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CATHOLIC CONVENTION, 1793. [CHAP. III.

could only command their divisions, but not their allegiance.

The body that sprung from these proceedings was the celebrated Catholic Convention of 1793. Mr. Grattan considered it advisable, and strongly recommended it, knowing also that if the Catholics had been admitted to Parliament, a reform would soon have followed. It was a necessary, but a strong measure; for conventions, like revolutions, should be resorted to sparingly; and it is necessity alone that can justify them. This one originated at a meeting held at Mr. Forbes's, in Kildarestreet. Mr. George Ponsonby, Mr. Hutchinson, (Lord Donoughmore), Mr. Grattan, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Keogh, Mr. Edmund Byrne, and some others, were present. The Catholics were frightened at the proposed measure, and would hardly attempt it. Hutchinson was very bold; Forbes was decided; Keogh was timid. The party had some trouble in persuading them to come forward but the opinion of the meeting was so strong in favour of holding a convention, that at length the Catholics were brought to agree to it.

;

Shortly afterwards Mr. Grattan went to England, and was fortunate enough to be in London at the time the Delegates from the Convention arrived there. He had then an opportunity of removing some false impressions, and unjust charges which had been brought against his countrymen, in order to prejudice the mind of the British Government, and of the King-a course of proceeding which was practised with too much success a few years afterwards.

MR. GRATTAN TO THE REV. MR. BERWICK.

MY DEAR SIR,

Bray, 14th Aug. 1792.

I am very happy at your arrival, and more so at the pro

СНАР. III.]

MR. GRATTAN'S LETTERS.

*

71

mise you have made me, but don't forget to accomplish it. Persuade Hardy he is indolent, and we'll rouse him. Mrs. Grattan has not been well, but I hope is getting better. I see the truth of your observation on Burke's last book. From the extract he seems much wounded, much inflamed,-beset,-forsaken. 'Tis a pity. 'Twas difficult not to foresee such a situation. Yours, most truly, H. GRATTAN.

MR. GRATTAN TO MR. BERWICK.

MY DEAR SIR,

Harrowgate, Oct. 13th, 1792.

I hope soon to see you, I think, much better than when we left Ireland. Mrs. Grattan has not yet recovered her strength, but is so much better that I have no fears about her. She is much obliged to you for your kind enquiries. In your letter you mention an event which I began to despair of the amendment of Mrs. Hardy; it is to him spirit and exertion, and to the House of Commons good speeches, which I hope he will make next session, otherwise we shall go wild instead of Mrs. Hardy. I hear no Irish politics but from the papers, which contain not much. The parade of the Volunteers on the acceptance of the French constitution must annoy the Government very much-they brought it on themselves. We are to meet the 4th, I hope in numbers, at the Whig Club,+ whose button attracts the observation of some here, being very large, and they think mysterious, where more is meant than meets the eye.

Here I get very little of politics. Peace and submission towards Russia. Expense and anxiety in the Mysore. The accounts about the latter are not so favourable as the former were, or the next must be, otherwise 'twill be for England, 'tis thought, a bad war.

I know nothing about home, not having heard from them these three weeks; but I hope that all are alive and well. I have heard nothing about Forbes,-where is he? or how is he? But M'Can wrote to me from Ireland some time ago, and gave no bad account; from thence I argue he is well; but the existence of him and our chil* To visit him, and confer on some public matter.

+ Letters on the French Revolution.

Mr. Grattan generally wore the Whig Club dress - blue and buff, with a large gilt button having on it the harp surmounted by the Irish

crown,

72

MR. GRATTAN'S LETTERS.

[CHAP. III.

dren is all in logical conclusion, our servant having omitted to write. I hope all in your house is well. hear Lord Moira is not. Yours, ever,

SAME TO SAME.

H. GRATTAN.

London, Oct. 25th, 1792. Many thanks, my dear Sir, for your kind letter, though I cannot sufficiently lament the unfortunate ferment it relates to. I get no intelligence nor information save what you, and in a short letter, Hardy, was so kind as to send. Do be so good as to let me know the state of things in Ireland. What are the Catholics doing, or are they doing any thing more than the election of their deputies? They talk here of their being armed!-is that the fact? I wish you would tell some of them in whom you have confidence, that they are much misrepresented, and that the people here are persuaded that they are on the eve of a rebellion. It is of great consequence to them that they should publish, and publish here a declaration of their sentiments, and temperate narrative of their proceedings. Thinking, as I do, very well of their intentions, and believing them to be studiously misrepresented in this country, and perhaps to persons in power, such a step seems very necessary for those persons who are the principal men of their persuasion, and who direct their conduct, to advise them to.

