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CHAP. XI.]

BY THE GOVERNMENT.

425

said that Lord Clare had applied to Stockdale (the printer imprisoned by order of the House of Lords), and that considerable and singular offers were made to him. There is no doubt but that he was visited by Lord Clare and interrogated by him respecting Mr. Grattan ; but Stockdale could say nothing; the mystery, however, that hung over these occurrences was never removed; and doubtless, whatever was their precise object, no good was intended towards Mr. Grattan. The letters are of a singular character.

MR. WILLIAM DOWDALL TO MR. GRATTAN.

New Prison, Tuesday Morning, Dec. 1798.

SIR;-Permit me to return you my sincere thanks for the twenty guineas handed to me by Mrs. Risk. Though left without a shilling at present, (the poor creatures from whom I received some little rent, being driven to ruin and banishment by the insurrection,) I feel the utmost pain in accepting from you, on whom I can have no claim to such a present, and beg you will not be offended at my indulging a hope I may yet in some manner repay it.

I received the enclosed letter to forward to you, before I suffered you to commit yourself with the writer. I wrote to him by the advice of Mr. Curran (a copy of which I also enclose). This letter of mine, I am informed, was found in his room, and occasioned his being instantly sent to England in irons to prevent any further communication. I really think this man is in possession of some circumstances very material to you, either in attempts by himself or some other of the band, to injure you; but your own judgment will best determine how you should act.

I have declined signing the conditions of the Government for emigration, but if they would allow me to depart without examination, or other security than that of leaving the country, I should prefer it to an arbitrary imprisonment; indeed, I am inclined to think, if I memorialized Lord Cornwallis, I might be admitted to bail, as M'Gucken (who was included in the list of emigrants at his own solicitation), but I know not well through what channel to have it handed to himself, and never could consent that anything

426

LETTERS OF DOWDALL AND BIRD [CHAP. XI.

from me like a request of favour should appear before Cooke.*

I hope Mrs. Grattan and you have enjoyed perfect health. Believe me, sir, that you may continue to do so, and finally overcome your enemies, is the sincerest wish of

Your ever devoted humble servant,

WM. DOWDALL.

MR. DOWDALL TO J. W. BIRD.

SIR,-I have transmitted the letter to the person you wish, together with my opinion of the sentiments of the writer. My own knowledge, but more particularly that of some here, so much better acquainted with him, leaves not a doubt of his honour and disinterestedness.

He has, to a certainty, by this received the letter; in the delicate situation all parties are placed, you will not expect his acknowledgment at present. I believe it is hardly necessary to tell you, that my sincere respect for that gentleman is such, as to authorise me to act as my judgment may dictate, in anything that concerns his honour or interest. I have therefore no doubt (convinced as I am of the purity of your motives) that you will, through me, communicate anything for his information. For my conduct in this business you have every security, from my private esteem for the person in question,-from honour and gratitude. I am, Sir, &c. &c. WM. DOWDAll.

J. BIRD TO MR. GRATTAN.

State Prison, Dublin Castle, Dec. 1, 1798. SIR,-The ephemeral triumph of corruption and vice, by no means make me repent having quitted its blood-stained banners; and amid the evils of a rigid confinement, the consciousness of having torn some intended victims from its merciless fangs, affords me a consolation in my solitary dungeon superior to any I have ever before experienced.

By a strange concatenation of circumstances, some very important secrets have been thrown into my power, a part of which is, I believe, ere this developed by me in a letter I addressed to the Marquis of Cornwallis, and signed "Humanitas;" but a still more important one, and inexpressibly gratifying to my feelings, has placed one of your venal persecutors (and the most celebrated one too) completely within my grasp, and I have already secured such corroboration, as shall strike conviction into the breasts of

* The under-secretary.

CHAP. XI.] ON DESIGNS AGAINST MR. GRATTAN. 427

those sanguinary and bigotted wretches, who wish by any means to effect your destruction, though they dare not

avow it.

Till I know that this letter is received safe, I shall not be more explicit; nor can I publicly avow it, till I am liberated, (of which I have not the smallest prospect,) except a prosecution by the State follows a prosecution by hirelings and assassins, in which no consideration whatever shall hinder my coming forward, if, Sir, when you are possessed of particulars, you should deem such an act requisite to insure your safety.

You had once, Sir, an opportunity of witnessing, that when the proof of enormities, committed by the governors against the governed, was about to be investigated, I did not shrink from my part, but offered to appear and be examined at the bar of the House of Peers.* This, Sir, I trust, will secure me credit when I assert, that in this communication I have no other than direct views, which centre in one point, a most ardent desire of securing your life from murderers, and your character from perjured calumniators.-I have the honour to be, with the most profound respect, Sir, your most humble and obedient servant, J. BIRD.

