Ireland.
The bold stand taken by the Americans early in 1775 made the British ministry afraid of like movements in Ireland, where the Protestant minority had hitherto been employed to keep the majority, who were Roman Catholics, in subjection. That majority, amounting to seven-eighths of the entire population, were not only deprived of all political privileges, but were subjected to a great many rigorous and cruel restraints, designed to keep them ignorant, poor, and helpless. Even the Protestants in Ireland were not allowed an equality with their fellow-subjects in England. Their Parliament did not possess the rights enjoyed by the American colonial assemblies; and Ireland, in matters of trade, was treated very much like a foreign country. The idea of political liberty aroused in the colonies was already sowing the seeds of revolution in Ireland, and it was judged expedient to conciliate the Irish by just legislation that should relax the harsh commercial restrictions. This, however, was done so sparingly that it fell far short of accomplishing permanent good. Indeed, it was regarded as a delusive, temporizing policy, and the attitude of the Irish people, encouraged by that of the Americans, even became more threatening than ever. The Catholic Relief Bill of 1778 had made the Irish, for the first time in their history, one people; “all sects, all ranks, all races—the nobleman and the merchant, the Catholic and the Protestant, the Churchman and the Dissenter, he who boasted of his pure native lineage and he who was as proud of the Saxon or Norman blood that flowed in his veins—rushed together to the vindication of the liberties of their common country;” and, at the beginning of the year, beheld them embodied to the number of 80,000 volunteers. The British government dared not refuse the arms which they demanded to repel a threatened invasion from France. The fiery Grattan was then leader in the Irish Parliament. “I never will be satisfied,” he exclaimed in debate, “so long as the meanest cottager in Ireland has a link of the British chain clanking to his rags: he may be naked—he shall not be in irons.” The Irish Parliament acted in accordance with this spirit, and adopted a resolution which made the country virtually free.Ireland, which had been more oppressed by British rule than the American colonies, had, at the beginning of the contest between the latter and Great Britain, shown peculiar subserviency to its political master. When news of the affairs at Lexington and Bunker Hill reached that country, the Irish Parliament voted that they “heard of the rebellion with abhorrence, and were ready to show to the world their attachment to the sacred person of the King.” Taking advantage of this expressed loyalty, Lord North obtained leave to send 4,000 able-bodied men to America as a part of the British army. The strongest and best of the Irish army were selected, and eight regiments were shipped for America. This left Ireland almost defenceless. Its Parliament offered to organize a national militia, which Lord North refused to accept, and, instead of a militia, organized and controlled by the British government, selfformed bands of volunteers sprang up all over Ireland. North saw his blunder, and had a militia bill enacted. But it was too late; the Irish Parliament preferred the volunteers, supported by the Irish themselves. Meanwhile the eloquent, patriotic, and incorruptible Henry Grattan had become a member of the Irish Parliament, and he was principally the agent that kindled the fire of patriotic zeal in Ireland that was burning so brightly in America. In 1779, though only thirty-three years of age, he led the Irish Parliament in demanding reforms. He moved an amendment to the address to the King that the nation could be saved only by free-trade, and it was adopted by unanimous vote. New taxes were refused. The ordinary supplies usually granted for two years were granted for six months. Throughout the little kingdom an inextinguishable sentiment of nationality was aroused. Alarmed by the threatening attitude, the British Parliament, in 1781, conceded to the dependent kingdom its claims to commercial equality.
The volunteer army of Ireland, commanded by officers of their own choice, amounted to about 50,000 at the close of the war with America (1782). They were united under one general-in-chief. [65] Feeling strong in the right and in its material and moral vitality at the moment, and encouraged by the success of the Americans, Ireland demanded reforms for herself. The viceroy reported that unless it was determined that the knot which bound the two countries should be severed forever, the points required by the Irish Parliament must be conceded. It was a critical moment. Eden, who was secretary for Ireland, proposed the repeal of the act of George I. which asserted the right of the Parliament of Great Britain to make laws to bind the people and the kingdom of Ireland—the right claimed for Parliament which drove the Americans to war—and the Rockingham ministry adopted and carried the important measure. Appeals from the courts of Ireland to the British House of Peers were abolished; the restraints on independent legislation were done away with, and Ireland, still owing allegiance to Great Britain, obtained the independence of its Parliament. This was the fruit of the war for independence in America. The people of Ireland owed the vindication of their rights to the patriots of the United States; but their gratitude took the direction of their complained — of oppressor, and their legislature voted $500,000 for the levy of 20,000 seamen to strengthen the royal navy, whose ships had not yet been withdrawn from American waters, and which, with an army, were still menacing the liberties of the Americans.
