CHAP. VI.]

CORRESPONDENCE WITH MR. PITT. 175

ton was taken ill, (the day being very hot,) and was carried out of the room. The party, however, did not seem to mind the circumstance in the least, or evince any anxiety about him; intent as they were on their several projects, the company were cold and indifferent-there was no cordiality; they appeared to know they could not trust each other, and broke up without much satisfaction on either side. Sir John Parnell seemed to have made a better impression on Pitt, than Pitt did upon him, as appears from the following incident. When the former was talking of the Irish Catholics, and rejoicing at their union with the Protestants, Pitt said, "Very true, Sir; BUT THE QUESTION IS, WHOSE WILL THEY BE?"-thus casting, as Parnell thought, an unjust imputation upon that body. He made another awkward remark, when he observed to Mr. Grattan, "What does Ireland want? What would she have more?"- The fact was, Pitt did not like Ireland, he could not manage her as easily as he wished, or, as Mr. Grattan expressed it," She was not handy enough for him." It was necessary, however, that Mr. Grattan should have a communication with him on the subject of Ireland, and he received the following notes on the occasion:

MR. PITT TO MR. GRATTAN.

MR. PITT presents his compliments to Mr. Grattan ; he wishes much, if it is not disagreeable to Mr. Grattan, to have an opportunity of conversing with him confidentially on the subject of an arrangement in Ireland, and for that purpose would take the liberty of requesting to see him, either at four to-day, or any time to-morrow morning most convenient to Mr. Grattan.

Downing Street, Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 1794.

MR. PITT TO MR. GRATTAN.

MR. PITT presents his compliments to Mr. Grattan, having requested that the conversation which Mr. Grattan

176

OPINION OF MR. PITT.

[CHAP. VI.

has had the goodness to allow him might be considered as confidential; he does not think himself at liberty to refer to it, without being sure that he has Mr. Grattan's permission; but he rather imagines he will have no objection to Mr. Pitt's doing so as far as may be necessary, in any explanation on the subject with the Duke of Portland, and any other of his colleagues.

Mr. Pitt's anxiety to avoid any doubt on this point will be his apology for giving Mr. Grattan that additional trouble.

Downing Street,

Wednesday, Oct. 15th, 1794, & past 5, P. M.

This interview was an important one, discloses the secret history of the transaction, and shews how the minister deceived both the Catholics

and the country. It cannot be said that he deceived Mr. Grattan, for the latter declined office, being determined not to put himself in his power; besides, he was well aware of the character of the individual with whom he was to confer. His old friend, Denis Daly,* on whose opinion he always had so much relied, and who had been in office under Pitt, told Mr. Grattan long before what he thought of him. "He was a good minister for England, but a bad minister for Ireland," were his words. Gerard Hamilton, who was a close observer of mankind, and who knew men very well, said, I would not trust Pitt, for depend upon it he'll cheat you; he may be a good theoretical minister, but he is a bad practical one"-a very just remark; doubtless the youth, the family, and the name of Pitt had given him the reputation and the air of liberality; but when he came to deal with the House of Commons, he found it easier to manage them by arts and by money than by any way else. Mr. Sergeant Adair was also in London at the time, a friend of Mr. Pitt, and an acquaintance of Mr. Forbes and Mr. Grattan; he told

66

*He was Muster-Master-General.

CHAP. VI.] MR. GRATTAN'S INTERVIEW WITH HIM. 177

the latter, "All that is to be done should be set down in writing, for if you have any dealings with Pitt he'll cheat you; I never would act with him except I had pen, ink, and paper." At the meeting between Mr. Grattan and Mr. Pitt, the latter was very plain and very civil in his manner. Mr.

