Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/451

CAULFIELD. 440 to bis lordship of the cireumstance, was from a friend who had accidentally read the appointment in the Dublin Ga- zette. His lordship wrote immediately to the secretary of the viceroy, and gave in his resignation. This measure served to mark the feeling entertained at the castle of Lord Charlemont's political conduct; but with his coun- try it served to exalt still higher, the man whom ministers meant to degrade. A meeting of the freeholders of Armagh assembled, who voted to his lordship a most affectionate address, in which they marked the indigna- tion which they felt for the indignity offered him, and this address was signed by one thousand three hundred and seventy-three of the most respectable names. The alarming progress of the French revolution, which, after overturning the monarchy in France, menaced the political systems of all Europe, had also its influence upon the state of Ireland, and the policy of the British govern- ment, in relation thereto. The French revolution at its outset had the approbation and good wishes of many of the most loyal men in both countries, and the proceedings of the revolutionists, and the discussions which took place in France, were read with avidity by all classes of people in Great Britain and Ireland. His majesty's ministers foresaw ihat from the state of things between the revolutionists of France and the continental powers, England might ulti mately be involved in a war, if not on her own account, yet in support, of some of her allies: and therefore the good policy of conciliating all feelings of popular dis- content at home must be obvious, on the approach of a erisis when the whole physical force of the empire might become necessary to her own security. To secure the affections of the catholie population in Ireland, forming four-fifths of the whole, was a leading object. The first germ of this policy began with a bill introduced in the British parliament by Sir Johu Mitford, afterwards Lord Redesdale; and another was introduced into the Irish house of commons, by Sir Hercules Langrishe, a commis-