UC-NRLF 
 
 5B 173 
 
EKOM THE LIBRARY OF THE LATE 
 'GEORGE H. GUTTRIDGE 
 
 ; BERKELEY 
 .IBRARY 
 NIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
/ 
 
THE IRISH PARLIAMENT 
 1775 
 
 
THE IRISH PARLIAMENT 
 
 1775 
 
 FROM AN OFFICIAL AND CONTEMPORARY 
 MANUSCRIPT 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 WILLIAM HUNT, M.A, D.Lrrr. 
 
 PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY 
 
 LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO, 
 
 39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON 
 NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA 
 
 DUBLIN: HODGES, FIGGIS & CO. LTD. 
 1907 
 
 All rights reserved 
 
Hg 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 PAGE 
 
 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . vii 
 
 THE MANUSCRIPT CONCERNING THE PARLIAMENT 
 
 THE HOUSE OF COMMONS i 
 
 PATRONS AND THEIR FOLLOWERS .... 54 
 
 'STATE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON JULY 2, 1775 ' 56 
 
 THE HOUSE OF LORDS 61 
 
 ' STATE OF HOUSE OF LORDS ' 76 
 
 NOTE ON SALARIES ATTACHED TO CERTAIN REVENUE 
 
 OFFICES 78 
 
 APPENDIX 79 
 
 LIST OF AUTHORITIES CITED IN FOOTNOTES . . 92 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 THIS introduction will set forth only so much of the history 
 of the Irish Parliament as may enable readers without 
 special knowledge of it to understand the significance of 
 the document printed in the text. No attempt will be 
 made to exhibit the policy of the British Government 
 towards Ireland in the eighteenth century, except so far 
 as it concerned the Irish Parliament ; nor will ethical ques- 
 tions such as justice and honesty be discussed. Readers 
 will form their own opinions from the facts set before 
 them, and in doing so it will be well to remember that 
 the standard generally accepted with respect to political 
 purity was somewhat different in those days from what it 
 is now. 1 
 
 The Irish House of Commons in the eighteenth century 
 was composed of 300 members. They were all Protestants, 
 for in 1691, when the subjugation of the country to 
 William III. was completed by the capitulation of Limerick, 
 the English Parliament passed a Bill excluding Roman 
 Catholics from seats in either House. For the next thirty- 
 six years Catholics were able to exercise the franchise ; 
 but in 1727, when the party which directed the policy of the 
 Castle, as the Irish Government was called, feared that 
 the Catholics would join their opponents, the Government 
 
 1 Grateful acknowledgment should be made of my indebtedness to Lecky's 
 History of England in the Eighteenth Century (vol. iv. ), of which chap. xvi. is 
 devoted to the history of Ireland from 1760-1778. I have, however, myself 
 consulted all the principal printed authorities on the subject in hand, and have 
 worked at the two volumes of Lord Harcourt's official correspondence while Lord 
 Lieutenant, transcribed for his chief secretary, Sir John Blaquiere, afterwards 
 Baron de Blaquiere, and now preserved in the Public Record Office as S.P. 
 Ireland, 1772-1776, vols. 443, 444. 
 
viii INTRODUCTION 
 
 procured the assent of the Irish Parliament to a Bill enacting 
 that no ' Papist ' should be admitted to vote at the election 
 of a member to serve in Parliament. By this Act four-fifths 
 of the people were deprived of any representation. 1 
 
 Nor was the House of Commons really representative even 
 of the Protestant minority. Of its 300 members only sixty- 
 six sat for counties, and 200 were returned for 100 small 
 boroughs, some with a mere handful of inhabitants, such as the 
 borough of Tulsk, co. Roscommon, then ' a miserable hamlet 
 consisting of a few mud cabins.' In 1783 it is said that of 
 the whole House only seventy-two members were returned 
 by free election of the people, that fifty-three peers nominated 
 124 members and influenced the election of ten others, and 
 that fifty-two commoners nominated ninety-one. 2 A private 
 report drawn up in 1784 states that 116 seats were at the 
 disposal of twenty-five proprietors, that Lord Shannon sent 
 sixteen members to Parliament, the Ponsonby family four- 
 teen, Lord Hillsborough nine, and the Duke of Leinster 
 seven, while the Castle itself held twelve seats. 3 A member 
 provided with a seat voted on all important questions in 
 accordance with his patron's wishes ; he formed one of the 
 great man's followers, and the influence of the borough 
 owners was increased by relationship among themselves, 
 and by their power of extorting from the Government 
 places and other favours for those who did them good 
 service. Our document gives a list of twenty-four borough 
 owners with the followers of each of them, 1 10 in all, 4 in the 
 House of Commons in 1775, and to these must be added the 
 members sitting for the boroughs held by the Castle. 
 
 The House of Lords consisted of twenty-two spiritual 
 peers, four archbishops and eighteen bishops, and, in 1775, 
 of 142 temporal peers. 5 The prelates were for the most part 
 chosen for the support which they had given, or were pre- 
 pared to give, to Government, or to satisfy the demands of 
 great borough owners on behalf of some clerical relative or 
 
 1 i Geo. II. c. 9, Irish ; Plowden, History of Ireland, ii. 91-92. 
 
 2 Gordon, History of Ireland, ii. 288. 
 
 3 Massey, History of England^ iii. 264-265. 
 
 4 Pages 54-55. 5 Royal Kalendar, 1775. 
 
INTRODUCTION ix 
 
 follower. Many of them were to be found more often in 
 London or Bath than in their own dioceses. More than half 
 of them were Englishmen : during the eighteenth century all 
 the primates, the archbishops of Armagh, and ten of the 
 eighteen archbishops of Dublin and Cashel, were English. 1 
 The number of temporal peers had been increased since the 
 middle of the century by creations conferred on the chief 
 supporters of the Government, who pressed their claims for 
 peerages and, when these were obtained, for promotion in the 
 peerage, with untiring assiduity. As borough owners or 
 otherwise individually influential the peers had enormous 
 political importance ; as members of a legislative assembly 
 they were comparatively unimportant. 2 Few of them attended 
 Parliament ; many did not reside in Ireland. The Govern- 
 ment, as the dispenser of peerages and promotions, could in 
 almost any event reckon on a majority in the House of 
 Lords. 
 
 From 1494 to 1782 the Irish Parliament was not a free 
 and independent legislature. .In 1494 Sir Edward Poynings, 
 a deputy sent over by Henry VII., held a Parliament at 
 Drogheda in which several statutes were enacted for bringing 
 the country into closer dependence on the Crown. By one 
 of these Acts it was provided that no Parliament should be 
 held in Ireland until the King's lieutenant and his Council 
 had certified to the King the causes and considerations for 
 holding it, or, in other words, submitting to him all the Acts 
 intended to be passed by it. 3 This preliminary restriction 
 proved so inconvenient that it was relaxed in Mary's reign, 
 and it was enacted that proposed laws might be transmitted 
 by the Council during the sitting of Parliament. 4 In the 
 eighteenth century a measure which was passed by either 
 house of Parliament was laid before the Lord Lieutenant 
 and Privy Council of Ireland as ' Heads of a Bill/ which 
 differed only in the introductory words from a proposed 
 
 1 Perry, History of the Church of England, iii. 150. 
 
 2 Hardy, Memoirs of the Earl of Ckarlemont, i. 102, 213. 
 
 8 10 Hen. VII. c. 4, Irish ; Lord Mountmorres, History of the Irish Parlia- 
 ment, i. 48; Bagwell, Ireland under the Tudor s, i. 1 1 2. 
 
 4 3 and 4 P. and M. c. 4, Irish ; Lord Mountmorres, i. 63. 
 
x INTRODUCTION 
 
 enactment. The Council could either suppress it or alter it 
 at its discretion. If approved by that body, it was trans- 
 mitted to England and was laid before a committee of the 
 Privy Council, assisted by the Attorney and Solicitor General, 
 which also had the power of altering it or suppressing it 
 altogether. If it was accepted in England, it was sent back 
 with the alterations, if any, made in it, to the House of 
 Parliament in which it originated, and thence passed to the 
 other House. Parliament might accept or reject a Bill thus 
 sent back to it, but had no power to alter the form in which 
 it was returned from England. 
 
 While its legislative power generally was thus limited, full 
 authority with respect to money Bills was also denied to it by 
 the Crown. Before a Parliament was held it was usual for 
 the Irish Council, in pursuance of Poynings' Law, to transmit 
 a short money Bill to England as a reason for holding it. 
 This led to violent disputes, and money Bills as returned from 
 England were constantly rejected, for it was contended that 
 such a method of procedure was contrary to the constitutional 
 maxim that all grants should originate with the Commons. 
 For the same reason it was maintained that any money Bill 
 transmitted to England should be returned unaltered save for 
 mere verbal changes. This was denied by the Privy Council. 
 While, however, the Commons refused to admit the dictation 
 of the Council with reference to grants, they, of their own 
 authority, would readily vote supplies of the same amount 
 and character as those asked of them. The legislative 
 power of the Irish Parliament was also weakened by the 
 Parliament of Great Britain, which on various occasions 
 passed Bills affecting Ireland, as in the case of the Schism 
 Act of 1714, and, in 1719 declared, in an Act 'for better 
 securing the dependency of Ireland upon the Crown of Great 
 Britain,' that it had * full power and authority to make laws 
 and statutes of sufficient force and validity to bind the 
 people and the kingdom of Ireland.' By the same Act the 
 Irish House of Lords was deprived of its appellate jurisdic- 
 tion. 1 This abrogation of the judicial functions of the Upper 
 
 1 5 Geo. I. c. 5 ; Plowden, Historical Review^ i. 249. 
 
INTRODUCTION xi 
 
 House seems to have been regarded by Irishmen as a cause 
 of its political unimportance, 1 
 
 As the expenses of the Government could no longer be 
 defrayed out of the hereditary revenues of the Crown, Parlia- 
 ment, which in earlier days had been summoned irregularly 
 and sometimes at long intervals, was in the eighteenth 
 century summoned every other year. The Lord-Lieutenant's 
 office was biennial ; he went to Ireland before the opening of 
 Parliament, and until 1767 usually resided there only for six 
 months. During his absence the Government was adminis- 
 tered by three lords justices, one of them generally an 
 archbishop, and since 1726 usually the primate, the other 
 two laymen of high position, such as the Lord Chancellor or 
 the Speaker. Twice during the early years of the reign of 
 George III. a Lord-Lieutenant resigned office without having 
 landed in Ireland ; neither Lord Wey mouth nor the Earl of 
 Bristol the one appointed in 1765, the other in 1766 set 
 foot in the kingdom, though both accepted the 3,ooo/. granted 
 for a Lord-Lieutenant's equipage in addition to the i6,ooo/., 
 the yearly salary of the office. 
 
 A Lord-Lieutenant who was in Ireland only for six 
 months in two years could not himself secure the success 
 of Government measures. This was done for him by three 
 or four great men who had * such influence in the Commons 
 that their coalition commanded a majority on any question/ 
 and who bargained to carry on the King's business in 
 Parliament. These ' undertakers,' as they were called, were 
 allowed to manage the country and to dispense the patronage 
 of the Crown, which they used to keep their followers 
 faithful and in a state of dependence. 2 This system presents 
 an exaggerated resemblance to that by which the Whig 
 magnates in England retained their hold upon the Govern- 
 ment before they were attacked by George III. It led to 
 jobbery, corruption, and extravagant expenditure. The 
 revenue was burdened with unmerited pensions and salaries 
 attached to sinecure or useless places, with the cost of 
 
 1 Hardy, Memoirs of Charlemont, i. 102; Baratariana, p. 301. 
 8 Plowden, History, ii. 152-153 ; Charlemont Manuscripts , i. 22-23, H4> 
 Hist. MSS. Comm. Report xii. App. x. 
 
xii INTRODUCTION 
 
 unnecessary works, with bribes of various kinds to members 
 of Parliament. 1 The authority of the undertakers over the 
 House of Commons was supported by the members' inde- 
 pendence of their constituents. 
 
 Before 1768 the life of an Irish Parliament, unless cut 
 short by dissolution, only expired with the demise of the 
 Crown ; one Parliament lasted all through the reign of 
 George I., the next during the thirty-three years of the 
 reign of George II. With no fear of an election before 
 them, members were apt to regard their seats as affording 
 opportunity for profit, as enabling them to obtain a share of 
 the offices and other favours which the undertakers distributed 
 in order to keep their party together, and to add to its 
 number. Yet, in spite of the evils of this system, it had some 
 compensating advantages. The ruling oligarchy was Irish ; 
 the ' Irish interest' was in the ascendant ; Ireland was in no 
 small degree preserved from becoming the prey of alien 
 officials and adventurers, and the undertakers conferred some 
 substantial benefits upon her by carrying out public works, 
 a fruitful source of jobbery, and by encouraging her trade, 
 which was cramped by restrictions. Political corruption in 
 Ireland was perhaps not greater than in England at the same 
 period, and we must remember that many a transaction 
 which seems to us utterly corrupt was then held to be a 
 natural and even laudable exercise of patronage. ' The evil,' 
 and the most patriotic Irishmen so regarded it, * was not 
 capital as it stood, and at worst it was domestic/ and as such 
 it would probably have decreased, for the number of wealthy 
 and educated men was growing larger, and a narrow 
 oligarchy would have found it increasingly difficult to re- 
 tain exclusive power by corrupt means. 2 It ceased to be 
 domestic ; and the corruption of political life in Ireland 
 attained its full growth when stimulated by the Crown through 
 the agency of the Castle. 3 
 
 While the legislative power of Parliament was restricted 
 by the King's Privy Council and the Privy Council of the 
 Viceroy, government by undertakers left the Crown without 
 
 1 Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 144. 2 Baratariana, pp. 131-132. 
 
 3 Lecky, History* iv. 355-3S 6 - 
 
INTRODUCTION xiii 
 
 any further direct influence over the affairs of the country. 
 The distribution of its patronage for the most part only 
 increased the power of a small junto which overshadowed 
 the authority and not infrequently overrode the wishes of 
 the King's representatives. George III., who was determined 
 to destroy the dominance of the Whig oligarchy, and rule 
 as well as reign in England, desired to follow a like line of 
 policy in Ireland, and to bring government by undertakers to 
 an end by requiring the Lord-Lieutenant to reside in Ireland. 
 The breaking up of a political confederacy was thoroughly 
 in accordance with the sentiments of the Earl of Chatham, 
 and as soon as he took office in 1766, the Cabinet adopted a 
 resolution which was carried out by the appointment of 
 Bristol as Lord- Lieutenant with orders to reside in Ireland 
 as long as he held that office. 1 
 
 The change, however, was not effected until 1767, when 
 the Marquis Townshend, the brother of Charles Townshend, 
 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, was appointed to the lieu- 
 tenancy. Townshend, a keen soldier and an efficient general, 
 had done good service in Canada, though he excited derision 
 by his vaingloriousness and indignation by arrogating to 
 himself more than his share in Wolfe's victory. He was able 
 and courageous, and was frank and jovial in manner, but his 
 genius was erratic ; he was utterly deficient in tact and judg- 
 ment, and was prone to dissipation. He was sent over to 
 break the power of the undertakers, and form a party under 
 the direct control of the Crown, and to obtain the consent of J 
 Parliament to an augmentation of the army. George rightly 
 judged that the military forces of the Crown were too small ; 
 and as it would have been difficult to obtain a vote for the 
 increase of the army maintained by Great Britain, he desired 
 to raise the number of men on the Irish establishment, the 
 British garrison quartered in and maintained by Ireland, from 
 12,000 to 15,325, and in order to obtain this augmentation 
 the Government was prepared to make certain concessions to 
 the patriotic party in Ireland. 
 
 In the Irish Parliament there was no such sharp division 
 into two camps, no such constant cleavage between the 
 
 1 Chatham Correspondence, iii. 51. 
 
xiv INTRODUCTION 
 
 supporters of the Government and an organised opposition 
 as existed in England. This was partly due to the promi- 
 nence in its proceedings of domestic questions consequent on 
 its dependent position, and partly to the decisive influence 
 exercised by political connection and the personal interests 
 of the great borough owners. Yet from a few years before 
 Townshend's arrival a party, which was not indeed very 
 coherent, had been seeking to improve the political condition 
 of the kingdom. Its members chafed under the limitations 
 imposed on their Parliament, and the overwhelming power 
 exercised by the oligarchy in alliance with the Castle. Few 
 in number, they had little success in Parliament, where in 
 1767 they were vigorously led by the veteran patriot, Doctor 
 Charles Lucas, and Henry Flood, a skilful debater and a 
 master of parliamentary argument, which at that time seems 
 to have been more practised and more highly esteemed in 
 the Irish Parliament than oratorical display. 1 Outside Par- 
 liament, however, they aroused a strong public feeling in 
 favour of the objects for which they contended. 2 For the 
 present they chiefly aimed at limiting the duration of Parlia- 
 ment to seven years, as in England, where that limit had been 
 fixed by the Septennial Act of 1716 ; at obtaining the 
 appointment of judges during good behaviour instead of at 
 pleasure, and at the restriction of the pension list. 
 
 With pensions our document is largely concerned. 
 Pensions for life or a term of years could not be granted by 
 the Crown with any show of legality except out of its 
 hereditary revenues, consisting chiefly of rents, the excise, 
 tonnage and poundage, and hearth-money, a tax of two 
 shillings on each hearth granted in 1662 in lieu of the 
 profits from the Court of Wards, 3 and the larger part of this 
 revenue was appropriated to specific purposes. Nevertheless 
 pensions were granted on the general establishment, and 
 that not merely for political services, but to persons who had 
 little or no connection with Ireland, for Ireland could be 
 
 1 Lecky, Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland, p. 68 ; W. Flood, Memoirs 
 of H. Flood, p. 63 ; Baratariana, p. 29. 
 
 2 Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 25; Plowden, Historical Review, i. 391. 
 8 Carte, Life of Ormond, iv. 98-100. 
 
INTRODUCTION xv 
 
 burdened with greater impunity than Great Britain. In 1757, 
 when George II. proposed to saddle Ireland with a pension 
 of 6,ooo/. a year to his daughter Mary, the Landgravine of 
 Hesse, and her children, the Duke of Bedford, the Lord- 
 Lieutenant, wrote that the pension list, which in 1727 
 amounted to 37,994/. ios., had risen to 55,2537. i$s. 1 
 During the first three years of George III. additions had 
 been made amounting to I7,ooo/. a year, including i,ooo/. a 
 year for thirty-one years to * George Charles, Esquire/ a 
 name which hid the identity of Count de Viri, the Sardinian 
 ambassador, and one of Lord Butes's agents. The list then 
 amounted to about 72,ooo/., while the whole of the here- 
 ditary revenue which was unappropriated to specific purposes 
 did not exceed 7,ooo/.- The King authorised the Earl of 
 Northumberland to promise that no more pensions should be 
 granted for lives or years ' except on extraordinary occa- 
 sions.' Nevertheless the list had reached 86,74 1/, when 
 Townshend took office, and, in spite of his promise, George 
 in 1770 granted Jeremiah Dyson, an English politician and 
 one of the party called 'the King's friends/ i,ooo/. a year on 
 the Irish establishment for the lives of himself, his three 
 sons, and the survivor of them. This pension caused great 
 discontent, and was vehemently attacked in Parliament ; but 
 in 1775 a proposal not to provide for it was negatived by 
 94 to 7<D. 3 
 
 Some other pensions may be noticed here as illustrating 
 the way in which the Crown used the revenues of Ireland 
 both before, and to an even greater extent during the period 
 when Parliament was managed by undertakers, to endow 
 persons who can scarcely be said to have had much, if any- 
 thing, to do with the country except live upon her. 4 The 
 Dowager Viscountess Howe had i,25o/. a year, of which 
 
 1 Correspondence of the Duke of Bedford, ii. 273. 
 
 Plowden, Historical Review, i. 356-361 ; H. Walpole, Memoirs of 
 George ///. i. 268. 
 
 3 Harcourt to North, Nov. 20, 1773 ; Correspondence of George III. with Lord 
 North, i. 140, 199; Baratariana, pp. 228, 240; Commons' Journals, xvii. 
 179, 182. 
 
 4 These pensions will be found in a list presented to Parliament in 1773, 
 Commons' Journals, xvi. 169-175. 
 
xvi INTRODUCTION 
 
 75<D/. had been granted for life in 1714, because George I. 
 believed himself to be her father by his mistress, Mme. 
 Kielmansegge, Countess of Darlington, and the remaining 
 5OO/. at pleasure in 1753, after she had lost her husband, who 
 had an Irish peerage. When in 1746 Anne, daughter of Sir 
 Thomas Palmer of Kent, married Edward Finch, afterwards 
 Finch-Hatton, a younger son of the Earl of Winchilsea, and 
 an officer of the royal household, she had 8oo/. a year settled 
 on her and her husband from the Irish revenues, which was 
 increased to i,ooo/. five years later. Augustus Schutz, the 
 Master of the Robes to George II., had i,2oo/. granted him in 
 1749 for thirty-one years. This glorified valet, the son of 
 a German baron, was celebrated by Lord Hervey in the 
 lines 
 
 There's another court booby, at once hot and dull, 
 Your pious pimp Schutz, a mean Hanover tool. 
 
 Horace Walpole tells a story which represents him as not 
 knowing where Florence was, but that probably is a scandal ; 
 for, as he was liked by the Queen, he could scarcely have 
 been quite such a fool as it was the fashion to make him out 1 
 Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick had 2,ooo/. a year for life 
 from 1758, and in 1767 2,000!. more was added during plea- 
 sure : he had done good service as a general, and Ireland 
 had the burden of rewarding him. So, too, no one would 
 grudge Hawke the 2,ooo/. a year granted to him and his two 
 sons for their lives in 1760, though Ireland was scarcely more 
 gratified than England by his victory over Conflans. Nor 
 was Ireland specially interested in Mme. Walmoden, Countess 
 of Yarmouth, the mistress of George II., yet in 1760 the 
 Irish pension list was augmented by 4,ooo/. granted to her 
 and her representatives for thirty-one years. George III. 
 looked to Ireland for a provision for his relatives. Besides 
 the Landgravine of Hesse, the Princess Augusta had 5,ooo/. 
 for life, and his brothers, the Dukes of Cumberland and 
 Gloucester, 3,ooo/. each during pleasure. The Irish oligarchy 
 took care of themselves and their followers, and when Henry 
 
 1 Hervey, Memoirs of George //., ii. 75, 327, iii. 7 ; H. Walpole, Letters, 
 i. 297. 
 
INTRODUCTION xvii 
 
 Boyle came into the good graces of the Castle in 1756, he 
 received 2,ooo/. for thirty-one years with the title of Earl of 
 Shannon. But as a rule their claims on the pension list were 
 small ; they distributed the public money chiefly through 
 jobbery and salaries annexed to places, many with no duties 
 or duties performed by subordinates, for the devolution of 
 functions was largely practised. 
 
 Townshend arrived in Ireland in October 1767. The 
 oligarchical leaders, alarmed by some indiscreet words of his 
 predecessor Bristol, who did not come over, regarded him 
 with suspicion, dreading an attack upon their power, and he 
 sought support among men of a lower class whose good will ^ 
 he gained by his unceremonious manners and festive habits. 1 
 Shannon, Hely Hutchinson, the Prime Serjeant, and John 
 Ponsonby, the Speaker, made him the usual offer : they would 
 carry the King's business, including the augmentation of the 
 army, through Parliament, if they might dispense patronage 
 among their followers and have certain good things for them- 
 selves, as in Hutchinson's case, among other items, a place or 
 pension of 5OO/. a year for the joint lives of himself and his 
 two young sons. Townshend was forbidden by the British 
 Government to make any such bargain, and the would-be 
 undertakers went into opposition. 2 On behalf of the Govern- 
 ment, Townshend had promised the independence of the 
 judges, but the Bill was returned from England with an 
 alteration. The British Government would not allow any 
 independent function to the Irish Parliament ; and the royal 
 policy of establishing direct control over the affairs of Ireland 
 implied the maintenance of the Viceroy's Privy Council, as a 
 kind of fourth estate predominant over the two legislative 
 Houses. 3 Accordingly the Bill, as returned, provided that a 
 representation from Parliament for the removal of a judge 
 should be certified by the Lord-Lieutenant and his Council. 
 Indignant at this alteration, for which Townshend was 
 unfairly blamed, the Commons unanimously rejected the 
 Bill. 
 
 1 Harcourt Papers, x. 234. 
 
 2 Lord Fitzmaurice, Life of Shelburne, ii. 101-4. 
 
 3 Baratariana, pp. 99, 338. 
 
xviii INTRODUCTION 
 
 A measure which would terminate their existence such as 
 a Septennial Bill was not attractive to the Commons, and still 
 less to the undertakers, who saw that it threatened their 
 power. Yet the demand outside Parliament was so loud that 
 the Shannon and Ponsonby party joined the patriots in 
 adopting it, partly because they wished to oppose the Govern- 
 ment, which was averse from any change of a kind to 
 strengthen the position of Parliament, partly to gain credit 
 with the nation, and partly to satisfy their new allies. 1 They 
 and their followers trusted that the heads of the Bill would 
 not be returned from England, and that they might thus be 
 able to lay the blame of its rejection on the Cabinet. Thrice 
 already had the Privy Council refused to return a Septennial 
 Bill, but it would play their game no longer, and in 1768, to 
 their astonishment and dismay, 2 the Bill was returned only 
 altered in that eight instead of seven years was made the 
 limit, so as to prevent a general election being held in both 
 countries at the same time. The Octennial Bill was passed 
 by the Commons generally with ill- dissembled reluctance, by 
 the Lords with delight as it brought increased opportunities 
 for profit and patronage. It was hailed by the Protestant 
 part of the nation with public rejoicing, and Townshend's 
 popularity was for the moment unbounded. In Parliament, 
 however, he could only reckon on the support of a few highly 
 placed officials and the county members, ' the country gentle- 
 men.' It was therefore a bad time to propose the augmenta- 
 tion scheme, for the Octennial Act made the Parliament 
 moribund, and members would be unwilling to vote for an 
 increase in expenditure on the eve of seeking re-election. 
 Townshend asked the Government to consent to a delay, but 
 discontent was growing in the American Colonies, and Lord 
 Shelburne, then Secretary of State, insisted that the proposal 
 should be made at once. The augmentation was refused by 
 1 08 to 104, the Shannon and Ponsonby party voting with 
 the patriots : the narrowness of the majority proved that the 
 influence of the Crown was growing ; it was ' the foundation 
 of future victory.' 3 
 
 Harcourt Papers, x. 236. - Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 26 -7. 
 
 Life of Shelburne, ii. no- 1 6 ; Harcourt Papers, x. 234. 
 
INTRODUCTION xix 
 
 The new Parliament did not meet until October 17, 1769, 
 and Townshend employed the interval of sixteen months in 
 creating what his opponents called a ' new English interest.' 
 Four of his chief supporters received peerages, other honours 
 were distributed, and * not a commission in the revenue worth 
 above 4O/. could be disposed of without his approbation.' l 
 Yet, ready as Irishmen were to sell their voices in Parliament, 
 there were questions, all matters touching the rights of their 
 Parliament, about which at that time bargaining was useless. 
 The Privy Council sent over a money Bill which had not 
 originated in Parliament, but had been transmitted by the 
 Irish Council, pursuant to the English interpretation of Poyn- 
 ings' Law, ' as a cause and consideration ' for holding the 
 Parliament. It was rejected by the Commons 'because it 
 did not take its rise in that House.' Townshend dissembled 
 his anger until he had obtained his supplies and the passing 
 of the Augmentation Bill, which was rendered less obnoxious 
 by a proviso, founded on an offer from the Crown, that not 
 less than 12,000 men should always be kept in Ireland, unless 
 the Irish Parliament decided otherwise. Then he quarrelled 
 violently with the Parliament on the question of the money 
 Bill, prorogued it on December 26, and did not suffer it to 
 meet again for fourteen months. 
 
