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.

PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT.

During the remainder of this session no subject of vital interest
was discussed. Parliament was prorogued on the 12th of July, when his
majesty declared that the decision and energy of his ally, the Emperor
of Russia, and the intimate union established between them, would enable
him to employ the means intruste