Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/440

 CAULFIELD. 429 kingdom was much agitated on the subject. A provincial meeting, assembled at Cork, on the 1st of March, 1783, published many strong resolutions in favour of reform; and in the north, another meeting of delegates from forty- five volunteer corps, assembled at Lisburne, on the 1st of July following, and afterwards at Belfast, on the 19th of the same month (which afterwards corresponded with Mr. Pitt, the Duke of Richmond, and other British advo- cates for reform) and they addressed a letter to Lord Charlemont, then on a visit to his friend Mr. Brownlow, at Laydon, soliciting, not only bis lordship's support in favour of a reform for which he had already avowed the warmest approbation, but entreating the communication of his lordship's sentiments at large on the subject, point- ing out such a specific mode of reform, and the most eligible steps leading to it, as eame up to bis lordship's ideas; and naming several specific points, requesting his lordship's opinion, whether they were subjects upon which the volunteers of Ireland ought to interfere:-his lord- ship's opinion to be communicated to the chairman of their meeting at Dungannon, appointed for the 8th of Sep- tember following; together with a sketch of such resolu- tions as he should think proper to be proposed at that meeting. In his lordship's answer to this letter, after acknowledg- ing the honour of their high opinion, he declined giving any opinion beyond the reform itself, upon the specific detail of subordinate points, which involved questions for the most able and minute discussion; and suggested that at the meeting, the measure alone should be recommended, without specifying any mode, leaving that entirely to the consideration of parliament The meeting, however, was held at Dungannon, on the appointed day; and consisted of delegates from two hun- dred and sixty-nine volunteer corps. Mr. Stewart, mem- ber for Tyrone, in the chair. Lord Bristol, then bishop of Derry, was also present. Many resolutions were passed; and a grand national convention was suggested to be held