tt, but the Cabinet as a whole
was responsible for the procedure of Cornwallis, which ensured the more
or less declared support of the Irish Catholics.[566]

The chief difficulty was with the Protestant clique which largely
controlled State patronage. In the autumn Pitt had another interview
with Downshire, but found him full of complaints, demanding among other
things that Ireland should send at least 300 Commoners to Westminster.
He departed for Dublin declaring that he would do his duty. In October
the Government's cause was furthered by a state progress of Cornwallis
through the North of Ireland, during which he received numerous
addresses in favour of Union. At Belfast 150 of the chief citizens
attended a banquet in his honour; Londonderry was enthusiastic in the
cause; and it was clear that the opposition of the Protestants of the
North was slackening. But, as often happened in Ireland, many Catholics
now began to doubt the utility of a measure commended by their
opponents. The interest which Pitt felt in this complex problem and in
Cornwallis's tour appears in the following Memorandum which he wrote
probably at the end of October 1799:

The number of placemen in Ireland is 71. Of these such as hold
office for life or during good behaviour, 11, and 2 holding
places for pleasure, vote against. It is said 63 seats have been
vacated by Government by a misuse of the Place Bill. This
number is exaggerated; but at least 10 were vacated to serve
Opposition. A charge is made against Lord Cornwallis for
canvassing for declarations in favour of Union. The fact is that
Lord Cornwallis, being commander-in-chief, thought it his duty
to make a progress of inspection thro' the kingdom in order to
examine the state of the army and to be a judge of the means of
defence he could rely on. In this progress he received numerous
addresses in favour of Union. A charge is made against
Government of intimidation and the exertion of martial law.
There was only one attempt to substantiate such a charge which
was by Sir L. Parsons, which, instead of terminating in censure,
produced a vote of unanimous approbation in favour of
Government. There have been general charges of corruption
adduced, but no proof attempted. The charge retorted by
Government on Opposition for forming the most extensive
subscriptions for the purpose of corruption has not been denied