 During this long recess he employed every means in 
 his power to secure a majority. Of his chief opponents, 
 Lords Shannon and Lanesborough were deprived of lucrative 
 offices, a crowd of smaller placemen and pensioners met the 
 same fate, and a large number of Privy Councillors were turned 
 out of the Council. His supporters were rewarded ; more 
 peerages were created ; Hely Hutchinson, the Prime Serjeant, 
 who had deserted the Opposition, received an additional 
 salary, and was allowed to exchange it for the sinecure office 
 of alnager with i,ooo/. a year 2 ; and pensions and places 
 were lavishly bestowed. Violent diatribes were published 
 against the Lord -Lieutenant, his methods, and the men he 
 bought over. They are collected in a volume of anonymous 
 satirical pieces on his administration, entitled * Baratariana ' ; 
 they are mostly the work of Grattan, who did not enter 
 
 1 Plowden, Historical Review, i. 389. * Baratariana, pp. 33-34. 
 
 a 2 
 
xx INTRODUCTION 
 
 Parliament until the end of 1775, Hercules (afterwards Sir 
 Hercules) Langrishe, and Henry Flood, and, with the excep- 
 tion of some verses, are for the most part rather dreary 
 reading, as is often the case with bygone political satire. 
 A * Never,' writes the indignant satirist, 'did the mysteries of 
 corruption make such a progress as at this period ' ; but 
 what weighed most with him was that pensions and places 
 were taken from the party of opposition and given or sold to 
 those ' who had the resolution to sacrifice their country.' 1 
 
 Townshend's work was successful. When Parliament 
 again met, on February 26, 1771, an address thanking the 
 King for continuing him in office was carried by 132 to 107. 
 Disheartened at finding his friends dropping off, Ponsonby 
 resigned the Speakership, which had a salary of 4,ooo/., and 
 gained popularity by alleging as his reason that he would 
 not carry up this address. 2 Government influence procured 
 the election of Edmond Sexton Pery 3 as his successor. Pery 
 had hitherto acted with the Opposition, and he was described 
 by his former allies as * a patriot turned courtier,' which, as 
 his subsequent conduct showed, was unjust. Townshend 
 had no more serious trouble with Parliament ; he completed 
 the disintegration and rout of the Opposition by the same 
 means that he had already employed against it, and soon 
 had a settled majority of one-third of the House. He is said 
 to have recommended additional pensions of 25,ooo/., and to 
 have actually added 23,ooo/. to the list. 4 It would, perhaps, 
 be impossible to ascertain the amount which his recom- 
 mendations added after as well as before his recall, but 
 during his lieutenancy a large number of civil pensions 
 determined, including the Hesse pension of 5,ooo/., in all to 
 the amount of 27,1677. 15^. ; additional pensions were, 
 however, granted of I9,686/. 5^., so that the saving to the 
 country was only 7,49 1/. ios., and the amount of pensions 
 on the civil establishment on November 30, 1772, was 
 79,2497. 17 s. 6d. 5 Townshend also invented fresh opportunities 
 
 1 Baratariana, p. 185. 
 
 - Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 39-40 ; Harcourt Papers, x. 238. 
 
 3 Page 42. 4 H. Wai pole, Memoirs of George III., iv. 231-2. 
 
 5 Commons' Journals, xvi. 166-7. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxi 
 
 for patronage by creating a new revenue board for the Ex- 
 cise, which he put under a separate administration from the 
 Customs. This may have been the means of increasing 
 the revenue ; it certainly increased the expense of collecting 
 it, and was an unpopular measure. Public hatred of him 
 waxed strong : he defied it, exasperated his opponents by 
 exercising his skill in caricature against them, and lived in 
 open profligacy and debauchery. His political success was 
 marred by the hatred and contempt that his conduct excited, 
 and he was recalled in 1/72. 
 
 He was succeeded by Lord Harcourt, who had been 
 ambassador to the Court of Versailles since 1768. Harcourt, 
 though not exempt from the prevailing habit of excessive 
 drinking, was a man of high character ; he had a fair amount 
 of ability and was courteous in manner, but he was shy and 
 retiring. In his political duties he relied much on his Chief 
 Secretary, Colonel John Blaquiere, who had been his secre- 
 tary of legation in France. Blaquiere was trustworthy and 
 adroit, well skilled in the management of men, convivial in his 
 tastes, and a good public speaker. Harcourt knew his value 
 and generously acknowledged it in his correspondence with 
 Lord North, then head of the Government, and Lord 
 Rochford, Blaquiere's personal friend, the Secretary of State 
 to whose department Irish affairs belonged ; indeed the 
 relations between the Lord-Lieutenant and his Chief Secre- 
 tary speak well for the characters of both. 1 The general 
 disgust at Townshend's doings secured his successor a 
 special welcome. Harcourt arrived at Dublin on Novem- 
 ber 30, and received marked civility from the Duke of 
 Leinster, Lords Kildare and Shannon, and Flood. 2 The 
 political sky was serene. Soon after his arrival Blaquiere 
 won the good opinion of Irishmen by his intrepid conduct 
 in a duel with Beauchamp Bagenall. The cause of their 
 
 1 Harcourt to North, November 9, 1773, and August 4, 1774; Rochford to 
 Harcourt, October 22, 1773, Lord Charlemont gives a less pleasant character of 
 Blaquiere (Manuscripts, i. 35), but allowance must be made for political feeling. 
 That Blaquiere was, if he was, ' a man of low birth and no property ' his father 
 was a merchant of sorts did not prevent the ex-colonel of dragoons from being 
 a gentleman and a good fellow. 
 
 2 Harcourt to Rochford, December 8, 1772. 
 
xxii INTRODUCTION 
 
 quarrel was that Blaquiere, while charg6 d'affaires at Paris, 
 had refused to present Bagenall at the French Court because 
 he had not been presented in England. 1 
 
 Harcourt's instructions from the Government were that 
 he should check applications for peerages and pensions, and 
 that he should seek to lighten the charges on the hereditary 
 revenue, and specially the bounty on the inland carriage of 
 corn, granted under Bedford in 1758, a year of scarcity, in 
 order to relieve the distress in Dublin and to encourage 
 agriculture. The bounty in 1773 amounted to 44,5087. 2 He 
 soon found that it was not easy to check requests. Shannon 
 promised his support, and made half a dozen requests on 
 behalf of his followers that St. Leger 3 might be created 
 Baron Doneraile ; that Denham Jephson 4 might have a pen- 
 sion of 6oo/. ; that Nicholas Lysaght, 5 ' a good officer/ might 
 be appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Cork and promoted 
 brevet major ; that James Dennis, 6 the King's Second Ser- 
 jeant, might be made Prime Serjeant, or Attorney- or 
 Solicitor - General whichever place fell vacant first ; that 
 Richard Townsend 7 might succeed to a Chief Commissioner's 
 place ; and that the Dean of Cork might have the Bishopric 
 of Cork when the present bishop died. Harcourt held out 
 hopes that his requests would be granted. 8 
 
 Parliament did not meet again until October 12, 1773, so 
 Harcourt had time to make his plans. One threatened diffi- 
 culty, a revival of a scheme for a port at Lough Swilly, seems 
 to have been surmounted ; it had been pressed in Towns- 
 hend's time, and strongly opposed by the Provost of Trinity 
 College, Dublin, and the Corporation of London, as against 
 their interests, and by the Commissioners of Customs. 9 
 Blaquiere settled with North that the revenue boards divided 
 by Townshend should be reunited, and this measure gave 
 great satisfaction to Parliament and the public generally ; it 
 
 1 Page 2; Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 314; Annual Register (1773), 
 xvi. 77. 
 
 2 Rochford to Harcourt, October 26, 1772 ; Harcourt Papers ', x. 250 ; 
 Commons' Journals, xvi. 466. 
 
 3 Page 46. 4 Page 29. 5 Page 33. 6 Page 17. 
 7 Page 51. 8 Harcourt to North, December 20, 1772. 
 
 9 Page 41 ; North to Harcourt, April II, 1773. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxiii 
 
 involved, however, pensions of 3,6oo/. to those who lost their 
 offices. 1 Another saving was made in respect of ' private 
 jobs,' a source of large expenditure during the undertakers' 
 rule ; the amount spent on them had been reduced by Towns- 
 hend from H9,ooo/. to 67,ooo/., and was now further reduced 
 to 34,ooo/. 2 Under the new system jobbery was as far as 
 possible to be the prerogative of the Crown. 
 
 These economies, however, were insufficient for the needs 
 of the kingdom. * Our distresses,' Harcourt wrote, ' have 
 increased to such a degree that almost an entire stop is put 
 to all payments whatever, except for the subsistence of the 
 army, and at times it has been difficult to find money even 
 for this purpose. I have reason to think that the arrears 
 upon the establishment by next Christmas will not fall short 
 of 3OO,ooo/.' Nevertheless, the King was proposing the 
 grant of a pension of 3,ooo/. a year from Ireland to his sister, 
 Caroline Matilda, the divorced wife of Christian VII. of 
 Denmark. Harcourt feared that the demand would indis- 
 pose Parliament to take decided steps towards putting the 
 revenue on a satisfactory footing, and begged for delay. 3 The 
 ex-Queen got her pension in 1774, but Ireland was soon 
 relieved from the burden of maintaining her, for she died the 
 next year. New taxation was imperative, and Blaquiere 4 
 proposed a tax on the rents of absentee landlords, which are 
 said to have amounted to 732,ooo/. Absenteeism was one 
 of the chief curses of Ireland ; there was no land tax in that 
 country, and the absentee landlord spent in other lands the 
 income he derived from Ireland without contributing to the 
 support of the Government which protected his property. 
 The proposed tax was equitable, and was extremely popular 
 in Ireland. 
 
 In England, however, the owners of land in Ireland were 
 
 1 Pages 19, 52, 88, Harcourt to North, October 3 and November 9, 1773 ; 
 Commons' Journals, xvi. 344. 
 
 2 Harcourt to North, November 1773; Harcourt Papers, x. 119; Cor- 
 respondence of George III. with Lord North, i. 157. 
 
 3 Harcourt to North, April 24, 1773. 
 
 4 That the proposal was specially Blaquiere's, though Harcourt was respon- 
 sible for it and adopted it, appears from a letter of the King's, Correspondence 
 of George III. with Lord North, i. 156. 
 
xxiv INTRODUCTION 
 
 strongly opposed to it, and five great Whig lords of the 
 Rockingham party who held vast estates in Ireland sent a 
 letter to Lord North remonstrating against it. 1 The letter 
 was probably composed by Burke, their constant adviser, 
 who also wrote against the proposal. 2 The London com- 
 panies which held land in Ireland joined in the outcry. The 
 King disliked the tax itself, and was specially adverse to the 
 proposal because it stood alone and did not form part of a 
 scheme which included the regulation of the corn bounty. 3 
 Before these difficulties North and Rochford, who had at 
 first listened to Blaquiere's arguments with approval, gave 
 way, and North wrote that he could not uphold the proposal, 
 as he was not enabled to represent it as a necessary part of 
 a general scheme for relieving the distress of the Irish Govern- 
 ment. 4 In order, therefore, not to embarrass the Ministers 
 and yet not to discredit themselves, Harcourt and Blaquiere 
 determined to ride for a fall ; the proposal should be com- 
 mitted to ' a certain wild inconsistent gentleman/ and should 
 not be pressed by the Chief Secretary. Their design was 
 favoured by a report set about by opponents of the measure 
 that it was a step towards a general land tax. 
 
 On the day for the motion, November 25, * the wild and 
 inconsistent gentleman ' played his part. He was probably 
 James Fortescue, member for county Louth, 5 for a Mr. For- 
 tescue certainly made the first motion on the subject. 
 Writing a few hours later, however, Harcourt says that he did 
 not name any amount for the tax, and that he was persuaded 
 to withdraw his motion, whereas elsewhere his motion is said 
 to have been for a shilling in the pound, and to have been 
 defeated on a division. 6 Harcourt may, however, have been 
 imperfectly informed at the time of writing, and Fortescue 
 may have wished to withdraw his motion and have not been 
 allowed to do so. An amendment was moved by Silver 
 
 1 Memoirs of Rocking ham, ii. 227, sqq., and elsewhere. 
 
 2 Letter to Sir C. Bingham, Works, v. 497, sqq. 
 
 3 Correspondence of George III. with Lord North, i. 155-156, 158-159. 
 
 4 North to Harcourt, October 29, 1773. 5 Page 21. 
 
 8 Harcourt to orth, Nov. 26, 1773 ; but see W. Flood, Memoirs of ff, 
 Flood, p. 90. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxv 
 
 Oliver, 1 member for county Limerick, who proposed a tax of 
 two shillings in the pound on the rents of landlords absent 
 from Ireland for six months of any year. The debate began 
 at three in the afternoon and lasted till near two in the 
 morning. Flood spoke with vehemence and ability in favour 
 of Oliver's motion, which was also supported by the Speaker, 
 Sir Lucius O'Brien, 2 William Brownlowe, 3 Serjeant Dennis, 4 
 and others. Blaquiere was tepid, and remarked that he and 
 4 his best friends ' would probably vote differently. The motion 
 was lost by 102 to 122. An ineffectual attempt to induce 
 the House to reconsider its decision caused Harcourt some 
 anxiety, and did not pass without some severe remarks on 
 the change in the policy of the Castle. 5 
 
 Money had to be sought from other sources. The deficit 
 on the year was 1 38,8407., there were floating debts of 
 4OO,ooo/., and the national debt, which was discharged in 1754, 
 and started again under the Duke of Bedford, amounted to 
 994,890^ Government proposed to raise 265,0007. by a 
 tontine, granting annuities on lives at 6 per cent, with the 
 benefit of survivorship. Harcourt put the saving effected by 
 reuniting the revenue boards at io,ooo/., and thought that by 
 ' regulation and reduction ' this sum might be raised to 
 5o,ooo/. ; a Stamp Act and other duties on wine, fine teas, 
 &c. would produce 88,8oo/., and so the yearly deficit would 
 be supplied. 6 
 
 The Commons consented, but the Privy Council, apparently 
 from a desire to assert its control, returned the Bills with 
 alterations. The House ' was in a flame ' ; the rejection of 
 the Bills was certain, and all Harcourt could do was to per- 
 suade two or three members to prevent it from being unani- 
 mous : he would not forget their compliance. 7 The Commons, 
 having made their protest, passed the Supply Bills, adopting 
 most of the Council's alterations, though Ponsonby, Barry 
 Barry, 8 and the party of the Duke of Leinster, who had 
 
 1 Page 40 ; Lecky, misled by Hardy's Charlemont, believed that Flood was 
 the mover (Hist. iv. 412), but on this matter Harcourt's letter, of November 26, 
 is decisive. 
 
 2 Page 39. 3 Page 8. 4 Page 17. 5 Page 16. 
 6 Harcourt to North, December 6, 1773. 
 
 T Page 16; Harcourt to North, December 30, 1773. 8 Page 3. 
 
xxvi INTRODUCTION 
 
 succeeded his father on November 19, voted against the 
 Government, and the new duties were secured for a year 
 and nine months from March 25, 1774, The Commons were 
 gratified by the consent of the British Government to a Bill 
 for granting bounties on the exportation of Irish corn, and 
 they partially relieved the hereditary revenue by providing 
 that the bounties on the inland carriage of corn charged upon 
 it should not for the future exceed 35,ooo/. ; any charge above 
 that amount was to be supplied by taxation. 
 
 As a rule Harcourt could reckon on a good majority in 
 Parliament, for he steadily pursued the plan of gratifying 
 members by his use of the Crown patronage. Blaquiere, 
 who in the summer of 1774 became Sir John, receiving the 
 * red ribband ' of the Order of the Bath, exercised an authority 
 in the House of Commons which, combined with his tactical 
 skill, was of the highest value on any critical occasion, 1 and 
 was indefatigable in cajolery and in practising the arts of 
 seduction, so that according to Charlemont ' the whole period 
 of Lord Harcourt's viceroyalty was a continued job.' 2 One 
 of his successes, incomplete at the date of our document, is 
 specially famous. By the autumn of 1773 Harcourt had 
 reason to believe that Flood, the leader of the patriots since 
 the death of Lucas, might be won over by an offer of place. 3 
 Blaquiere promised him some great office and, Flood main- 
 tained, the first that fell vacant. A fine opportunity for 
 strengthening the Government party occurred in June, 1774 : 
 Andrews, the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin, died. Be- 
 fore the breath was out of Andrews's body, Harcourt begged 
 Rochford to see that the appointment was reserved for his 
 gift, that it was not made in London. He had many appli- 
 cations, for the office was one of dignity, and was worth 
 2,ooo/. a year. By the statutes it could only be held by an 
 ecclesiastic, but the Crown had dispensed with this rule in 
 the appointment of Andrews, and might do so again. 4 Among 
 Harcourt's many embarrassments none had been * more 
 difficult than to make a proper provision for Mr. Flood.' 
 
 1 Page 43. - Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 35. 
 
 8 Harcourt to North, October 3, 1773. 
 
 4 Harcourt to Rochford, June 16 and 19, 1774. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxvii 
 
 Now this seemed possible not that he meant to give him 
 the provostship, for that was an appointment for life, and he 
 thought that if Flood found himself secure, he might some 
 day prove ungrateful, but he saw his way to provide 
 him ' with a great and honourable appointment ' held at 
 pleasure. 
 
 Harcourt developed his plan. He wanted the provostship 
 for Hely Hutchinson, the prime Serjeant and alnager. 1 
 Hutchinson's place as prime serjeant was worth i.ioo/. a 
 year, and his professional earnings brought up his profits to 
 between 4,ooo/. and 5,ooo/. As alnager he had i,8oo/., but 
 8oo/. of this he had bought for an unfinished term of 
 twenty-one years for 5,ooo/. He was tired of the bar, and 
 desired to retire from practice and ' cultivate the arts and 
 sciences.' Harcourt said a good deal about his fitness for the 
 provostship, but the plain truth is that he wished to rob the 
 University of 2,ooo/. a year to gratify a political supporter. 2 
 Hutchinson, however, was not to give up too much, and 
 Harcourt recommended that a request that he made in 1772 
 should be granted, that he and his two young sons and the 
 survivor of them should have the office of searcher of the port 
 of Strangford, and that, the office being valueless, a salary of 
 i,ooo/. should be annexed to it. Dennis was to succeed him 
 as prime serjeant to gratify Shannon, with whom this was * a 
 principal and first object.' The alnage was to go to Flood 
 with i,ooo/. a year. 
 
 Hutchinson, who in spite of his lack of scholarship did 
 not prove a bad provost, and Dennis received their appoint- 
 ments, but Flood refused the alnage. He was deeply 
 offended because the provostship was not offered to him ; he 
 said that Blaquiere had promised him the first great office 
 that fell vacant, and insisted on his importance, and the 
 trouble that he could cause as head of the Opposition. 3 He 
 suggested that he should be made a vice-treasurer, which would 
 give him a place in the Privy Councils of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, and was then worth about i,7OO/. a year. The alnage 
 
 1 A sinecure office so-called from measuring stuff by the ell. 
 
 2 Charkmont Manuscripts > i. 324. 
 
 3 Harcourt to North, most private and confidential, July 8, 1774. 
 
xxviii INTRODUCTION 
 
 was given to Blaquiere with its original salary of 3OO/. 1 
 North was unwilling that Flood should have a vice-treasurer- 
 ship ; it was an office always used as a reward for political 
 services in England. Besides, none of the three vice- 
 treasurerships was vacant. Flood insisted on his demand, 
 and Harcourt urged that any expense would be better than 
 having him at the head of the Opposition. 2 
 
 At last, after many ineffectual efforts, an arrangement 
 was made for a vacancy. Jenkinson, afterwards first Earl of 
 Liverpool, would resign his vice-treasurership for a considera- 
 tion. A sufficient consideration was supplied. Charles James 
 Fox held the sinecure office of clerk of the pells in Ireland. A 
 ruined gambler, he was in need of ready money, and sold his 
 office for 3O,ooo/., and a pension of i,7OO/. a year from Ireland. 
 The agreement between him and Blaquiere was signed on 
 April 12, 1775, the pension being divided into several sums 
 to enable Fox to sell it more easily. 3 North was much 
 worried by the business, and declared that it would be his 
 undoing. Such was the state of the affair at the date given 
 in our document. 4 Fox did not reap much benefit from the 
 transaction ; the ready money of course went to his creditors, 
 and he soon found that he would incur a heavy penalty if he 
 sat in Parliament while holding the pension, and was forced 
 to resign it. Jenkinson had the pells, but when the vacant 
 vice-treasurership was offered to Flood he refused to take it. 
 He went back to the old grievance of not having the provost- 
 ship. He pointed out that a vice-treasurer was liable to be 
 deprived of office, and finally said that, though he was willing 
 to oblige Harcourt by accepting his offer, he could not do so 
 if it was to add to the burdens of Ireland. 5 As Harcourt 
 remarked, he must have known that a vacancy could not 
 be made for him without creating a new pension. 6 In 
 October, however, Flood alleged that he was convinced, by 
 an ingenious calculation of Jenkinson's, that the arrange- 
 
 1 Correspondence of George III. with Lord North , i. 194. 
 
 2 Harcourt to North, September 3, 1774. 
 
 3 Harcourt Papers, x. 322. 4 Page 21. 
 5 Harcourt to North, August 13, 1775. 
 
 9 Harcourt to Blaquiere, September 19, 1775. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxix 
 
 merit would only cost the country 35O/. a year, while the 
 restoration to Ireland of a great office with a large salary 
 was a matter of national dignity and pecuniary advantage, 
 and he accepted the office for which he had struggled so long. 1 
 
 Reports of Flood's contemplated defection got abroad, and 
 while the negotiations were as yet in progress, his friend Charle- 
 mont wrote long and urgent letters to him entreating him not 
 to desert the patriotic cause. 2 When the matter was decided 
 he did not quarrel with his ( dearest, dear Flood,' and, though 
 he felt that he had lost his friend, kept up friendly relations 
 with him, and in after-years recorded his opinion that Flood 
 had mainly been influenced by a mistaken belief that he 
 could serve his country better in high office than in opposition. 3 
 Lecky adopted this view, and has written an able defence of 
 Flood's integrity. 4 Perhaps he scarcely allows due weight to 
 an incident which he notes somewhat cursorily. As early as 
 I/67 5 Flood eagerly desired a seat in the British Parliament, 
 a more extended field for an ambitious politician than the 
 Parliament of Ireland, and in 1769 was prepared to bid as 
 high as 4,ooo/. for one 6 ; but the matter fell through. He 
 would then have entered the House as an adherent of 
 Chatham and Camden, with whom he was in occasional 
 communication. 
 
 In April 1775 Charlemont heard that he was seeking a 
 seat as a follower of North, and refused to believe that he 
 would ' enlist under the banners of a Ministry engaged in 
 operations not only disapproved by your judgment, but 
 abhorrent to the warmest feelings of your heart.' 7 He 
 doubtless alluded at least chiefly to the quarrel with the 
 American Colonies. The report was in the main true. Flood 
 asked North to provide him with a seat in 1776, and his 
 
 1 Original Letters to H. Flood, pp. 68-9. 
 
 2 Ibid., pp. 65-67, 70-84. 
 
 3 Charlemont Manuscripts, i. 38-39. 
 
 4 History, iv. 420-28, where a fuller account of the negotiations is given than 
 seemed called for here, and Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland, pp. 76-8. 
 Flood's own defence was made in Parliament on November I, 1783 (see Memoirs 
 of H. Flood, pp. 2IO, sqq.). 
 
 5 Lecky overlooked this first attempt (see Historv, iv. 428). 
 
 u Letters to Flood, p. 48. 7 Ibid., p. 71. 
 
xxx INTRODUCTION 
 
 request was declined. 1 It may indeed be pleaded that North 
 wished well to Ireland, and in 1775 and 1779-80 conferred 
 considerable benefits upon her, and that Flood may have 
 acted conscientiously in deserting the American cause for the 
 sake of his own country. But Charlemont knew as much of 
 all this as Flood did, and his opinion should have the 
 greatest possible weight, for he was a man of the nicest 
 honour. Whatever, then, Flood's motives for accepting 
 office may have been, and they doubtless were not wholly 
 selfish, they should not be estimated without taking into 
 account his willingness to become one of North's followers. 
 
 In the summer of 1775 Harcourt had some cause for 
 anxiety as to the future. Heavy as the taxes were which 
 had recently been voted, they were insufficient to meet the 
 needs of Government ; the expenses of the two years 
 ending at Lady-day had exceeded the revenue by 247,7977. ; 
 the national debt was stated at 93i,69O/., and the net amount 
 of civil pensions for the two years at i64,i37/. I2s., and 
 the list, as it stood on September 29, amounted to 
 79,059/. 17^. 6d? More money would soon be urgently 
 needed, and it seemed impossible to get it by taxation ; the 
 linen manufacture was ruined by the cessation of trade with 
 America, and the profits of agriculture were swept away by 
 an embargo on the exportation of provisions. 
 
 The quarrel with the colonies had been growing more and 
 more bitter, and on April 19 war had actually begun. The 
 refusal of the dominant party in the colonies to acknowledge 
 the claim of the British Government to impose internal taxation 
 appealed to the sympathy of Irishmen, who constantly main- 
 tained that money Bills could not constitutionally originate 
 elsewhere than in their own House of Commons, and that 
 they must be accepted without alteration. The Presbyterians 
 of the north were almost universally on the American side, and 
 were encouraged in their sentiments by correspondence with 
 leading members of the Opposition in the British Parliament. 3 
 Many Irish emigrants, mostly, though not exclusively, Pro- 
 testant, had lately gone over to the colonies, and from them 
 
 1 North to Harcourt, March 25, 1776. 
 
 - Commons' Journals > xvii. 115-121, 134, 179 ; Plowden, Historical Review, 
 441. 3 Blaquiere to North, October 12, 1775 (see Appendix). 
 
INTRODUCTION xxxi 
 
 came the pick of the rebel forces, and Irishmen thought 
 kindly of a land in which their fellow-countrymen had found 
 a home and prosperity, while as for England, what had she 
 done for them ? Sympathy with the revolt was gaining 
 strength daily ; at midsummer the municipality of Dublin ex- 
 pressed the feelings of the citizens by a vote of thanks to 
 Lord Efrmgham for having resigned his command rather than 
 ' draw his sword against the lives and liberties of his fellow- 
 subjects in America.' The Opposition in Parliament was 
 numerically weak, but it would certainly use American 
 affairs as giving opportunity for activity during the coming 
 session, and there was so little stability in the composition of 
 parties, that it might at any time receive an unexpected re- 
 inforcement. At this moment the disposition of the Irish 
 Parliament was peculiarly important to the British Govern- 
 ment ; for the Ministers were anxious to be enabled to prove 
 that the King's policy was not unpopular in Ireland, and the 
 King wanted to withdraw troops from her for service in 
 America. 
 
 The regiments in Ireland were not nearly up to their 
 full strength, the infantry regiments on an average not 
 reaching 500 effective men and officers. In January 1775 
 the number of effective soldiers in the kingdom was 12,636, 
 but so many of these were under orders to sail, that 
 Blaquiere, who was in London, found that the number would 
 be reduced to 11,618 men, 382 less than the Crown was 
 bound to keep in Ireland, and he told Rochford plainly that 
 the Ministers were acting illegally. 1 The regiments which 
 came over from England were likewise short of men ; the 
 30th Foot, which landed on April 19, had only 439 effective 
 men and officers, the 3rd Foot, which came over in May, only 
 430. Rochford wrote to the Lord-Lieutenant that in order 
 to fill vacancies more speedily ' the King granted him leave 
 to connive at the regiments then in Ireland taking Irish 
 recruits.' 2 Recruiting was urged forward both in the Catholic 
 south and the Presbyterian north. The Catholics responded 
 eagerly ; the rich among them subscribed to give extra 
 bounties on enlistment, and recruits came forward in large 
 
 1 Blaquiere to Harcourt, January 20, 1775. 
 
 2 Rochford to Harcourt, February 6 and March 31, 1775. 
 
xxxii INTRODUCTION 
 
 numbers. Between April 6 and May n, however, 3,619 
 men and officers were embarked, and on June I only 10,736 
 effective men were left in the country. 1 Harcourt must have 
 expected the notice, which was actually sent to him on 
 August I, that he would have to inform Parliament that the 
 King desired their concurrence in withdrawing a force of 
 4,000 men from the already depleted Irish army for service in 
 America. The Catholics had no political power ; he would 
 have to appeal to a Parliament of Irish Protestants ; how 
 would the announcement be received ? It is certain, too, 
 that he and Blaquiere were already contemplating the 
 general election for which, as may be seen in the Appendix, 
 they made preparations in the autumn. 
 
 They had cause for considering what hold they had upon 
 the existing Parliament, and for reckoning upon the amount 
 of support on which they could rely, for noting the favours 
 which members had already received from Government, and 
 the return that they had made for them. Such a list 
 would enable the Lord-Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary to 
 gauge their position, and would be a guide in dispensing 
 future favours. The preparation of this list would naturally 
 fall to Blaquiere, and the result of his political stock-taking is 
 given in the following document. That, in spite of more than 
 one notice of his own performances such as no man of ordinary 
 modesty could write, 2 it is his composition seems proved by 
 one of the passages in which the first person singular occurs, 
 the note on Richard Fitzgerald : the matter to which this 
 passage refers was of so peculiarly delicate a character, that 
 the letter mentioned there would not have been in the 
 keeping of any one except either the Lord- Lieutenant or the 
 Chief Secretary. Admitting that Blaquiere composed the 
 document, we may see some significance in the absence of 
 any remark after his name, and in the account of his duel 
 with Beauchamp Bagenall. The state of the House of Commons 
 is given as on July 2, 1775 ; and that we may fairly assume 
 to have been the approximate date of the whole original 
 manuscript. 
 
 1 The numbers of the troops are taken from a return made by the Adjutant - 
 General of the Irish Army to the House of Commons (see Commons' fourna/s, 
 xvii. 96-7). 2 Pages 34, 41. 
 
