THE SPEECH OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE Fitzgibbon JOHN, EARL OF CLARE, (1, earl of) LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OF IRELAND, IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS OF IRELAND, ON A MOTION MADE BY THE · EARL OF MOIR A, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1798, "That an humble Address be presented to his Excellency the Lord Lieute- nary powers in order to fupport the Laws and defeat traiterous Combina- By Authority._ THIRD EDITION CORRECTED. DUBLIN: PRINTED FOR JOHN MILLIKEN, NO. 32, GRAFTON-STREET, 1798. LORD CHANCELLOR's SPEECH. MY LORDS, I AM happy to have an opportunity of difcuffing this fubject with the noble Lord in this affembly; I know of none on which there has been fuch a series of studied and perfevering mifreprefentation; and certainly very liberal contributions have been made to the Common stock, under the fanction and authority of the noble Earl's name. If we are to believe reports apparently well authenticated, which have been nearly avowed this night on his part, the noble Earl has twice brought forward this fubject in the British Houfe of Lords. His first propofition to that grave affembly was, to addrefs his Majefty to interpofe his gracious and paternal interference to allay the difcontents fubfisting in the kingdom of Ireland, which threatened the dearest interests of the British empire. One principal source of Irish discontent he stated to be, that the Irish Catholics infifted on their right of fitting in both Houfes of Parliament, from which they are precluded by the ftatute law of Ireland. Another cause of offence to the people, the noble Lord stated to be, that a Member of the Irish House of Commons had, uninvited and without any apB parent |