Whilst the British senate was earnestly employed in giving and securing freedom to Ireland, and in the ministerial interregnum, which suspended the action of the British government, Ireland was not wholly inactive. The corporation of the city of Dublin presented the following address to the lord lioute

nant:

"MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY.

"WE, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons, "and Citizens of the City of Dublin, in common council as“sembled, unanimously think it our indispensable duty at this "time to approach your excellency with our sincere acknow"ledgments for your prudent and indefatigable regard to the "honour and welfare of this country.

"Your excellency's early attention to the removal of all " doubts relative to the independency of the legislation, and ju"risdiction of the parliament of Ireland, the general and eco"nomical reform introduced into several departments of the

state, and the many great and apparent advantages we enjoy, "and are likely to experience, from your excellency's wise, firm, "and virtuous administration, must at all times excite and de"mand the highest expressions of gratitude, and make us earn"estly solicitous for the continuance of your government over "a people affectionate to your person, and truly sensible of your "honourable intentions.

"the parliament of that kingdom, in all cases whatever, and to have all ac"tions and suits at law or in equity, which may be instituted in that kingdom, "decided in his majesty's courts therein finally, and without appeal from "thence, therefore, for removing all doubts respecting the same, may it please "your majesty, that it may be declared and enacted; and be it declared and "enacted by the king's most excellent majesty, by and with the advice and "consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present "parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that the said right "claimed by the people of Ireland to be bound only by laws enacted by his "majesty and the parliament of that kingdom, in all cases whatever, and to "have all actions and suits at law or in equity, which may be instituted in "that kingdom, decided in his majesty's courts therein finally, and without "appeal from thence, shall be, and it is hereby declared to be established and "ascertained for ever, and shall, at no time hereafter, be questioned or ques"tionable.

"II. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no writ "of error or appeal shall be received or adjudged, or any other proceeding be "had by or in any of his majesty's courts in this kingdom in any action or suit "at law or in equity, instituted in any of his majesty's courts in the kingdom "of Ireland; and that all such writs, appeals, or proceedings, shall be, and "they are hereby declared null and void to all intents and purposes; and that "all records, transcripts of records or proceedings, which have been trans"mitted from Ireland to Great Britain, by virtue of any writ of error or ap peal, and upon which no judgment has been given, or decree pronounced before the first day of June, 1782, shall, upon application made by, or in be"half of the party in whose favour judgment was given, or decree pronounced, “in Ireland, be delivered to such party, or any person by him authorized to "apply for, and receive the same."

"It has been justly observed, that all nations have experi"enced a period of exaltation as well as of depression.

"From an ill-judging policy, this kingdom felt the latter; "from the well-timed and liberal sentiments which prevail, it is "likely to attain the former.

"We assure your excellency, that the citizens expect the "consummation of this great business from a nobleman of independent fortune and principles, equally the friend of Great "Britain and Ireland; sensible that their interests are the same, "they do most firmly rely on your goodness, that nothing in 66 your power will be wanting to secure to this nation the complete and perpetual enjoyment of commercial and constitutional "freedom.

"In that persuasion, we cannot but represent to your excel"lency, that as the time is critical and important, no circum"stances whatsoever should induce a change, which might pre"judice, but cannot benefit this country; and your excellency "must be convinced there are situations, in which the yielding " even to the finer feelings of the mind, (however amiable in "private life) must be considered as political error, and a de"sertion of public duty!

"Your excellency will please to receive this address, not as "the ordinary and common compliment paid to persons "high station, but as the language of freemen sensibly alarmed, "who highly approve your conduct and revere your virtues; and "who will not behold with indifference the moment, which "shall terminate your excellency's administration.

"In testimony whereof, we have caused the common seal "of the said city to be hereunto affixed, this 7th day of March, "1788."

To this address the following answer was returned ;

"I am too sensible to this address of affectionate regard, to "answer it in the common expressions of good-will: my heart "is indeed too full; and I truly feel an honest pride in receiving "such a testimony of the sense, which the city of Dublin en"tertain of my zeal to promote the first object of my wishes "the constitutional and commercial freedom of Ireland. To "such an object I would gladly sacrifice every private feeling: "and as long as I can flatter myself, that my exertions are ac"ceptable to his majesty, or may be serviceable to this king"dom, I will hope that no circumstances will prevent me from "continuing to you that proof of my interest in your prosperity, "which an unremitting attention to the great lines of an honest "government can so truly give. But in every situation, I never "can forget how much I owe to your affection; and my con"stant prayer, my constant object will be, that the honour, pride, and happiness of Ireland, may be perpetual, and that

"it may be founded on the surest basis of a liberal and consti "tutional connection with your sister kingdom."