INTRODUCTION xxxiii 
 
 Another somewhat similar list is printed in the ' Harcourt 
 Papers,' x. 287-371, and many of the remarks which there 
 follow the names of members are repeated in our document 
 But it belongs to an earlier date, recording the state of things 
 at the very beginning of Harcourt's lieutenancy, and is by 
 no means so full or so interesting. That it was not drawn up 
 before December 1773 is proved by its notices of 'the late ' 
 Administration. It was certainly not made later than 
 October 12, 1773 ; for Thomas Monck is given as member 
 for Old Leighlin, and Blaquiere was elected to fill his place, 
 vacant by death, before October 1 2, for according to an Act of 
 ii George III., the Speaker issued warrants for new writs 
 during a recess of Parliament in the places of any who died 
 during that period. 1 This would give from December i, 1772, 
 to October 1773 as the possible time for the 'Harcourt 
 Papers ' list. But we may perhaps get a nearer date. In the 
 ' Harcourt Papers ' list Hugh Massey, member for co. 
 Limerick, is represented as wanting a regiment for his brother. 
 Now his brother, Lieutenant-Colonel Eyre Massey, was 
 appointed colonel of the 27th Inniskilling Regiment of Foot 
 on February 19, 1773, and therefore the list must have been 
 drawn up before that date. 2 The Appendix of this volume 
 contains what may be described as a sequel to Blaquiere's 
 list, a record of the political success attained through the 
 corrupt means by which the direct influence of the Crown 
 was established over Parliament, the rise of a spirit which 
 threatened to weaken that influence, and the further means 
 taken by Lord Harcourt to preserve and strengthen it. The 
 effects which the royal policy and the method of carrying it 
 out brought upon Ireland lie beyond my limits. 
 
 The document which follows occupies about two-thirds, 
 and is the sole contents of an oblong quarto volume, bound 
 in limp red morocco gilt, with gilt edges to the leaves, and 
 a flap originally fastened with a band. The binding is 
 English, or in this case more probably Irish work, for 
 Blaquiere, who in 1775 married an Irish lady, Eleanor, 
 
 1 Commons' Journals ^ xvi. 9. 
 
 2 I have to thank Mr. H. Hall, of the Record Office, for kindly pointing this 
 out to me. 
 
 b 
 
xxxiv INTRODUCTION 
 
 daughter of Robert Dobson, of Cork, settled in Ireland, and 
 in 1800 was created Baron de Blaquiere in the Irish peerage. 
 The handwriting is not Blaquiere's, 1 but that of a clerk or 
 professional transcriber, and there can be no doubt that the 
 volume was transcribed for Blaquiere from his original 
 manuscript, which would probably either be left among the 
 muniments of the Castle, or taken away by Lord Harcourt. 
 Four large volumes of Harcourt's correspondence, chiefly 
 transcripts, are in the Public Record Office, two relating to 
 his embassy in France, and the other two to his lieutenancy 
 in Ireland, and they are officially certified as having been 
 Blaquiere's property. It is worth noting that all four are 
 bound in the same red morocco and in the same style as 
 this volume, except that being large and heavy they have 
 solid covers, and the flaps seem to have been fastened with 
 clasps, and perhaps locked. In the list of members in this 
 volume a thin ink-mark is placed over each name, as though 
 a copyist had gone through the list ticking the names off to 
 ensure the completeness of his work. Another evidence of 
 transcription is that the note explaining the significance of 
 the marks appended to certain names in the * State of the 
 House of Commons ' (p. 56) is screwed in cross-wise in 
 a small vacant space in the page before the * State,' as 
 though it had first been omitted by mistake, and then 
 inserted as near to its proper place as was possible. The 
 marks are for the most part omitted in the list. 
 
 The manuscript has been printed as it stands, except 
 that a few contracted words, such as Excellency, have re- 
 ceived their obvious expansion : there is no good middle 
 way between expanding a contraction, and representing it 
 in facsimile, which in this case would have entailed an 
 absolutely useless expense. The volume was purchased 
 some years ago of a London bookseller by Mr. Vincent 
 
 mendation of my friend Mr. C. Hagberg Wright, Mr. Scully 
 invited me to edit it. 
 
 1 By the kindness of Mrs. S. C. Lomas, of the Record Office, I have been 
 enabled to compare the writing with that of a private letter of Blaquiere's to 
 William Pitt, undoubtedly written by his ownjiand, and to profit by her skill in 
 such a matter. 
 
THE MANUSCRIPT 
 
 CONCERNING 
 
 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT. 1775 
 
 IN THE POSSESSION OF 
 
 VINCENT SCULLY, ESQUIRE 
 
[The manuscript volume which contains this document has 
 no title> nor has this List of the Members of the Irish 
 House of Commons any heading. The spelling of the 
 manuscript has been preserved.~\ 
 
 Errata 
 
 Page xxxiv, 7 lines from bottom, dele "lately member for Co. Tipperary.*' Mr. 
 Vincent Scully has never sat in Parliament. 
 
 ,, 92, 10 lines from bottom, for Perry (F. ) read Perry (G. G.) 
 
 Connected with Lord Shannon was a Commissioner of 
 the Barrack Board exchanged in November 1772 with Mr. 
 Mitchell, the Treasurer a good attendant but will find it 
 very difficult to come in again for Bandon. 
 
 Agar, James. COUNTY OF KILKENNY 
 
 Commissioner of the Customs a Trustee of the Linen 
 Board his brother a Bishop has two Boroughs Sold three 
 Seats ought not to Sell One now that he is provided for 
 Mr. Geo. Dunbar who is in for his fourth Seat has a Pension 
 of 300, obtained by Lord Townshend He is nephew to 
 Mr. Ellis has had many small Favours from Lord Harcourt, 
 particularly, 2 Boatmen 3 Tidewaiters 3 Supernumerary 
 Guagers 4 Hearth Money Collectors Two Distributors ol 
 Stamps a Supervisor of Hearth Money. 
 
 Alexander, James. CITY OF DERRY 
 
 Came in upon the Death of the late Provost a Gentle- 
 man of large Property & good Character. 
 
 B 
 
[The manuscript volume which contains this document has 
 no title, nor has this List of the Members of the Irish 
 House of Commons any heading. The spelling of the 
 manuscript has been preserved^ 
 
 Acheson, Sir Archd. COUNTY OF ARMAGH 
 
 A Privy Councillor Recommended for a Peerage 
 wants an Employment of ^"200 a year for his Son in Law 
 a Steady Friend to Government, & a most respectable man 
 Lord Harcourt gave to his Recommendation a Distributor 
 of Stamps. 
 
 Adderly, Thomas. BOROUGH OF BANDON 
 
 Connected with Lord Shannon was a Commissioner of 
 the Barrack Board exchanged in November 1772 with Mr. 
 Mitchell, the Treasurer a good attendant but will find it 
 very difficult to come in again for Bandon. 
 
 Agar, James. COUNTY OF KILKENNY 
 
 Commissioner of the Customs a Trustee of the Linen 
 Board his brother a Bishop has two Boroughs Sold three 
 Seats ought not to Sell One now that he is provided for 
 Mr. Geo. Dunbar who is in for his fourth Seat has a Pension 
 of 300, obtained by Lord Townshend He is nephew to 
 Mr. Ellis has had many small Favours from Lord Harcourt, 
 particularly, 2 Boatmen 3 Tidewaiters 3 Supernumerary 
 Guagers 4 Hearth Money Collectors Two Distributors oi 
 Stamps a Supervisor of Hearth Money. 
 
 Alexander, James. CITY OF DERRY 
 
 Came in upon the Death of the late Provost a Gentle- 
 man of large Property & good Character. 
 
 B 
 
2 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Aldworth, Richard, Junr. B. OF DONERAILE 
 
 Lord Shannon's Friend Nephew to Mr. Sentleger Sent- 
 leger who sollicits the Title of Doneraile. 
 
 Allan, Thomas. BOROUGH OF KILLYBEGS 
 
 Purchased his Seat was a Commissioner of the Customs 
 upon re-uniting the Boards, he was removed & pensioned 
 at 600. formerly Taster of Wines for which he received 
 from Mr. Beresford 800 He had several small Favours from 
 Lord Townshend bad Health If he can avoid it he will 
 not again come into Parliament. My Lord Lieutenant has 
 given to his Recommendation 2 Tidewaiters and One Coast 
 Officer's Employment. 
 
 Archdall, Mervyn. Co. FERMANAGH 
 
 Married to Dawson's Daughter & much connected 
 
 with Lord Ross Seeks Popularity in the County generally 
 against. 
 
 Armstrong, John. BOROUGH OF FORE 
 
 Purchased his Seat from Lord Westmeath Is a Lawyer 
 with a large fortune with Government in general, but much 
 abroad Lord Townshend gave his Friend Lieutenant Lumm 
 a Company, & recommended Mrs. Thomas Mr. A.'s Sister 
 for a Pension, but did not obtain it. 
 
 Aylmer, Sir Fitzgerald. BOROUGH OF OLD LEIGHLIN 
 
 Connected with, & constantly follows the Duke of 
 Leinster. 
 
 Bagenall, Beauchamp. Co. CARLOW 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained a Lieutenant Colonelcy for his 
 Friend Major Pigot Promised to support went abroad, 
 & never gave a Vote to Government during Lord Towns- 
 hend's Administration In the beginning of Lord Harcourt's 
 He contrived to quarrell with & fight Sir John Blaquiere 
 Sir John stood One Shot and allowed him to snap his Pistol 
 at him seven Times Sir John reserved his Fire Soon after 
 this very generous Proceeding He ask'd the Collection of 
 Drogheda worth 400 for his Friend Townley Dawson He 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 3 
 
 did not attend during the last Session It is said He does 
 not stand for the County or come into Parliament at the next 
 General Election. 
 
 Balfour, B. Townley. B. OF CARLINGFORD 
 
 Lord Townshend gave his friend a Deanery worth 200 
 during his Lordship's Administration Independent and 
 with Government when he wanted a point and when he 
 had nothing to ask with Lord Tyrone To Lord Harcourt's 
 Administration He has been uniformly steady His Ex- 
 cellency gave to his Nomination the Surveyorship of Queens- 
 borough worth 150 to Mr. Moore and Distributor of 
 Stamps for the County Lowth. 
 
 Barry, Barry. Co. CAVAN 
 
 Brother to Lord Farnham Prothonotary of the Court of 
 Common Pleas, for life, & Lord Farnham had leave to Sell 
 his Office of Birmingham Tower, 7000. in his Pocket This 
 Gentleman on being refused to have his Son's Life included 
 in the Prothonotor's Patent, constantly opposed He was 
 equally an oponent during the last Session to Lord Har- 
 court's Administration as he had been during the whole of 
 Lord Townshend's. 
 
 Barry, Robert. B. OF CHARLEVILLE 
 
 Brought in by Lord Shannon Seneschall of the King's 
 Manours 600. Commissioner of Appeals ^300. and 
 King's Council Supports from Situation attach'd to Lord 
 Shannon. 
 
 Barry, James. B. OF RATHCORMICK 
 
 Brother to Mrs. Sentleger Sentleger Lord Shannon's 
 Friend wont be returned at the next General Election 
 That Borough is now in the possession of Mr. Tonson. 
 
 Beauchamp, Lord. Co. ANTRIM 
 
 His Brother Henry Constable of Dublin Castle and Clerk 
 of the Crown in the King's Bench in Reversion Privy Coun- 
 sellor Lord Harcourt obtained for his brother Robert a 
 Majority of Horse. 
 
 B 2 
 
4 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Beresford, John. Co. WATERFORD 
 
 Brother to Lord Tyrone Privy Council Commissioner 
 of the Revenue 1000. Taster of Wines to him and his 
 Son ;iooo. more a Living of 700. to his Brother, and 
 many Employments in the Revenue to his Friends during 
 Lord Townshend's Administration He is a Man of Busi- 
 ness has been very steady in his Support Lord Harcourt 
 has given to his Recommendation the following Employ- 
 ments Six Boatmen 11 Tidewaiters 7 Guagers i Coast 
 Officer. 
 
 Bernard, Francis. B. OF BANDON 
 
 Always lives in England He has a very large Fortune. 
 
 Bingham, Sir Charles. Co. MAYO 
 
 Formerly wanted to be of the Privy Council has always 
 been in Opposition both to Lord Townshend's and during 
 the last Session to Lord Harcourt's Administration He is 
 in private Life a respectable amiable Man Independent 
 from Fortune Has been attentive to Lord Harcourt and is 
 very much attach'd to Sir John Blaquiere It is probable in 
 the ensuing Session he may Support His object is a 
 Peerage he has been very usefull to Sir John in his late 
 Negotiations particularly with Mr. Fox. 
 
 Birch, Robt. B. OF BELTURBET 
 
 Purchased of Lord Lanesborough, and has also secured a 
 Seat in the New Parliament Lord Townshend allowed his 
 Brother to resign his place in the Revenue to his Nephew- 
 gave several small Employments to his Friends He is a sort 
 of Merchant Banker A Man of bad Character in private 
 Life His object is to obtain from the Crown a Grant of 
 some Livings which belonged to an Estate he purchased of 
 Lord Kingsland He supported steadily Lord Townshend's 
 Administration, and he has behaved equally well to Lord 
 Harcourt's His Excellency has given his Friends the 
 following Employments One Hearth Money Collection 
 One Coast Officer. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 5 
 
 Blackwood, John. B. OF BANGOR 
 
 Usually in Opposition not to be influenced except by 
 Lord Hertford who made His Father a Baronet Inde- 
 pendent. 
 
 Blakeney, John. BOROUGH OF ATHENRY 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained Leave for him to sell his 
 Company which he had not purchased, and gave him a Pen- 
 sion of 200. He now wants an Addition of ^"200. more. 
 
 Theophilus Blakeney. B. OF ATHENRY 
 
 He is Brother to John He had also Leave to Sell his 
 Company which He had not purchased, and Lord Townshend 
 made him a Surveyor-General 500. a year These Gentlemen 
 have a Family Borough, but at the General Election One of 
 them only will be returned for it, their Nephew, to whom it 
 belongs, being of Age intends being in Parliament himself 
 Theo. says he has not more than 800. in the World which 
 he will apply towards the Purchase of a Seat, but unless he 
 is assisted by Government He will not be able to accomplish 
 it In Lord Townshend's Administration they attended con- 
 stantly during the last Session they absented themselves on 
 several critical Occasions and twice went to the Country 
 without any communication with Sir John. 
 
 Blighe, Thomas. B. OF ATHBOY 
 
 Behaved very honourably to Government during Lord 
 Townshend's Administration, particularly in his Support of 
 the Augmentation His Lordship gave a Deanery to his 
 Brother and an Ensigncy to his Nephew He did not attend 
 on any material Question during the last Session. 
 
 Blunden, Sir John. CITY OF KILKENNY 
 
 Made a Baronet in 1766 has some Demand on Govern- 
 ment of the nature of Lord Conyngham's Lord Townshend 
 lost the Vouchers of it He wants a Pension Lord Tyrone 
 has some Influence with him Supported & Opposed 
 alternately Always, to use his own Expression to Lord 
 North, in the Wrong Box He did not attend during the 
 last Session. 
 
6 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Bolton, Cornelius. CITY OF WATERFORD 
 
 Always in Opposition Lord Tyrone affects to have some 
 Influence with him has been latterly attach'd to Mr. Pon- 
 sonby very Independent. 
 
 Burrowes, Sir Kildare. Co. KILDARE 
 Entirely attach'd to the Duke of Leinster. 
 
 Bourke, John, senr. BOROUGH OF NAAS 
 
 Commissioner of Customs Lord Townshend obtained 
 the Bishoprick of Femes for his Son He made another a 
 Landwaiter, and gave to his recommendation a number of 
 small Employments in the Revenue He supported steadily 
 He now wants a Peerage Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 recommendation i Boatman i Tidewaiter i Guager 
 i Hearth Money Collection i Coast Officer i Land 
 Carriage Officer. 
 
 John Bourke, junr. BOROUGH OF NAAS 
 
 Son to the Commissioner He was in Lord Townshend's 
 Administration Surveyor of the Stores worth 400. his 
 Lordship obtained a Pension of ,200. to his Friend Mr. 
 Ormsby, by which means he discharged a Debt of .1,500. 
 Lord Harcourt made him Receiver-General of the Stamp 
 Office worth 600. He is a very zealous Friend to Govern- 
 ment, but not inattentive to his own Interests very attach'd 
 to Lord Townshend a useful Member of Parliament, and 
 has been very zealous and active in support of Lord Harcourt's 
 Administration Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation One Quay Porter 4.0. 
 
 Broderick, Edward. BOROUGH OF MIDDLETON 
 
 Brought in by Lady Middleton has a Commission in 
 the Guards sometimes assisted and as often opposed Lord 
 Townshend seldom attends not at all during the last 
 Session Influenced entirely by Lady Middleton. 
 
 Butler, Pierce. B. OF KILLYLEAH 
 
 Brother to Lord Carrick has hitherto supported. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 7 
 
 Brooke, Sir Arthur. Co. FERMANAGH 
 
 Made a Baronet in 1764 Lord Townshend obtained the 
 Privy Council for him, and a Majority of Dragoons for his 
 Brother without Purchase Brother in Law to Lord Cler- 
 mont against Government in his Heart, much connected 
 with the Tyrones & Fortescues, and during Lord Towns- 
 hend's Administration acted as they did In the last Session 
 he opposed upon every material Question at the same pro- 
 fessing great attachment to Lord Harcourt & living much 
 with him He obtained by surprise upon His Excellency 
 the office of Distributor of Stamps for this County at the 
 very moment he was opposing the Duty in the House, and 
 then quarrell'd with & maligned Sir John Blaquiere in 
 every company because he told him that he believed that 
 office was engaged to a Friend who supported the measure, 
 and that if the disposal of it had depended upon him, He, 
 Sir Arthur, should not have it In private Life He is 
 generally esteem'd In publick very insincere, ungratefull to 
 the Crown, & never to be depended on For his Conduct 
 last Session He ought to have been struck out of the Council. 
 
 Browne, James. BOROUGH OF JAMESTOWN 
 
 Son to Lord Altamont At the Bar able in Parliament 
 but very ill heard very steady entirely devoted to his 
 Brother the Colonel's Interest and contributes much to the 
 Support of his Family Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation One Boatman. 
 
 Browne, Arthur. BOROUGH OF GOWRAN 
 
 Second Son to Lord Altamont Lieutenant Colonel of 
 the 28th by Purchase Lord Townshend gave his Son a 
 Cornetcy made one Brother a Surveyor General ,500. 
 allowed the younger Brother to succeed the Surveyor in the 
 Collection of Foxford worth 270. strongly attach'd to Lord 
 Townshend a most zealous Friend of Government Altho' 
 a bad Speaker a most usefull & necessary Member for the 
 Castle & much beloved He has supported Lord Harcourt 
 with great Steadiness and very ably His Excellency obtained 
 for him the Constableship of Carrickfergus with a Sallary of 
 
8 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 ^365. It is said the Lands belonging to it are worth ^"200 
 more and His Excellency has given to his Recommendation 
 i Boatman i Guager i Hearth Money Collector. 
 
 Brownlowe, William. COUNTY OF ARMAGH 
 
 Privy Counsellor Independent very able in Parliament 
 has great Influence with Mr. T. Knox and Colonel Ross 
 much attended to by the House during Lord Townshend's 
 Administration He thought very favorably of the Duke of 
 Leinster's Politicks and always was in Opposition He sup- 
 ported Government very handsomely in the Loughswilly Trial 
 before the Council and, altho' not directly & on every Question, 
 in the House of Commons, yet upon allmost every Matter of 
 Importance He gave Lord Harcourt a very effectual Support, 
 and was of the utmost Service in carrying thro' the new 
 Taxes His Excellency gave to his Nomination first a Living 
 of 120. He afterwards promoted the same Person to One 
 of 300. He gave his Friend, Mr. Workman, in exchange for 
 the Collection of Dundalk, an Employment in the Stamps 
 worth near ^"300. a Clerkship of 60. to another Friend 
 and the Distributor of Stamps for the County of Downe & 
 Three Boatmen & One Tide waiter to his Recommendation 
 a Company to his Son, a Boy, in the 57th a Favor of 
 very great magnitude. 
 
 Burgh, William. BOROUGH OF ATHY 
 
 The Duke of Leinster's a mere Spit Fire a pert peevish 
 Boy His Fortune is much involved, and he now lives in 
 England has commenced Author. 
 
 Burton, William. B. OF NEW TOWN LIMAVADY 
 
 Nephew and entirely dependant on Lord Conyngham, 
 Lord Townshend gave his Uncle the Linen Board a Living 
 of 400. to his Friend Dr. Nesbit Mr. Burton is very able in 
 Parliament, of strict Honor, and never Opposed Lord Towns- 
 hend but when obliged by express Directions from his Uncle 
 He has been permitted & supported Lord Harcourt with 
 great zeal & ability He is Aid de Camp to His Excellency 
 altho out of the Army and was lately appointed a Com- 
 missioner & Comptroller of the Barrack Board worth 600. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 9 
 
 His Excellency has given to his Recommendation the follow- 
 ing Employments in the Revenue. One Examiner 2 Tide- 
 waiters 2 Guagers One Hearth another Hearth Money 
 Collection & Coxwain of a Barge Supervisor Stamps to 
 Mr. Fisher 70. 
 
 Burton, Pierpoint. Co. OF CLARE 
 
 Brother to William & also Nephew to Lord Conyngham 
 Son in Law to Mr. Clements Lord Townshend obtained 
 a Pension for his Wife of 600. and a Quartermaster's Com- 
 mission to his Friend Mr. Finuken He lives chiefly abroad, 
 & it is supposed will not be returned for the next Parliament 
 My Lord Harcourt gave to his Recommendation a Coast 
 Officer's Employment. 
 
 Blaquiere, Sir John. BOROUGH OF LEIGHLIN 
 Privy Counsellor & Chief Secretary. 
 
 Brab[a]zon, William. Co. WICKLOW 
 
 Mr. Ponsonby's Connection Brother to Lord Meath 
 his Father lost his Pension always against. 
 
 Bushe, Gervas Parker. B. OF GRANARD 
 
 Lord Townshend made him a Commissioner of Accounts 
 ^"500. Once an ingenious Speaker against Government now 
 he seldom opens his Mouth, and when he does ; the recollec- 
 tion of his former Patriotism choaks him much connected 
 with Mr. Flood & Mr. Langriche From Situation very 
 Independent His Conduct during the last Session was at 
 best equivocal, and in one or two Instances hostile to 
 Government. 
 
 Butler, John. B. OF NEWCASTLE 
 
 Uncle to Lord Lanesborough Clerk of the Pipe for Life 
 ;i2OO. a year Supported last Session Lord Harcourt gave 
 his Relation Mr. Harris an Ensigncy. 
 
 Burton, William. Co. CARLOW 
 
 Nephew to Mr. Ponsonby and entirely in his Interest 
 Son to the late Commissioner Burton. 
 
io THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Campbell, Lord Fred. BOROUGH OF IRISHTOWN 
 
 Was Secretary to Lord Townshend never will attend. 
 
 Cane, Hugh. BOROUGH OF TALLAGH 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel of the 5. Dragoons Lord Townshend 
 gave his Friend a sinecure Living of ^150. a steady Friend 
 to Government He wants to sell his Lieutenant Colonelcy 
 and to get a civil Employment Lord Harcourt has given to 
 his Recommendation i Examiner i Tide waiter & i Guager. 
 
 Cavendish, James. B. OF LIFFORD 
 
 Lord Erne's. Son to Sir Henry Collector of Dundalk 
 ^200. 
 
 Carew, Robert. BOROUGH OF DUNGARVAN 
 
 Has been constantly in Opposition much connected 
 with Mr. Ponsonby a little with Lord Shannon Lord 
 Tyrone may perhaps have some Influence with him. 
 
 Shapland Carew. CITY OF WATERFORD 
 Father to Robert always in Opposition. 
 
 Carleton, Hugh. BOROUGH OF TUAM 
 
 Brought into Parliament by Lord Townshend King's 
 Council Son to Mr. Carleton of Corke an able sensible 
 Man of strict Honor much respected by Mr. Waite 
 There is a Shyness between him and the Provost from his 
 Family Influence in Corke Married to Major Mercer's 
 Daughter a tolerable Speaker much esteemed by the 
 Chancellor as a good Lawyer and a man of great Integrity 
 and Application He supported last Session steadily & ably 
 He is to have a civil Employment of not less than 400. 
 for himself, or for a Time will be satisfied if Serjeant Hamil- 
 ton is made a Judge, to be made second or third Serjeant 
 His Object is the Bench On the late failure of his Father 
 at Corke Lord Harcourt gave his Brother Francis the Collec- 
 tion of Athlone worth 300. and appointed the Father 
 Agent for conducting the Embarcation of the Eight Regi- 
 ments lately sent to America. He has given to his Recom- 
 mendation Two Boatmen. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 11 
 
 Carey, Edward. Co. OF LONDONDERRY 
 
 Privy Counsellor Brother in Law to Lord Tyrone in 
 general with Government on popular questions against 
 very Independent sollicitous not to be thought biassed by 
 Lord Tyrone's Family Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation a Scale Porter i Supernumerary Guager 
 
 2 Hearth Money Collections. 
 
 Conolly, Thomas. Co. LONDONDERRY 
 
 Privy Counsellor Lord Townshend gave his Friend the 
 Deanery of Cloger, Dr. Woodward, & a Living, both 
 worth ; i, 400. a year, of which the Deanery is at least 800. 
 He also gave several Employments to others in the Revenue 
 
 made his Brother in Law, Mr. Staples, a Commissioner, 
 1,000. gave him two Quartermasters' Commissions two 
 Barrackmasters' Employments gave a Deanery and Prefer- 
 ment to Dr. Marley worth 850. Lord Harcourt gave 65. a 
 year to his recommendation for George Gavan His chief 
 merit with Lord Townshend was his Support of the Augmen- 
 tation, otherwise, altho respectable from his Property, He is 
 so capricious & unsteady, that there is very little dependence 
 to be had on him, and in my own opinion it would be better for 
 Government that He was a declared Oponent of its Measures 
 He ought for his Behaviour last Session to have been 
 turned out of the Council he has quarrell'd with Lord 
 Harcourt because His Excellency refused him the exclusive 
 Nomination to all Revenue Employments in the Counties of 
 Derry & Donegal, & rejected his Proposal for seperating 
 the See of Ardagh from that of Tuam in order to bring his 
 Friend Dr. Woodward on the Bench And he has also 
 quarrell'd with Sir John Blaquiere merely on the presumption 
 that he advised His Excellency against granting either of 
 these Propositions he has given to his Recommendation 
 One Supernumerary Guager Coast Office, Wicklow, 
 
 Cavendish, Sir Henry. BOROUGH OF LISMORE 
 
 Teller of the Exchequer, a Baronet in 1755. made a 
 Privy Counsellor by Lord Townshend, and gave him a 
 Hearth Money Collection for Mr. Watts He was very 
 
12 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 steady in his Support of Lord Townshend He has been 
 equally attentive to Lord Harcourt He is a respectable 
 amiable Man much afflicted with the gout, & on that 
 account his attendance is very uncertain His great Object is 
 to get his Son James joined with him in the Office of Teller 
 of the Exchequer He purchased a Seat for Son in the last 
 Session Lord Harcourt gave him the Collection of Dundalk 
 worth 200. and made Watts, the Hearth Money Collector, a 
 Supervisor 6$. also gave to Lady Cavendish a Supernumerary 
 Guager and Mate of the Cruizing Barge, Kinsale. 
 
 Caulfield, Francis. B. OF CHARLEMONT 
 
 His Brother made a Earl in 1763 They both constantly 
 opposed Lord Townshend Towards the middle of last 
 Session, Mr. Caulfield shewed some Disposition to support 
 Government He is very poor and greatly embarrass'd in his 
 Circumstances. 
 
 Caulfield, William. B. OF TULSK 
 
 Collector of Donaghadee, worth .200. Gentleman of the 
 Bed-Chamber a steady and certain vote for Government upon 
 all occasions Lord Harcourt gave to his Recommendation a 
 Hearth Money Collection since dismiss'd, and ought to have 
 been hang'd. 
 
 Chichester, John. CITY OF CARRICKFERGUS 
 Brother to Lord Donegall never has attended. 
 
 Chapman, Benjamin. BOROUGH OF FORE 
 
 Came into Parliament last Session a Lawyer does not 
 want ability very violent in opposition, Speaks very often, 
 and is pretty well heard He is Nephew to Mr. Clements, but 
 in his politicks totally unconnected with him. 
 
 Clement, William. CITY OF DUBLIN 
 
 Vice Provost of the College, always against and an 
 oponent of the Provost. 
 
 Clements, Robert. BOROUGH OF CARRICK 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board was a Commissioner of the 
 Revenue but removed on the reuniting of the Boards He 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 13 
 
 refused his Pension of 600., and affected to be offended 
 because there had not been an earlier communication with 
 him upon that measure He is a peevish, Shy, retired Man, 
 a bad attender, and the Father pretends on some occasions 
 that he cannot influence him. Lord Harcourt gave to his 
 Recommendation 2 Boatmen i Tide waiter, and One Coast 
 Officer. 
 
