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GRATTAN. 199. Irish nation were suspended by the hopes of relief; but when they found that the British ministry had forsaken their cause, they naturally enough became sorely exaspe rated, and their discontent became formidable and alarin ing. Associations were entered into against the importa tion of British commodities, and for the encouragement of Irish manufactures; the consequence of which was, that the manufactures of Ireland began in some slight degree to revive, and the demand for British goods in a great measure to decrease. During the recess, the system of associating and volunteering took i t s rise, and had made considerable progress ere the parliament met o n the 12th October, 1779. The lord-lieutenant's speech from the throne did not say much; and the address i n answer, b y Sir R . T . Dean, did not, o f course, presume t o say more. An address o f a different complexion was now formed and moved b y Mr. Grattan, a s a n amendment t o the answer t o the lord-lieutenant's speech: Mr. Grattan's amendment was clothed i n the following eloquent language;—“That we beseech your majesty t o believe, that i t i s with the utmost reluctance we are constrained t o approach you o n the present occasion; but the constant drain t o supply absentees, and the unfortunate prohibition o f our trade, have caused such calanity, that the natural support o f our country has decayed, and our manufactures are dying away for want. Famine stalks hand i n hand with hopeless wretchedness, and the only means left t o support the ex piring trade o f this miserable part o f your majesty's dominions, i s t o open a free export trade, and l e t your Irish subjects enjoy their natural birthright.” Sir Henry Cavendish declared h e would vote against the amendment, and advised the forming a committee; this, Mr. Ogle reprobated: Sir Edward Newenham charged the British ministry with contempt and neglect t o the nation, and said, h e thought the original address a ser vile echo t o the speech. The Provost drew a most pa. thetic picture o f the melancholy situation o f his native country. The attorney-general delivered a studied eulo