Page:An address to the thinking independent part of the community.djvu/8

( 8 ), and the vilest traffick of places and dignities; accompanied too by the shameless and daring avowal, that these were the acknowledged, ordinary and justifiable means of Irish government. This influence became at last so firmly established, that it scorned no longer concealment, and seemed to glory in opportunities of displaying its full enormity, when we saw measures demanded by the eager voice of the people, scornfully rejected by the legislature, and soon after adopted on the recommendation of the minister.

It was not to be expected that the people would tamely acquiesce in being thus deluded. Their expectations had been great, and their disappointment consequently was severe. They had been told by thole, who yielded to their demand of independence, that they had made « a great and glorious acquisition; and in proportion to the value which they had been taught to set on the gift, was their indignation at finding themselves treacherously and surreptitiously bereaved of it. Great and general discontent was the necessary consequence: And the measures taken to eradicate that discontent, made it strike its roots the deeper, and grow more menacing and dangerous. Numerous attempts had been made to procure in a peaceable manner, the redress of what were justly considered grievances. Meetings of delegates from the various parts of the kingdom, called conven-tions