proposition on the
subject of Ireland; that he did not intend to go into the
subject, but only to move for leave to bring in a Bill. He then
read the motion; disclaimed every idea of impeaching the
settlement of last year; stated that Lord Mansfield could not do
otherwise; but that this had had the effect of increasing the
doubts that had arisen in Ireland; that it was the intention of
Government to leave no possibility of cavil upon the exclusive
rights of judicature and legislation.

I seconded the motion, and said, That as the motion which was
made went only to the bringing in a Bill, it was not my
intention to trouble the House with much upon the subject; but
that in the situation in which I stood I could not, consistently
with those feelings which pressed so strongly upon me, and with
my sense of the duty I owed to both kingdoms, refrain from
expressing the sincere and heartfelt pleasure I received from
seeing the business brought forward by Government in the
earliest moment, and the eager and earnest wish of my heart that
the Bill to be brought in in consequence of this motion might
obtain the end proposed by it, and set those questions for ever
at rest which it was hoped that the transaction of the last year
had fully and finally quieted; that here I must disavow in the
strongest manner all intention of casting any reflection, or of
acquiescing in any reflection, which might be cast on the honour
and integrity of the transaction of last year as conducted by
the Government of this country, and by the gentlemen who treated
with Government on the part of Ireland; that those gentlemen had
acted as true and sincere friends to their country, and to the
harmony of the empire; that the right honourable gentleman who
then moved the business in that House had declared at that time,
and had repeated the declaration a few days ago, that those
gentlemen treated with him upon the expressed and avowed
principle of putting an end to every idea of legislation and
jurisdiction on the part of Great Britain over Ireland; that as
such I considered it; that the right honourable gentleman had
also stated the reasons which operated, and I thought operated
wisely, against the adoption of other ideas which had then
occurred; that the dignity and honour of Ireland was too nearly
connecte