 Theo. Clements. BOROUGH OF CAVAN 
 
 Second Son to Mr. Clements Agent to the Regiments 
 paid by Ireland serving abroad, worth 800. a year He 
 wants to be joined with his Father as Deputy Vice Treasurer 
 Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation Two 
 Tidewaiters & 3 Supernumerary Guagers. 
 
 Clements, Nathaniel. Co. LEITRIM 
 
 Privy Counsellor Deputy Vice Treasurer Ranger of 
 the Phoenix Park Searcher of Dublin Paymaster of the 
 Pensions Lord Townshend gave him many small Employ- 
 ments in the Revenue He attends and Supports constantly 
 Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation i Boat- 
 man 3 Tidewaiters i Hearth Money Collection Dis- 
 tributor Stamps, Co. Leitrim. 
 
 Coddington, Dixie. BOROUGH OF DUNLEER 
 
 Nephew to Judge Tennison much connected with Mr. 
 Ponsonby constantly Opposed Lord Townshend During 
 the last Session He was as mark'd in his Support of Lord 
 Harcourt He is independant of Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Colclough, Vesey. Co. OF WEXFORD 
 
 Much connected with Lord Ely, but always in Oppo- 
 sition. 
 
 Coghlan, Thomas. BOROUGH OF BANAGHER 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board has been very steady & 
 zealous in his Support Lord Harcourt made him Store- 
 keeper of the Ordnance, and gave to his Recommendation 
 5 Supernumerary Guagers, & Distributor of Stamps, King's 
 County. 
 
14 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Colthurst, Sir John. BOROUGH OF CASTLEMARTYR 
 A Baronet in 1744. Lord Shannon's Friend. 
 
 Conway, Robert. BOROUGH OF LISBURNE 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained Leave for him to purchase 
 a Troop over the Lieutenants in the Regiment and to 
 Lord Harcourt's Recommendation He owes a Majority of 
 Horse without Purchase. Second Son to Lord Hertford 
 attended pretty constantly last Session. 
 
 Cooper, Joshua. Co. SLIGO 
 
 Independant Gent, of considerable Fortune connected 
 in the County Interests with Owen Wynne He almost 
 constantly Opposed Lord Townshend great part of last 
 Session and towards the close of it He supported Lord 
 Harcourt, & without any Terms. 
 
 Coote, Guy Moore. BOROUGH OF CLONMELL 
 
 He had a Pension of 200. Lord Townshend obtained 
 for him 200. more still wants an addition must Sup- 
 port from Situation His Daughter is married to Mr. 
 Cavendish. 
 
 Coppinger, Maurice. B. OF ARDFERT 
 
 King's Council & second Serjeant at Law connected 
 with Lord Crosbie, Sir Henry Cavendish, and Mr. Mason 
 a very moderate Speaker seldom takes in [sic any ?] part in 
 Debate. 
 
 Crosbie, Launcelot. BOROUGH OF ARDFERT 
 
 Brought into Parliament by Lord Crosbie has Sup- 
 ported steadily. . 
 
 Corry, Armor Lowry. Co. TYRONE 
 
 North Country Gentleman seeks Popularity very 
 Independant always against. 
 
 Cotter, Sir James. B. OF TAGHMON 
 
 His Father made a Baronet in 1763 Hitherto in Oppo- 
 sition but not likely to continue a sensible young man of 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 15 
 
 very independent Property He made one tolerable Speech 
 did not attend last Session. 
 
 Cramer, John. B. OF BELTURBET 
 
 Returned by, and acts with his Relation Lord Lanes- 
 borough. 
 
 Creighton, Abraham. BOROUGH OF LIFFORD 
 
 Lieutenant on half Pay Brother to Lord Erne He 
 opposed constantly last Session, and was generally against 
 during Lord Townshend's Administration. 
 
 Crofton, Sir Marcus. B. OF RATOATH 
 
 Made a Baronet in 1758 wants to have his Son made 
 an Aid de Camp a very wavering Man and against 
 Government when he can't advantage himself by supporting 
 it He did not attend last Session. 
 
 Croker, John. BOROUGH OF FETHARD 
 
 Lord Townshend gave his Son an Ensigncy He is much 
 connected with Sir Henry Cavendish very unsteady in his 
 Support never to be depended on. 
 
 Cuffe, James. Co. MAYO 
 
 Made a Commissioner of Barracks by Lord Townshend 
 .400 attends pretty constantly Cousin to Lord Arran 
 Mr. Connolly & Lord Annaly have great influence with 
 him He is not less perplex'd and embarrass'd in his 
 Circumstances than he is by his Wife and Miss Weiwitzer. 
 
 Cunninghame, Robert. B. OF MONAGHAN 
 
 Colonel of the 5Oth Regiment Governor of Kinsale, 
 400 a Quarter Master's Commission to his Friend 
 Brother in Law to Lord Clermont He voted against the 
 Division of the Boards, and on other critical Questions in 
 Lord Townshend's Administration voted & spoke against 
 Government affects Independance & great Consequence in 
 Parliament. His Conduct in the Duke of Bedford's Admini- 
 stration was very severely censured by that Nobleman in his 
 Correspondence with the then Secretary of State as a most 
 
16 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 ungratefull Man to the Crown In the last Session he de- 
 serted & betrayed Lord Harcourt upon the great point, the 
 reconsideration of the Absentee Tax, altho he had been 
 particularly & confidentially spoken to not only by Sir 
 John Blaquiere & Mr. Lees, but even by His Excellency in 
 person His Support of Government upon that occasion 
 was consider'd as certain He spoke violently against the 
 Castle His Expression of Wheeling Cock will not easily be 
 forgot His Conduct upon that occasion was so mark'd, 
 unprovok'd, & violent that He ought to have been instantly 
 dismissed from his Regiment and Government. Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation the Coast 
 Officer of Wicklow for Mr. Archer and the Purchase of a 
 Company to his Friend Lieutenant Murray out of his Regi- 
 ment at the Reg[ulated(?)] Price. 
 
 Curry, Edward. BOROUGH OF NEWRY 
 A New Member and in Opposition. 
 
 Daly, Dennis. Co. GALWAY 
 
 Nephew to Mr. Malone & Lord Ross Independent and 
 a very rising young Man in Parliament has been generally 
 in Opposition Mr. Malone affects but has very little Influ- 
 ence with him He is much attach'd to Sir John Blaquiere. 
 
 Daly, Anthony. BOROUGH OF GALWAY 
 Acts with Dennis Daly. 
 
 Darner, John. BOROUGH OF SWORDS 
 
 Formerly Commissioner of Appeals Nephew to Lord 
 Milton Steady in his Support In the last Session from 
 the Ommissions and Alterations made on the other side the 
 Water in the Money Bill it was judged necessary, and 
 Government acquiesced in having it rejected on its return 
 hither, at the same time His Excellency not chusing that it 
 should be thrown out nem. con., Mr. Darner voluntarily gave 
 his Negative, for which Service he has been removed from 
 the Appeals to the Board of Accounts He is a very amiable 
 worthy Man, greatly respected & lives much with the 
 Attorney General. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 17 
 
 Dawson, John. QUEEN'S COUNTY 
 
 Eldest Son to Lord Dawson who was made a Peer by 
 Lord Townshend generally steady his Father has ask'd a 
 Civil Employment for his second Son whom he has brought 
 into Parliament in the room of the late Sir T. Butler. 
 
 Deane, Sir Robert. B. OF CARIESFORT 
 
 Connected & acts with Lord Shannon His object is a 
 Peerage. 
 
 Deane, Joseph. Co. DUBLIN 
 
 Attach'd to Popularity, and somewhat to Mr. Ponsonby. 
 Lord Tyrone has some little Influence with him has been 
 constantly in Opposition. 
 
 Deane, Jocelyn. B. OF BALTIMORE 
 
 Col. Tonson's. Attach'd very much to his Brother Sir 
 Robert, and both follow Lord Shannon. 
 
 Dennis, James. B. OF YOUGHALL 
 
 Prime Serjeant an ungracefull but tolerable Speaker in 
 Parliament a good Lawyer has great Property a Man of 
 excellent Character devoted to & beloved by Lord Shannon 
 His object is the Seat of Chief Baron of the Exchequer 
 Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation two Hearth 
 Money Collections. 
 
 Denny, Barry. Co. KERRY 
 
 Lord Townshend gave his youngest Brother a Living of 
 800 a year Lord Harcourt gave to his Recommendation 
 the office of Coast Supervisor of Kerry He attended very 
 little last Session His brother Edward who represented 
 Trallee shot himself a few Months ago He has a large 
 Estate but dreadfully incumber'd, and in private Life of an 
 exceeding bad Character It is uncertain whether he will be 
 returned for the next Parliament 
 
 Devonshire, James. B. RATHCORMICK 
 
 Connected with Lord Shannon wont come in again 
 for this Borough, and probably will not be in the next 
 
 C 
 
i8 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Parliament Mr. Tonson has purchased the Estate to which 
 this Borough belongs. 
 
 Digby, Simon. B. OF KILDARE 
 Entirely the Duke of Leinster's. 
 
 Dobbs, Conway Richard. CARRICKFERGUS 
 
 Connected with Lord Hertford Son to the late Governor 
 of North Carolina seldom Supports, 
 
 Dillon, John. B. OF WICKLOW 
 
 Lord Townshend at his Request gave a Living of 300 
 to his Friend Mr. Preston Independent generally supports 
 Preston is married to a Sister of Jack Hamilton's Mr. 
 Dillon is much attach'd to Sir John Blaquiere Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation i Super- 
 numerary Guager i Quay Porter, and One Land Carriage 
 Officer. 
 
 Dunbar, Geo. B. OF THOMASTOWN 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained for him a Pension of ^200. a 
 year brought in by Mr. Agar formerly married to Mr. 
 Ellis's Sister & Mr. Agar's Mother a steady little Man 
 and a dead Voice on all occasions. 
 
 Dunbar, Chas. B. OF BLESSINGTON 
 
 Lord Townshend gave a Living of 300. to his Friend 
 very Independant seldom attends. Connected with Lord 
 Hillsborough Lord Harcourt gave at his Request an 
 Ensigncy. 
 
 Dunluce, Lord. Co. ANTRIM 
 
 His Father Governor of the County Lord Townshend 
 gave his Tutor, Mr. Winder, the Excise Collection of Corke, 
 worth 300., and afterwards opposed violently an idle un- 
 steady young Man not to be depended upon. Lord Harcourt 
 gave to his Recommendation a Supernumerary Guager. 
 
 Dawson, Joseph. B, OF PORTARLINGTON 
 Son to Lord Dawson & Supported Steadily. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 19 
 
 Earbery, Mathias. B. OF LANESBOROUGH 
 
 Made Collector of Wicklow by Lord Townshend. Con- 
 nected with the Provost purchased his Seat has supported 
 Steadily It is imagined He will not be in the next Parlia- 
 met He sollicits, and the Provost is very earnest that he 
 should obtain, the Contract for the Light Houses to be esta- 
 blished on the Coast of Wicklow. 
 
 Falkiner, Rigs. B. OF CLONIKELTY 
 
 Lord Shannon returns him a Banker in Corke. 
 
 Fetherston, Ralph. B. OF ST. JOHNSTOWN 
 
 Was made a Surveyor General by Lord Townshend 
 reduced upon the re-uniting of the Boards has a Pension, 
 in lieu, of 300. has ask'd to be made a Baronet which my 
 Lord Lieutenant has promised to recommend His Excel- 
 lency gave to his Recommendation a Hearth Money Col- 
 lection. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Maurice. B. DINGLE ICOUCH 
 
 Made a Surveyor General by Lord Townshend re- 
 duced upon re-uniting the Boards received a Pension, in 
 lieu, of ^300. has two Seats in Parliament weak, entirely 
 under the Government of his wife Lord Harcourt has 
 given to his Recommendation one Tidewaiter. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Robert. B. DINGLE ICOUCH 
 
 Brought into Parliament by his Cousin Maurice Judge 
 ot the Admiralty 400. Commissioner of Appeals 300. 
 Comptroller of Dingle with an additional Salary of 400. 
 Lord Townshend gave him a Living of 500. for one Nephew 
 200. to another Ensigncy to a third and He recommended 
 an additional Sallary to him as Commissioner of Appeals of 
 300. Lord Harcourt has given him a Hearth Money Col- 
 lection for One Friend, accommodated him with a Move for 
 another gave him a Seat at the Linen Board He speaks 
 very seldom in the House, when he does but very moderately 
 his chief Merit is that he attends when he is desired He 
 now wants additional Emolument either by additional Salary 
 
 C 2 
 
20 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 to the Offices he now holds or by new Creation, whether by 
 Place or Pension it mattereth not Lord Harcourt has given 
 to his Recommendation 3 Tidewaiters 2 Guagers and One 
 Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Gerald. B. OF HARRISTON 
 
 Entirely devoted to the Duke of Leinster. Dead. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Richard. B. OF BOYLE 
 
 Has a Pension of 200. wants to be of the Privy Council- 
 was formerly a Gentleman Usher and married a Rich Widow 
 whose daughter is now married to Lord Kington's Eldest 
 Son Lord Townshend promised and actually obtained the 
 King's Letter, which is now in my Custody for appointing 
 him of the Council, but his Character was found so ex- 
 ceptionable, and he himself so very proud & impracticable, 
 his Lordship withheld it These last two Sessions he 
 opposed. 
 
 Fitzgibbon, John. B. OF JAMESTOWN 
 
 A Lawyer of great Eminence generally in Opposition 
 and yet will ask great Favours at the most critical Time 
 Connected with Lord Tyrone on particular Occasions, and 
 for himself thro' the Session at large One Daughter married 
 to Lord Tyrone's Brother the Clergyman, the other to Mr. 
 Jeffereyes. It is believed he will not be in the next Parlia- 
 ment. 
 
 Forde, Mathew. B. OF DOWNPATRICK 
 
 Independant Country Gentleman of the North uncon- 
 nected and always in Opposition. 
 
 Flood, Henry. B. OF CALLEN 
 
 Formerly the Engineer & Mouthpiece of Opposition 
 Impracticable in his Conduct in Parliament where he does 
 not entirely lead in private Life held in Abhorrence & 
 Detestation by All Men of Integrity & Truth When Lord 
 Harcourt arrived he affected Candour & promised Support 
 Upon some important Questions during the last Session he 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 21 
 
 supported, upon others equally material to Government he 
 kept away In consequence of this Conduct an Expectation 
 of some very considerable Employment was held out to him. 
 It amounted to what he consider'd a Promise of the first 
 that became vacant Upon the death of the late Provost the 
 Office of Alnager worth 900. and an Additional Sallary to 
 it of ;i,ooo. was offered which He refused, declaring that 
 Government had broken faith with him by the disposal of the 
 Provost, and resorted to his original Request, the Office of 
 One of the Vice Treasurers or nothing Sir John Blaquiere 
 has been solliciting this Employment for him these twelve 
 Months past Lord Harcourt early in the last Session offer'd 
 him a Cornetcy for a Friend which he declined He gave to 
 his Recommendation One Hearth Money Collection The 
 Distributor of Stamps for the County of Kilkenny Super- 
 visor of Hearth Money 60. 
 
 Flood, John, junr. B. OF CALLEN 
 
 Cousin to Henry and Acts entirely with him. 
 
 Flood, Warden. B. OF LONGFORD 
 
 A Follower of Mr. Henry Flood's, and with as much 
 Violence but less Parts his object is to be Counsellor to 
 the Commissioners of the Revenue. 
 
 Fortescue, James. Co. LOWTH 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board Privy Counsellor wants 
 to be in remainder to his Brother Lord Clermont's Peerage 
 a miserable Speaker does not want Understanding Inde- 
 pendant, the greatest Jobber in Ireland during the last 
 Session He opposed upon some very critical Questions, for 
 which he ought to have been dismiss'd the Council Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 2 Boatmen 
 I Tidewaiter i Supernumerary Guager 2 Coast Officers. 
 
 Fortescue, Thomas. B. OF TRIM 
 
 Cousin to Lord Clermont Nephew to Lord Mornington 
 by whom he is brought into Parliament Opposed Lord 
 Townshend he supported Lord Harcourt. 
 
22 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Foster, John. Co. LOWTH 
 
 Eldest Son to the Chief Barron a very rising young 
 Man in the Law and in Parliament Is very often with 
 Government, but being Member for a County, sometimes 
 tho' very seldom quits it on popular Questions Lord 
 Townshend gave a Living of 400. to his Brother made 
 his Relation Mr. Sibthorpe Judge of Kilmainham, and gave 
 a Living of 200. to his Friend, Dr. Norris. 
 
 Fownes, Sir William. B. OF KNOCKTOPHER 
 
 Searcher of Corke ;i,ooo. a year for Life- of large 
 Property and independant but connected with and entirely 
 devoted to Mr. Ponsonby during the last Session He did 
 not attend Parliament. 
 
 Freake, Sir John. B. OF BALTIMORE 
 
 Made a Baronet by Lord Townshend and ask'd two 
 other Favours seldom attended Brother in Law to Lord 
 Arran When he did attend last Session He opposed a 
 very silly uncertain Character and never to be depended on. 
 
 French, Robert. B. OF GALWAY 
 
 Made a Trustee of the Linen Board by Lord Townshend 
 an able & much respected Member of Parliament 
 Independant Moderate, and deserves particular Notice. 
 
 French, John. Co. OF ROSCOMMON 
 
 Lord Townshend gave a Deanery to his Uncle and an 
 Ensigncy to his Nephew Connected with Lord Annaly and 
 Lord Kingston was not very steady to Lord Townshend 
 To Lord Harcourt he has been very zealous His Excellency 
 has given to his Recommendation i Tidewaiter One Super- 
 numerary Guager, & 3 Hearth Money Collections. 
 
 Gardiner, Luke. Co. DUBLIN 
 
 A Gentleman of large Property profess'd great Attach- 
 ment to Government, but voted against the Castle upon 
 every material Question last Session His objects are the 
 Peerage of Lovejoy [sic] & a Seat in the Council Lord 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 23 
 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation a Lieutenancy 
 to his Brother Robert without Purchase. 
 
 Gamble, William. B. BALLYSHANNON 
 
 Cousin to the late Provost Lord Townshend made him 
 a Commissioner of the Barrack Board 400. And obtained 
 the Agency to the Archbishop of Dublin for his Son Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his recommendation i Supernumerary 
 Guager I Hearth Money Collection Clerk in the Custom- 
 house 60., and his youngest Son is Collector of Killybegs 
 worth 200. 
 
 Gisborne, James. B. OF LISMORE 
 
 A Regiment of Foot Governor of Charlemont worth 
 800. and a Major General on the Staff An able Speaker 
 on Parade days, but very infirm & seldom attends. 
 
 Gore, Richard. B. OF DONEGALL 
 
 Made a Commissioner of the Revenue by Lord Towns- 
 hend and for his very equivocal Conduct was turned out 
 Brother to Lord Sudley Opposed the Division of the 
 Boards a contemptible weak man He seldom attended 
 last Session when he did attend He opposed. 
 
 Gore, William. Co. OF LEITRIM 
 
 Lord Townshend gave a Place of 100. to his Friend 
 Like the other Gores who are in Parliament, very uncertain 
 Lord Harcourt soon after his arrival gave a Hearth Money 
 Collection to his Recommendation He opposed during the 
 last Session. 
 
 Gore, Henry. Co. LONGFORD 
 
 Examinator of the Customs worth goo. a year Brother 
 to Lord Annaly 111 health peevish, and uncertain in his 
 Support during the last Session He did not attend. Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 2 Supernumerary 
 Guagers. 
 
 Gorges, Richard. B. OF ENNISKILLEN 
 
 Son to Ham. Gorge[s] and Cousin to Lord Tyrone a very 
 good Speaker when prepared Apt to be out of Humour 
 
24 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 lately married to a Miss Meredyth, whose Name he has now 
 taken, with a considerable Fortune. 
 
 Graydon, Robert. B. OF HARRISTOWN 
 
 Devoted to the Duke of Leinster makes long Speeches 
 very ill heard. 
 
 Grogan, Cornelius. B. OF ENNISCORTHY 
 
 Always against Lord Ely and Mr. Vesey Colclough are 
 supposed to have some Influence with him. 
 
 Hall, Roger. Co. DOVVNE 
 
 Father in Law to Mr. Brownlowe Cousin to the Duke 
 of Leinster & to Lord Hillsborough moderate Property 
 has always been in Opposition. 
 
 Hamilton, George. B. OF BELFAST 
 
 ,200. a year for his Light House at Bellbriggan [sic] 
 brought into Parliament by Lord Donegal turned over by his 
 Lordship to Mr. Ponsonby's Party, with whom he drew 
 during Lord Townshend's Administration Made his Peace 
 with Lord Harcourt, whom he has supported very steadily 
 & zealously His Excellency made him 3rd Serjeant, and 
 has given him an Expectation of a Seat on the Bench A 
 Sensible Man a good Lawyer, and of good Character, but a 
 very tedious disagreeable Speaker and ill heard in the 
 House He is a King's Council. 
 
 Hamilton, Henry. BOROUGH OF KILLYBEGS 
 
 Recommended by Lord Townshend for a Baronetcy 
 ask'd it after all was over This Rank has been obtained 
 for him by Lord Harcourt He has supported both Admini- 
 strations very steadily and may be thoroughly depended on 
 for what he says Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation a Hearth Money Collection to his Agent. 
 
 Hamilton, John. B. OF STRABANE 
 
 Returned by Lord Abercorn, but will not come in again 
 has been always against. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 25 
 
 Hamilton, Claudius. B. OF STRABANE 
 
 Always against Spoke once in a drunken dream Lord 
 Harcourt gave a Supernumerary Guager to his Friend. 
 
 Handcock, William. B. OF ATHLONE 
 
 Collector of Trim 300. Connected with Mr. Ponsonby 
 but supports Government to save himself Lord Harcourt 
 gave a Supernumerary Guager to his Recommendation. 
 
 Hatch, John. B. OF SWORDS 
 
 Had leave by Lord Townshend at the Request of the 
 late Provost & Mr. Ponsonby to sell his Employment of 
 Secretary to the Revenue Lord Palmerston is his particular 
 Friend Connected with Mr. Ponsonby Mr. Mason & Mr. 
 Darner have considerable Influence with him, but not so far 
 as to make him either gratefull to the Crown or to support 
 its measures. 
 
 Hellen, Robert. B. OF BANNAU [BANNOW] 
 
 His Wife has a Pension of 100. Council to the Excise 
 worth ;i,ooo. brought in by Lord Ely and entirely attach'd 
 to him a sensible man, and when prepared on State Days, 
 speaks well Lord Harcourt gave his Friend Mr. Daniel a 
 Clerk's place in the Stamp Office 60. a year. 
 
 Henry, Joseph. B. OF KILDARE 
 Entirely the Duke of Leinster's. 
 
 Hill, Hugh. LONDONDERRY 
 
 Collector of Derry 500 a year related to Lord Tyrone 
 supports from Situation Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation Three Boatmen Two Tidewaiters an- 
 other Tidewaiter and a Quay Tidewaiter a Hearth Money 
 Collection and a Coast Officer. 
 
 Hoare, Edward. B. OF CARLOW 
 
 A Lawyer, Son to Joseph Hoare of Askeyton brought 
 in by Mr. William Burton, Mr. Ponsonby's Nephew, with 
 whom He is entirely connected Lord Townshend gave his 
 Son Leave to purchase a Troop. 
 
26 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Hoare, Joseph. B. OF ASKEYTON 
 
 Father of Edward Weigh-master of Corke, given by the 
 Commissioners of the Revenue under an Act of Parliament, 
 for Life worth 800 a year. 
 
 Hyde, John. Co. CORKE 
 
 Married to a Niece of Mr. Ponsonby's attached to & 
 goes with Lord Shannon. 
 
 Holmes, Peter. B. OF BANAGHER 
 
 Connected by Marriage with Sir Henry Cavendish and 
 Mr. Prittee of good Fortune has half the Borough of 
 Banagher Supported Government well a very sensible 
 Man fit for office and one of the first Lord Townshend 
 would have provided for He has been equally zealous in 
 support of Lord Harcourt His Excellency made him 
 Comptroller of the Stamp Office, and has given to his 
 Recommendation Clerk in the Stamp Office a Distributor 
 of Stamps to his Friend Mr. L'Estrange, and His Excellency 
 and Sir John Blaquiere made that Gentleman a Present of 
 One hundred Guineas each His Excellency gave him Two 
 hundred Guineas. 
 
 Hutchinson, John Heley. CITY OF CORKE 
 
 Prime Serjeant 1,200. Privy Counsellor Alnager^QOO. 
 additional Salary 1,000. Reversion Secretary of State 
 1,800. Reversion to his Son of 2nd Remembrancer 800. 
 His Brother in Law Comptroller of the Board of Works 300. 
 Another Brother in Law, Duquery [Duqueruy], a Pension 
 of 200. and Surveyor on the Quay of Dublin 500. by Lord 
 Townshend also Two Ensigncies and many small Favours 
 in the Revenue for his Friends at Corke a Deanery to his 
 Sons' Tutor, Mr. Bond, and a Recommendation of him to the 
 Bishop of Ferns for a Living of not less than 300 His 
 Wife recommended by Lord Townshend for a Peerage He 
 opposed Lord Townshend afterwards made his Bargain 
 and supported ably and zealously, holding however Sir 
 George Macartney in Fetters, and at Times taking advan- 
 tage of the necessity of the moment to carry his Point 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 27 
 
 During the last Session he behaved handsomely and 
 Steadily, Sir John Blaquiere taking the principal Lead him- 
 self and holding a very tight Rein over this Gentleman On 
 the late Provost's Death, He was appointed Provost 
 Resigned the Prime Searjentcy and the Alnage, but in lieu 
 of the additional Sallary of ^1,000. tack'd to that office, He 
 obtained the office of Customer of Strangford with an addi- 
 tional Sallary of 1,000. to him and three of his Sons Lord 
 Harcourt has also given One of them a Cornetcy To his 
 Friend Dr. Foresyth the Living of Kilcock worth 300. At 
 his Request Allowed the Clerk of the Permits at Corke to 
 resign his Employment to a Friend worth 150. and has 
 given a number of small Employments in the Revenue to 
 his Recommendation He is still dissatisfied and ever will 
 untill He engrosses the Station of Primate, Chancellor, Lord 
 Chief Justice of the King's Bench, Provost etc. etc. etc. in 
 his own Person He has named to Three Guagers Three 
 Tidewaiters a Hearth Money Collection Clerk of the Iron 
 Yard, Corke his Clerk is Hearth Money Collector his 
 Butler a walking officer Mr. Waller his Brother in Law 
 Solicitor of the Stamp Office 200. He named the Dis- 
 tributor of Stamps, Co. Tipperary, and on his Recommenda- 
 tion & request His Excellency translated the Bishop of 
 Elphin to the Archbishoprick of Tuam 4, 200. a year. 
 
 Howard, Hugh. BOROUGH OF JOHNSTOWN 
 
 Brother to the Member for the County of Wicklow and 
 acts with him. 
 
 Howard, Ralph. Co. WICKLOW 
 
 Privy Counsellor Recommended by Lord Townshend 
 for a Peerage Steady to Government has a large Property 
 He and his Brother Support very handsomely. 
 
 Hull, William, now Tonson. B. OF TUAM 
 
 Lieutenant Governor of Corke an unsteady turbulent 
 character not to be secured by any office, his Father having 
 lately died & left him 12,000 a year Opposes Lord 
 Shannon in the County of Corke & everywhere else much 
 connected with Mr. Jeffereyes He has lately purchased the 
 
28 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Rathcormick Estate & Borough, and it is imagined will 
 throw out Mr. Devonshire and return both Members 
 During the last Session he seldom attended. 
 
 Hussey, Walter. BOROUGH OF ATHY 
 
 A Lawyer in great Estimation a very able ingenius [sic] 
 Speaker in Parliament amiable in private Life and univer- 
 sally beloved He is returned by, and has hitherto con- 
 ducted the Duke of Leinster's Squadron He is now shaking 
 off those Fetters and is a Candidate for the College. 
 
 Jackson, Richard. B. OF COLERAINE 
 
 Clerk of the Paper Office worth ^300 an additional 
 Sallary obtained by Lord Townshend of 300 more He 
 was Ulster Secretary to his Lordship, Lord Bristol and Lord 
 Hertford desired to quit that office on Lord Harcourt's 
 appointment, proposing at the same time to be of the Privy 
 Council a sensible man and of very strict Integrity never 
 speaks in the House Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation One Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Jones, Theo. BOROUGH OF COLERAINE 
 
 Privy Council Collector of Dublin 900 married a 
 Sister of Lady Clermont's is Candidate for the County of 
 Leitrim a Steady Friend & a very amiable man He wants 
 an additional Sallary to his office Lord Harcourt has given 
 to his Recommendation Three Boatmen I Tidewaiter 2 
 Supernumerary Guagers I Hearth Money Collection per- 
 mitted his Son a very young Ensign to purchase a Lieu- 
 tenancy in the 63rd Regiment. 
 
