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 tinued through life. At length the British reverses in America, to which the expatriated Protestant Irish had so materially contributed, aroused Ministers to the necessity of conceding something to Irish demands, and on 4th November 1778 a Bill was passed enabling Catholics to take leases for lives or years concurrent, and to hold land for 999 years, or any number of years determinable on lives not exceeding five. This measure met Grattan's warmest approval. The country was then in the most miserable condition — its trade fettered, and the Government, almost in a state of bankruptcy, obliged to borrow from La Touche's Bank to sustain its credit. Next year matters culminated in the Government declaring its inability to defend Ireland, and the Volunteers sprang into being. Their support of the national party entirely altered the possibilities in Ireland. Grattan, aided by Burgh and Daly, was enabled to press on measures for free trade; and the address on that question, carried in the Commons, was taken to the Castle through streets lined by the Volunteers. The influence of the Ministers was paralyzed by the flood of generous enthusiasm that swept over the country, and Grattan's motion on 24th November 1779, "That at this time it would be inexpedient to grant new taxes," was carried by 170 to 47. In December an Act was passed in the British Parliament permitting Ireland to export glass and woollen goods, and to trade with America, Africa, and the West Indies. There were general illuminations through Ireland, and Government hoped the storm was over, while Grattan and his friends pushed on to further measures. At county meetings, grand juries, and Volunteer associations, resolutions were passed claiming that Ireland should be bound only by her own laws, and demanding a modification of Poyning's Act, and a repeal of 6 Geo. I., which declared the dependence of Ireland upon Great Britain. Early in 1780, Grattan gave notice of his intention to move a Declaration of Rights, embodying these demands; while, on the other hand, in the House of Lords the Duke of Leinster carried an address to the King, expressing satisfaction with the concessions already made. Grattan pressed on almost alone. Many of his friends were deterred by threats and blandishments; and Edmund Burke, applied to by the opponents of the Bill of Rights, wrote over: "Will no one speak to this madman? Will no one stop this madman, Grattan?" At this period Grattan lived much with his uncle, Colonel Marlay, who resided at Marlay Abbey on the Liffey, at Celbridge. He afterwards wrote: "Along the banks of that river, amid the groves and bowers of Swift and Vanessa, I grew convinced that I was right; arguments unanswerable came to my mind, and what I then prepared confirmed me in my determination to persevere; a great spirit arose among the people, and the speech which I delivered afterwards in the House communicated its fire and impelled them on; the country caught the flame, and it rapidly extended. I was supported by eighteen counties, by the grand jury addresses and the resolutions of the Volunteers. I stood upon that ground, and was determined never to yield. I brought on the question the 19th April 1780. That was a great day for Ireland — that day gave her liberty." These resolutions were: "That his most excellent Majesty, by and with the consent of the Lords and Commons of Ireland, are the only power competent to enact laws to bind Ireland: That the crown of Ireland is and ought to be inseparably annexed to the crown of Great Britain: That Great Britain and Ireland are inseparably united under one sovereign, under the common and indissoluble ties of interest, loyalty, and freedom." Although the decision upon them was postponed, the debate diffused a hopeful spirit through the country. During the ensuing summer the Volunteers held imposing reviews in different parts of Ireland, at many of which Grattan and Charlemont were present, and received popular ovations. The review in College-green, Dublin, in front of the Houses of Parliament, on 4th November, assumed a national character. Yet through 1781 the Government managed kept up its opposition to the Irish measures of reform, and the only important result of the session was the passing of a Habeas Corpus Act. On the 15th February 1782, 242 Volunteer delegates met at Dungannon, and passed resolutions drawn up by Grattan, Lord Charlemont, and Flood, embodying a declaration of Ireland's right to self-government, and a resolution in favour of the relaxation of the Penal Laws. Government by force in Ireland was now no longer possible. Lord Carlisle was recalled, and the Duke of Portland sent over as Viceroy, with instructions to concede the popular demands as far as appeared necessary to allay the excitement into which the country was thrown. Grattan and his friends urged on the question of independence. They perceived that delay might be fatal — that the country might be discouraged, and the ardour of the Volunteers possibly cool down. They refused all the offers of place held out by the P225