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 CAULFIELD. 421 would have diminished their weight and eflicacy. Perhaps, the Duke of Portland might think they would not meet the concurrence of the British cabinet without some alter- ation. Lord Charlemont had some interviews with his grace on the subject, and declared the intention of bim- self and his friends, to move the resolutions again in both houses without any alteration; and that ministers might take what course they thought fit. In this state of un certainty, when the house met, it was wholly uoknown to Lord Charlemont and his friends, whether the resolutions and address, which Mr. Grattan was to move, would be opposed by government, or not. Mr. Grattan, however, persevered; and, though much indisposed, he prefaced his declaration of rights by a most splendid oration. He stated the three great causes of complaint on the part of Ireland; namely, the declaratory statute of George 1. en- abling the British parliament to make laws to bind Ire land; the perpetual imeeting bill, which readered the standing army of Ireland independent of the control of parliament ; and the unconstitutional powers of the Irish privy council, to mutilate, or suppress, bills of the Irish parliament on their way to England for the royal assent. The repeal of these obnoxious statutes, and the abolition of that most improper sway of the Irish privy council, were, he said, the terms on. which alone he could be induced to support the goverament. The address to his majesty, stating the grievances of Ireland, and t declaration of rights, were then moved by him in answer to the king's message. The sense of the house, in favour of the address, was unequivocally manifest. All oppo- sition, if any were intended, was relinquisied; and the address passed unanimously -as did a similar one in the house of lords. The British ministry acted with candour and magnanimity. Mr. Fox moved the repeal of the obnox- ious statute of George I. in the British house of commons with his usual ability. Lord Shelburne moved a similar resolution in the lords ; and the repeal was immediately adopted. If any thing could surpass the patriotie zeal