against trying it, but both disposed to concur when they
understand it is finally resolved on. They all seem clearly (and
I believe sincerely) of opinion that it will not be wise to
announce it as a decided measure from authority, till time has
been given for communication to all leading individuals and for
disposing the public mind. On this account we have omitted all
reference to the subject in the King's Speech; and the
communication may in all respects be more conveniently made by a
separate message when the Irish Parliament is sitting, and it
can be announced to them at the same time. In the interval
previous to your Session there will, I trust, be full
opportunity for communication and arrangement with individuals,
on which I am inclined to believe the success of the measure
will wholly depend. You will observe that in what relates to the
oaths to be taken by members of the United Parliament, the plan
which we have sent copies the precedent I mentioned in a former
letter of the Scotch Union; and on the grounds I before
mentioned, I own I think this leaves the Catholic Question on
the only footing on which it can safely be placed. Mr. Elliott
when he brought me your letter, stated very strongly all the
arguments which he thought ought to induce us to admit the
Catholics to Parliament, and office; but I confess he did not
satisfy me of the practicability of such a measure at this time,
or of the propriety of attempting it. With respect to a
provision for the Catholic clergy, and some arrangement
respecting tithes, I am happy to find an uniform opinion in
favor of the proposal, among all the Irish I have seen; and I am
more and more convinced that those measures, with some effectual
mode to enforce the residence of _all_ ranks of the Protestant
clergy, offer the best chance of gradually putting an end to the
evils most felt in Ireland.[544]

The suggestion that Foster's opposition might be obviated by the
promise of a peerage emanated first from Camden. Its adoption by Pitt
marks the first step in the by-paths of bribery on which he now entered.
In this case his action is not indefensible; for the abolition of the
Speakership at Dublin naturally involved some indemnity. Besides, in
that Parliament no important measure passed without bribery. That eager
democrat, Hamilton Rowan, foresaw in the