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MR. DUNDAS.

[CHAP. III.

it our duty respectfully to apprise you, that on again referring to our instructions, we do not conceive ourselves entrusted with any discretion or latitude, but are limited to presenting the petition to our Sovereign in person. We therefore humbly request to know at what time it may please his Majesty graciously to permit us to approach his presence, and lay at his feet the petition with which we are entrusted. And we are persuaded, sir, that you will not consider us as too urgent in requesting an immediate answer. When we suggest that ten days have now elapsed since our first application, and that we are responsible to those by whom we are deputed for our using all due diligence in endeavouring to obtain the object of our mission. We have the honour, &c.,

December 29, 1792.

E. B., &c.

were introduced at They delivered the received them very

At length on the 2nd of January, after a fortnight's delay, the delegates St. James's by Mr. Dundas. petition to his Majesty, who graciously, and was extremely polite on the occasion.

The delegates had an interview subsequently with the British Minister, who, according to their account,* seemed convinced of the necessity of emancipating, as it was termed, or satisfying the Catholics, and who desired them to judge of the British Ministry by the conduct of their friends in Ireland. The impression on the minds of the delegates was that Mr. Dundas would not have any objection to a full bill of relief, though they found it difficult to bring him to any thing specific, on account, as he said, of the independence of the Irish Parliament and Government. Lord Abercorn and Sir Evan Nepean were present at the interview. Sir Evan's opinion was decidedly in favour of the Catholics, and of their asserting in strong language their claims for relief. Of the persons who composed the delegation,

* Private report to the Convention.

CHAP. III.]

MR. KEOGH.

81

the first in point of talent was Mr. Keogh. He was the ablest man of the Catholic body; he had a powerful understanding, and few men of that class were superior in intellect, or even equal to him. His mind was strong and his head was clear; he possessed judgment and discretion, and had the art to unite and bring men forward on a hazardous enterprize, and at a critical moment. He did more for the Roman Catholics than any other individual of that body. To his exertions the meeting of the Convention was principally owing, and their success in procuring the elective franchise. He had the merit of raising a party, and bringing out the Catholic people. Before his time they were nothing; their Bishops were servile, and Doctor Troy, Archbishop of Dublin, though an excellent man, was under the influence of the Castle.

The Catholic clergy possessed at that time great weight, and could easily get up addresses among the people; and it is very probable that even then the Government interfered in the appointment of their bishops. Keogh had the merit of breaking down that system, as subsequent events have proved; for since that time the people have gone along with their clergy, so far as interests agree, but they do not follow them if they differ. Keogh prevented the junction of the Catholic prelates with the upper orders, who to a certain extent (as in the Kenmare address, and that of the Sixty-eight) had seceded from the people. He was the first of the Catholics who formed the plan of an extended committee (for committees had existed among the Catholics of Ireland for upwards of eighty years.) At the outset of life he had been in business, and began as a humble tradesman. He continued to get into the Catholic committee, and

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82

MR. KEOGH.

[CHAP. III. instantly formed a plan to destroy the aristocratic part, and introduce the democratic. He wrote, he published, he harangued, and strove to kindle some spirit among the people. In 1792 he came to Mr. Peter Burrowes, who was always a friend to the Catholics, and told him that he had failed, - that the people would not stir,-that there would be no public meetings,-that he began to despair; and that he could not excite them.

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At length his efforts were crowned with success, and that by the very party who were his bitterest foes-Mr. Beresford and Lord Clare. Lord Clare (as already stated) had procured very violent resolutions in the county of Limerick; stating what Protestant Ascendancy meant,—namely, that it was the monopoly of all the places, and all the establishments, to the total exclusion of all the Roman Catholics. Mr. Foster got up another set of resolutions from the county of Louth, and Mr. Beresford another from the counties of Dublin and Londonderry: with these documents Keogh came to Mr. Grattan, and exclaimed with great delight," By G—! Lord Clare has done what I so long attempted and attempted in vain he has roused the Catholics."

