JB/137/302/001

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1820 Jany 27
radicalism not dangerous

III Experience
II Ireland
Charlemont
deal a pretence

Whether this offer of Lord Charlemont had much more of security
in it than those others the reader will judge. But to compleat his judgment
it may be of use that he should observe the complexion of the speech of
the most illustrious of his two Lordships Representatives — Mr Grattan

Hardy p.266. 1783 November. In the Convention

"A short scene was now acted, + + Copy to "resigning
"them" in p.267 and, according to all the rules
"of criticism, in perfect unison with the former. Two or three
"Lords and Gentlemen; who possessed borough property, declared
"in the convention, that any proper plan of reform should meet
"no obstacle from such possessions remaining in their hands. They
"would willingly relinquish them for the benefit of the people. Immediately
"after these gentlemen, who at that moment of enthusiasm
"were, I make no doubt, perfectly serious in what
"they said, and were capable of very generous derelictions, up
"rose several patriotic personages, and professing equal ardour
"in the public cause, made similar renunciations. Unfortunately,
"however, their pretensions to those boroughs this invidious
"species of property were by no means so unequivocal.
"Some of those boroughs which they were pleased to
"call exclusively their own, presented only very debateable
"ground, and were in general known to those gentlemen,
"merely by the long sufferings which they sustained for even
"a dubious and transitory interest in them. To abandon
"such boroughs altogether would, at any time be consummate
"prudence. To immolate a set of voters, periodically
"corrupt, or law agents perpetually rapacious, would be
"most laudable, if a convention or reform had never been
"heard of. Upon such sacrifices, the Gods themselves, would,
"I think, throw incense: could they have really been made. Yet
"with no other offerings to lay on the altar of public freedom, than
"what might justly be termed their own personal embarrassments,
"and molestations, did those gentlemen rise, one after the
"other, and with the most united gravity, nobly bestow on the people
"their untenable claims, and unsound interests. But they seemed
"resolved, on that day, that every proceeding in the Convention should
"be almost ideal, and visionary plans of reform were followed by
"imaginary proscriptions of family electors.

"Those shadows having passed over the scene in very solemn
"and ridiculous order, the eyes of the Spectators were at length tired
"of such mock-heroic visions, and all turned towards Lord Charlemont.
"An enemy to ostentation, and always averse to public speaking, he
"had hitherto remained silent. But he found it necessary now to
"say something. 'My determination' said his Lordship. 'to sacrifice to
"the public that Borough, which I have ever held in trust for the people
"was, I thought, sufficiently declared, but my acceptance of a
"seat at this Meeting. That trust I have at all times endeavoured
"to execute to the public advantage, and I can assure this assembly,
"that I have never felt so much real satisfaction in the exercise of those
"powers, which, as a Trustee for the people, have been confided to me,
"as I now do, in resigning them."

Identifier: | JB/137/302/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 137.
Date_1	1820-01-27	Marginal Summary Numbering
Box	137	Main Headings	radicalism not dangerous
Folio number	302	Info in main headings field	radicalism not dangerous
Image	001	Titles
Category	collectanea	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering
Penner	jeremy bentham; john flowerdew colls	Watermarks
Marginals		Paper Producer
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year
Notes public		ID Number	47019
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