 Jeffereyes, St. John. BOROUGH OF MIDDLETON 
 
 Was Lieutenant Governor of Corke, on resigning which 
 made by Lord Townshend a Commissioner of Accounts a 
 Trustee of the Linen Board a fluctuating little Gentleman, 
 held steady & in awe only by his appointments married 
 to a Daughter of Counsellor Fitzgibbon's much connected 
 with Mr. Tonson Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 29 
 
 Jephson, Denham, senr. 
 
 Jephson, Denham, junr. r] 
 
 They go entirely with Lord Shannon This Borough 
 belongs to them William Son to the Senr. was formerly in 
 Parliament but obtaining a Pension of i$o did not come 
 in at the last General Election Lord Harcourt has obtained 
 a Pension of 600. for the Father. 
 
 Johnston, Arthur. BOROUGH OF KILLYLEAGH 
 Devoted to Mr. Ponsonby's Fortunes. 
 
 Jones, Richard. B. OF LIMAVADY 
 
 Returned by Lord Conyngham acts with Colonel 
 Burton. 
 
 Irwine, William. B. OF RATOATH 
 
 Married to Mr. Lowther's Daughter has been always 
 against. 
 
 Jephson, Robert. BOROUGH OF JOHNSTOWN 
 
 Brought into Parliament by Lord Harcourt a Pension 
 of 300. to his wife on Captain's half Pay and Master of 
 the Horse to His Excellency Author of ' Braganza ' Can 
 speak well when prepared. But unfortunately, hitherto, 
 altho' not designedly his Talents have been exerted to Points 
 where either Government wish'd to take no part, or where 
 an Injury was received from his Ability or rather Ingenuity. 
 
 Kearney, James. BOROUGH OF KINGSALE 
 
 Returned chiefly thro' the Interest of Mr. Southwell of 
 Kings Weston his Father has a large Fortune connected 
 with and follows Lord Shannon. 
 
 King, Henry. B. OF BOYLE 
 
 Privy Counsellor Brother to Lord Kingston and much 
 influenced by him He supported Lord Townshend with 
 less zeal than inclination, for he wishes well to Government. 
 In the last Session his Brother being in good humour with 
 the Castle, he was very steady Lord Harcourt has given an 
 Ensigncy to his Recommendation and appointed him of the 
 Linen Board. 
 
30 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Kirwan, Edward. B. OF CASTLEBAR 
 
 A very strange man purchased his Seat Lord Alta- 
 mont and Sir Charles Bingham are somewhat connected 
 with him He has a Brother in the 5th Dragoons has been 
 in constant Opposition. 
 
 Knox, John. B. OF CASTLEBAR 
 
 Married to Lord Kingston's Sister Independent and of 
 great Fortune always in Opposition Dead. 
 
 Knox, John. B. OF DUNGANNON 
 
 Obliged to support from his Employment of Collector of 
 Dublin Excise worth 700., without it not to be trusted He 
 wants to Sell, or to have a place of less Responsibility & 
 trouble will not be brought in by his Brother at the General 
 Election. Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommenda- 
 tion I Tidewaiter One Supernumerary Guager i Coast 
 Officer. 
 
 Knox, Thomas. B. OF DUNGANNON 
 
 Brother to the Collector a Gentleman of great Property 
 much connected with Mr. Brownlowe and acts in the 
 House with him, which he did uniformly during the last 
 Session Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 
 a Supernumerary Guager & appointed Mr. Tisdall, Surveyor 
 [of] Ringsend, Land Waiter on the Quay of Dublin, 300. a 
 year. 
 
 Lambert, Gustavus. B. OF KILBEGAN 
 
 Had leave prior to Lord Townshend's Administration to 
 sell his Collection of Trim his Lordship obtained a Pension 
 of ^500. to his Brother the General a steady honorable 
 man. 
 
 Lambert, Charles. B. OF KILBEGAN 
 
 Son to Gustavus succeeded Sir Ed. New[en]ham as 
 Collector of the County of Dublin Excise worth 700. 
 always with Government married a Daughter of Mr. 
 Dutton's of Sherborne. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 31 
 
 Latouche, David, junr. BOR. OF LONGFORD 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board One of the most consider- 
 able Bankers in Dublin unconnected frequently with 
 Government. 
 
 Le Hunte, Richard. WEXFORD 
 
 Constantly acts with Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Langriche (sic\ Hercules. B. OF KNOCKTOPHER 
 
 Lord Townshend left him Commissioner & Supervisor of 
 the Barrack Board 600. From Situation with Government, 
 attach'd to and in his Heart with Mr. Ponsonby, but will act 
 up to his Professions a sensible man & an able Speaker 
 Lord Harcourt has promoted him to the Revenue Board 
 during the last Session He declaim'd against Lord Towns- 
 hend Sir John Blaquiere made him eat his words in a set 
 Speech and he behaved very well afterwards. 
 
 Leigh, Francis. DROGHEDA 
 
 The Attorney General Chief Baron and Blayney Balfour 
 are his particular Friends supports handsomely Lord 
 Townshend gave a Living of ^500. to his Relation, and Lord 
 Harcourt has given One Boatman. 
 
 Leigh, Robert. N[EW] Ross 
 
 Much connected with Lord Miltown & Lord Meath's 
 Families very much with Lord Ely moderate in Opposi- 
 tion a candid fair man. 
 
 Leslie, Charles Powell. B. OF HILLSBOROUGH 
 
 Lord Hillsborough's Cousin an uncommonly steady 
 Friend to Government has ask'd nothing attends con- 
 stantly. 
 
 Levinge, Sir Richard. B. OF DULEEK 
 
 Purchased his Seat Brother in Law to Colonel Marlay, 
 who with the Dean have considerable Influence with him 
 He has been always against Government. 
 
32 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Lowther, Gorges. Co. MEATH 
 Lowther, George. B. OF ATHERDEE 
 
 Father and Son have been always against Government 
 have profess'd Attachment to Lord Harcourt much con- 
 nected with Mr. Robert Rochfort His Excellency gave a 
 Tidewaiter to his Recommendation. 
 
 Loftus, Henry. B. OF CLOMINES 
 
 Lord Ely's a Commissioner of Accounts ^500. Lord 
 Townshend gave a Cornetcy to One Son The Eldest an 
 Aid de Camp to Lord Harcourt The Father a sensible 
 steady manly Character. 
 
 Loftus, Arthur. B. OF FETHARD 
 
 Brother to Henry a good attender altho' very Infirm, a 
 very worthy man wants an Employment of 400. 
 
 Longfield, Richard. B. OF CLONIKELTY 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board by Lord Townshend brought 
 into Parliament by Lord Shannon entirely his Follower a 
 sensible man Independant Fortune speaks when prepared 
 tolerably well but with a bad Address Lord Harcourt has 
 given to his Recommendation One Supernumerary Guager 
 Supervisor of Hearth Money Clerkship in the Stamp Office 
 to Mr. Reeves 100. a. year. 
 
 Lloyd, John. KING'S COUNTY 
 
 A Lawyer Lord Drogheda has some little connection 
 with him very Independant generally against Lord Towns- 
 hend constantly Opposed Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Lucas, Edward. Co. MONAGHAN 
 
 Lord Dartrey and Lord Blayney have some Influence 
 with him, but not to be depended on always against. 
 
 Lysaght, James. B. CHARLEVILLE 
 
 Brought in and entirely devoted to Lord Shannon Son 
 to Lord Lisle. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 33 
 
 Lysaght, Joseph. B. OF TALLAGH 
 
 Collector of Corke 5OO/. Son to Lord Lisle attach'd to 
 Lord Shannon supports to save himself. 
 
 Lysaght, Nicholas. B. OF TALLAGH 
 
 Third Son to Lord Lisle These three Brothers are 
 related to Lord Shannon & brought in by him. 
 
 Macartney, Sir George. B. OF ARMAGH 
 
 Brought in by the Primate was principal Secretary to 
 Lord Townshend He gave him two Commissions in the 
 Army for Mr. Benson So. a year to an old Servant 
 made Sir George a Trustee of the Linen Board Privy 
 Council a Living of 600. a year to his Friend Dean Marlay, 
 and many Places in the Revenue to his Friends He obtain'd 
 for him as a Reward for his Services a Pension of ; 1,500. 
 which has since been changed to a Sallary & annex'd to 
 the Office of Constable of Tuam Lord Harcourt has given 
 him several small Revenue Employments and, Sir George 
 says, a Promise to obtain for him a Peerage, which Lord 
 Townshend recommended but could not effect He will not 
 be in the next Parliament, and never will attend during this. 
 
 McCaussland John. j DONEGALL 
 
 Montgomery, Alexander.) 
 
 Lord Townshend attempted, and Lord Harcourt obtained 
 for them in Council a Port of Discharge at Letterkenny 
 They came into Parliament upon Popular Ground in the 
 County They stand by & court it Their Support even 
 after all that has been done is very doubtfull during the 
 last Session they were pretty steady Mr. Mc.Caussland has 
 been made Collector of the New Port with a Sallary of 100 
 a year, and Mr. Montgomery has got to his Recommendation 
 Two Boatmen i Tidewaiter Surveyor of the Lough- 
 swilley Barge a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Mahon, Thomas. Co. ROSCOMMON 
 
 Lord Townshend made him a Trustee of the Linen 
 Board and gave a Living of 200. a year to his Son related 
 
 D 
 
34 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 to Lord Crosbie He has been very steady in his Support 
 and to be depended on Lord Harcourt ofTer'd his Son the 
 Deanery of Connor worth ^400., and allowed him to commute 
 it with Dr. Dobbs for a Living of that value near to Mr. 
 Mahon's He has also given to his Recommendation I 
 Supernumerary Guager and the Distributor of Stamps for 
 Roscommon. 
 
 Malone, Richard. B. OF GRANARD 
 
 A very decent young man at the Bar goes and acts 
 with his Uncle Anthony. 
 
 Malone, Anthony. Co. WESTMEATH 
 
 Privy Council Commissioner of Appeals worth 300. a 
 year to his nephew Livings to his Friends Three Commis- 
 sions in the Army, and many small Revenue Employments by 
 Lord Townshend He is generally with Government and has 
 great weight in the House of Commons During the last 
 Session, particularly upon the very critical Question whether 
 the second Tontine was a Bill of Regulation or Supply, 
 wherein Lord Harcourt's Administration & the Existence of 
 this Parliament were involved, and both must have been 
 undone had not Sir John Blaquiere's wonderfull address & 
 ability saved them, he would not support the Opinion 
 which he gave at the meeting held that very day at the 
 Castle, namely that it was a Bill of Regulation only His 
 Nephew, the mouth Piece of his Uncle on that occasion in 
 a set Speech maintain'd the contrary Mr. Malone is now 
 very old & his memory and Judgment are much on the 
 Decline Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 
 One Place in the Revenue of 200. a Lieutenancy to his 
 Nephew, and a Supernumerary Guager to his voter. 
 
 Mason, John. B. OF BLESINGTON (sic) 
 
 A Commissioner of the Revenue and a Seat in Parlia- 
 ment by Lord Townshend a Seat at the Barrack Board to 
 Mr. Mitchell, and provided for his Brother in Law Mr. Monck 
 who is since dead He gave him an Employment of 200. 
 a year for his Friend Mr. Heley, and a Number of Things in the 
 Revenue for his Friends He is a very sensible honorable 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 35 
 
 man clear in Business and upon all Occasions takes a very 
 manly and decided part in the House of Commons altho' 
 very ill heard Lord Harcourt intends bringing him into 
 Parliament His Excellency has given to his Recommenda- 
 tion One Supervisor of Hearth Money 3 Tidewaiters 
 3 Supernumerary Guagers i Hearth Money Collection 
 I Coast Officer. 
 
 Massey, Hugh. COUNTY OF LIMERICK 
 
 Recommended for a Peerage by Lord Townshend his 
 Brother has a Regiment and his Son is Collector of Mary- 
 borough a very steady Attender has a large independant 
 Property Lord Harcourt has not given him any Encourage- 
 ment to expect his Peerage He has given to his Recom- 
 mendation a Supernumerary Guager a Hearth Money 
 Collection. 
 
 Mathews, Francis. Co. OF TIPPERARY 
 
 He has been constantly in Opposition, has a large 
 Fortune but very much encumbered. 
 
 Morres, Lodge. B. OF INNISTEOGE 
 Devoted to Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Mathews, Joseph. BOROUGH OF INNISTEOGE 
 
 Returned by Sir William Fownes Collector of Kilkenny 
 worth ^200. a year must support from Situation a shuffling 
 Gentleman affects ill health upon critical Questions. 
 
 Maude, Sir Thomas. Co. OF TIPPERARY 
 
 Privy Council & recommended by Lord Townshend for 
 a Peerage He supports pretty steadily, but upon two 
 occasions last Session opposed and affected Independance 
 but seeing his Seat in the Council & Peerage in danger He 
 returned to Government Lord Harcourt gave to his 
 Recommendation 200. in the Revenue to his Friend a 
 Supernumerary Tidewaiter, & a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Maunsell, Thomas, senr. B. OF KILMALOCK 
 
 King's Council Lord Harcourt made him Council to the 
 Revenue worth Soo. a year His Object is to be a Judge, and 
 
 D 2 
 
36 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 if possible, before the new Parliament an honest but a very 
 dull man Attends & Supports constantly. 
 
 Maunsell, Thomas, junr. B. OF THOMASTOWN 
 
 Son to, and brings Thomas senior into Parliament his 
 only object is to see his Father on the Bench purchased 
 both Seats with that view They are worthy honorable 
 men have great merit from their uniform & steady Support 
 and deserve the particular attention of Government Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation a Supernumerary 
 Guager. 
 
 May, Sir James. Co. WATERFORD 
 
 A Baronet in 1763 Collector of Waterford 400. 
 attach'd to Mr. Ponsonby supports Government from Situa- 
 tion Lord Harcourt, altho' a young Ensign allowed his Son 
 to purchase a Lieutenancy. 
 
 Mayne, Sir William. B. OF CARYSFORT 
 
 Affected great Attachment to the late Duke of Leinster 
 Lord Townshend had him removed from the Council A 
 great Patriot, to effect a Jobb in a Lease of Lands from the 
 City of Dublin in which He succeeded a violent but bad 
 Speaker, and perpetually calling for Accounts and Estimates 
 without knowing their use. 
 
 Meade, William. DROGHEDA 
 
 The Attorney General and the Chief Baron have some 
 Influence with him generally against Government. 
 
 Mervyn, R. Rochfort. PHILIPSTOWN 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained for him a Lieutenant Colonelcy 
 without Purchase wanted to purchase a Lieutenant Colonelcy 
 of Horse over Major Pope He is Lord Belvidere's second 
 Brother and will certainly act with him. 
 
 Mitchell, Hugh Henry. B. OF INNISKILLEN 
 
 was appointed by Lord Townshend Treasurer of the 
 Barrack Board, which He afterwards permitted him to ex- 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 37 
 
 change with Mr. Adderly the Commissioner Brother in Law 
 to Mr. Mason. 
 
 Molineux, Sir Capel. UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN 
 
 His support has been always very doubtfull wants to be 
 of the Privy Council An Independant respectable man. 
 
 Montgomery, Geo. B. OF CAVAN 
 
 Barrack Master's place 150. for his Friend Son in Law 
 to Mr. Clements On some few Questions during Lord 
 Townshend's Administration He voted with Government 
 In Lord Harcourt's He has been constantly against, and hates 
 all Government. 
 
 Montgomery, William. B. OF HILLSBOROUGH 
 
 was a Commissioner of Excise upon reuniting the 
 Boards placed upon a Pension of 600. Lord Townshend 
 gave him an Employment of 200. a year for his Brother 
 120. for his Son and many places in the Revenue to his 
 Friends Brought in by & dependent on Lord Hillsborough 
 He absented himself almost during the whole of last Session 
 for which he ought to have lost his Pension affects conse- 
 quence from Independance a mean man Lord Harcourt has 
 given to his Recommendation a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Montgomery, Alexander. Co. MONAGHAN 
 
 Always against Lord Dartrey & Lord Blayney have 
 some Influence with him. 
 
 Moore, Thomas. B. OF KELLES 
 
 Connected with Lord Bective married his Sister and 
 brought into Parliament by his Lordship Mr. Rowley has 
 also some Influence with him generally against It is 
 expected, from an application made by Lord Bective for a 
 Living, that his friends will at least be moderate in their 
 opposition next Session. 
 
 Moore, John. B. OF BALLYNAKILL 
 
 Cousin to Lord Drogheda constantly Supports Lord 
 Harcourt gave his Son an Ensigncy. 
 
38 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Montgomery, Sir William. B. OF BALLYNAKILL 
 
 Purchased his Seat of Lord Drogheda Auditor of the 
 Imprests which, with an additional Sallary obtained by Lord 
 Townshend of 378., may be computed at 1,000. a year 
 gave his Son a Cornetcy without pay In lieu of the Office 
 of Barrackmaster of Kinsale, he gave him the Dublin Permit 
 Office worth 300., a sinecure held in the name of One of 
 his Clerks and in addition to all, Lord Townshend married 
 his youngest Daughter Anne a Steady Friend and an 
 amiable respectable man Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation a Stamper a Land Carriage Officer. 
 
 Moore, Colville. B. OF CLONMELL 
 
 Brother to Lord Mt, Cashell Insane formerly Collector 
 of Corke Excise superannuated on his Sallary of 100. 
 never attends. 
 
 Moore, William. B. OF CLOGHER 
 
 Brother to Lord Mt. Cashell attach'd to & follows Mr. 
 Ponsonby. 
 
 Morres, Haydock, now Sir Haydock. KILKENNY 
 Devoted to & follows Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Mowtray, James. B. OF AUGHER 
 
 Brother in Law to Mr. Knox of Dungannon and entirely 
 influenced by him & Mr. Brownlowe He supported last 
 Session, for which his Brother was made Surveyor of Killy- 
 begs. 
 
 Morres, Red[mond], CITY OF DUBLIN 
 A violent Patriot always against. 
 
 Nedham, William. B. OF NEWRY 
 
 Nephew to Lord Chatham never attends To be applied 
 to thro' Lord Hillsborough & Mrs. Ann Pitt. 
 
 Nesbit, Thomas. B. OF CAVAN 
 
 Had a Cornetcy and a Company given him now on Half 
 Pay Lord Townshend obtained a Pension of 500. a year 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 39 
 
 to his Father He supports steadily but wants something for 
 himself Lord Harcourt has given a Supernumerary Guager 
 to his Recommendation. 
 
 Neville, Richard Jones. B. OF WEXFORD 
 
 Made his Father a Commissioner of the Revenue by Lord 
 Townshend He is sometimes with, but uncertain and very 
 Independant. 
 
 Newenham, Sir Edward. B. OF ENNISCORTHY 
 
 Formerly Collector of Dublin County Excise dismissed 
 by Lord Townshend In violent Opposition a miserable 
 Speaker and a contemptible silly Fellow He is now a Can- 
 didate for the County of Dublin. 
 
 O'Brien, Sir Lucius. Co. OF CLARE 
 
 In Opposition always, but would very willingly make his 
 Peace with the Castle He has lately ask'd the Collection of 
 Galway for his Brother, and it is very probable that one if 
 not both will support next Session. 
 
 O'Brien, Edward. B. OF ENNIS 
 
 Brother to, & brought in by Sir Lucius very distress'd 
 in his Circumstances, and it is apprehended that if his 
 Brother should not, he will Support next Session in Expecta- 
 tion that something will be done for him. 
 
 O'Callaghan, Corn[elius]. B. OF FETHARD 
 
 A Gentleman that requires great caution to talk with 
 has been always in Opposition He ask'd and got from 
 Lord Harcourt a Living of .150. gave at that Time thro' 
 Mr. Scott some expectation of his Support He lately 
 married Mr. Ponsonby's Daughter. 
 
 Ogle, George. Co. WEXFORD 
 
 Has been constantly in Opposition a respectable sen- 
 sible man not to be detached from his Party. 
 
 O'Hara, Charles. B. OF ARMAGH 
 
 Ranger of the Curragh 400. and a Pension of 200. for 
 Thirty One years, both of which he sold Lord Townshend 
 
40 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 made him a Commissioner of Accounts, and He wanted an 
 additional Sallary of ^300. Lord Harcourt has removed 
 him [from] that Board on a Pension of 500. a good attender 
 and a sensible man seldom Speaks & ill hear'd. Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation a Hearth Money 
 Collection. 
 
 Oliver, Silver. Co. LIMERICK 
 
 Privy Counsellor asked a Bishoprick for his Relation 
 but kept at a Distance from Parliament a very independant 
 Country Gentleman always uncertain in his Support 
 Opposed constantly last winter, for which he ought to have 
 been dismiss'd the Council He has ask'd a Peerage of Lord 
 Harcourt no Encouragement given by His Excellency. 
 
 O'Niel, John. B. OF RANDALSTOWN 
 
 Of great Property in the North amiable & respectable 
 in publick & private Upon several occasions last winter 
 He supported Lord Harcourt His Excellency has given 
 to his Recommendation I Tidewaiter 2 Supernumerary 
 Guagers & Distributor Stamps, Co. Tyrone a Coast officer 
 for Mr. O'Hagar. 
 
 O'Niel, St. John. B. OF RANDALSTOWN 
 Returned by, and follows his Brother. 
 
 Ormsby, William. B. OF SLIGO 
 
 Collector of Sligo 300. Pension of 200. to his Friend 
 Mr. Gough in lieu of ; 1,500. which his Friend Mr. Gough 
 had paid him in part purchase of hij Collection ; But Lord 
 Townshend not permitting the Sale of Civil Employments, 
 and Ormsby having spent the money, his Lordship obtain'd 
 the Pension for Gough notwithstanding this substantial 
 Favour, Mr. Ormsby talks of neglect and desires a better 
 Employment He attends when in Health pretty well 
 connected with the Mr. Wynnes Lord Harcourt has given 
 to his Recommendation a Supernumerary Guager. 
 
 Osborne, Sir William. [B. DUNGARVAN] 
 
 Privy Counsellor and first Commissioner of Excise 
 Turned out of the latter for refusing to obey Lord Towns- 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 41 
 
 bend's order His Brother a Surveyor General, reduced upon 
 reuniting the Boards Sir William is a very able but a most 
 impracticable man in Business He was very attentive on 
 Lord Harcourt's arrival & supported handsomely in the 
 Council on the Loughswilley Question From which it was 
 imagined he would have supported Government in Parlia- 
 ment His Excellency offer'd him a Cornetcy for his Son 
 which Sir William declined when the Session open'd He 
 talk'd of Impeachments against Lord Townshend and the 
 Chancellor on account of the Illegality of the Revenue 
 Patent Sir John Blaquiere with great wisdom & address 
 having discovered Sir William's plan, anticipated its effect by 
 stating to the House the then defects in the Revenue Bill 
 and in the Appointment of Officers under the then Patent 
 by the Commissioners, which the House unanimously agreed 
 to Remedy by a new Clause in the Revenue Bill when it 
 came before them Sir William thus disappointed absented 
 himself much from the House Towards the Close of the 
 Session He again appear'd & denounced Vengeance, which 
 ended in a motion against the Importation of Juniper Berries, 
 upon which Subject Sir John Blaquiere shewed so much 
 better Information [that] Sir William was again defeated and 
 did not attend the House afterwards. 
 
 Pakenham, Robert. Co. LONGFORD 
 
 Brother to Lord Longford was a Lieutenant in the 
 Army and had been constantly in Opposition He closed 
 with & supported Lord Harcourt upon a Promise of a 
 Company which His Excellency has since procured for him 
 in the 33rd Regiment In very bad state of Health, thought 
 he cannot live Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation one Tidewaiter. 
 
 Palmer, Roger. B. OF PORTARLINGTON 
 
 Chamberlain of the Exchequer 50. which he purchased 
 Paymaster of the Corn Premiums 600. Lord Townshend 
 recommended but did not obtain an additional Sallary of 
 150. to his office of Chamberlain a very steady & zealous 
 
42 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Friend of Government Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation I Tidewaiter 3 Guagers. 
 
 Parnell, Sir John. B. OF MARYBOROUGH 
 
 A Baronet in 1766 connected with Lord Drogheda, but 
 in constant Opposition. 
 
 Parsons, Sir William. KING'S COUNTY 
 
 Lord Drogheda has some Influence with him, but likewise 
 in constant Opposition. 
 
 Pepper, Thomas. B. OF KELLS 
 
 Brought into Parliament by Lord Bective connected 
 with Mr. Rowley has been always against Government. 
 
 Pennyfather, Richard) 
 Pennyfather, William} LAS 
 
 Father & Son formerly in violent Opposition bought 
 off by a Pension of 210. to his Daughter & her Children 
 and an additional Pension of 200. to his Sister, Lady St. 
 Leger, and an Ensigncy to his Nephew These were their 
 terms which Lord Townshend fullfilFd The Son William 
 now wants Compensation for a Loss sustained by an im- 
 proper advantage taken of him by Lord Hertford, and 
 wants an Employment of not less than .200. a year for 
 himself. 
 
 Pery, Ed. Sexton. CITY OF LIMERICK 
 
 Lord Townshend made him Privy Counsellor & Speaker 
 gave a Deanery to his Brother of 600. a year and several 
 small Employments in the Revenue Lord Harcourt has 
 been equally attentive to him in the Revenue Employments 
 for his Friends When Lord Townshend carried the Chair 
 for him, the late Provost became Responsible to Government 
 for his Conduct To Lord Townshend he was at best but 
 Lukewarm in his Support a man of great abilities a 
 cursed Jobber hates English Government, and tries by all 
 means in his power to ruin the King's Hereditary Revenue 
 and to raise the consequence of Irishmen by inducing every 
 possible Difficulty upon the Crown. This Gentleman's Art, 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 43 
 
 Subtlety, & Address are more to be guarded against than 
 the Abilities & Craft of the Attorney General and the whole 
 House of Commons besides Of this his conduct afforded 
 many Instances during the last Session, particularly with 
 regard to the second Tontine Bill It had pass ; d thro' 
 every form in the Commons & in England as a Bill of 
 Regulation only when it was sent up to the Lords, He said 
 he should expect it back as a Bill of Supply for which the 
 Commons were to receive His Majesty's Thanks It pass'd 
 thro' the House of Lords as a Bill of Regulation and as 
 such it was sent to the Commons The Question was 
 whether It ought to be received The Debate lasted Seven 
 hours Two thirds of the House seem'd determined to sup- 
 port the Opinion of the Speaker which he delivered in a 
 Speech of 3/4 hour with astonishing ability, and just as the 
 Question was going to be put Sir John Blaquiere got up 
 contrary to every form of Parliamentary Proceeding after the 
 Speaker had, with the consent of the House, closed the De- 
 bate, and in a Speech of about half an hour gave such a 
 Turn to the whole that upon a Division it was carried 
 against the Chair by a considerable majority The Speaker's 
 Plan evidently was to have effected a Conference between 
 the two Houses, in which from the mode the Bill had been 
 conducted in each, It became impossible for them to agree, 
 and a Dissolution, which probably would have involved 
 Lord Harcourt's Administration, must have been the certain 
 consequence, besides the loss of the Tontine Bill ; for without 
 carrying that then depending, the other would have fallen of 
 course, and Pery would undoubtedly have been returned for 
 the Chair It was a masterpiece of Policy & Design 
 scarcely perhaps to be equal'd He has ask'd a Bishoprick 
 for his Brother His Excellency has given to his Recom- 
 mendation Three Tidewaiters The Distributor of Stamps 
 for Limerick. 
 
 Pole, William. QUEEN'S COUNTY 
 
 Brother in Law to Lord Drogheda Turned out of the 
 Council by Lord Townshend has been constantly in Oppo- 
 sition connected with Lord Hertford. 
 
44 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Pom[e]roy, Arthur. Co. KILDARE 
 
 Returned by & devoted to the Leinster Family had he 
 been unconnected with his Grace, He certainly would have 
 supported His Excellency Lord Harcourt offered him a 
 Seat at the Revenue Board, which the Duke would not allow 
 him to accept. 
 
 Preston, Joseph. B. OF NAVAN 
 
 Mr. Ponsonby's Follower To be spoken to by the Chief 
 Baron Lord Granard has some little connection with him 
 Nephew to Lord Ludlow has been always against. 
 
 Preston, John. B. OF NAVAN 
 The same. 
 
 Pom[e]roy, John. B. OF TRIM 
 
 Returned by Lord Mornington Colonel of the 64th 
 Regiment Lord Townshend obtained for his Friend Captain 
 Powell a Majority without Purchase and a Company to his 
 Recommendation He gave his Lordship but a very feint 
 (sic) support To Lord Harcourt's Administration He has 
 been zealously attach'd His Excellency has given to his 
 Nomination an Ensigncy and a Hearth Money Collection 
 a Tidewaiter The Purchase & Preference of a Lieutenancy 
 for his Nephew. 
 
 Ponsonby, William. CITY OF CORKE 
 
 Son to John fell with his Father late Exfaminator] of 
 the Customs. 
 
 Ponsonby, John. Co. KILKENNY 
 
 Privy Council late Speaker etc. etc. etc. 
 
