Struggles for Parliamentary Independence (I727 – I759)
Above: The Struggles For Parlimentary
On the accession of George II, lord Carteret, who was popular on account of abolishing Wood’s halfpence, was retained as lord lieutenant. In 1727 the Catholics prepared an address to him expressing their loyalty, and their intention to keep peaceful. It- was presented to tile lords justices, one of whom was archbishop Boulter; but they never forwarded it, and no notice was taken of it. It was chiefly through primate Boulter’s in- fluence that the Catholics were disfranchised in the beginning of this reign. Finding that they would not; conform, Ins next plan was to begin with the children. He induced the government to found the “Charter schools” in 1730: free schools in which the children of poor Roman Catholics were taught, clothed, fed, and apprenticed to a trade, all free: and educated as Protestants. But these charter schools did not effect much. For years there had been great distress from the general depression of trade; and this, as well as the Test and Schism acts, drove from the country vast numbers of the Ulster Presbyterians, who continued to emigrate to New England.
This alarmed the Government, as it increased the relative proportion of Catholics; yet they obstinately retained these two acts though the duke of Dorset the lord lieutenant at- tempted to have them repealed in 1733; failing like lord Wharton. The duke of Dorset was succeeded in 1737 by the duke of Devonshire, who lived in great magnifi- cence, and bought over men by liberal bestowal of places; so that the Patriot party found it hard to retain their influence in parliament. In 1745 the Scottish rebellion broke out in favour of the Pretender; but though his army was largely composed of exiled Irishmen, the Irish Catholic? at home, thoroughly crushed, took no part. in it. Nevertheless the English government felt greatly alarmed about Ireland : and in that same year they sent over the earl of Chesterfield as lord lieutenant, with instructions to exercise moderation.
The local oligarchy of Dublin pressed for more severity against the Catholics : but he ridiculed their recommendations : and having satisfied himself by his spies tliat the Catholics had no hostile designs, lie allowed them to worship in their chapels without molestation. A few days after the battle of Culloden in 1746, which crushed the rebellion, he was recalled. On the day of his departure he walked through the streets to the place of embarkation with his countess on his arm, amid the acclamation of the people. Catholics and Protestants.
In 1747 the earl of Harrington came over as lord lieutenant. In the same year George Stone was appointed primate of Armagh; and like primate Boulter, had the chief management of English affairs in Ireland. His constant study was to maintain English ascendancy, which he did in the most arrogant manner; so that he rendered himself intensely unpopular The duke of Dorset returned as lord licutenani in 1751. His son lord George Sackville was secretary, and made himself quite as much detested as primate Stone, and for tlic same reasons. At this time there was a surplus of revenue: and the consideration of how to apply it revived the old question of privilege between the English and Irish parliaments.