I am glad Mrs. Hardy is better. I have seen nobody since I came to London, but before I leave it, possibly may. I have been confined by Mrs. Grattan, who is now, I think, recovered. I have now, and not until now, no fears about her. She got Hardy's letter. Hardy, that fat, lazy, studious, postponing fellow. I'll break his wind when I go back, and make him ascend greater heights* than ever. Yours, most truly,

MR. GRATTAN TO MR. M'CAN.

H. GRATTAN.

MY DEAR M'CAN,

London, Nov. 6th, 1792.

I am glad the work is in hand, for our manufacturers are as good as any in any country, when properly encouraged.

* At the back of Tinnehinch House rose a steep hill, from whence there was a beautiful prospect of the Dargle and Powerscourt valley, one of Mr. Grattan's favourite walks with Mr. Hardy.

CHAP. III.]

MR. GRATTAN'S LETTERS.

73

We are likely to stay here three weeks or a month longer. Mrs. Grattan is much better. I am, and so is she, much obliged to you for your kind inquiry. Write to me the news regularly, if you have time. Is there any truth about throwing troops into Ireland? What do the Catholics intend? Yours, H. G.

SAME TO SAME.

MY DEAR M'CAN,

London, 16th Nov., 1792.

I

I am very thankful to you for your letters, as is Mrs. G. for your kind inquiries. She is certainly much better. am very anxious to be informed of what happens in Ireland.

Is that work to go on?* You see how material it is that it should. It cannot wait for my coming to Ireland, for that will be entirely too late.

My love to all friends; here, they are very anxious about the affairs of the Continent, and somewhat inquisitive about Ireland. I am assured' some persons in the Ministry of Ireland (or well connected), on this subject, have represented the Catholics as in a state of rebellion, probably to get the English to assist in crushing them, in which, I believe, our Irish machinators will fail. Yours ever,

H. G.

SAME TO SAME.

22nd Nov., 1792.

DEAR M'CAN,

I

I got your letter of the 17th, and I also got the newspapers and the debates. I shall not return these three weeks. wish much that + business should be done soon, otherwise it will be too late.

I imagine the Ministry will strike to the Roman Catholics. The present state of Europe, and the likelihood of a Dutch war, will secure to the Catholics their own terms. I wish you would learn for me the progress of the negotiation.

I see the paper mentions the Volunteers are revivinghow is that fact? I see in the papers paragraphs respect

* This was a vindication of the conduct and principles of the Catholics from the charges made against them by the grand juries: it was published by order of the committee in December. It had been read to Mr. Grattan and Mr. Hardy, who recommended them to be firm, but moderate in language.

†The Vindication.

74

MR. GRATTAN'S LETTERS.

ing Reform-is that question in any progress me to these particulars as soon as you can.

anxious.

SAME TO SAME.

[CHAP. III.

Answer I am very

Yours ever, H. G.

London, Dec. 7, 1792.

Thank you exceedingly. I shall return, notwithstanding the story you mention; nothing but being drowned will prevent my being in Ireland some weeks before Parliament sits. I have some reasons for wishing to stay here a little longer-my wife's health, which is mending, but not in a perfect state; the sitting of Parliament here, which I wish to attend. I wish also to have an opportunity of correcting several false reports and misinformations regarding the Catholics. I have had an opportunity of removing prejudices, and all I now converse with are for them. They must avoid republican principles and French politics. The situation of France may give them strength; but its proceedings must never be an example. What you mention touching Reform, as coming from Ponsonby,* is very interesting. I wish to be more particularly informed on that subject. Tell me more of his sentiments,―also of Curran's. Would they or either write to me.

The pamphlet you mention I long much to see; probably I shall get it in a post or two. Has it any run, or any real merit? There is no coalition, I believe, between Fox and Pitt. Much debating is expected on Thursday;† the Ministry are said to be weak. Write to me as soon as you can. Our friend John is to be in town to-day.

I am d-d sorry they have omitted the crowns in the harp; depend upon it, the crown is very essential to our prosperity, though I wish the Ministers of the Crown in Ireland were changed. It is supposed there must be a change of men and measures. Yours truly,

HENRY GRATTAN.

This last letter is interesting, not only on account of the advice which it gave the Roman Catholics, but from the evidence it affords of Mr.

* His intentions to propose it in the approaching session. The day on which the English parliament was opened.

John Forbes.

SA military association formed in Dublin; their device was a Harp without a crown, surmounted by the Cap of Liberty.

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