Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/101

 1807.] From Irish Union to Dismissal of Grenville. 87 could be affected by no patriotic feelings, and there was no great question raised to stir the enthusiasm of the people. So the new Parliament, which met on the ipth of December, 1806, was exactly like the old, just as untrustworthy, just as time-serving. If ministers would carry on the war and leave other things alone, if they would not disturb institutions and would not annoy the court, they might go on ; otherwise, they must take the consequence. So the address in reply to the King's speech was passed without a division. One thing this shortest of Parliaments did worthy of being remembered : it passed the Act for the abolition of the slave trade. The royal assent was given to the Act on the 25th of March, 1807, but before that time the fate of the Ministry was sealed. On the 5th of March Lord Howick, who had succeeded Fox as foreign minister, moved for leave to bring in a bill for securing to all his Majesty's subjects the privilege of serving in the army and navy on taking a prescribed oath. This measure would have laid open all grades in both services to Roman Catholics. Perceval opposed the introduction of the bill, but it was supposed that the King had assented to its introduction, and leave was given. The royal permission had, however, it afterwards appeared, been given only to a portion of the proposals, and even to them under some mis- take. When Sidmouth, Malmesbury, Eldon, and Perceval conferred with him and explained the real provisions of the measure and their own objections, the monarch recalled his consent, and the bill was withdrawn. But the efforts of the Tories, both in and out of the Government, and the deter- mination of the King did not end here. The King demanded that ministers should give a written undertaking never again to bring forward the measure, nor to propose anything with regard to the Catholic question to his Majesty. This was an engagement which was not only repulsive to their sense of independence and honour, but was directly contrary to their duty as responsible ministers. They therefore refused to give the required pledge, and the King dismissed them. The vindication of their policy with regard to the Irish Catholics