This was an ill-omened step for ministers to take, when the
people of Ireland were everywhere displaying the feelings of rebellion.
By it the serpent's teeth were sown, and they sprang up armed men. The
Irish obeyed the call with alacrity. Volunteers were embodied, equipped,
and disciplined at private expense, on every hand, and Ireland soon
exhibited the animating spectacle of a nation in arms. Ministers appear
to have been very early convinced of their error; for when they saw
these armed associations in their full strength, they, with the people
of England at large, prognosticated insurrection and civil war. Still
there was little or no disposition displayed on the part of ministers to
disarm the hostility of the Irish people by redress of grievances. After
the discussion of Irish affairs had ceased in the commons, the subject
was introduced in the Lords by the Marquess of Rockingham, who moved an
address for documents which might enable parliament to pursue measures
for promoting the common strength, wealth, and commerce of both nations.
The marquess, who was well acquainted with the state of Ireland, took
a severe review of the revenue, trade, and government, since the year
1755; and bitterly inveighed against ministers on the subject of the
military associations. The necessity for these associations, he said,
should have been prevented, or the people should have been legally
commissioned to take up arms under officers named by the sovereign--the
men who had taken up arms to repel invasion, might soon think of
employing them in resisting injustice and oppression.
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