In order to gratify the public mind, and to draw it from speculative questions, it was thought adviseable to institute a new order of knighthood, that should give additional lustre to the national consequence, which at this time appeared to be the favourite object of all ranks of people. Letters patent were accordingly passed for creating a society, or brotherhood, to be called, "Knights of the Illustrious Order of St. Patrick," of which his majesty his heirs, and successors, were appointed to be sovereigns; and the lord-lieutenant for the time being, was to officiate as grand master. The following were appointed knights companions of the order, viz. His Royal Highness Prince Edward, his Grace William Robert Duke of Leinster, the Earls of Clanricarde, Antrim, Westmeath, Inchiquin, Drogheda, Tyrone, Shannon, Clanbrassil, Mornington, Courtown, Charlemont, Bective, and Ely. The Archbishop of Dublin for the time being, was appointed Chancellor; and the Dean of St. Patrick's, in like manner, Register; and Lord Delvin, Secretary.

On the 11th of March, the Knights were invested with due solemnity before the lord-lieutenant at Dublin Castle; and on the 17th of the same month (being the festival of St. Patrick, tutelar Saint of Ireland,) they were installed. And the ceremonial of the installation was conducted throughout with the utmost regularity, order, and magnificence.

Various speculations had at different periods been set on foot in Ireland for peopling the country by an influx of foreigners, at times when cruelty was inventive to check the population of the aboriginal natives of the soil. But the ill-judged policy of listening to the distresses of foreigners, whilst the more piercing cries of their own subjects were unheard or unheeded, though frequently attempted, has generally failed.

Disputes and dissensions had long subsisted between the aristocratic and democrátic powers in the republic of Geneva, which had finally terminated in favour of the former, through the interference of the kings of France and Sardinia, and the cantons of Zuric and Berne. In consequence of which, a number of the citizens of the popular party resolved to quit a country, in the government of which their weight and authority had been totally extinguished.

On this occasion they turned their eyes upon Ireland, and commissioners were accordingly sent by them to Dublin, to consult and treat with that government in relation to their recep tion into that kingdom. The commissioners, on their arrival, received the greatest personal attention from the people in general, (then all alive to every claim of civil liberty,) but more

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especially from the different corps of volunteers in the province of Leinster, into several of which, as a mark of respect paid to the cause they came to solicit, they were chosen as members.

Their request, with respect to the admission of their countrymen into Ireland, was eagerly complied with by government, who, with a degree of avidity, offered them an asylum in that country. Accordingly, the names and numbers of the emigrants from Geneva having been laid before the privy council, they fixed upon a place for their residence at Passage, near to the confluence of the rivers Barrow and Suir, in the county of Waterford, in which district a very considerable tract of land was then shortly to revert to government; and this it was resolved should be appropriated and granted in fee to these Genevese settlers, and the place named "New Geneva."*

* The following warrant was issued by the lord lieutenant on that occasion: To the Earl of Tyrone, the Right Hon. John Beresford, the Right Hon. John Blaquiere, K. B. the Right Hon. Henry Theophilus Clements, the Right Hon. John Foster, the Right Hon. Luke Gardiner, the Right Hon. William Wyndham Grenville, the Right Hon. James Gaffe, David Latouche, Esq. jun. Andrew Caldwell, Esh. Traven Hartly, Esq. Alexandra Jaffray, Esq. and Messeiurs G. Ringler, E. Clavier, Du Roveray, E. Gase, Grenus, and Divernois.

