Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/481

 PONSON BY. 477 of Mr. Pitt's doctrine; and a vote passed both Houses, inviting h i s royal highness t o assume the regency o f Ire land, unfettered and unclogged b y any o f those restric tions, which had been imposed i n England. A deputation from both Houses waited o n the viceroy, with a n address t o his royal highness, founded upon this vote, which they requested him t o transmit t o England; but his excellency refusing t o forward a state paper s o directly opposed t o the most important principles o f his adminis tration and the main object o f his most strenuous resist ance, a vote o f censure was passed b y both Houses, and a deputation o f members, consisting o f four from each House, was sent t o England t o present their address t o the prince regent. The Irish ambassadors, a s they were called, were most graciously received b y his royal high ness a t Carlton House, and honoured with the warmest expressions o f thanks for the generous attachment, mani fested towards him b y the parliament o f Ireland: but the critical recovery o f his royal father just a t that time, pre vented his royal highness from signifying any opinion a s t o the acceptance o f their proposal. The Marquis o f Buckingham, after this open breach with the parliament, considering his post n o longer tenable, im mediately returned t o England. A marked trepidation and dismay was now manifest amongst those Irish placemen who had, a s the phrase i s , ratted from the treasury phalanx, and supported the regency vote, o n a speculation o f worship t o the rising sun. They trembled for their places. Many were dismissed, and others, i n atonement for their error, made the most humiliating concessions, and were allowed t o retain their posts. Mr. Ponsonby, however, stood firm a t the head o f a select and faithful band of eloquent adherents, who continued for a series o f years t o oppose the system o f measures, which they but too truly prophesied must ultimately lead t o a general con vulsion. - The discussion upon the regency question led t o two results, deeply involving the fate o f Ireland. Mr. Fitz