"That we feel confident a union thus formed and carried on, for the
protection of all classes, will receive the support and co-operation of
all--the aid of the rich, and the confidence of the poor. We pray Divine
Providence to bless our efforts in the cause of our afflicted
country--to promote amongst us that feeling of united exertion and
self-reliance which can alone raise us to our proper place in the great
empire to which we belong."

A few days later, the Committee instructed their secretaries to call a
meeting of the peers, members of Parliament, and landed proprietors of
Ireland, in the Rotunda, on the 14th of January, for the consideration
of the social condition of the country, all political and extraneous
topics to be strictly excluded. They published at the same time the
resolutions they proposed submitting to the meeting, one series of
which referred to temporary measures, which, in the opinion of the
Committee, were necessary for the immediate wants of the country;
another suggested those required for her future prosperity.

The great meeting of Irish peers, members of Parliament, and landlords,
as it was called, was held in the Rotunda on the above day. The
attendance on the occasion was large, and the meeting was what might be
termed a great success. Tickets of admission were issued to fourteen
peers, twenty-six members of Parliament, and about six hundred other
landed proprietors, from all the four provinces. Admission was only by
tickets, and their issue commenced on Tuesday morning, and was continued
to an advanced hour on Wednesday evening, the meeting being convened for
Thursday. So great, however, was the influx of country gentlemen who
were anxious to take a part in the proceedings, that it became necessary
to issue a further supply of tickets in the forenoon of that day,
notwithstanding which a considerable number were sold at the entrance
door. Every phase of Irish politics was represented at the meeting.
Amongst the peers were the Marquis of Ormond, the Earl of Erne, Lord
Cloncurry, and Lord Farnham; the M.P.'s reckoned, amongst others,
O'Connell, Frederick Shaw, William Smith O'Brien, Anthony Lefroy, John
O'Connell, and Edward Grogan. The Marquis of Ormond was chairman. The
resolutions prepared by the Reproductive Works Committee were proposed
and unanimously adopted. They had, the chairman said, been considered by
a committee composed of gentlemen of all shades of parties. Great
differences o