The Irish House of Commons in 1769

Irish Historical Studies Publications Ltd

The Irish House of Commons in 1769Author(s): David LargeSource: Irish Historical Studies, Vol. 11, No. 41 (Mar., 1958), pp. 18-45Published by: Irish Historical Studies Publications LtdStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/30005932 .

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Select documents

XIX. THE IRISH HOUSE OF COMMONS IN 1769

I n 1765 a major decision was taken in London which amounted to the formulation of a new English policy towards Ireland:

viceroys in future were to reside constantly in Dublin and the old system of undertakers was to be overthrown. But it was not until 1767 that British government found in Viscount Townsend a nobleman prepared to carry out the new policy. By May of 1768 Townsend had reached the crisis point in his relations with the undertakers. They had just behaved in an utterly intolerable manner in the viceroy's eyes by using their influence as the principal servants of the crown to secure the rejection in the house of commons of the crown's scheme to increase the number of troops on the Irish establishment, on which the king's ministers in London had set very great store. The augmentation was the principal issue over which the fierce struggle between the viceroy and the undertakers was fought, but the true question to be settled, as Townsend insisted over and over again with characteristic vehemence, was of deeper significance. Was the undertaker system, which had allowed a considerable measure of autonomy to a small oligarchy in Ireland, to be allowed to continue? Or was a bold policy to be pursued of re-establishing once and for all the power of the king's representative in Ireland, especially in the control of patronage, thus administering a serious check to the self-governing aspirations of the Anglo-Irish gentry, and emphasising Ireland's subordination to England?

Townsend himself did not doubt that the latter was the right policy. There should be no retreat as there had been in 1755. His problem was not what to aim at, but how to defeat the opposition by the undertakers in parliament, and establish a firm majority committed to supporting the government of the

18



The Irish house of commons in 1769 19 king's representative in Ireland. For this he required substantial backing from the king's ministers in London.'

Now since the octennial act had been passed parliament had to be dissolved and Townsend was provided with an interval before a new one met during which he strove to improve his position after the humiliating defeat over the augmentation. Among the measures he took was to secure an accurate assessment of his position after the general election and before the new parliament was summoned to meet in October 1769. The document printed below, which shows in detail the calculations of the government as to its own numbers, the strength of the opposition, and the number of doubtfuls, is that assessment so frequently referred to in Townsend's correspondence during the summer of 1769.

The list was originally part of the very large collection of papers of the first Earl Macartney, who was chief secretary to Viscount Townsend from I January 1769 to 30 November 1772. Sir Thomas Phillipps bought the Macartney papers in 1854 and his grandson sold a large block of them in 1913 which included this manuscript. The purchaser was almost certainly the father of the present owner of the document, Colonel H. T. W. Clements.? The document is entitled 'An alphabetical list of the house of commons with observations, May 19 1769' and is a folio written in a good plain copperplate hand. The list covers 56 pages but is numbered only up to 45. There are a number of blank pages following the list and then 9 pages of summaries, calculations and general observations concluding with the words 'Finished May 31 1769'.

The author, it seems reasonably clear, was Richard Jackson, M.P. for Coleraine from 1751 until his death in 1789. For, in a letter dated a day after the date at the beginning of the list, Townsend observed to his chief secretary Macartney, who

1 J. L. McCracken, 'The Irish viceroyalty, 1760-73 ', in H. A. Cronne, T. W. Moody and D. B. Quinn (ed.), Essays in British and Irish history, pp. 152-68.

2 I have to thank Colonel H. T. W. Clements of Kiladoon, Celbridge, for his kindness in allowing me to examine and print the document. It was no. 23993 in Sir Thomas Phillipps's collection and remained uncatalogued at his death. I owe the information about the provenance of the list to Mr A. N. L. Munby, librarian of King's College, Cambridge, whose assistance is gratefully acknowledged.



20o Select documents

was in England: 'Jackson's calculation (exclusive of our private calculations and other aids we hope for from government) stands thus, prob. govt. 117, prob. against io4, prob. doubt. 83, deduct members double return 4, total 300. He has been very accurate.'3 The figures quoted by Townsend correspond exactly with the 'abstract of the foregoing general account' in the closing pages of the list. Plainly the viceroy was quoting from it and he ascribed its authorship to a Mr Jackson. That this should be Richard Jackson seems highly probable, for not only was Richard Jackson an M.P. of sufficient years standing to have acquired a close knowledge of the house of commons, but he was also an official. His patron appears to have been the earl of Bristol who had secured for him in 1767, during that nobleman's term as viceroy, the office of clerk of the paper office, vacated by the death of Lord Chancellor Bowes, and had appointed Jackson at the same time as his own 'secretary for the provinces of Ulster and Munster', immediately below Theophilus Jones when Jones took over from Bristol's brother as chief secretary.' Richard Jackson remained as Ulster secretary, or second secretary, as it was also called, during Townsend's viceroyalty. As such he and Thomas Waite were the two officials on whom Townsend was most likely to lean at a time when his chief secretary was away in England. Indeed further circumstantial evidence that Richard Jackson was the author comes from a letter of his colleague Thomas Waite to Macartney in July 1769 recording the alarm of Jackson, 'who sees every object of terror through a multiplying as well as a magnifying glass', at the transmission of the list to England where he thought it would provide opportunities for drawing conclusions unfavourable to the viceroy. Waite admits that it was he who had sent the list but the implication throughout the letter is that the fearful Jackson was the author.5 Finally, unlike later lists, which contain vivacious personal comments on individual members,

