Paul Jones

Above: The American War

Lord Harcourt, coming as lord lieutenant in 1772, was well received by the leaders of the opposi- tion. On the assembling of parliament in October, 1773 a bill was introduced at his suggestion to put a tax of two shillings in the pound on the incomes of those absentee landlords who did not reside at least six months of the year in Ireland. But through the influence of the great landed proprietors it was re- jected. At this time three great men began their career and for years played an important part in Irish affairs: Henry Flood, born near Kilkenny, 1732: died 1791; Henry Grattan, born in Dublin, 1746, the son of the recorder: died 1820; Edmund Burke, born in Dublin in 1730: died 1797. Burke, who figured in the English parliament, was, perhaps, the greatest political philosopher that ever lived. He began his public life in 1765, as private secretary to lord Rockingham, the English prime minister, and in the following year he was elected member for Wendover.

In 1774 he became member for Bristol. He opposed the American war; and on this question, and on those of the French Revolution and the Stamp act, he wrote powerful pamphlets, and made a scries of splendid speeches. He lifted himself above the prejudices of the times, and all his life advocated the emancipation of the Catholics. Grattan was, perhaps, Ireland’s most brilliant orator and one of her purest and greatest patriots. He began his parliamentary life in 1775, at twenty-nine years of age, as member for Charlemont; and his very first speech was in opposition to the pensions of two absentees. In oratorical power, Flood was second only to Grattan.