House Of Commons.

a practice not warranted by any experience . [ Mr . Fox here made a comparison between the present state of Ireland and that of America in 1775 , which , he insisted , was exactly similar ; and said that the discontents in Ireland would lead to its separation from this country , unless allayed by timely concessions . ] There are some , I know , who have a fixed dislike to the people of the north of Ireland . I confess I have not . It is said that they are of the old leaven . Of w'hat old leaven ? Of that leaven that rescued the country from the tyranny of the Stuarts . Of that leaven , which , by fermenting , has kneaded together the Constitution . I

know-ofiio betterleaten . But I suppose 1 shall be told that these are not theonly parties , that there is another class ; 1 will not call if the Aristocracy ; it would be disgracing the word . This class consists of the nobility and gentry , who have secured all the places of patronage ancl emolument , and who ought rather to be a make-weight iu the scale . I know of no way of governing mankind but by conciliating them , aud according to the jVwible way which the Irish have of expressing their meaning , ' I know of no mode of governing ihe people , but by lettingthem have their own way . ' And what shall we lose by it ? If Ireland is governed

by conceding to ail her ways and wishes , will she be less useful to Great Britain ? what is she now ? little more than a diversion for the enemy . If you keep Ireland by force now , what must you do in all future wars ? You must , in the first place , secure her from insurrection . My wish is , that Irelaud should have the same principles , the same system , the same operation of government , and though it may be a subordinate consideration , that all classes should have an equal chance of emolument ; in other words , I would have the whole Irish Government governed by Irish notions and Irish prejudices ; and I firmly believe , according to another

Irish expression , the more she is under Irish Government , the more she will be bound to English interests . Can there be any principle in a British House of Commons , which should induce them to see the probability of a civil war , and of the separation of Ireland , which must be resisted by English resources ? We are

all one people of one empire ; I am sure form does not stand in the way in the present instance , and if it did , I should still say , that it ought not to influence us > I move , sir , ' that an humble Address be presented to his Majesty , to enlreat his Majesty that he will be graciously pleased to take into consideration the disturbed state of Ireland ,. and to adopt such healing and lenient measures as may appear to his Majesty to be best calculated to restore tranquillity , and to conciliate trj . differences that subsist at present in that country . ' Sir Robert Burdet seconded the motion .

Mr . Pitt , in a speech of considerable length , combated the arguments of Mr , Fox . He insisted that the present address would , if carried , be an interference iti the affairs of Ireland on the part of this country , which was contrary to that independence of the Irish Parliament , which had been admitted in the year 1762 . If the Irish found themselves aggrieved , any Address to his Majesty should be through the medium of their oivn Legislature . He conceived tliej proposition of Mr . Fox would be productive of the most fatal consequences to the interests of both countries . He concluded by giving his decided opposition to the Address .

Mr . W . Smith replied generally to the arguments of the Chancellor of the Exchequer , and , in a speech of considerable ability , combated his positions , as inapplicable to the question immediately before the House . Lord Frederic Campbell said , that he had never known a motion made in that House , from which he conceived himself so much mischief was likely to arise , in case it should be agreed to . Lord Wycombe , Mr . Ctirwen , Mr . Courtena ) -, and . Mr . Hobhouse , spoke in favour of the motion . Lord Uatvkesbury and Col . Fullarton against it .

Mr . Fox replied , at some length , to Mr . Pitt , and the gentlemen on the ministerial be' . ich . He argued strongly for the propriety of his Majesty ' s interference , which he said was the only means of preserving the union of the two countries .. Mr . Pitt had said , his motion was not definite ; it was definite ; for it recommended lenient measures . He ( Mr . Fox ) was for conciliatory measures , and an enemy to all coercion On the question being called for , the House divided . Ayes ,. 84—Noes , 220—Majority against Mr . Fox's motion , 136 . ' VOL . ' IX . CC