asserting the right of both houses to declare a prince regent. The following was the answer of the lord lieutenant to the address of both houses, requesting him to transmit their address to the prince of Wales. "My Lords and Gentlemen,

"Under the impression, which I feel of my official duty, and of the oath which I have taken as chief governor of Ireland, I am obliged to decline transmitting this address into Great Britain.

"For I cannot consider myself warranted to lay before the prince of Wales an address, purporting to invest his royal highness with powers to take upon him the government of this realm, before he should be enabled so to do."

There being now a vote of censure on the lord lieutenant, twenty-four of the peers entered a protest against it. The delegates from both houses of parliament in Ireland presented the address to the prince of Wales on the 27th of February; who, in his answer, expressed his warmest thanks. If any thing" said his royal highness, "could add to the esteem and affection I have for the people of Ireland, it would be the loyal and affectionate attachment to the person and government of the king, my father, manifested in the address of the two houses." His royal highness thus concluded: "But the fortunate change which had taken place in the circumstance which gave occasion to the address agreed to by the lords and commons of Ireland, induces me to delay for a few days, giving a final answer, trusting that the joyful event of his majesty's resuming the personal exercise of his royal authority, may then render it only necessary for me to repeat those sentiments of gratitude and affection to the loyal and generous people of Ireland, which I feel indelibly imprinted on my heart." His royal highness's final answer, March 12, announced the happy event of his majesty's recovery, and the consequent re-sumption of the exercise of his government, and the same intelligence was communi

cated by the lord lieutenant to both houses of parliament on the 14th.

On the 14th of October the earl of Westmorland was appointed lord lieutenant of Ireland. The first parliament he held was on the 21st of January, 1790, and his speech to both houses was as follows:

"My Lords and Gentlemen,

"The king having been graciously pleased to place me in the government of this kingdom, I have his commands to meet you in parliament; and it affords me peculiar satisfaction that I enter upon the discharge of this most important trust, at a period, when this country, in common with the rest of his majesty's dominions, is in the secure enjoyment of the blessings of peace, and of the inestimable advantages arising from our free constitution.

"This happy situation will undoubtedly encourage you to persevere in the maintenance of good government, and to adhere to that wise system of policy, which has established the credit, the industry, and the prosperity of your country upon a firm and steady foundation.

"Gentlemen of the House of Commons,

"I have ordered the national accounts to be laid before you, and I trust you will make such provisions as shall be necessary for the exigencies of the state, and the honourable support of his majesty's government. My Lords and Gentlemen,

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"Your zeal for the interests of this country will naturally direct your attention to whatever can encrease the wealth and extend the industry of Ireland; her agriculture, and linen manufacture will claim your especial care; and the institutions of the charter and other protestant schools, will, I am persuaded, receive from you that consideration which the interests of religion and the good education of youth peculiarly demand. I earnestly recommend to your attention the improving and continuing such laws as experience hath shewn to be of national be

nefit, and I have the king's commands to assure you that such measures, as may constitute to that end, will meet with his majesty's most gracious concurrence. Impressed with the deep sense of the distinguished honour which his majesty has conferred upon me by my appointment to this arduous situation, I shall endeavour with the utmost zeal and attention to promote the happiness and welfare of Ireland; fully sensible that I cannot otherwise hope, either to render my services acceptable to my sovereign, or to insure your favourable opinion and confidence."

On the address to his majesty being presented co the lords, lord Portarlington moved the following amendment-"To lay before his majesty the apprehensions this house entertains of ministerial influence; and its hope that his majesty will remove them, by abolishing establishments, so unnecessary, burdensome, alarming, &c." which being rejected, a protest was entered, signed by eight.

The speaker of the house of commons of Ireland, on presenting the bills of supply to the lord lieutenant, made the following speech:

"May it please your Excellency,

"Every year's experience, since 1785, has shown the wisdom of the principle which the commons then established, of preventing the further accumulation of national debt. Upon the influence of that principle, public credit has risen so high as to admit of an encrease to the sinking fund, by a considerable diminution in the interest of the public debt. Private credit too has felt its salutary effects and the advanced state of both has given vigour to industry and a steady aid to mercantile exertion.

"We now see our commerce extended to a degree unknown in any former time, our agriculture encreased, even beyond the most sanguine speculation, and our linen manufacture risen largely in its value. Such is the present prosperous situation of this country, and we behold it with the more satisfaction, because