UNION WITH IRELAND CONSIDERED
A.D. 1799
A plan for uniting Ireland under one legislature with Great Britain, as Scotland, had been discussed and seriously entertained before the breaking out of the recent rebellion; but that event had made the necessity of such a union more apparent. The union of England and Ireland, indeed, was a favourite measure at this time with Pitt; and a pamphlet was published, under his auspices, by the under-secretary, Mr. Cooke, setting forth its advantages. The public mind was therefore prepared to discuss the question; and parliament was soon called upon to take it into consideration. On the 22nd of January a message was received from his majesty, recommending the consideration of the most effectual means of defeating the designs of our enemies to promote a separation between the two kingdoms, by settling such a complete and final adjustment as might perpetuate a connexion essential for the common security, and consolidate the power and resources of the British empire. This message was reported next day, when Mr. Duudas moved and carried an address, importing that the house would proceed with all speed to a consideration of the several interests submitted to their attention. It was agreed that the question should be considered on the 31st of January; and on that day Pitt, after explaining the grounds which would make the union as beneficial to Ireland as to England, proposed certain resolutions as the basis of the measure. Those resolutions were, that the two islands should be united into one kingdom, by the name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland; that the succession to the crown should be limited and settled as at present; that the united realm should be represented by one parliament, in which a certain number of Irish lords and commons, hereafter to be defined, should have a seat; that the churches of England and Ireland should be preserved as by law established; that the Irish should be entitled to the same privileges, in point of navigation and trade, with the English, subject to certain regulations relative to equality of duties; that the charge for payment of the interest of the debt of each kingdom before the union, should be continued to be paid by the respective countries; and that all laws in force at the time of the union, and all the courts, civil or ecclesiastical, should remain as already established, subject only to such alterations as circumstances might recommend to the united parliament. After some long and warm debates these resolutions, with some slight amendments, were agreed to, and sent up to the peers; and after another warm debate in the upper house, a joint address to the king was agreed to, presenting the resolutions as a proper basis for the union. But here, as regarded England, the matter rested for the present year.