OF WASHINGTON. 1778 431 might have caused the firmest mind to despair Ch. 23. of the fortunes of the Republic. It is the highest eulogy which can be passed on Washington, that while he, beyond all men, saw and felt each of these accumulated difficulties in its full magnitude, his mind, though depressed and agitated, never sank to the level of disgust or despair. His temper was still proof against every trial; his resources equal to every emergency. His military chest was closed; his commissariat had ceased to exist: but he soothed the murmurs of his army; he sent out requisitions for forage; and such was the influence of his name, that these supplies were for the most part rendered without compulsion. CHAPTER XXIV. STATE OF IRELAND RISE OF THE VOLUNTEERS RELAXATION OF THE COMMERCIAL CODE - MEETINGS MENTARY AND ECONOMICAL REFORMS BURKE'S BILL DISTURBANCES IN SCOTLAND LONDON. 1779 - Ireland. Ch. 24. MEANWHILE, the difficulties accumulating around the British Government, though of Difficulties of a different character, were not less formidable Government. than those which embarrassed the Transatlantic Republic. The main difference was, that in America the wisdom and firmness of the man in whose hands the fortunes of his country were placed, prevailed over the selfishness and perverseness of the Executive; while in England, all the prudence and liberality of the Minister were neutralized by the facility which yielded to the unconstitutional pressure of the Crown. It was no light matter that thirteen colonies were all but rent from the dominion of Great Britain; that her old rivals were in arms, and that their fleets had already insulted her coasts with impunity. But new complications arose. Ireland, THE IRISH DIFFICULTY. which had never yet been a very hopeful member of the British empire, now became what she continued to be up to the most recent date, an anxious care to the statesmen of this country. England, with her usual reserve towards her dependencies, had done little to conciliate the affections of this nation, which must be always the most important member of her imperial family. Ireland had long felt, with the sensibility for which she is remarkable, that her interests were made subservient to those of her powerful sister. The example of America, whose case was so similar in many important particulars, could hardly fail to produce an impression on the other side of the Channel. Hence the demands made in the preceding session for a relaxation of the restraints which had long oppressed the commerce of Ireland. Those demands had been refused, with a plain avowal that the concession of them was incompatible with the interests of the superior people. The Irish, following the lead of the Colonists, entered into non-importation and selfdenying compacts, and they computed that they should thus retain a million of money which annually went to swell the pride and prosperity of their haughty neighbours. But British legislation might frustrate this arrangement, and again the example of America was followed with an adaptation to the difference of circumstances. The appearance of the French and Spanish fleets in the Channel, afforded the Irish a pretext for 433 Ch. 24. 1779 434 RISE OF THE VOLUNTEERS. Ch. 24. putting their design into execution. The exigencies of the American war had obliged them to give up the standing army, which England was bound to maintain in Ireland. 1779 Apprehended invasion. Under these circumstance, the town of Belfast, Volunteers. which had been threatened with invasion eighteen years before, made a formal demand upon the Irish Government for military protection. The answer from Dublin was, that the Government had no force at their disposal. Such a reply in an emergency so pressing, was considered as tantamount to an abdication of its duties by the Executive; and the municipality to which it was addressed, accordingly took measures, without further delay, to provide for their own defence. Volunteers were invited to come forward and enroll themselves. The call was promptly answered. In a few weeks the northern counties were in arms. The movement spread with unexampled rapidity; and before the close of the summer of 1779, a force computed at forty-two thousand men, well disciplined, well appointed and officered, by the noblemen and gentlemen of the districts where the regiments had been raised, were ready to defend their country against foreign invasion, or to vindicate its liberties and rights against domestic oppression. Irish Parlia ment. Grat The first great demonstration made by the tan's motion national army, was on the occasion of the meeting of the Irish Parliament in October, 1779. The Dublin volunteers mustered in great numbers, on the Address. THE DUBLIN VOLUNTEERS. and, assuming the duties of a regular army, constituted themselves a guard of honour to the Lord Lieutenant, when he proceeded to open the Parliament. A respectful allusion was made to this formidable body in the Viceroy's speech; and while the metropolitan regiments were drawn up outside the House in ominous array, Grattan moved an amendment to the Address, in which he recapitulated the grievances of the country, and demanded free trade as the natural birthright of the people. The amendment was carried nemine contradicente, and was followed immediately by a vote of thanks to the national army. On the following day, the Address so amended * was taken up to the Castle, amid the acclamations of the people; the Speaker being escorted by the volunteers, with the Duke of Leinster, the first peer of Ireland, at their head. Thus, by a bloodless revolution, had the whole executive government been assumed by an armed confederacy, consisting of the great bulk of all classes of the people, without regard to party or to creed. 435 Ch. 24. 1779 in Dublin. Under the auspices of this military association, Disturbances the Irish Parliament proceeded with measures of unusual vigour. They instituted searching inquiries into various branches of the national expenditure, and attacked the gross abuses of the secret service, and the pension-list. But the end to which their efforts were principally directed, was the emancipation of their commerce |