In fact these resolutions brought them forward, rendered them active, and in the end successful. It is worthy of remark that Tone, who succeeded Richard Burke as secretary to the Catholics, was thoroughly adverse to Keogh,―neither liked the other. Keogh distrusted Tone, and had refused to become an united Irishman.* He wished to

* An anecdote related to be by an intimate friend of Mr. Keogh, and of which I have no doubt, is here worth mentioning. It will shew how easy it would have been for Government, even at the latest period, to have retained the affections of the people. It happened that in the year 1797 a foreigner got introduced to Mr. Keogh. In the course of their acquaintance they often talked politics, as Mr. Keogh belonged to the liberal party. This individual was highly pleased; he expatiated on the grievances of the country, he remarked how oppressed the Irish were,

CHAP. III.]

MR. KEOGH.

83

steer the Catholics clear of that rock; and hence Tone never forgave him.

Keogh possessed two qualities that must always get a man forward,-flattery and satire. He used to dine with the members of the opposition at the Duke of Leinster's, where he met Lord Moira (then Rawdon), Mr. Conolly, Mr. Ponsonby, and others of their party. He flattered them, which none disliked; and occasionally he came out with some very severe satire, and attacked their conduct with some talent, and without any mercy.

When Keogh went to London, he was introduced to Mr. Burke, who liked him, and said that he possessed arts that were certain to raise him in the world. The account of that mission afforded Mr. Burke and Mr. Grattan much amusementseeing Keogh and the other delegates on their journey to London, -admitted to the first court in Europe,-going in great state, and making a splendid appearance. Keogh in particular was prodigiously fine; he wore silk stockings, and a round, sharp-buckled tie-wig, with two rows of hard curls, that were extremely well powdered. He was highly delighted with his position-looked very grand and very vain;-he seemed to soar above all those he had left in Ireland. But when he returned home he had too much good sense to preserve his grandeur; he laid aside his court wig, and his court manner, and only retained his Irish feelings.

and the Catholics in particular-that there were great means of resistance, and that he could assist and would advise Keogh to take part in resistance to oppression. Keogh told him he was quite wrong; that his plan was most absurd, and that nothing could be worse or more dangerous. The man becoming troublesome, Keogh grew apprehensive that he would do mischief, and at last told him he would complain to Government; and the individual still persisting, a complaint was accordingly made to the proper authorities, and he was obliged to quit the kingdom.

CHAPTER IV.

The Irish Parliament meets, Jan. 1793-Speech from the throne in favour of the Roman Catholics-Lord Clare's opposition and speechInjurious effects on the minds of the Catholics-Mr. Grattan's amendment to the address-Opposes French doctrines-Mr. Hobart (secretary) brings in the bill for the relief of the Roman Catholics-Seconded by Sir Hercules Langrishe-Mr. Grattan's speech-Lord Clare's reply to the Bishop of Killala-Expresses his dread of a UnionAbuse of the people-Doctor Duigenan, his character-Singular duel-Loyalty of the Catholics-Their treatment-Lord ThurlowConduct of Mr. Pitt-Letter of the King-Lord Thurlow's remarks on it-Lord Loughborough, Chancellor of England-His character and conduct - Anecdote His letters to Mr. Grattan- Richard Burke's letter, and Edmund Burke's remarkable letter to Mr. Grattan on Irish affairs.

On the 10th January, 1793, Parliament assembled, when suddenly a new and singular phenomenon in Irish politics presented itself, to the surprise of some, the joy of many, and the mortification of others. For the first time, the situation of the Roman Catholics was introduced in a speech from the throne, in liberal and conciliatory language, and with a view to their substantial relief.

The Lord-lieutenant stated to both Houses that he had it in particular command from His Majesty to recommend them to apply themselves to the consideration of such measures as might be most likely to strengthen and cement a general union of sentiment among all classes and descriptions of His Majesty's subjects in support of the established constitution. With this view, His Majesty trusted that the situation of His Catholic subjects would engage their serious attention, and in the consideration of this he relied on the wis

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