 Price, Francis. B. OF LISBURNE 
 
 Nephew to Lord Hertford Returned by his Lordship- 
 was formerly Collector of Strangford which he had leave to 
 Sell ask'd to be a Commissioner of the Revenue a very 
 bad attender. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 45 
 
 Prittee, Henry. B. OF GOWRAN 
 
 Related to Sir Henry Cavendish ask'd several Favours 
 of Lord Townshend very uncertain in his Support last 
 winter he seldom attended, & I think when he did was 
 against. 
 
 Quin, Wyndham. B. OF KILLMALLOCK 
 
 Brother in Law to Lord Dartree a Gentleman of large 
 Property purchased his Seat wanted to be of the Privy 
 Council very uncertain in his Support has almost con- 
 stantly Patriotic Qualms. 
 
 Ram, Andrew. B. OF DULEEK 
 Ram, Abel. NEWBORO GOREY 
 
 Stephen Ram. THE SAME 
 
 These Gentlemen make a merit of never giving a Vote 
 to the Castle. 
 
 Radclifif, Dr. B. OF IRISHTOWN 
 
 Related to the late Bishop of Ossory & connected with 
 the Primate. 
 
 Rochfort, Robert. B. OF AUGHER 
 
 Brother to Lord Belvidere Surveyor of the King'sLands, 
 500. a year for Life has been generally with Government 
 and when attended to, constantly Now that his Father is 
 dead and that he is left Independant both from office & 
 private Fortune, it is probable he will have some Bargain to 
 make for himself: a man of amiable Character and very much 
 respected Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 
 a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Rowley, Clotworthy. B. OF DOWN PATRICK 
 
 Connected with Mr. Rowley & inclined to be against on 
 that account, but very poor and supported Lord Townshend 
 on Expectation, He must Lord Harcourt from Situation, His 
 Excellency having made him a Commissioner of Appeals 
 ^"300. 
 
46 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Ross, Robert. BOR. OF CARLINGFORD 
 
 Lord Townshend procured Leave for him to Sell his 
 Lieutenant Colonelcy during his Administration he was 
 chiefly against Connected with Lord Hillsborough much 
 attach'd to Mr. Brownlowe, and during the last Session 
 always followed him Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation 5 Boatmen i Tide waiter i Coxwain (sic) 
 Is to provide for his Friend Mr. Moore's Son and to assist 
 Mr. Houston. 
 
 Ruxton, John. B. OF ATHERDEE 
 
 One Brother Surgeon General another Brother Gentle- 
 man of the Bed Chamber to my Lord Lieutenant connected 
 with Mr. Ponsonby and has been always in Opposition. 
 
 Roche, Boyle. B. OF TRALEE 
 
 Brigade Major of Dublin wants a Civil Employment. 
 
 Rowley, Hercules Langford. Co. OF MEATH 
 
 His Wife made a Viscountess of very great property 
 courts popularity and has almost constantly been very 
 adverse to Government. 
 
 St. George, Sir Richard. B. OF ATHLON E 
 
 Made a Baronet in 1766 connected with Lord Arran 
 has been always against. 
 
 Sandford, Henry. B. OF CARRICK 
 
 Register of Forfeitures .800. for Life 111 Health and 
 never Attends Attach'd to the Duke of Leinster. 
 
 Sandford, Robert. B. OF ROSCOMMON 
 
 Lieutenant Colonel on Half Pay which, with his Govern- 
 ment of Gal way, He holds by King's Letter He wants an 
 additional Sallary. 
 
 Sentleger, Sentleger. B. OF DONERAILE 
 
 Follows Lord Shannon promised the Peerage of 
 Doneraile. Lord Harcourt gave him a Supernumerary 
 Guager. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 47 
 
 Shiel, Robert. B. OF DUNDALK 
 
 King's Council Commissioner of Appeals 300. Re- 
 turned by Lord Clanbrassill It is imagined his Lordship 
 will not bring him into the next Parliament. 
 
 Scott, John. B. OF MULLINGAR 
 
 Brought into Parliament by Lord Tovvnshend and made 
 him King's Council & Council to the Commissioners of 
 Customs a very able & rising man both in Parliament 
 and at the Bar generous & manly in his private and 
 Publick Conduct grateful & punctual where He professes 
 Lord Harcourt, entertaining upon all Occasions the highest 
 opinion of his Integrity, Secrecy, Abilities, & Judgment, has 
 consulted him and treated him with the utmost confidence 
 He made him Solicitor General and gave an Employment of 
 400. a year to his Brother also to his Recommendation 
 2 Supernumerary Guagers Stamp Inspector of the Courts to 
 Mr. O'Brien 70. 
 
 Steele, Sir Richard. B. OF MULLINGAR 
 
 A Baronet and Trustee of the Linen Board by Lord 
 Townshend The very reverse of Mr. Scott ungratefull and 
 unfaithfull wants a Pension of i$o. for his Son. 
 
 Sibthorpe, Robert. B. OF DUNLEER 
 
 Judge of Kilmainham Related to the Chief Baron 
 Foster His conduct upon the Park Presentment l is too 
 recent to require any Description. 
 
 Smyth, Charles. CITY OF LIMERICK 
 
 Wanted a Grant of the King's Island which Lord Towns- 
 hend procured for the purpose of a new Barrack He is 
 generally in Opposition. 
 
 1 Some works of enclosure and improvement having been carried out by the 
 Government in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, the citizens claimed the Park, either 
 by prescription or as ancient common, and in August 1774, raised subscriptions 
 to contest the right of the Crown. The Corporation presented the Bailiffs 
 (Sir J. Blaquiere's) Lodge as a nuisance, intending if successful to present the other 
 Lodges. The case was heard in the King's Bench in Feb. 1775. Robinson (p. 87), 
 one of the judges, 'joined the mob,' and endeavoured to have the presentment 
 traversed, but was unsuccessful, and the jury gave a verdict in favour of the 
 Crown (see Harcourt Papers, ix. 261-264). 
 
48 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Skeffington, William John. B. OF ANTRIM 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained for him a Company of Foot 
 for which he supported constantly Lord Harcourt refused 
 him a Troop of Dragoons, and in the last Session He opposed 
 violently He is in private Life consider'd as an honorable 
 amiable young man Brother to Lord Masserene. 
 
 Skeffington, Henry. BELFAST 
 
 Brother to Lord Masserene Returned by Lord Donegal 
 and has been constantly in Opposition, altho' his Lordship 
 received many Favours during Lord Townshend's Adminis- 
 tration Mr. Skeffington acts with Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Skeffington, Hugh. ANTRIM 
 
 A Troop of Horse & Brevet Rank as Major Lord 
 Townshend procured a Pension of ^"200. a year for his Sister 
 in Law Uncle to Lord Masserene a drunken weak man 
 never to be depended on. 
 
 Somerville, James. B. OF CARLOW 
 
 A Wine Merchant has been always against 
 
 Stewart, Robert. Co. DOWNE 
 
 Son in Law to Lord Hertford now married to a 
 Daughter of Lord Camden's always against. 
 
 Staples, John. B. OF CLOGHER 
 
 Commissioner of Customs Brother in Law to Mr- 
 Conolly attach'd to him, but must support from Situation 
 He will Shirk when he can requires attending to Lord 
 Harcourt has given to his Recommendation i Boatman 2 
 Tidewaiters i Supernumerary Guager. 
 
 Stewart, Sir Annesley. B. OF CHARLEMONT 
 
 Lord Townshend gave him a Cornetcy which fell vacant 
 by the Death of his Relation during its Passage thro' the 
 office has always been in Opposition. 
 
 Stewart, William. B. OF NEWCASTLE 
 
 Lord Lanesborough's, and always acts with him. 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 49 
 
 Stewart, James. Co. TYRONE 
 
 Captain of Horse Nephew to Lord Kingston generally 
 against. 
 
 Stratford, John. B. OF BALTINGLASS 
 
 His Father made a Peer in 1762 Leave to his Brother 
 to purchase a Company of Foot another Brother Chaplain 
 to Lord Harcourt The Support & Gratitude of this very 
 honorable Family never to be depended on. 
 
 Smith, Thomas. BALLYSHANNON 
 
 Returned by Mr. Conolly has not taken his Seat Son 
 to Charles Smith, Member for Limerick. 
 
 Swan, Edward Bellingham. B. LANESBOROUGH 
 
 Clerk of the Permits which he resigned on being appointed 
 Surveyor General A Pension of 250. to his Sisters, for 
 which he purchased into Parliament Lord Harcourt made 
 his Brother John, Steward of his Household, and gave him 
 an Employment of ^400. a year Mr. Swan is Comptroller 
 at the end of last Session He got an Extra Warrant of 
 200. He was zealous, steady, & able in his Support of Lord 
 Townshend, and has been equally attach'd to & serviceable 
 to Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Talbot, William. B. OF JOHNSTOWN 
 
 Lord Townshend gave his Nephew a Living of ,300, a 
 year Independant, & respectable frequently opposes He 
 has ask'd Lord Harcourt for a Living for another Nephew 
 His Conduct during the last Session was very fair & deserves 
 Consideration. 
 
 Tighe, William. ATHBOY 
 
 Son in Law to Sir William Fovvnes attach'd to Mr. 
 Ponsonby and always against Government. 
 
 Tighe, Edward. B. OF WICKLOW 
 
 Commissioner of Accounts and the Supervisorship of 
 Wicklow to his Friend steady in his Support sensible, and 
 may be made very usefull in the House His Excellency 
 
 E 
 
50 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 allowed him to Name the first Clerk in the Stamp Office 
 ;ioo. a year. 
 
 Tighe, Robert. B. OF ROSCOMMON 
 
 Patentee Comptroller of Dublin, which he purchased of 
 Mr. Rigby Nephew to Mr. Clements, goes with him claimed 
 a Promise made him by Lord Townshend which Lord Har- 
 court has fullfilled by appointing him Clerk of the Deliveries 
 to the Ordnance worth 200. 
 
 Tottenham, Charles. B. OF BANNOW 
 
 Collector of Drogheda 400. Lord Ely's Nephew In 
 his Heart with Mr. Ponsonby wants to be Surveyor Gene- 
 ral Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation i 
 Boatman. 
 
 Tottenham, Charles. B. OF CLOMINES 
 
 Made a Commissioner of the Customs by Lord Towns- 
 hend reduced on reuniting the Boards to a Pension of 
 600. Brother in Law to Lord Ely and acts implicitly with 
 him. Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation 
 Four Boatmen Two Tidewaiters. 
 
 Tottenham, Charles. B. OF NEW Ross 
 Son to the Commissioner. 
 
 Tottenham, John. B. OF FETHARD 
 
 Father to the Commissioner very old never attends. 
 
 Tisdall, Philip. DUBLIN UNIVERSITY 
 
 Privy Counsellor Secretary of State 1800. Attorney 
 General ; 1500. Judge of the Prerogative Courts ; 1200. 
 Lord Townshend made his Cousin Mr. Boyle a Commissioner 
 of the Revenue ^1000. a Living of 600. to Mr. Disney a 
 Cornetcy to his Nephew his Brother a Commissioner of the 
 Barrack Board 400. several small Livings and many Places 
 in the Revenue to his Friends He was out of Humour 
 latterly with Lord Townshend because he could not obtain 
 for him a large Pension for 3 1 years deceived and betrayed 
 him on many occasions To be strictly watch'd & cautiously 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 51 
 
 confided in He promised to Support Lord Harcourt and 
 affected great Candour and disinterestedness During the 
 last Session when desired He attended seldom took any 
 part in Debate On the Speaker's motion to have the second 
 Tontine Bill received as a Bill of Supply, He supported 
 handsomely & ably in the House the opinion he had given at 
 the meeting at the Castle, that it was a Bill of Regulation. 
 
 Townsend, Mr. Co. CORKE 
 
 Commissioner of the Customs Lord Shannon's Friend 
 has very great influence upon Mr. Sentleger Lord Harcourt 
 has given to his Recommendation One Boatman Two 
 Hearth Money Collectors. 
 
 Tunadine, John. B. OF ASKEYTON 
 
 Master in Chancery An Ensigncy for his Nephew by 
 Lord Townshend, and he allowed his Friend to Sell a 
 Military Employment by which He secured his Borough 
 very steady in his Support much attach'd to and acts with 
 the Maunsells. 
 
 Trench, William P. Keating. Co. GALWAY 
 
 Brother in Law to Mr. Ponsonby Listed with and fought 
 under Mr. Ponsonby has been always in Opposition. 
 
 Tyrell, Duke. B. OF PHILLIPSTOWN 
 
 Follows strictly Lord Belvidere wants an Employment 
 Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation [ends}. 
 
 Vandeleur, Crofton. B. OF ENNIS 
 
 Several small Favours and gave his Friend Mr. Blakeney 
 the Place of Surveyor General $oo. a year a very Shabby 
 mean Fellow & never to be depended on. 
 
 Vesey, Agond [Agmondisham]. B. OF KINSALE 
 
 Accountant General 800. a year wants to Sell his 
 Employment, the only hold Government has on him His 
 object is to be of the Privy Council or a Commissioner of the 
 Revenue. 
 
 E 2 
 
52 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Underwood, Richard. B. OF TRALEE 
 
 Providore to the Royal Hospital & two small offices to 
 his Friends by Lord Townshend Purchased his Seat ; 
 Harrass'd by General Dilkes attach'd to Mr. Beresford 
 Lord Harcourt procured an additional allowance for main- 
 taining the old men [? man], and a Sum of Money for the 
 loss he had sustained very steady in his Support. He wants 
 to be of the Linen Board Lord Harcourt has given to his 
 Recommendation a Land Carriage Officer. 
 
 Waller, Robert. B. OF DUNDALK 
 
 Formerly a Surveyor General afterwards by Lord 
 Townshend a Commissioner of Excise Returned by Lord 
 Clanbrassill very steady has great knowledge in the 
 Revenue his Brother Clerk of the Minutes to the Excise 
 Board worth 200. Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation 2 Guagers a Hearth Money Collection a 
 Coast Officer and a Supervisor of Hearth Money. 
 
 Ward, Nicholas. B. BANGOR 
 
 Lord Townshend obtained a Peerage for his Father 
 more than half an Ideat, requires watching. 
 
 Westby, Nicholas. B. OF TULSK 
 
 Purchased of Justice Caulfield has opposed constantly. 
 
 Walsh, General. B. MARYBOROUGH 
 
 Colonel 56th Regiment Quarter Master's Commission 
 for one Friend a Living of 200. and afterwards a Deanery 
 of 700. to his Brother by Lord Townshend very Steady in 
 his Support Lord Harcourt has given him an Ensigncy to 
 his Relation Mr. Jephson. 
 
 Westenraw, Henry. MONAGHAN 
 
 Brought in by Lord Clermont when his Lordship got his 
 Peerage He promised that this Gentleman should always 
 support Government He ask'd Lord Townshend for an 
 Employment, and on being refused went into Opposition 
 He has renewed his Request to Lord Harcourt, and last 
 
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 53 
 
 Session he supported This unfortunate Gentleman is claim'd 
 as his by Lord Clermont, Mr. Fortescue, & General Cuning- 
 ham when either of them have any Point to carry when he 
 is left by them for a moment, He then Sollicits for himself. 
 
 Wilson, James. B. OF TAGHMON 
 
 Mr. Ponsonby's Friend & violent in Opposition. 
 
 Wood, Attiwell. B. CASTLEMARTYR 
 
 A Lawyer sensible man bad Speaker very tedious 
 follows Lord Shannon. 
 
 Wynne, Owen. Co. SLIGO 
 
 Privy Council Trustee of the Linen Board Governor 
 of Corke to his Brother, and for which he promised always 
 to Support, by Lord Townshend generally with Govern- 
 ment but often out of Humour wants a Sinecure for his 
 Son Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommendation the 
 Office of Surveyor of Sligo and One Tidewaiter 5 Boat- 
 men Mate Sligo Barge Distributor of Stamps, Sligo. 
 
 Wynne, John. B. OF SLIGO 
 
 Governor of Corke Lord Harcourt allowed him to Sell 
 his Lieutenant Colonelcy of Horse never without some 
 Scheme or Grievance. 
 
 Yelverton, Barry. B. OF DON EG ALL 
 
 A Lawyer of some Eminence much connected with & 
 attended to by the Chancellor Brought in at the End of 
 last Session by the Earl of Arran. 
 
[BOROUGH OWNERS, LEADERS OF CON 
 NEXIONS AND FOLLOWERS.] 
 
 Duke of Leinster 
 
 Sir Fitz. Aylmer. 
 Sir Kild. Burrowes 
 William Burg 
 Simon Digby 
 Robert Graydon 
 Roger Hall 
 Jos. Henry 
 Walter Hussey 
 Sir William Mayne 
 Arthur Pomroy 
 Thomas Burg 
 
 Lord Shannon 
 
 Richard Aldworth 
 James Barry 
 Sir John Colthurst 
 James Dennis 
 Ab. Devonshire 
 Rigs Falkiner 
 Den. Jephson 
 Den. Jephson, jun. 
 James Kearney 
 Richard Townsend 
 Richard Longfield 
 Jas. Lysaght 
 Nichs. Lysaght 
 Sentleger Sentleger 
 Attiwell Wood 
 Jos. Lysaght 
 Sir Robert Deane 
 Jocelyn Deane 
 
 Mr. Ponsonby 
 
 John Blackwood 
 Cornelius Bolton 
 
 Wm. Brabzon 
 Wm. Burton 
 Jos. Deane 
 Sir Wm. Fownes 
 John Hatch 
 Edward Hoare 
 Jos. Hoare 
 Arthur Johnston 
 Richd. Le Hunte 
 William Moore 
 Lodge Morres 
 Sir Haydock Morres 
 Sir Wm. Parsons 
 Wm. B. Ponsonby 
 Jos. Preston 
 John Preston 
 John Ruxton 
 Wm. P. K. Trench 
 James Wilson 
 John Hyde 
 
 Lord Ely 
 
 Ar. Loftus 
 Hen. Loftus 
 John Tottenham 
 Charles Tottenham 
 Charles Tottenham 
 Charles Tottenham 
 Robert Hellen 
 
 Sir Lu. O'Brien 
 Ed. O'Brien 
 
 Lord Drogheda 
 
 John Moore 
 Wm. Poole 
 
PARLIAMENTARY CONNEXIONS 
 
 55 
 
 Francis Price 
 
 Mr. Dobbs 
 
 Sir John Parnell 
 
 Mr. Clements 
 
 Robert Clements 
 Theo. Clements 
 T. Nesbit 
 Robert Tighe 
 
 Lord Annaly 
 
 John French 
 Henry Gore 
 Wm. Gore 
 
 Mr. Conolly 
 
 Mr. Smyth 
 Mr. Staples 
 
 Lord Crosbie 
 
 Sergt. Coppinger 
 Laun. Crosbie 
 Thomas Mahon 
 
 Lord Lanesboro 
 
 Jno. Cog. Cramer 
 Mr. Stewart 
 
 Mr. Malone 
 
 Richard Malone 
 Dennis Daly 
 Anthony Daly 
 
 Lord Dawson 
 
 John Dawson 
 Ephraim Dawson 
 Roger Palmer 
 
 Lord Mornington 
 
 Thos. Fortescue 
 General Pomroy 
 
 Lord Arran 
 
 Richard Gore 
 Counsellor Yelverton 
 Sir John Freke 
 James Cuffe 
 
 Sir Henry Cavendish 
 
 John Croker 
 Peter Holmes 
 Henry Prittee 
 James Cavendish 
 
 Lord Conyngham 
 
 Richard Jones 
 Col. Burton 
 
 Lord Donegall 
 
 Henry Skeffington 
 
 Lord Kingston 
 
 Henry King 
 Captain Stewart 
 Richard Fitzgerald 
 
 Lord Bective 
 
 Thomas Moore 
 Thomas Pepper 
 
 Lord Belvidere 
 
 Robt. Rochfort 
 Col. Rochfort 
 Duke Tyrell 
 
 Lord Clermont 
 
 James Fortescue 
 Mr. Westenraw 
 General Cuningham 
 
 Attorney General 
 
 Mr. Fran. Leigh 
 
 Provost 
 
 Mr. Earbery 
 
STATE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, 
 2ND JULY 1775. 
 
 N.B. Those marked * must from situation support Government. 
 
 Those marked f can scarcely be considered under the influence of the 
 Person to whom they are classed unless to effect some point personal to 
 themselves, then they become united but not otherwise. 
 Those marked J may be detached. 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Achesonf ..... 
 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Adderley ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aldworth 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Allan f 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Alexander ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Archdall 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Armstrong f . 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Aylmer 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Butler Pierce 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Balfourf 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barry Barry ..... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barry, Robert ..... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barry, James f . ... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beauchamp, Lord .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Beresford ..... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Binghamf ..... 
 Birch 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Blackwood ..... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Blakeneys * . 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bligh 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Bolton 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 Burrowes ..... 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Bourkes ..... 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Broderick 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Brooke 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Brownes ..... 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Brownlowe ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 2 Burghs ..... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Burton, Col. ..... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bushe 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Butler 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 Burton, Carlo w .... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bagenal, Beauchamp 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Burton, Pierp. f 
 Blaquiere, Sir John .... 
 Brabzonf ..... 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Campbell, Ld. F 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Cane 
 
 I 
 
 r t 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 Carew, Robert .... 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carew, Shap. . . . . 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carleton . 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
STATE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 57 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Carey ...... 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Cavendish's ..... 
 Caulfield, Francis i . 
 Caulfield, Wm 
 Chicester 
 Chapman ..... 
 Clement, V. P .... 
 3 Clements 
 Coddington ..... 
 Coghlan ...... 
 Colclough ..... 
 Colthurst 
 Conway ...... 
 Cooper ...... 
 Coote 
 Coppinger 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 3 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Corry, Armor L. 
 Curry ...... 
 Cotter 
 Cramer ...... 
 Creighton ..... 
 Crofton ...... 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Croker 
 Cuffe 
 Cuninghame ..... 
 Daly, D 
 Daly, A 
 Damer f . 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 2 Dawsons ..... 
 3 Deanes 
 Dennis ...... 
 Denny ...... 
 
 2 
 2 
 I 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Digby 
 Dillon ...... 
 Dobbs 
 Dunbar, George f . . . . 
 Dunbar, Charles .... 
 Dunluce, Lord .... 
 Earbury ...... 
 Falkiner 
 Fetherston ..... 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Fitzgerald, Richard .... 
 Fitzgibbon ..... 
 Flood, Henry ..... 
 Flood, John 
 Flood, Warden . . . 
 Forde 
 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Fortescue, Jas. .... 
 Fortescue, Th. 
 Foster ...... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Fownes ...... 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Freake 
 French, Robt. 
 
 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 French, John ..... 
 Gamble f ..... 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 Gisborne ..... 
 Gore, Richard .... 
 Gore, William .... 
 Gore, Henry ..... 
 Gorges, Richard .... 
 Graydon ...... 
 Grogan ...... 
 Gardiner ..... 
 Hall 
 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Hamilton, George .... 
 Hamilton, Sir H 
 Hamilton, John .... 
 Hamilton, Claud. .... 
 Handcock ..... 
 Hatch 
 Hellen 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 I 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Henry ...... 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Hill 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 Hoares, Ed. & Jos. 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Howards, Hugh & Ralph 
 Hull, Tonson 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Hutchinson 
 Hyde 
 
 T 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jeffereyes ..... 
 3 Jephsons * 
 Johnston f 
 Jones, Theo 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Z 
 
 Jones, Richard .... 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kearney ...... 
 King ...... 
 Kirwan ...... 
 Knox, John f . 
 Knox, Tho 1 
 2 Lamberts ..... 
 Langrishe ..... 
 Latouche ... 
 
 i 
 
 2 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 j 
 
 
 
 Le Hunte, Richard .... 
 Leigh, Fras.f ..... 
 
 1 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 
 : 
 
 Leigh, Robert .... 
 Leslie .... 
 
 j 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Levinge . . 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Loftus, Henry 
 Loftus, Ar. . . . . . ; 
 Longfield . . . . I 
 Lowthers, Gorges Geo. 
 Lloyd ; 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 2 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lucas . . . . . . 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Lysaghts, Jas., Jos., Nich. 
 Macartney ... 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 McCaussland ... 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 Montgomery, Al. . . . . ' 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STATE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 59 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Morres, Red 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 __ 
 
 Malones, Anthony & Richard . 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mason ...... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Massey 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 ___ 
 
 Mathews ..... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Morres, Lodge .... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Maude ...... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 Maunsells ..... 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 May 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mayne ...... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Meade 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mervyn, Rochfort .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mitchell 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Molineux ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Montgomery, Geo. .... 
 Montgomery, Commissioner] . 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 ~ 
 
 Montgomery, Monaghan . 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Montgomery, Sir Wm. 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Moore, Thomas .... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Moore, John 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Moore, Colv. ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Moore, Wm. ..... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Morres, Haydock .... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mowtray 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Nedham ...... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Nesbit 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 Neville ...... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Newenham f . 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 O'Brien, Sir L 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 O'Brien, Ed 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 O'Callaghan 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ogle 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 O'Hara 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oliver 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 O'Niels, John & St. John 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ormsby ...... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Osborne 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Pakenham 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Palmer f 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Parnell 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Parsons ...... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pennefathers, Rd. & Wm. 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pepper 
 
 . 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pery, Speaker .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Poole 
 
 
 I 
 
 _ _ 
 
 
 
 Pomroy, A. ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Pomroy, John .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ponsonbys, John & Son . 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 Prestons, Jos. & John 
 
 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Price 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Prittie 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Qwin ...... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rams, And., Ab. St. . 
 
 __ 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rochfort, Robert .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ross, Col 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
6o 
 
 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Rowley, Clot 
 Rowley, Her 
 Ruxton ...... 
 Radcliffe 
 St. George 
 
 I 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 Sandford, Hy. .... 
 Sandford, Robt 
 Scott, John 
 Steele, Sir Rd 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Sentleger 
 Shiel 
 Sibthorpe 
 3 Skeffingtons ..... 
 
 
 3- 
 
 
 
 Smyth Ch 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 Smyth, Prendergast .... 
 Somerville ..... 
 Staples . , . . 
 Stewart, Annesley .... 
 Stewart, Wm., L's 
 Stewart, Robert, H's. 
 Stewart, James, K's., Capt. 
 Stratford 
 Swan 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 j 
 
 z 
 
 Talbot 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Tighes, Ed. & Robt. 
 Tighe, Wm. . 
 
 2 
 
 : 
 1 
 
 i 
 
 Tisdall .... 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 Townsend ..... 
 
 
 
 
 Trench 
 
 
 
 
 Tunadine 
 Tyrell .... 
 
 I 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
 Vandeleur 
 
 
 
 
 Vesey 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Underwood .... 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Waller . 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Walsh .... 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 Ward 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 Westby 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 Westenraw 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Wilson . 
 
 
 
 
 Wood . 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 2 Wynnes .... 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Yelverston .... 
 
 
 
 
 Roche, Major ..... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Bernard, Francis .... 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 For Government 
 Against 
 Doubtful 
 Absent . 
 Seats vacant . 
 
 Abstract of the above List. 
 
 155 
 
 95 
 3i 
 
 300 
 
 Vacant : 
 
 Kerry Hassett [Blennerhassett] i 
 Castlebar Knox . . . i 
 Baltinglass Lill . . i 
 
 Newtown { T : Lf Hunte \ 
 { Sir Wm. E. MorresJ 
 Westmeath -Belfield . . i 
 
HOUSE OF LORDS. 
 
 Consisting of All those Peers who come to Ireland There 
 are many of them who seldom or [n]ever attend. 
 
 Lord Primate 
 
 A Bishoprick for his Friend Dean Cope by Lord Towns- 
 hend Lord Harcourt has given to his Grace's Recommenda- 
 tion Distributor Stamps, Co. Armagh. 
 
 Lord Chancellor, Baron Lifford 
 
 A Living of 500. to Mr. Bowden his Chaplain a 
 Cornetcy to his Son 1000. a year addition to his Sallary 
 as Chancellor An Ensigncy for his Friend Mr. Lyttelton 
 in the 42nd Regiment by Lord Townshend During Lord 
 Townshend's Administration His publick Conduct in the 
 House of Lords was very exceptionable and often complained 
 of In the last Session it was generally adverse to Govern- 
 ment at all Times affecting Popularity by a very mark'd 
 attention to the Lords in Opposition, & the contrary to such 
 as supported Government He introduced of new the 
 Judges Bill, and attempted to force it thro' the House, even 
 after Lord Harcourt's desire to drop it had been signified 
 to him He canvass'd the House, and requested the support 
 of every Lord of an Address to the King to grant him an 
 Extra Allowance of ^2000., altho' He had received his 
 additional Sallary expressly to obviate that Practice With- 
 out any Communication with the Castle, the House imagining 
 that he acted in concert with it, He threw out in the Lords 
 the Casual Revenue Bill, a Bill which had originated in the 
 Commons & been returned from England, by which the 
 Crown loses perhaps not less than .20,000. a year He has 
 in a variety of Instances Opposed in Council, and when He 
 assisted, his Support has been so lukewarm & ineffectual 
 
62 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 as to bring neither Strength nor Advantage with it to the 
 Crown. Prior to the Meeting of last Session Lord Harcourt 
 gave Mr. Hewitt the Reversion of the Examinator of Hearth 
 Money worth ,300. a year, and recommended his Lordship's 
 Son for a Company at the Regulated Price and since the 
 last Session His Excellency gave to his Recommendation 
 the Living of Sentry [Santry] worth ^300. a year, and a 
 Supernumerary Guager to his Relation. 
 
