the agricultural

and commercial rights and advantages of the country for the

privilege of oppressing the Catholics--Origin of the penal

code-Reign of Anne-Increased persecution-Laws pre-

venting Catholics from acquiring property, educating their

children, and freely exercising their religion-Consequent

wretchedness of the country- Reign of George I.-In-

creased oppression of the Catholics--Evil effect on the Pro-

testants—Extreme misery of all classes-Reign of George II.

- Farther privations—Last remaining privilege, the elective

franchise, withdrawn-Charter schools instituted “ for the

salvation of the poor Irish"-Registry bill — Expulsion of the

clergy-Desolating famine, and epidemic-New and violent

persecution-Total depression of the Catholics . page 11

CHAP. II.

First effort of the Catholics—Dr. Curry~Mr. O'Conor-

Mr. Wyse-Their characters, friendship, and exertions to

rouse their countrymen — Symptoms of relaxation in the

penal code-Causes of this change-Anxiously seized-- Ap-

peals to the Catholic Aristocracy—To the Catholic Clergy

--Fail-Causes of this failure-Appeal to the Catholic Mer-

chants Succeeds-- First meetings — Partial attempt at a

Dublin association, by Mr. Curry_Address of the Merchants

-Graciously received— Plan of Mr. Wyse for the establish-

ment of a general Association-Adopted—First general

Association of the Catholics of Ireland . . page 33

CHAP. III.

Accession of George III.-Address of the Catholics of

Ireland-Separate address of the Catholic Aristocracy and

Clergy-The Remonstrance of grievances-Dissensions and

divisions of the Catholic body-Remonstrants and Anti-

remonstrants—Lord Trimleston-Lord Taaffe — Failure of

the Remonstrance-Despondency of the Catholic-Causes

thereof — Lord Halifax succeeded by Lord Townsend-

Hopes of the Catholics—Efforts against the Quarterage, &c.

-Establishment of a Catholic fund— Inertness of the first

Committee or Association — Causes which produced it-

Gradual dissolution-Renewal under Lord Kenmare- First

concessions to the Catholics-Bill of 1776 . . 71

CHAP. IV.

Review of the progress of the Catholics--Causes thereof

-Salutary effects of the bill of 1776—Gratitude of the Ca-

tholics-Renewed courage and exertions-Continuance of

the Committee under Lord Kenmare-Character and poli-

ties of that nobleman-New divisions--New secession of

the aristocracy-Inefficiency of the Committee-Its total

dissolution-New plan suggested by Wolfe Tone-com-

pared with that of Mr. Wyse-Establishment of the Second

General Committee, or Association of 1790--Exertions of

that body-Important concessions to the Catholics-Bill

of 1773_Review of the causes which led to that event-

Domestic-Foreign: amongst the Protestants- Amongst the

Catholics-How far influenced by the General Committee,

and by its leaders - Mr. Keogh-Dissolution of the Com-

mittee · · · · ·

page 93

CHAP. V.

Omissions and defects of the bill of 1793–Causes thereof

-Gratitude of the Catholics-Servility of the Aristocracy

-General apathy-Rebellion of 1798—Effects of the re-

laxations—Improved condition of the Catholics-Increasing

anxiety for their total emancipation--Meetings to petition

for that purpose in 1805–Draft of petition rejected--Oli-

garchical meetings in Marlborough Street-Mr. Ryan-In-

dignation of the country-Aggregate meeting in Stephen's

Green-Attempts to reorganise the General Committee

Similar attempts in 1807, 1808—-Aggregate meeting in Wil.

liam Street in 1809– Establishment of the Third General

Committee on a similar plan to that of 1790- Elements of

which it was composed – The Aristocracy, The Clergy-

The Bar—The people, still of little influence - Character

of the leaders-Lord Fingal -- Lord Gormanstown-Lord
Ffrench --- Lord Trimleston – Mr. Scully-Mr. Hussey -

Mr. Clinch - Dr. Dromgoole -- Dr. Troy, Catholic arch-

bishop of Dublin-Surviving members--Proceedings of the

Committee - Proclamation to disperse it under the Con-

vention Act by Mr. Secretary Wellesley Pole-Arrest of the

members—Trials--Dissolution of the Committee page 128

CHAP. VI.

Consequences of the proclamation, and dissolution of the

Committee-New plan— Fourth General Committee, or As-

sociation, under the name of Board--Proceedings of the

Catholics—Continuance of the Veto question— Divisions-

General secession of the aristocracy-Injurious effects-

Gradual languor and apathy—Insignificance of their pro-

ceedings-Final dissolution of the Board . . 179

CHAP. VII.

Universal inertness of the Catholic body--Causes thereof

- Difficulty of sustaining public excitement- Arrival of the

King-His farewell letter – Not acted on-Disappointment

-Continued despondency of the Catholics-Means of rous-

ing them - Defects of former plans-How to be remedied-

Union of all parties–New plan projected by Mr. O'Con-

nell, aided by Mr. Sheil—Difficulties to encounter: sur-

mounted--Establishment of the Fifth General Committee,

or late Catholic Association-Immediate advantages-Sup-

pression of local outrage-Pacification of the country-

Sympathy of all classes--Union of the Aristocracy, Clergy,
and People--Measures of the Association - Establishment

on an extensive scale of a new Catholic fund - Rapid pro-

gress-Sanguine hopes--Relief bill of 1825Preliminary

and collateral measures-Relief bill and Freehold and Pet-

sion bill rejected— The Suppression Association bill, com-

monly called the Algerine bill, passed The Association

attempted to be suppressed . . . . page 188

CHAP. VIII.

Disappointment and indignation of the Catholics- Public

meetings--The Algerine act evaded - The Association, with

a slight change of name, continues its sittings-Government

declines to interfere-Principle of this forbearance- Ad-

vantages resulting from the attempted suppression-Four-

teen days' meeting—Provincial meetings--Census of the

Catholic population-Important and extensive influence of

these measures on the aristocracy, the clergy, and the peo-

ple-General union and consolidation of Catholic opinion

and Catholic strength-General Election of 1826—Elec-

tion of Waterford-of Louth--of Cavan, &c.— Remark-

able effect upon Catholics and Protestants --Simultaneous

meetings, Petition to Parliament-Rejection of the pe-

tition

. . . . . . . . 218

CHAP. IX.

Persecution of landlords---New Rent--Its effects and

utility-Simultaneous Meetings-Continental sympathy-

American sympathy-- American addresses and associations,

&e, alarming-American party in Ireland Its principles -