Whereas the Sieur Divernois did, by his memorial of the 27th of September last, represent unto us, that, in consequence of certain alterations, which had taken place in the political constitution and government of the state of Geneva, a considerable number of the citizens and inhabitants, attached to the blessings of a free government, were disposed, under assurances of the enjoyment of certain privileges and protection, to settle themselves in this kingdom, to bring with them their property, and to establish here those manufactures, which had rendered the citizens of that state so wealthy; and that the sum of fifty thousand pounds sterling, British money, would be necessary to enable the first thousand emigrants to effect their purpose, of which a sum, not exceeding one half, to be applied to defray the expences of their journey, and the carriage of their effects; and the remainder to be applied in the building, or providing houses for their reception: and whereas we did lay the said memorial before the lords of his majesty's privy council, who, by their resolution of the 27th day of September last, expressive of the importance of the object, and the advantages to be secured to this kingdom by the accession of a body of respectable citizens, and to its commerce, by the introduction of a manufacture so extensive and beneficial, and by the immediate acquisition of a very material addition to the national wealth, did unanimously request, that his majesty would be graciously pleased to take the same into his royal consideration, and to adopt such measures in this case, as to his majesty's great wisdom should seem meet: and we having transmitted the said memorial and resolution to be laid before the king, his majesty hath been graciously pleased to signify his royal approbation of the design aforesaid, founded upon principles so truly interesting to justice and humanity: and of his royal disposition to induce the said merchants, artists, and manufacturers, citizens, or inhabitants of Geneva, to settle in Ireland, under the conviction, that by their civil and religious principles, their industry, and their loyalty, they would materially contribute to the advantage of this kingdom.

These are, therefore, to pray and to empower you to consult together, and to report unto us what agreements, regulations, warrants, and authorities, will, in your opinion, be necessary and proper for carrying his majesty's gracious intentions into execution, under the heads following, viz.

The terms insisted upon by the Genevese, previous to their becoming subjects of a new state, were, 1st. That they should be represented in parliament; 2dly. That they should be

1st. For the grant of a sum of fifty thousand pounds to certain state offcers, and to certain of the nobility and gentry of this realm, together with the six commissioners now in this kingdom from the Genevans; the said sum to be granted to them in trust for the use of the Genevans settling in this country, whereof a sum, not exceeding one half, is to be applied to the charges of their journey, and the carriage of their effects, to be distributed by the said commissioners, in such proportion as they shall think equitable, upon the consideration of the circumstances, the character, and the talents of each emigrant and the remainder to be expended in the building a town, and settling them therein.

2dly. To consider the rights, privileges, franchises, and immunities to be granted to the inhabitants of the said new intended town; and so soon as the general system shall have been submitted to, and approved of by us, then to prepare a draught of a charter, which will be referred to the consideration of his majesty's law servants for their opinion, and afterwards submitted to his majesty for his royal approbation, granting to the said citizens of the New Geneva, the establishment of magistrates, councils, or assemblies, with powers for regulating their internal concerns, in such manner as shall be most agreeable to the laws, under which they lived happily in their own country, and as shall be agreeable to the dispositions of the people, observing nevertheless, that, in no instance whatsoever, such municipal laws, or regulations, be repugnant to the laws of this kingdom; and, in case that it should be necessary to apply to parliament for farther powers for carrying such charters, or purposes, into execution, then to prepare a draught or scheme of such bill or bills, as may be necessary to be submitted to the legislature.

3dly. To consider in what manner a sufficient portion of land shall be secured to the said citizens of Geneva, to examine and recommend with all expedition a situation for their new town, and to consider and prepare every arrangement which may expedite the construction of it, and to report by what mode the persons arriving in this kingdom, shall from time to time be accommodated, until the new town, or a sufficient portion thereof, shall be erected for their reception: as also in what manner the said houses shall be distributed to individuals, or a sufficient portion of ground to those, who may wish to build at their own expence; and in what manner the freedom of the new town shall be secured to such persons having been citizens or inhabitants of Geneva, and possessed of those qualifications of conduct and of morals, upon which the success of this establishment must depend, (as are not yet arrived or naturalized) so that, upon their arrival and naturalization, they shall be entitled to the benefits of the body corporate aforesaid.

And whereas young persons of rank and fortune, from all parts of Europe, resorted to the city of Geneva, to profit from the system of education established there, under professors of eminence in useful and liberal studies and accomplishments; and whereas a school or academy, formed upon the same principles in this kingdom, would forward his majesty's gracious dispositions for the encouragement of religion, virtue, and science, by improving the education and early habits of youth, and would remove the inducements to a foreign education; and being conducted with that attention to morality and virtue, which hath distinguished the establishments in that city, may attract foreigners to reside in this kingdom for the like purpose, we do farther pray and empower you to consider and digest a plan for a school and academy of education, to be established in the new colony, and to make a part of the constitution hereof, under such institution and regulations, and with such privileges as may best contribute to the ends hereby proposed.

And we do pray and empower, that, after having given these subjects in general the fullest consideration, you do report unto us a particular detail of what shall be thought most fitting to be granted and ordered for the advan