 Craddock, Archbishop of Dublin 
 
 Translated from the See of Kilmore to Dublin worth 
 ^5,ooo. and a Company to his Son in Law Mr. Hamilton by 
 Lord Townshend, and Lord Harcourt has given him a Troop 
 of Dragoons a very good Speaker in the House of Lords 
 when he wanted Preferment Is seldom choak'd with Grati- 
 tude to his Friend Lord Harcourt has given to his Recom- 
 mendation a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Archbishop of Cashel 
 
 Never attends Parliament. 
 
 Archbishop of Tuam 
 
 Translated from Elphin by Lord Harcourt attends con- 
 stantly. 
 
 Duke of Leinster 
 
 The late Duke received in his own person a Marquis 
 Duke in Ireland an English Viscount Master General of 
 the Ordnance Lord Justice & Privy Council Notwithstand- 
 ing which His Grace with Twelve Members which He 
 returns to Parliament were constantly in Opposition The 
 present Duke does, & seems determined to, walk in the steps 
 of his Father. 
 
 EARLS. 
 Antrim 
 
 Governor of the County Trustee of the Linen Board 
 Privy Counsellor has not attended Parliament these four 
 years and asks to be a Marquis His Son Lord Dunluce 
 has opposed constantly these two last Sessions. 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 63 
 
 Westmeath 
 
 Governor of the County of Westmeath very attach'd to 
 Lord Harcourt His Excellency made his Servant One of 
 the State Messengers 4.0. a year. 
 
 Meath 
 
 Opposed Lord Townshend's Administration, for which his 
 Father lost his Pension and was struck out of the Privy Council 
 The present Lord has opposed Lord Harcourt because His 
 Excellency did not appoint him sole Governor of the Coun- 
 ties of Dublin & Wicklow His Brother Mr. Brabzon 
 attach'd to & follows Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Donegall 
 
 Privy Counsellor Lord Townshend created a Constable 
 of Carrickfergus to serve his Lordship in Elections gave his 
 Friend Mr. Price the Surveyorship of Carrickfergus, and made 
 his Lordship a Trustee of the Linen Board Lives chiefly in 
 England, but in the Face of these Favours conferr'd on him by 
 Lord Townshend, his Friends constantly Opposed his Lord- 
 ship, and Mr. Skeffington has done the same, who is returned 
 by his Lordship, to Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Cavan 
 
 Colonel of the 55th Regiment my Lord Harcourt gave 
 to his Recommendation a Coast Officer's Employment to 
 James Anderson 
 
 Inchiquin 
 
 Privy Council & Trustee of the Linen Board seldom 
 attends. 
 
 Drogheda 
 
 Privy Council Trustee of the Linen Board a Regiment 
 of Dragoons Governor of the County of Meath and the 
 King's County Master General of the Ordnance Major 
 General on the Staff Constable of Maryborough, and asks 
 to be a Marquis his Lordship has Two Seats in Parlia- 
 ment One He sells to Sir William Montgomery, the 
 
64 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 other he gives to Mr. Moore, who asks & receives Favours 
 separately for himself He has some connection with three 
 or four Members, but I do not recollect a single Instance in 
 which that Connection has biass'd any of them to the 
 Castle He also returns two Members for Maryborough both 
 which he sells, and yet he takes credit with Government for 
 a Following of four or five Members when in fact he has not 
 the Command of One. 
 
 Granard 
 
 Privy Council & Governor of the County of Longford by 
 Lord Townshend Lord Harcourt has made his Friend Mr. 
 Coates Surveyor of Ringsend worth 250. a year He has four 
 seats in Parliament, but there is reason to believe that they 
 are all Sold for the next Parliament 
 
 Tyrone 
 
 Privy Counsellor Trustee of the Linen Board, Governor of 
 the County of Waterford his Brother Wm. a Living of 600. 
 a year a number of Employments in the Revenue, and ask'd 
 to be a Marquis Lord Harcourt gave to his Friend the first 
 Living vacant in his Gift 200. He has renewed his applica- 
 tion for a Marquis and ask'd a Bishoprick for his Brother 
 His Excellency has given to his Recommendation the Dis- 
 tributor of Stamps, Waterford 2 Hearth Money Collections. 
 
 Carrick 
 
 His Lordship's Father who died lately, was of the Privy 
 Council and Linen Board, and Lord Townshend obtained for 
 him a Pension of ;iooo. a year a Company for his second 
 Son, and gave a Living of 200. to his Friend Since the 
 Father's death the Captain has resigned his Company He 
 has two Seats in Parliament Lord Harcourt has given to 
 his Recommendation a Hearth Money Collection Distri- 
 butor of Stamps. 
 
 Hillsborough 
 
 Privy Council Trustee of the Linen Board an Earl 
 and Governor of the County of Downe Lord Townshend 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 65 
 
 obtained for his Friend Dr. Dickson the Deanery of Downe 
 worth ,1500. a year made another Friend of his a Commis- 
 sioner of Excise ;iooo. and gave a Living of ^300. at his 
 Lordship's Request to a Friend of Mr. C. Dunbar's His 
 Lordship came to Town at the opening of two Sessions and 
 supported Lord Townshend very ably He is never without 
 some object or other ; He has hitherto only ask'd Lord 
 Harcourt for the Collection of Donaghadee, but he certainly 
 has some Job in reserve which he will push at the proper 
 moment by surprise. 
 
 Shannon 
 
 Pension of ^"3000. for 31 years Trustee of the Linen 
 Board Governor of the County of Corke Lord Harcourt 
 made his Friend Mr. Townsend a Commissioner of the 
 Revenue Serjeant Dennis, Prime Serjeant worth ,1200. 
 Mr. Lysaght a Patentee Employment of 200. Mr. Moore 
 Surveyor of Courtmacsherry i$o. Obtain'd for his Lord- 
 ship the office of Muster Master General worth ;i8oo. a year 
 He returns ! Members, and there are more that act 
 
 steadily with him Lord Harcourt has also given to his 
 Recommendation Pension of 600. for Mr. D. Jephson a 
 Hearth Money Collection 2 Boatmen. 
 
 Lanesborough 
 
 Formerly a Commissioner of the Revenue and was turned 
 out of it and the Council by Lord Townshend He has 
 been restored to the Council by Lord Harcourt and a Pension 
 of 1200. obtain'd for him in lieu of his Seat at the Revenue 
 Board He is a Trustee of the Linen Board and Governor of 
 the County of Cavan His Lordship has two Boroughs, but I 
 am afraid they are both disposed of for the next Parliament 
 He is an amiable unfortunate man strongly attached to 
 Lord Harcourt. His Excellency has given to his Recommen- 
 dation the Distributor of Stamps for Cavan, I Guager I 
 Tidewaiter 2 Hearth Money Collectors, i Walking Officer. 
 
 1 Number not stated in MS. 
 
66 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Clanbrassill 
 
 Privy Counsellor Trustee of the Linen Board Chief 
 Remembrancer 3000. a year for Life made his Friend 
 Surveyor of Dundalk 150. He brings in Mr. Waller & 
 Mr. Shiel The one was a Commissioner of the Revenue, 
 and has now a Pension in lieu of it of 600. The other 
 King's Council & Commissioner of Appeals 300. He has 
 complain'd very loudly against and quarrell'd with Lord 
 Harcourt because his Excellency would not allow him to 
 name to the Collection of Dundalk, and to the office of 
 Distributor of Stamps for the County of Lowth, both which 
 had been engaged before he applied He has declared his 
 Intention to return two new Members for Dundalk, and that 
 the condition of their Election is to be never to accept of 
 anything from, that they may be at liberty always to Oppose 
 Government. 
 
 Belvidere 
 
 The Father of the present Earl lately Dead He was of 
 the Privy Council, of the Linen Board, and held the office of 
 Muster Master General His Lordship has four Seats in 
 Parliament He is Governor of the County of Meath, and a 
 Trustee of the Linen Board He has ask'd to be a Commis- 
 sioner of the Revenue left very embarrass'd in his Circum- 
 stances, & from his Distress must consequently be dependent 
 on the Crown, likely to quarrel with his Brother Robert, a 
 respectable amiable man Lord Harcourt has at his earnest 
 Request appointed Mr. Handcock one of his Aid de Camps, 
 and given to his Recommendation the Distributor of Stamps 
 for the County of Westmeath. 
 
 Wandesford 
 
 Wanted to be of the Privy Council, and out of Humour 
 with Lord Townshend because he refused to recommend it 
 He has since Opposed. 
 
 Lowth 
 
 Turned out of the Privy Council by Lord Townshend 
 wanted to be Constable of Birmingham Tower and upon 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 67 
 
 refusal went into strong Opposition, in which he has continued 
 ever since. 
 
 Mornington 
 
 Wanted a Living for his Tutor and Opposed Lord Towns- 
 hend because he did not give it Lord Harcourt has gratified 
 him, and He supported last Session He has a Borough, for 
 which He returns Mr. T. Fortescue & General Pomroy. His 
 Excellency gave to his first Servant the Inner Porter Stamp 
 Office 40. 
 
 Moira 
 
 A Trustee of the Linen Board, has no Influence in Par- 
 liament. 
 
 Arran 
 
 He is of the Privy Council His Father who died lately 
 was of the Privy Council a Trustee of the Linen Board and 
 Governor of the Counties of Wexford & Mayo He got a 
 Deanery and a Living of 500. for his Friend Dean Brocas, 
 and his Brother Richard was made a Commissioner of the 
 Revenue, and afterwards went into Opposition for which he 
 was turned out by Lord Townshend They have opposed 
 Lord Harcourt but with moderation much connected with 
 Lord Annaly, and as that Sett of Goresare now disposed to 
 good Humour with the Castle, 'tis probable this will, & that 
 they will all Support next Session. 
 
 Courtown 
 
 Wants Preferment in the Church for his Brother seldom 
 attends has no Earthly Influence in Parliament and inde- 
 cently enough, thro' some Connections he has in England, 
 got himself named of the Council here without making any 
 Application to Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Melt own 
 
 Privy Counsellor by Lord Townshend Lord Harcourt 
 made him Governor of the County of Wicklow on the Death 
 of Lord Meath He wants a Living of ,200. for a Mr. 
 Roberts a constant Attender. 
 
 F2 
 
68 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Farnham 
 
 Privy Counsellor Trustee of the Linen Board Viscount 
 & Earl Leave to Sell his Place of Birmingham Tower for 
 which he got 7000. One Brother a Bishop worth near 
 .3000., another holds the Place of Prothonotory to the 
 Common Pleas worth ;iooo. both Brothers in violent 
 Opposition, and I believe the noble Lord himself has never 
 taken his Seat. 
 
 Charlemont 
 
 Governor of the County of Armagh has a Borough 
 has been always in Opposition both to Lord Townshend & 
 Lord Harcourt, and always will to Government In private 
 Life amiable & respectable In Publick violent, petulant, & 
 waspish. 
 
 Bective 
 
 His Lordship and his Friends have hitherto Opposed, 
 but as he is now asking Favours of the Crown, it is imagined 
 that he means in the next Session to Support. 
 
 Howth 
 
 Privy Council and recommended by Lord Townshend for 
 a Pension of .500., but not obtain'd, a constant Attender. 
 
 Bellamont 
 
 A Trustee of the Linen Board. He supported very 
 steadily during the last Session and was of considerable 
 Service to the Crown in giving notice of & counteracting 
 the Hostile Schemes of the Chancellor His primary object 
 is Rank in the Army his next a Commissioner of the 
 Revenue or any other considerable Employment. Lord 
 Harcourt has obtain'd for him a Seat in the Council. 
 
 Kingston 
 
 Rank of Earl obtain'd for him by Lord Townshend 
 Privy Council for his Brother Henry, and a Living of 200. 
 to his Recommendation Governor of the County of Sligo 
 He became latterly indisposed to Lord Townshend be- 
 cause his Lordship would not carry into effect the King's 
 Letter naming his Friend Colonel Fitzgerald of the Council. 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 69 
 
 Roden 
 
 Privy Council Trustee of the Linen Board Auditor 
 General for Life worth ;i2OO. Searcher of Galway 700. 
 Lord Townshend obtain'd for him the Rank of Earl, and on 
 his giving up the Tenure for Life, to be held during pleasure, 
 joined his Son's name in his Patent of Auditor General a 
 constant attender and a tolerable Speaker He affects to 
 be out of Humour with Lord Harcourt, altho' he offer'd 
 him an Ensigncy, because he did not give a Cornetcy to his 
 Son, and takes upon himself some share of Lord Clan- 
 brassill's quarrel and Resentment, However, by that Master 
 Piece of Lord Townshend's in changing the Tenure of his 
 Employment, & having but a small Fortune, he is totally in 
 the Power of the Castle. 
 
 Ely 
 
 Earl Privy Council several Places in the Revenue 
 Living of ^"200. to Mr.Homan Mr. Tottenham Commissioner 
 of the Customs ^1000. Mr. Loftus a Commissioner of Ac- 
 counts 500. The Monroes .300. Mr. McLean Secretary 
 to the Board of Accounts .300. Mr. Hellen Council to the 
 Excise 1000. -a Cornetcy for Mr. Loftus Mr. Tottenham 
 Collector of Drogheda 400. an Ensigncy for Miss Monroe's 
 Brother. All these Favors obtain'd thro' Lord Townshend. 
 He has Seven Seats in Parliament, and has been very 
 faithfull & constant in his Support ever since he made his 
 Bargain with Lord Townshend To Lord Harcourt he is 
 under very particular Obligations His Excellency has given 
 to his Recommendation Three Tide Waiters Surveyor 
 Wexford 6$. Coast Surveyor 35. Supervisor of Hearth 
 Money 6$. Coast Officer 35. Distributor of Stamps, 
 Wexford 50. 
 
 Altamont 
 
 A Baron in 1761 Governor of the County of Mayo 
 obtain'd the Rank of Viscount & Earl thro' Lord Townshend, 
 also a Cornetcy for his Grandson his Third Son, the Collector 
 of Foxford, made a Surveyor General, & his fourth Son 
 Collector in his Room For his Son the Colonel Lord 
 
70 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Harcourt has obtained the office of Constable of Carrickfergus 
 with a Sallary of i per day. 
 
 Ross 
 
 A Baronet in 1763, and Governor of the County of 
 Donegal obtain'd the rank of Viscount & Earl thro' Lord 
 Townshend. 
 
 VISCOUNTS. 
 Mountgarret 
 
 Seldom attends when he did, voted against Government. 
 
 Valentia 
 
 Seldom attends when he did was with Government. 
 
 Strangford 
 
 A Pension for his Daughters of ^250. an Ensigncy for 
 his Son by Lord Townshend, and Leave for him & Dr. 
 Bernard to exchange their Preferments in the Church, by 
 which means they put a large Sum of Money in their Pockets, 
 and defrauded those to whom they had let their Tythes 
 during Incumbency He wants a Bishoprick for himself and 
 a Company for his Son Lord Harcourt gave him a Lieu- 
 tenancy. 
 
 Ranelagh 
 
 A constant attender, for Government. 
 
 Molesworth 
 
 A Pension for his Sisters connected by Marriage with 
 Mr. Ponsonby's Family. 
 
 Boyne 
 
 Powerscourt 
 
 Wanted to be an Earl hitherto in constant Opposition. 
 
 Mountmorris 
 
 In violent Opposition related to Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
 Mountcashel 
 
 Nephew to Mr. Ponsonby. 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS ft 
 
 Glerawley 
 
 Connected with Lord Tyrone. 
 
 Clanwilliam 
 
 A Peerage in 1766 made his Brother in Law Bourke 
 first a Dean then a Bishop in Lord Townshend's Admini- 
 stration when He attends, he Supports very giddy. 
 
 Crosbie 
 
 Privy Council Trustee of the Linen Board obtain'd 
 Viscount's Rank thro' Lord Townshend a Deanery for his 
 Brother his Cousin Mr. Coppinger Rank of Serjeant at 
 Law, and several small Favours in the Revenue a constant 
 attender has a very considerable Interest in Kerry He 
 now wants the Rank of Earl, & that his Relation Lieutenant 
 Colonel Crosbie be either put on full pay or have a io/ a day 
 Government Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommenda- 
 tion 2 Coast Officers a Hearth Money Collection, and 
 Distributor of Stamps, Co. Kerry. 
 
 BISHOPS. 
 Meath 
 
 Brother to Lord Farnham seldom attends when he 
 does, against. 
 
 Kildare 
 
 Attends & constantly with Government. 
 
 Corke 
 
 Was Chaplain to Lord Townshend, attends constantly 
 Lord Harcourt made his Nephew Distributor of Stamps for 
 Corke. 
 
 Waterford 
 
 Attends constantly. 
 
 Clogher 
 
 Lord Townshend at his Request offer'd him the Arch- 
 bishoprick of Dublin, but upon a previous assurance that he 
 
72 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 would not accept it for some years he has had very bad 
 Health & attended seldom. 
 
 Limerick 
 
 Translated by Lord Townshend from Elphin Brother 
 in Law to Mr. Clements attends constantly in expectation 
 of a better See. 
 
 Kilmore 
 
 First Chaplain to Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Elphin 
 
 Translated by Lord Harcourt from Ossory This See 
 worth 4000. 
 
 Killala 
 
 Very old never attends. 
 
 Raphoe 
 
 Supports when he attends. 
 
 Clonfert 
 
 Formerly Dean Cope Brother in Law to Sir Archibald 
 Acheson, and the particular Favorite & Friend of the 
 Primate Recommended by Lord Townshend upon his 
 Grace's Request. 
 
 Ferns 
 
 Obtain'd by Lord Townshend Son to Commissioner 
 Bourke & Brother in Law to Lord Clanwilliam a Sensible 
 man and attends constantly The Borough of Old Leighlin 
 belongs to this Borough [sic\. 
 
 Ossory 
 
 Translated from Dromore to this See by Lord Harcourt 
 The Borough of St. Kenice or Irish Town belongs to this See. 
 
 Downe 
 
 Never attends wishes very much for Emancipation sup- 
 posed in his present See to be under some very unusual Em- 
 barrassment before or since Lord Hertford's Administration. 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 73 
 
 Dromore 
 
 The late Dean Hawkins, made by Lord Harcourt at the 
 Request of Lord North. 
 
 Derry 
 
 Translated by Lord Townshend from Cloyne, and gave 
 an Ensign cy to his Friend Lawless Lord Harcourt obtained 
 a Captain Lieutenancy for another Friend Mr. Allen and 
 gave his Agent Mr. Swan the Employment of Port Surveyor 
 of Derry worth .400. 
 
 Cloyne 
 
 Made by Lord Townshend a constant Attender & a 
 good Speaker His Excellency has given him for his 
 Services last Session an Expectation of the See of Cashell. 
 
 Killaloe 
 
 Made by Lord Townshend upon giving up his Prebend 
 of Westminster to Dr. Young, his Lordship's Chaplain. 
 
 BARONS. 
 Kingsale 
 
 A Pension by Lord Townshend of ^400, and an Ensigncy 
 to his Eldest Son Lord Harcourt has given an Ensigncy to 
 another Son. 
 
 Blayney 
 
 A Regiment Major General on the Staff Governor of 
 the County of Monaghan by Lord Townshend a Trustee of 
 the Linen Board an Ensigncy and a Quarter Master's Com- 
 mission for his Friends. 
 
 Southwell 
 
 Constable of Limerick Trustee of the Linen Board 
 Governor of the County of Limerick, and Leave for his Son 
 to purchase a Troop of Dragoons His present objects are to 
 be of the Privy Council, and to obtain a Pension of 200 for 
 his two Aunts. 
 
74 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 Desart 
 
 wants a Pension for his Sister Mrs. Herbert connected 
 with Lord Tyrone. 
 
 Knapton 
 
 Opposed Lord Townshend, and generally against during 
 the last Session He has ask'd a Hearth Money Collection. 
 
 Longford 
 
 A Captain in the Navy constantly in Opposition to Lord 
 Townshend a tolerable Speaker & a very respectable 
 good humour'd man He and his Brother supported steadily 
 during the last Session Lord Harcourt gave to his Recom- 
 mendation Distributor of Stamps for Longford. 
 
 Lisle 
 
 A Peer in 1758 Follows Lord Shannon, wants an 
 Ensigncy for his Nephew. 
 
 Mountflorence 
 
 Has two Seats which he Sells always Supported 
 wants a Barrack. 
 
 Baltinglass 
 
 A Peer in 1763 a Trustee of the Linen Board allowed 
 his Son to purchase a Company from a Cornetcy wants to 
 be an Earl, and Preferment in the Church for his Son 
 always Opposed Lord Townshend He did not attend last 
 Session His Son voted against constantly in the Commons. 
 
 Erne 
 
 Appointed Storekeeper of the Ordnance which He re- 
 signed last Winter Lord Townshend gave it to him and 
 obtained the Peerage for his Father His Brother is in 
 Parliament & opposed his Lordship supported Lord 
 Harcourt has made him a Trustee of the Linen Board. 
 
 Annaly 
 
 Chief Justice of the King's Bench and a Peer in 1766 
 His Brother Examinator of the Customs made his Friend 
 
THE HOUSE OF LORDS 75 
 
 a Judge Barrackmaster of 200 to Mr. Wilson Deanery 
 for Dr. French, and several Livings to his Friends, with an 
 additional Sallary of 500 to his office as Chief Justice 
 During last Session he did not indiscriminately Oppose, but 
 could by no means be consider'd as a Friend upon any 
 occasion his Brother did not attend one day His Lord- 
 ship now seems very repentent, and possibly observing no 
 great Cordiality between His Excellency & the Chancellor, 
 he means to make his advantage of the moment in case the 
 Seals should become vacant by Death or removal of the 
 Chancellor Lord Harcourt has given to his Recommenda- 
 tion [ends]. 
 
 Eyre 
 
 made a Peer by Lord Townshend in 1768 Supports 
 
 Irnham 
 
 made a Peer in 1768 at the Request of the Duke of 
 Grafton Opposes. 
 
 Dartry 
 
 made a Peer in 1770 by Lord T. Supports. 
 
 Bangor 
 
 made a Peer in 1770 by Lord T. Supports. Lord 
 Harcourt has allowed him to name to him a Tidewaiter. 
 
 Clermont 
 
 Postmaster General Privy Council and Trustee of the 
 Linen Board a Peer in 1768 by Lord Townshend and 
 several Favors in the Revenue He resides almost con- 
 stantly in England He now wants the Rank of Earl. Lord 
 Harcourt gave him the Distributor of Stamps for Monaghan. 
 
 Dawson 
 
 Trustee of the Linen Board made a Peer in 1770 by 
 Lord Townshend has a Borough and two Sons in Parlia- 
 ment Lord Harcourt gave him the Distributor of Stamps 
 Queen's County. 
 
STATE OF THE IRISH HOUSE OF LORDS. 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Lord Primate 
 
 I 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 _ 
 
 Lord Chancellor 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Archbishop Dublin 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Archbishop Cashell . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Archbishop Tuam 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Duke of Leinster 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Earls 
 
 
 
 
 
 Antrim .... 
 
 _ 
 
 _ . 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Westmeath 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 __ 
 
 
 
 Meath .... 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Donegal .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Cavan .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Inchiquin .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Drogheda .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Granard .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tyrone .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Carrick .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hillsborough 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Shannon .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lanesborough 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Clanbrassill 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
 Belvidere .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wandesford 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Mornington 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 Moira .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Arran .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Courtown .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 , 
 
 
 
 Miltown .... 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Farnham .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Charlemont 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bective .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Bellamont .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kingston .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 _ . 
 
 Roden .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ely 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Altamont .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ross ..... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Viscounts 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mountgarret 
 Valentia . 
 
 
 
 ' | 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
 Netterville 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Strangford 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ranelagh . 
 Fitzwilliam 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 r 
 
 I 
 
 Molesworth 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
STATE OF THE HOUSE OF LORDS 77 
 
 Names 
 
 For 
 
 Against 
 
 Doubtful 
 
 Absent 
 
 Boyne 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 Powerscourt 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mountmorres 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mount Cashel . 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Glerawley .... 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Clanwilliam 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Clare .... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Crosbie .... 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bishops 
 
 
 
 
 
 Meath 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kildare 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Corke 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Waterford 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Clogher 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Limerick 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kilmore 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Elphin 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Killala 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Raphoe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Clonfert 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ferns 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ossory 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Downe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Dromore 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Derry 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cloyne 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Killaloe 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Barons 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kinsale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 __ 
 
 Blayney 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Southwell . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Desart 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Knapton . 
 Longford . 
 
 
 z 
 
 ~ 
 
 
 
 Lisle 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Mountflorence . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Baltinglass 
 
 __ 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 Annaly 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Erne 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Eyre. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Irnham 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 Clermont . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 Dartrey 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dawson 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 Bangor 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 For Government 
 Against 
 Doubtful . 
 Absent 
 
 58 
 9 
 5 
 
 Total 
 
 86 
 
NOTE ON THE SALARIES ATTACHED TO CERTAIN 
 REVENUE OFFICES. 
 
 From Commons' Journals, xvi. 62 sqq. & xvii. 92. 
 
 CUSTOMS. 
 Seven Commissioners ..... ,1,000 each 
 
 The Examinator ...... 400 
 
 Surveyors General .... 300 
 
 Collectors- 
 Collector, Dublin Port .... 200 
 
 Cork 150 
 
 Belfast 120 
 
 Waterford .... 90 
 
 Small ports . . . . 50 
 
 Surveyors ....... 60-50 
 
 Landwaiters, generally ..... 4~35 
 
 Coast Officers . 35 
 Tidewaiters .30 
 
 Supernumerary Tidewaiters, generally . . 20 
 
 Boatmen ....... 20 
 
 Coxswain ....... 23 
 
 EXCISE. 
 
 Five Chief Commissioners .... ^,'1,000 each 
 Four Surveyors General . . . 500 
 
 These offices were extinguished when the Boards of Customs and 
 Excise, divided under Lord Townshend, were reunited in one Revenue 
 Board under Lord Harcourt. 
 
 Collectors in large districts . . . . IOQ 
 
 Collectors in small districts . . . . 50 
 
 Gaugers . 4 
 
 Supernumerary Gaugers .... 30 
 
 STAMP DUTIES. 
 
 Thirty County Distributors were allowed 6 per cent, on the 
 stamps sold, and none to receive less than ^50 per annum. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 SYMPATHY with the American colonies was daily gaining strength 
 among the Irish Protestants, and Lord Harcourt considered that it 
 would be advisable to make no delay in challenging the sentiments of 
 Parliament as to the revolt. As we have seen in the Introduction to 
 this volume, it was a critical question : it involved the approval of the 
 policy of the Crown, a matter to which the British Ministers attached 
 much weight, and the temper in which the Commons would receive the 
 King's request that they would assent to the withdrawal of 4,000 troops 
 from the number of those appointed to remain in the kingdom. In 
 order to bring this question to a speedy issue, Harcourt in his address 
 at the opening of the Session on October 10, 1775, referred to 'the 
 rebellion existing in a part of the King's American Dominions,' and 
 said that His Majesty relied on the zeal and loyalty of his Irish 
 subjects. The address in reply declared that the Commons viewed 
 the rebellion with abhorrence and indignation. An amendment 
 expressing a desire for conciliation was negatived by 90 to 49, and 
 another being moved for the omission of the words expressing anger 
 at the revolt, the House decided by 90 to 50 to retain them, and the 
 address was carried. 1 Harcourt was delighted with this success, and 
 the next day wrote the following letter to Lord North : 
 
 Lord Harcourt to Lord North? 
 
 Oct. n, 1775. 
 
 You must not be surprised to be troubled with this letter by 
 a Messenger when it is to inform you that last night at 1 1 o'clock 
 the House of Commons agreed to a Resolution, on a division of 
 something more than two to one, declaring their allegiance to His 
 Majesty and abhorrence of the American Rebellion. Nor must 
 you be surprised that the declaration itself brings you the first 
 account of my having engaged in this serious matter. But the 
 truth is, that the Determination upon it was only lately had. I 
 saw the moment approaching when this unpleasant question 
 would have been pressed upon me by the Opposition to the 
 King's Government in this country, who were daily gaining 
 strength upon this ground, with such advantage that I should 
 
 1 Commons' Journals > xvii. 10-12. ~ S. P. Ireland, 444, f. 235. 
 
8o THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 have had great difficulties in resisting it. Therefore it became 
 absolutely necessary for me, and for the honor as well as the 
 support of the King's Government, that I should take a decisive 
 part. It became necessary, as well in point of humanity as 
 expediency, that we should declare to the lower order of the 
 People through their representatives in Parliament the just 
 sense that was entertained of this unnatural rebellion, for I am 
 confident, and of nothing more, that Silence would not only 
 have been criminal in me, but would have involved in it con- 
 sequences the most distressing, if not fatal to the peace of this 
 Government, and must have added a fresh weight of distress to 
 your Lordship's Administration in England, that great as the 
 object was, I would not hesitate upon it. The Presbyterians in 
 the North, who in their hearts are Americans, were gaining 
 strength every day, and letters wrote by designing men whom 
 I could name from your side of the water, have been repeatedly 
 pressed of late to engage Ireland to take an adverse part in the 
 contest, attaching these foolish people by their pride, and telling 
 them the Ballance of the cause and the decision of the quarrel 
 was on their side of St George's Channel. I have, therefore, for 
 the last few days been incessantly employed, and in order to give 
 it effect, I have been obliged to conduct myself with all possible 
 secrecy, not daring to trust too much to certain interested Per- 
 sons whom it is not necessary for me at this time to name to 
 your Lordship. 
 