All

Grattan stated to him what his party desired, and mentioned the measures that he thought Ireland required: the essential one was the Catholic question. Mr. Pitt, upon this, remarked, "Ireland has already got much." Mr. Grattan did not tell him how she had got it.* They did not enter into the details of the Catholic question; but Mr. Grattan put it down upon paper; in reply to which Mr. Pitt used these words: "Not to bring it forward as a Government measure, but if Government were pressed, TO YIELD IT." This unquestionably was a concession of the Catholic question; for Mr. Pitt knew well that the question would be pressed; it was certain to be brought on. parties-Protestant, Presbyterian, and Catholichad called for it, and at their meetings, passed resolutions in its support. Nothing could keep it back; it was not an opposition question, nor did it stand in need of any instigation; and of this Mr. Pitt was well aware. This was the arrangement he made with Mr. Grattan, and as the latter often mentioned, "such were the identical expressions." There was, however, another subject introduced by Mr. Pitt, namely, that of the Lord-Lieutenant; and Mr. Pitt observed, "The question now is, how shall Lord Westmoreland be provided for?" This did not appear to Mr. Grattan a valid objection, still less an impediment to measures in favour of Ireland; he left this affair to be settled by Mr. Pitt: all that he was concerned about, was the arrangement for the people.

178

CATHOLIC CLAIMS AGREED TO. [CHAP. VI.

The

After this, Mr. Grattan went to his party; they pressed him to form one of the Government, and were dissatisfied at his declining office. They did not wish that he should be one of them, and not incur any responsibility; nor did they like to keep in Sir John Parnell: so that he did not succeed without some difficulty; for as he observed, "I had to defend Sir John Parnell as well as myself, one from going out of office, and the other from coming in. I thought it better, however, to patch up the business, and not be the instrument of breaking off; for I had got the GREAT MEASure, and the next thing was to get THE MEN." party accordingly acquiesced; and though they were very desirous of turning out the person who had opposed them, they yielded to Mr. Grattan's interference, and Sir John Parnell was allowed to remain in office. The following letters confirm the foregoing statement. The difficulty which Mr. Grattan alludes to, in his letter to Mr. M'Can, had been got over. Mr. Pitt had satisfied himself as to his own objection respecting Lord Westmoreland; Lord Fitzwilliam was satisfied that he had full powers as to the Catholic question, and in a conference afterwards with Edmund Burke on the subject, he said to him, "I would not have taken office under you unless I knew that THAT was to be done"-namely, the concession of the Catholic question. On the whole of this transaction let posterity decide, and let them pronounce their verdict on the case of Ireland and the conduct of Mr. Pitt.

MR. GRATTAN TO MR. M'CAN.

27th October, 1794.

MY DEAR M'CAN;-Had I any thing to write, I should have written. At present,

all I can say is, that

were taught to believe

nothing is determined at present. Mr. Pitt don't agree to those extensive powers which we

CHAP. VI.]

LETTER OF LORD FITZWILLIAM.

179

the Duke of Portland had. However, I should not be surprised if it were settled well at last, and that Lord Fitzwilliam went over; nor yet would the contrary surprise me. This week will decide.

Desire them not to write from Tinnehinch, for I hope to leave this on Monday, or Tuesday next. Yours most sincerely,

H. GRATTAN.

In reference to the "extensive powers" alluded to in this letter, Mr. Grattan wrote to Mr. Pitt, saying, that he conceived there was a mistake as to the immediate appointment of Lord Fitzwilliam, and to his powers in Ireland; and he wished extremely that the Duke of Portland and Mr. Pitt would have a conference upon the subject; the result of which was the removal of the difficulty, as appears from the subjoined letter.

LORD FITZWILLIAM TO MR. GRATTAN.

30th October, 1794.

DEAR GRATTAN ;-When the Duke of Portland reported to the Cabinet this morning my acceptance of the Lieutenancy of Ireland (the result of your decision) it met with a hearty approbation. I trust to the sincerity of it, and feel no diffidence of receiving an honourable support from this side the water.

I write this from Lord Milton's, who is taking care of a gouty toe, to be the better able to undertake the duties of a Lord-lieutenant's secretary, which, complying with my request, he is to undertake; but being confined to his drawing-room, is no impediment to a slight introduction to business. If you think of calling upon him to ask after his health, perhaps it might be not unadvisable to get Sir John Parnell to do as much. Conversation might turn upon subjects that necessarily they must hereafter frequently converse together upon. Believe me, with sincere esteem and regard, truly yours,

Monday night.

WENTWORTH FITZWILLIAM. However, after this arrangement had been made with Lord Fitzwilliam, Mr. Pitt threw obstacles in the way;-first, as regarded Lord Westmoreland and his friends; then he added