OSITION FOR THE RELIEF OF IRELAND.

Lord North brought forward his promised scheme of relief for Ireland on
the 13th of December. This scheme consisted of three propositions: to
allow a free export of wool, woollens, and wool-flocks; to allow a free
export of glass and all kinds of manufactured glass; and to allow a free
trade with all the British plantations on certain conditions; the basis
of which was an equality of taxes and customs. In supporting these
propositions Lord North entered minutely into the natural and inherent
rights of Ireland; combated many inveterate prejudices; declared that
the benefits of the two countries must be reciprocal and their interests
mutual; and in short collected into one point of view all the liberal
notions of commerce and policy which Burke and others of his party had
long laboured to impress upon parliament. If Lord North was actuated by
fear in making these large concessions, so also were the majority of
the members in the house, for the very men who had clamoured against
commercial concessions to Ireland, and had frustrated all measures in
favour of this line of policy by their votes, now consented to the three
resolutions, without the least opposition. Bills founded on the two
first propositions were brought in, and passed both houses, and received
the royal assent before the Christmas recess. The third proposition
was delayed till the sentiments of the Irish concerning it could be
ascertained. These sentiments were found to be favourable, and it was
therefore soon carried. A few other benefits were also conferred on the
Irish; suck as enabling them to become members of the Turkey Company,
and to engage in the Levant trade. The whole appeared to give great
satisfaction to the Irish nation. The acts were received as a boon,
and great loyalty and affection were expressed. Unfortunately, however,
ministers cut short their popularity by altering some bills, which
gave great umbrage to the Irish people, and taught them even to desire
independence. On this subject Dr. Miller writes:--"The bills altered on
this occasion were not, as in the former case, money-bills: that folly
the ministers did not venture to repeat: but one of them was a bill
involving the dearest interests of the people; and the alteration was
such as gave to the public mind the only impulse which it then required
for aspiring to constitutional independence. The Irish parliament, not
choosing that its military establis