 The debate was conducted with great vehemence on the part 
 of Opposition, which was composed of Mr. Ponsonby and the 
 Duke of Leinster's followers and a few county members. Our 
 majority consisted of the most respectable people, and the debate 
 mostly if not entirely conducted and upheld by Sir John Blaquiere 
 and Mr Scott, 1 whose zeal and abilities are so well known to 
 your Lordship that I shall not add another word. 
 
 What I have done I trust may be agreeable to His Majesty, 
 and I should hope of no small service to your Lordship's 
 Administration. For my own part I shall confess to you that I 
 feel such a glow of mind upon this occasion and the victory 
 which has been obtained, that I have in my life never felt 
 moments so happy as they have been since this question was 
 determined. Our numbers were 99 2 to 49 : in the House of Lords 
 31 to 5. For particulars I refer your Lordship to the Minutes. 
 
 The next day Blaquiere also wrote to North : 
 
 Sir John Blaquiere to Lord North* 
 
 Oct. 12, 1775. 
 
 . . . The boast and false confidence of Lord Chatham in 
 your House, with ablate alliance of Lord Cambden's in this 
 
 1 Solicitor General, appointed 1774. 
 
 2 Incorrect: see above from the Common <=? Journals. 
 
 3 S. P. Ireland, 444, f. 237. 
 
APPENDIX 81 
 
 country, added to the natural fanaticism of the Northern Pro- 
 vince, and the necessity of listing in the South many who are not 
 Presbyterians, with other circumstances of material considera- 
 tion, and which were, I believe, repeated to you yesterday by 
 my Lord Harcourt, made it absolutely necessary for His 
 Excellency to call forth an explicit and timely declaration from 
 the Irish Parliament on the subject of America. 
 
 Harcourt and Blaquiere had good reason for satisfaction ; the 
 address proved the signal success of their efforts to secure such a 
 majority in Parliament as would enable them to gain its support for 
 the Crown even on the most critical occasions. The decision of 
 Parliament declared the triumph of the system of direct control by 
 the Crown, which had been established in place of government by 
 undertakers. Ireland, in spite of the sentiments of a large number 
 of its people, of by far the larger number of its Protestant in- 
 habitants, was committed to an approval of the war by the votes 
 of those who were by a fiction denominated the representatives of 
 the nation. 
 
 The question of the withdrawal of the troops was laid before the 
 Commons on November 23, when Blaquiere brought a message to the 
 House which was read by the Speaker, It announced that the King 
 desired to withdraw 4,000 men from the troops appointed to remain 
 in the kingdom ; that the expense of such part of the army as should 
 be spared would not be charged on the Irish establishment, and 
 that the King offered to replace such force by an equal number of 
 foreign Protestant soldiers, the charge of them to be defrayed without 
 any expense to Ireland. On the 25th the message was considered 
 in a committee of the whole House, after the names of the members 
 had been called over in accordance with a previous order The 
 debate, which lasted until midnight, was warm, specially on the offer of 
 foreign troops, and the Opposition did not forget to taunt the Govern- 
 ment with the fact that the stipulated number of 12,000 men had 
 already been infringed upon. The speakers on the Opposition side were, 
 Harcourt reported to North, Ponsonby, Fitzgibbon, Sir E. Newenham, 
 Gardiner, Ogle, Sir James Cotter, Yelverton (very violent), Chapman, 
 Conolly and Hussey Burgh ; and for the Government, Hellen, Sir J. 
 Blaquiere, Carleton, W. Flood, Jephson, Langrishe, Barry Barry, 
 Mason, Trench, Prime Serjeant Dennis, Foster, the Solicitor-General 
 [John Scott], Serjeant Coppinger, and Sir J. Blaquiere a second time 
 in answer to Hussey Burgh, who finally closed the debate. 1 The 
 Government majority for sparing the 4,000 men was 121 against 76, 
 
 1 Harcourt to North, Nov. 26, 1775. 
 
82 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 but on the 2yth the committee decided against accepting the offer 
 of foreign troops by 106 to 68. The next day upon the report, the 
 House agreed with the opinion of the committee on both resolutions 
 after a division of 103 to 58. 1 
 
 The meaning of these divisions is, that Blaquiere had found 
 before the 2yth that the offer of foreign troops was extremely dis- 
 tasteful to the Irish Parliament, and rather than press it, Harcourt 
 and he agreed that they would act somewhat in the same way as 
 they had done in the case of the Absentee Tax, and that the 
 Government should 'take a neutral part in the debate.' They 
 rightly judged that the withdrawal of the troops was the more im- 
 portant question, and they determined to make the best of their 
 success in that matter in their letters to England. Blaquiere, in his 
 short letter to North on the night of the 27th, wrote as if all had gone 
 most satisfactorily, and wished him 'joy of the event.' Upon the 
 report the next day, ' when both subjects were debated,' Blaquiere 
 and Harcourt being convinced that if a proposal were made by 
 Government for the introduction of the foreign soldiers, the whole 
 scheme, the withdrawal of the troops as well as the offered replace- 
 ment of them, would be wrecked, the Government, as Harcourt 
 wrote on the 3oth, ' acting under the direction of the sense of the 
 House of Commons, boldly and avowedly took its part in giving 
 4,000 of our troops and refusing to have them replaced.' 2 The 
 royal offer to keep 4,000 foreign soldiers in Ireland without expense 
 to that country involved a constitutional question as to the right of 
 the Crown to pledge the public money of Great Britain. It was 
 raised in the British House of Commons on February 17, 1776, by 
 Thomas Townshend, afterwards Lord Sydney, who declared that 
 Harcourt had been guilty of a breach of the privileges of that House, 
 but after a warm debate his motion for a committee was negatived 
 by 224 to io6. 3 
 
 The King was extremely annoyed by the refusal of his offer, and 
 unreasonably, as it appears, attributed his disappointment to bad 
 management on the part of Harcourt and Blaquiere. 4 The decision 
 
 1 Blaquiere to North, 'from the House,' Nov. 27; Harcourt to North, 
 Nov. 30, 1775, Commons' Journals, xvii. 2059. Misled apparently by the 
 highly concise account of these proceedings given by Plowden (Historical Review, 
 i. 433), Lecky has for once given a wrong impression of them (History, iv. 438), 
 the division on the report was not a defeat for the Irish Government, though it 
 was for the King. 
 
 2 Letters of Blaquiere and Harcourt, cited above. 
 
 3 Parliamentary History, xviii. 1129. 
 
 4 Correspondence of George II I. with Lord North, i. 300-301. 
 
APPENDIX 83 
 
 of the Irish House of Commons was wise. No one could foresee 
 that the King's offer would be criticised hostilely in England, and 
 had it been accepted by the Irish it would, but for that, doubtless 
 have been repeated, and a dangerous precedent would have been 
 created. George would, of course, have preferred to have his 
 battles fought by British and Irish troops rather than by Germans. 
 Besides, if Ireland had been willing to receive the soldiers hired 
 from the German princes, the English Ministers would have had an 
 additional defence against their Whig opponents, who made the 
 employment of these troops a ground of attack on the Government. 
 But the Irish Parliament did not choose to have the defence of their 
 country committed to foreigners, nor to see them encamped on Irish 
 soil. The spirit exhibited by the Commons on this question showed 
 that patriotic sentiment was not wholly extinguished by the seduc- 
 tions of the Castle. 
 
 Successful as for a time a system of government by corruption 
 may prove to be, it has a fatal defect in that, unless rewards are 
 continually increased, it is impossible to reckon on the continuance 
 of a purchased majority. This was specially true of the influence 
 exercised by Harcourt and Blaquiere over the Irish Parliament. 
 Their position was different from that of the undertakers, for the 
 corruption of the undertakers' days was, as the writer in Baratariana 
 remarks, ' domestic ' ; the ruling oligarchs and their followers under- 
 stood one another, and the undertakers would thwart the wishes 
 of the Crown when in any serious matter they ran counter to the 
 ' Irish interest,' while under the new system administered by Harcourt 
 and Blaquiere, the favours received from the Crown were given to 
 secure the support of Parliament to a policy which, taken as a whole, 
 was alien, if not adverse, to Irish aspirations. 
 
 The sentiment which underlay the decision of the Commons was 
 apparent in the concluding words of the address ; they trusted that 
 the people of Ireland might so exert themselves as to make the aid 
 which the King offered unnecessary. This pointed to a renewal of 
 the attempt to obtain a Bill for a national militia, which had 
 hitherto been thwarted by the Privy Council. Harcourt was in 
 favour of it, and heads of a Bill were transmitted to England, but were 
 not returned. Another attempt was made to secure the independence 
 of the judges, and that suffered a like fate. The refusal to accept 
 the foreign troops was, indeed, a sign that the national spirit was 
 gaining an influence over the Government phalanx; some were 
 impatient of the control to which they had submitted themselves, 
 while others were merely anxious to obtain larger terms by a show of 
 independence. An opportunity for opposition was afforded by the 
 
 G 3 
 
84 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 British Privy Council, which returned two money Bills with altera- 
 tions. They were promptly rejected, though new Bills to the same 
 purpose were brought in and passed. 1 
 
 It is not likely that this recrudescence of national sentiment, 
 feigned though in some cases it certainly was, would first be 
 revealed to so watchful a Minister as Blaquiere, who mixed freely in 
 Irish society, by the debates on the Lord-Lieutenant's message. By 
 the beginning of November he considered that fresh favours must 
 be conferred on members of the House of Commons if the business 
 of the session was to be carried through satisfactorily. Ten were, 
 he thought, * wavering in their faith,' and he had promptly taken the 
 best and usual means of confirming them in it. The result of the 
 impending general election was a more important matter. Expec- 
 tations raised by Townshend, and not yet fulfilled, must no longer 
 be disappointed ; past services must be rewarded, and faithful 
 supporters must be induced by fresh pensions to incur the expense 
 of purchasing seats in the new Parliament. Money must be found 
 by some means, and the King and the British Ministers must be 
 convinced that the matter was urgent, and must state clearly how far 
 they would go. Accordingly on November 2 Blaquiere wrote as 
 follows : 
 
 Sir John Blaquiere to Mr. Robinson, Secretary to the Treasury? 
 
 November 2, 1775. 
 
 Since my return hither my Lord-Lieutenant's attention, as 
 far as other measures would allow, has been particularly directed 
 to the consideration of the coming dissolution and its more 
 important consequence, the re-election of a new Parliament, to 
 which if the greatest care and attention be not had, we may 
 peradventure lose thereby thirty or forty of our best Friends, as 
 I very particularly stated both to yourself and Lord North 
 when I was in London. The means to remedy the evil are 
 but few, and after the conversations we have had upon this 
 score, in which there appeared almost an impossibility of 
 affording us any assistance from England, I shall suppose but 
 one : you must by pension or place sink a sum of not less than 
 about ^9,000 per annum, exclusive of the provision that may 
 be found requisite for rewarding and indemnifying those who 
 are immediately connected by office with His Excellency's 
 administration or attending on his person. The former is a 
 
 1 Plowden, Historical Review, i. 434 ; Commons' Journals, xvii. 220, 
 250-251, 295. 
 
 2 S.P. Ireland, 444, f. 252. 
 
APPENDIX 85 
 
 matter of necessity, the latter of justice, both equally claiming 
 the attention of the Crown. 
 
 There are not less than thirty or forty members that, if not 
 assisted, certainly cannot secure their re-election. Many of 
 these gentlemen hold small employments or pensions from two 
 to three, some under ^200 a year. Their seats in the new 
 Parliament cannot be purchased at less than 2,000 guineas to 
 ^"2,500. Their past services certainly entitle them to the 
 possession of what they now hold ; and an addition by pension 
 or Sallary of from ^200 to ^250, or more, as circumstances may 
 require, must surely be considered as scarcely an adequate 
 compensation for the advance and loss of so large a sum as 
 2,000 guineas. There are besides several gentlemen who, 
 holding not a shilling under the Crown, have assisted and are 
 now engaged to support the measures of Government upon 
 expectation given them of a suitable provision at the end of 
 this session, and for which the Faith of Government was 
 pledged during my Lord Townshend's Administration, many of 
 whom he recommended for specific stations or pensions, as 
 your Lists will inform you ; and among the number of gentlemen 
 to be added to those 1 include the Earl of Belvidere, who 
 returns four members, and the Earl of Bellamont, whose 
 services have been marked, zealous, and effectual. To furnish 
 you with a list of names at the present moment could give you 
 neither satisfaction nor information. Let it suffice that for the 
 carrying on the publick Business in the next Parliament, together 
 with having a prospect of perfecting our Business in this, a 
 charge not less than I have stated is indispensable. In truth 
 the transactions of this session are so much involved in the 
 consideration of having a respectable body of Friends in the new 
 Parliament that it is impossible to separate them. I have been 
 already obliged with my Lord- Lieu tenant's leave to promise 
 small additional Sallaries or pensions to Messrs. Blakeney, 
 Fitzgerald, Tighe, Sandford, Pennefather, O'Brien, Coghlan, 
 Malone, Cane, and Featherstone, gentlemen most of whom we 
 had reason to think were wavering in their Faith, and who 
 would probably have gone against us or staid away this session. 
 There are others many in the same way ; but that we may not 
 hold out unauthorised expectations which may involve many of 
 our best friends as well as ourselves in inextricable difficulties, 
 I am, by Lord Harcourt's desire, to request that you will take 
 the earliest convenient moment to state this matter to my Lord 
 North, that we may know and be fully warranted in our engage- 
 ments. 
 
 This letter was laid before the King, to whom indeed his 
 Ministers referred all matters at this time ; for though his kingdoms 
 were nominally ruled by responsible Ministers, they were during 
 North's Administration practically under his personal rule. He saw 
 
86 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 the letter along with another from Blaquiere referring to the offer of 
 the foreign troops ; both displeased him, and on November 26 he 
 wrote to North complaining that Blaquiere's letters were ' drawn up 
 in a strange and loose manner,' that they were vague, and that ' he 
 must specify very exactly on paper the whole of his demands before 
 any encouragement can be given.' ] Robinson accordingly wrote to 
 Blaquiere for precise information as to the money that he would 
 want for the Irish members. Blaquiere sent the following reply : 
 
 Sir John Blaquiere to Mr. Robinson. Private and Confidential? 
 
 Dec. 15, 1775- 
 
 In order to save you any unnecessary trouble upon the 
 subject of the arrangements necessary to make at this critical 
 time in Ireland, I beg the favour of you to consider this Letter 
 as a continuation of mine of the 26. of November to which I 
 refer. 
 
 The particulars you desire shall be stated in a manner as 
 minute and critical as the nature of the thing will admit, in 
 order to which I shall place them under three separate heads, 
 tho' the services done to the King's Government in my Lord 
 Townshend's time, those which have been rendered in the two 
 last sessions, and the expectation of securing to the Crown a 
 respectable Majority in the new Parliament are so closely inter- 
 woven that it is scarce possible to consider them asunder. . . . 
 Of these remaining unprovided for are the following Persons 
 who have every one of them earned by additional service and zeal 
 in support of Government a better claim to His Majesty's good- 
 ness. My Lord Townshend stated their merits, which it would 
 be needless for me to repeat, and recommend them for the 
 following annual provision by way of pension or otherwise ; 
 and these I shall consider under my first Head 
 
 ^500 The Earl of Howth 
 
 300 Mr. Robert Fitzgerald 
 
 200 Col. Sandford 
 
 200 Mr. Robert Tighe 
 
 200 Col. Smith for his sisters ;ioo each, and although 
 this gentleman's services cannot be stated with 
 parliamentary ones, he comes necessarily included 
 in Lord Townshend's arrangements, by whom he 
 was recommended, and my Lord Harcourt has 
 directed me to call to my Lord North's mind the 
 services of his family, his own in Portugal, and to 
 state the particular zeal and alacrity He has shown 
 on many occasions where he has been employed in 
 this country at my Lord Harcourt's particular desire. 
 
 1 Correspondence of George 111. with Lord North , i. 300. 
 * S. P. Ireland, 444, f. 292. 
 
APPENDIX 87 
 
 Under the Second head I shall include Persons for services 
 already performed in Parliament either by themselves or their 
 Friends, and for which Stipulations have been made or expecta- 
 tions held out of annual provision to the following amount 
 200 Capt. Bristow this is a gentleman for whom my Lord 
 Conyngham stipulated so long as three years ago 
 when He first joined Government with his Parlia- 
 mentary Interest, that he should at the first conve- 
 nient opportunity have 
 
 150 Mr. Edge worth at the desire of the Earl of Kingston 
 has long had expectation given him of ^150. 
 
 700 The Earl of Bellamont's zeal for H.M.'s Government, 
 & the very able & effectual support which He 
 has given in the House of Lords these two last 
 sessions, & the peculiar merit he had of joining 
 the Government at a moment when his services 
 were most critically wanted induces my Lord Har- 
 court to recommend him to H.M. for ^700. 
 
 200 Mr. Malone. The honor & effect which the King's 
 Government derives from the disinterested support 
 & great abilities of this gentleman will, it is 
 thought, make it unnecessary to say a word but 
 that he wants for his nephew ^200. 
 
 800 Mr. Serjt. Hamilton quitted the Opposition at a 
 critical moment upon the promise of being recom- 
 mended to the Bench when a proper opportunity 
 offered. The conduct of Judge Robinson affords 
 that opportunity. 1 My Lord Harcourt wishes never- 
 theless that Mr. Robinson's former conduct should 
 be considered. He is besides old & infirm. His 
 Excellency means to recommend him for the usual 
 Judge's pension of ^"800. 
 
 200 My Lord Westmeath's brother has already a small 
 Pension ; my Lord Harcourt means to recommend 
 an additional 200. 
 
 150 Col. Luttrell's friend whom my Lord North recom- 
 mended is as yet unprovided for, no sinecure 
 employment having fallen in. 
 
 150 Ld. Chief Justice Patterson, one of the honestest & 
 ablest servants the King has & who has been 
 serviceable to my Lord Harcourt's administration, 
 desires a pension for his near relation. H. E. means 
 
 to recommend. 
 
 ^2,550 
 
 Under the 3rd & last Head are to be reckoned Persons 
 for services already performed blended with their engaging to 
 return themselves Members in the next Parliament. 
 
 See p. 47, note. 
 
88 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 ;6oo Mr. Warden Flood, of whom I believe you have heard 
 enough said : for particulars & in order to avoid 
 writing volumes let me refer you to Mr. Lees. 
 400 Counsellor Carleton, of whom I suppose it also un- 
 necessary to say a word. 
 
 300 Mr. Westenrau, member for Monaghan. 
 
 250 Sir Wm. Montgomery, in order to give him the agency 
 of the half-pay, a measure exceedingly desirable for 
 the care & advantage of half-pay officers, as well 
 as in consideration of his repurchasing himself into 
 Parliament ; the pension to be given to Mr. Bulkley, 
 the present agent. 
 
 300 Mr. O'Brien, 1 brother to Sir Lucius, both he & Sir 
 Lucius in Parliament. 
 
 400 Mr. Coghlan, 1 a faithful friend, is to repurchase. 
 
 300 Col. Cane 1 comes in again for Tallagh, & at some 
 expense, a constant attender & an honourable 
 Friend. 
 
 200 Mr. Cavendish is to repurchase. His Collection of 
 Dundalk is worth only ^150; somehow or other 
 must be added. 
 
 300 Mr. Tunnadine purchases for the third time ; has no 
 office yet, a constant attender. 
 
 650 It was thought my Lord Belvidere must have had a 
 seat at the Revenue Board. He will be a powerful 
 Man & a warm Friend at the next, as he has been 
 in this Parliament; but its hoped as his brothers 
 have asked for provisions, he may be passed by & 
 they will be satisfied with ,650. 
 
 300 Mr. Waller, 2 one of the dismiss d Commissioners, to 
 repurchase. 
 
 200 Mr. Fetherstone, 2 one of the dismiss d Surveyors 
 General, to repurchase. 
 
 200 Mr. Maurice Fitzgerald, 2 the same. 
 
 200 Mr. Nisbet repurchases upon an addition to his Father's 
 pension, which is ^300, of 200. 
 
 500 Mr. Hutchinson, the eldest son of the Provost. The 
 Father certainly brings him, with another friend into 
 Parlt, for whom he purchases. 
 
 250 Mr. Blakeney has a pension of ^300. He is offered 
 for his Seat ^2600; there are two Brothers in 
 Parlt, an addition of 
 
 300 Mr. Pennefather has had the same offer. He & his 
 Father are in Parlt. They have no office. 
 
 1 For O'Brien, Coghlan and Cane see p. 85 : they now appear as confirmed 
 in their Faith. 
 
 - In Townshend's excise board the five chief commissioners received 1,000 
 a year each, the four surveyors general 500. When the revenue boards were 
 reunited the commissioners of excise received pensions of ^600, the surveyors 
 general of ^300. Commons' Journals, xvi. 80, 344-45. 
 
APPENDIX 89 
 
 400 Col. Ross, a warm & devoted friend, brings himself 
 
 & assists Government in bringing in another. 
 200 Mr. Cuffe to be re-elected for the County of Mayo, an 
 
 additional Sallary. He is of the Barrack Board. 
 200 Lord Carrick, a warm supporter, has one now, & will 
 
 have two Members in the next Parlt, asks for a 
 
 pension for an old gentleman of 76. 
 150 Mr. Caulfield, member for Tulsk, additional to a small 
 
 office he has of 
 200 Mr. Swan, a claim upon Govt. for a constant ex- 
 
 ertion in the House of Commons of some of the 
 
 most painful & perilous service that can be per- 
 
 formed. 
 200 Mr. Mowtray, a very good friend, a pension for his 
 
 Brjother]. 
 
 , 
 
 ist Head . ^"1,4.00 
 
 2nd Head . . 2,550 
 
 3rd Head . . 7,000 
 
 10,950 
 Add Lord Annaly . 300 
 
 This, my dear Sir, is a considerable sum, but compared to 
 former charges it is trifling, & compared with the present 
 emergencies of things, the Service rendered & the importance 
 of the Novel but necessary idea of securing to the King's 
 Government a proper Majority in the new Parliament. It will 
 under the several considerations bear the strictest Scrutiny, 
 insomuch that I will take upon me to say, & I do it by my 
 Lord Harcourt's special commands, that if Three Hundred 
 Pounds are struck off, the Government will be very considerably 
 prejudiced. There is to be added to these, several little objects 
 of Charity, specially Officers' Widows, which have been recom- 
 mended to my Lord Harcourt, & which together may amount 
 to perhaps between two & ^300, which I suppose it can be 
 scarce necessary to specify. 
 
 These things done you will have most unquestionably in the 
 new Parliament a most respectable Majority. To say presently 
 what will be the numerical account of your Strength, it depends 
 upon so many contingencies, that I believe it next to impossible, 
 but upon a presumption that all things may go according to 
 moral probability, you have a right to expect the number will 
 then stand, taking your present attach'd & steady friends, & 
 all those who will be brought in by their assistance, & the 
 various influences which Government can in every possibility 
 exert, in which I include the assistance which the expected 
 moves & creations in the Peerage will procure; They will, 
 
90 THE IRISH PARLIAMENT, 1775 
 
 taken together, give you a predominant power in the proportion 
 of 138 to 91. And here allow me to observe that 138 plumping 
 Votes of unequivocal men is in my opinion as great a power as 
 Government can now command in this Parliament. 
 
 P.S. My Lord has just sent me word that, whilst I was in 
 England, He had given Lord Annaly an expectation of a 
 Pension of ^300 a year for his Brother, which He did not 
 recollect before, & must now be added to the general sum. 
 
 The anticipated creations in the peerage, it will be observed, 
 were not made in order to overcome a majority in the House of 
 Lords, but to secure a majority in the Commons by gratifying certain 
 powerful persons or faithful supporters. There is, therefore, no real 
 analogy between them and the creation of the twelve peers in Queen 
 Anne's reign. 1 Following Plowden, Lecky says that besides twelve 
 promotions in the peerage, eighteen Irish peers were * created in a 
 single day.' This number, however, can only be made up by 
 including the creation, in April 1776, of William Henry Lyttelton, 
 later Baron Lyttelton in the British peerage, and then member for 
 Bewdley, as Baron Westcote in the peerage of Ireland. But this 
 creation had nothing in common with the rest. The other seventeen 
 whose elevation was announced on July 2 of that year were Sir 
 Thomas Maude, created Baron de Montalt ; Sir George Macartney, 
 B. Macartney ; Sir Archibald Acheson, B. Gosford ; Ralph Howard, 
 B. Clonmore ; Sir Richard Philips, B. Milford ; Sir Thomas Wynn, 
 B. Newborough ; Sir Charles Bingham, B. Lucan ; Sir Alexander 
 Macdonald, who had no connection with Ireland, B. Macdonald ; 
 Sir William Mayne, B. Newhaven ; James Agar, B. Clifden ; William 
 Edwardes, B. Kensington ; Robert Ongley, B. Ongley ; Vice- Admiral 
 Molyneux Shouldham, B. Shouldham; John Bourke, B. Naas; 
 Sentleger Sentleger, or St. Leger, B. Doneraile ; Clotworthy Upton, 
 B. Templetown ; and Hugh Massey, B. Massey. This wholesale 
 creation stands in strong contrast to the instruction with reference to 
 the peerage given to Harcourt on taking office which is recorded in 
 the Introduction. Members of the House of Commons were not 
 promoted to the peerage until arrangements had been made that 
 their seats should be filled by supporters of Government. 
 
 Blaquiere's letter suggests many comments, but it must suffice 
 here to refer the reader to the provision already made for Hely 
 Hutchinson, which is noticed in the Introduction ; to observe how 
 much better it was to be the brother of an Irish peer, than the 
 
 1 Plowden (Historical Review, i. 443) and Lecky (History, iv. 441), are some- 
 what misleading, though Lecky's remark is verbally correct. 
 
APPENDIX 91 
 
 widow of an officer, one of those { little objects,' for whom, taken in 
 a lump, scarce so much was to be asked of H.M.'s goodness as 
 Annaly got for his brother Henry Gore, and to admire the pious 
 care which these lords and gentlemen showed in seeking to provide 
 for their relations and friends out of the public money. They were 
 imitated, or surpassed, by an English earl, whose name we have met 
 with more than once. The proof of his care for an old servant con- 
 cerns Ireland, and is too pleasing an incident to be omitted. The 
 Earl of Rochford, descended from one of the Dutch friends of 
 William III., who sometime enjoyed an Irish pension of ,2,000, 
 resigned the Secretaryship of State in November 1775, an( * received 
 a pension of ,2,500, afterwards increased to ,3,320. He had 
 landed property worth ^2,000 a year, which he bequeathed to his 
 mistress. At the date of his resignation his butler had become 
 too old for further work, and on the xoth he wrote to Harcourt 
 asking him ' for a little sinecure place of about "50 or "60 a year 
 for an old servant that has lived with me these thirty years. I have 
 now no way of providing for him but by keeping him myself, which 
 will be a great charge to me.' His anxiety led him to write again 
 the next day, and this time to Blaquiere, to urge his request. * It is 
 for our old friend Strasburgh, my butler, who has poured you out 
 many a glass of good Burgundy, and who will be a burden to me if 
 I am not relieved from it.' So poor old Strasburgh was to be a 
 burden on Ireland. 
 
 The first octennial Parliament was prorogued on April 4, 1776, 
 and was dissolved later. Harcourt resigned office in November of 
 that year, and did not meet the new Parliament, which assembled in 
 1776 only for the election of a speaker, and did not meet again 
 till October 1777. 
 
AUTHORITIES CITED IN FOOTNOTES 
 
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 8vo. London, 1842-6. 
 
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 Carte (T.), Life of James, Duke of Ormond. 6 vols. 8vo. Oxford, 1851. 
 Charlemont, Manuscripts and Correspondence of James, First Earl of Charlemont, 
 
 contains Lord Charlemont's Memoirs of his Political Life, Vol. I., 1745-1783, 
 
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 1891. 
 
 Chatham (W.), Earl of, Correspondence, edited by Taylor and Pringle. 4 vols. 
 
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 Walpole (H., Lord Orford), Letters of H. Walpole, edited by Mrs. Toynbee. 
 
 14 vols. Svo. Oxford, 1903-5. 
 
 Spottiswoode &" Co. Ltd., Printers, New-street Square, London.