N.B.-Mr. * * * is the medium through which I transmit this letter, and anything that may hereafter occur in this business can be done through the same channel; but no person can call on me with safety, as Major Sirr takes up every one whom he knows of coming to see me.

In these times of trouble and of danger, when the reign of terror prevailed, when private friendship vanished before the threats of power and the virulence of faction, and when all the bad passions of the human heart had unfortunately been set in motion, it is satisfactory to be able to record the kindness of individuals, whose sincerity and constancy remained unshaken. One of the most

* When he communicated with Lord Moira on his motion in the Irish Parliament.

† It must also be here mentioned that the regard and the friendship that had subsisted between the Prince of Wales and Mr. Grattan, underwent at this period no change whatever. He discredited all the rumours regarding him, and though not always steady to his friends, he continued so to the last in the case of Mr. Grattan.

428

FEELING OF THE WHIG CLUB. [CHAP. XI.

remarkable instances, was that of Mr. Fox. Indignant at the manner in which Mr. Grattan was treated, he took a ready opportunity to evince his attachment, not only to his principles, but to his person; and when the Whig Club of England assembled in the month of December, (Lord Holland in the chair,) after alluding to the politics of the day, and passing a panegyric on Mr. Grattan, he thus expressed himself

"Gentlemen who are not very young will recollect that Mr. Grattan was, during the American war, at the head of the Opposition in Ireland; acting on the same principles as the Opposition with which I am connected here; and, in the change which took place in consequence of that successful opposition, he bore a considerable part, and his efforts are not forgotten. He received a grant from the Parliament of his country-a mark of their attention and kindness. I have also received from my country, though not in the same way, but in a way equally peculiar and unprecedented a mark of kindness and attention equally flattering. To add to that similarity, we also are the two persons, who, having received the most substantial marks of public approbation, have also received from the Ministers the least substantial marks of ministerial displeasure-from the Public we have received ease and affluence-by the Minister we have had our names erased from the Privy Council.

*

Gentlemen remarking this similarity in political character, may think that it is from motives of partiality that I give Mr. Grattan as a toast; but I assure you he has higher claims than from mere personal attachment. His life has been uniformly spent in maintaining the just principles of the Constitution, and in promoting the happiness of his native land; and without sacrificing his independence amidst the corruptions of the times, he has kept clear of anything prejudicial to his country. He has never been concerned in disturbing its tranquillity, and has never lent the sanction of his name to acts of violence and oppression.'

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Mr. Fox then proposed, "Henry Grattan, and the friends of liberty and moderation in Ireland."

A large subscription was made by the Whig party, and upwards of 80,0007. presented to him. Of which 25,000l. was to buy an annuity, and the rest to pay his debts.

CHAP. XI.]

MR. GRATTAN TO MR. FOX.

429

In consequence of this compliment, Mr. Grattan wrote to Mr. Fox as follows:

Dec. 6, 1798.

MY DEAR SIR;-I am again to thank you. Nothing could be more honourable to me, or more seasonable,-I could not have wished it done in a better manner; it was very material to me that such a declaration should be made at this time.

I had some thoughts of going to the Club, but was in doubt, should I have gone, what to say, and therefore followed the rule of policy, when I was uncertain what was proper to do-to do nothing. It gives some pleasure to be able to assure you that you were right in the opinion that you have formed of my moderation, as will appear from the paper* I enclose to you, which is an observation on the evidence that appeared against me, which I did not publish for this reason,-lest it should appear abjuring a discomfited party in Ireland, who have been driven into the measures they adopted by the real criminals of the country -the Ministers. At the same time I wish to show it to you, and to particular friends, who will there see the precipitation of Government. I am very sorry to hear today from O'Brien, that Mrs. Armstead had been indisposed, to whom I beg my best regards, in which I am joined by a young gentleman, who has begun Cæsar's Commentaries to-day with great spirit. I am yours truly,

HENRY GRATTAN.

Mr. Grattan's health by this time had become considerably impaired. Public affliction and private annoyance had preyed severely on a mind highly sensitive, and on feelings over-ardent and patriotic. He saw his fondest hopes baffled and disappointed-his country no longer the scene of freedom or repose; and the danger that he had long ago apprehended, and often foretold, now appeared certain, not only to threaten, but likely to precipitate upon her. His forebodings as to the Union were about to be realised, and the Constitution that he had assisted to procure, was now threatened to be taken away. Mr. Pitt was

*Sent to Mr. Erskine.

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