ABSTRACT

Thus far the Whig Ministry had wrought and prospered well. They had undertaken their great works with a clear view of what ought to be done, and a determination to do it; or, if they at any time fell short in either of these requisites, the sympathy or opposition of the liberal party soon brought them up again. Among many deficiencies and weaknesses which they were now to exhibit, the most fatal, and one of the most inexcusable, was in regard to Ireland. In 1831, the state of Ireland seemed to be growing daily worse in regard to violence. There was a conflict of forces between the Lord Lieutenant and Mr. O’Connell. The Lord Lieutenant issued proclamations against a certain order of public meetings. The King requested the Parliament to consider whether some improvement could not be made in the law regarding tithes in Ireland.