OR THE

1026

Political Tranfactions

OF

IRELAND,

FROM THE

ACCESSION OF HIS MAJESTY KING GEORGE THE III.
TO THE PRESENT TIME;

CONTAINING AN IMPARTIAL STATEMENT OF

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS, FROM THE
YEAR 1760, TO THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF A LEGISLATIVE UNION

COMPLEAT VIFW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS IN THIS COUNTRY
DURING THE LAST FORTY YEARS.

IN THREE VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

BY WILLIAM WENMAN SEWARD, Esq.

DUBLIN PRINTED,

BY ALEX. STEWART, and Mr. PHIRIPS, St. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD, LONDON.
FOR MESSES. WOGAN, HALPIN, BROWN, COLBERT, FITZPATRICE,

HOEY,-MAKINZIE,—GILBERT, -PORTER, 15%. 1801..

?

PREFACE,

FROM the first connexion of this country

with Great-Britain, her political fituation has been more critical than, perhaps, that of any other nation in Europe; and various events fucceffively occurred, which rendered it continually more complex. Hence arofe the many subjects of public difcuffion that heretofore, at different periods, difturbed the national mind, and which were at length all collectively brought forward during the prefent reign: A reign, which from this and other important circumftances, has proved of all others, the most interesting to the British empire in general, and to Ireland in particuJar.

(vi)

In this point of view therefore, it claims the attention of the hiftorian :-But, in attempting a description of our own times, we are aware of the many difficulties to be encountered ;-the delicacy requifite in fpeaking of existing characters; and the length of time neceffary to efface thofe impreffions of felf-interest and partiality which are naturally attached to the living moment.

Senfible of this-we have only aimed at a plain and an impartial narrative of political transactions, during the period alluded to; and have purposely refrained from obtruding any private opinions, or thereby endeavouring to influence the reader's mind: It may be prefumed he will be capable from the enfuing statement alone, to draw any neceffary inferrence as to caufes and effects: we have however, fully as poffible, fupported that statement by authentic documents; by the proceedings of corporate and other public affemblies; the records of parliament; and different teftimonials with which we have been favoured.

We have endeavoured to elucidate queftions of great national importance, by felecting from the parliamentary debates whatever feemed