3 Townsend to Macartney, 20 May 1769 (P.R.O.N.I., Macartney Letter books, ii).

4 Drogheda and Ponsonby to Bristol, 22 July, 7 Aug. 1767 (P.R.O.I., MS 2446, Irish correspondence, 1697-1798).

5 T. Waite to Macartney, July 1769 (H. H. Robbins, Our first atmbassador to China, p. 67).



The Irish house of commons in 1769 21

indicating that the commentators were sufficiently highly placed in government circles to indulge in no mincing of words, the present document betrays the work of a nervous yet conscientious official, the reputation that Richard Jackson evidently enjoyed." No other Jackson can fit the bill as Richard Jackson does.

Reference to the transmission of the list to England leads us to consider a little more fully what was the purpose behind its composition, for there was more to it than simply an assessment of the parliamentary situation by the Castle for its own information. The list was also used by Townsend to prop up his position with the king's ministers in London, for the viceroy was as active in promoting his policy with the secretary of state as he was in conducting his campaign in Dublin.

The London government was chiefly concerned that government measures, and especially the augmentation, should pass through the Irish parliament without suffering another humiliating defeat. Townsend was often not satisfied that the ministers in London truly understood the significance of his struggle and the measures that might be needed to carry it to a successful conclusion. He poured out his views to the secretary of state and his own influential friends in frank, vivacious and voluminous letters which reflected almost every vicissitude of his public life and many of his private moods. The effect was that it was often difficult to gather in London what were the underlying facts of his position. Sometimes he wrote so despairingly that Weymouth, the secretary of state, believed that there was little hope of the viceroy succeeding in 'securing the reasonable views of government', the obvious lesson being that Townsend would be forced to negotiate with the undertakers. This was Weymouth's judgement in June 1769.' Furthermore Townsend was well aware that Speaker Ponsonby had friends in London who busied themselves in

* Jackson's character is briefly described in the three lists of members for 1773, 1775 and 1782 edited by Rev. M. Bodkin, William Hunt and G. O. Sayles respectively and referred to later. A little additional biographical material is in Alumni Dubl., p. 433, Lodge (ed. Archdall), Peerage, v. 169, and Vicars, Prerog. wills.

7 Weymouth to Townsend, 9 June 1769 (Cal. H.O., papers, 1766-9, PP. 475-6).



22 Select documents

circulating scandalous stories about the viceroy's private life and of his unpopularity in Dublin, boasting at the same time of 'the formidable numbers they bring into the field'." The scandalous stories could certainly damage Townsend's position in one quarter: the priggish young king clearly indicated his disapproval of Townsend on moral grounds before the year was out." But the list was despatched, of course, not to counteract smutty stories but the rumours of the speaker's strength and the pessimistic judgement of the secretary of state. The list would show, as Townsend put it, 'that, allowing the duke of Leinster and the principal servants of the crown [i.e. the undertakers] to influence the numbers therein mentioned, it is by no means improbable that the business of the government may be carried without their support'.10 The list took effect, for Weymouth was reported to have acknowledged, after seeing it, that the prospect was more favourable than he imagined, and he discountenanced ideas of negotiation with Lord Shannon."

Yet at the same time Townsend did not wish to create the impression that he was certain to succeed in the first session of the new parliament. He had been pressed by Weymouth to set his mind easy about government measures by giving a positive assurance that these would be accepted by the Irish parliament. But, as the list shows, Townsend could not have given such an assurance with any confidence. Hence he was most anxious that its contents should be known to Weymouth and Grafton, the first lord of the treasury. The viceroy seems to have thought that the list would show that he could give no such promise, and an unprejudiced reading of it supports his view. But Weymouth chose to consider the list as proving that it was 'a moral certainty that his excellency will carry

8 Townsend to Macartney, 20 May 1769 (P.R.O.N.I., Macartney Letter books, ii).

9 King to Grafton, 29 Nov. 1769 (The correspondence of King George III, ed. Sir John Fortescue, ii. 6o-i).

10 Townsend to Weymouth, 24 June 1769 (Cal. H.O. papers, i766-9, PP- 478-80).

11 Townsend to Macartney, I9 June 1769 (P.R.O.N.I., Macartney Letter books, ii).




through the business of next winter successfully'." As Townsend soundly riposted, the list opened up a favourable prospect, but government supporters in parliament would not remain steady, nor would new acquisitions be made, unless government could do something for members. And that could not be done without disarming Ponsonby and Shannon who had turned government's arms against itself, as the soldier viceroy observed; or, in other words, without dismissing the two principal undertakers from their offices.'8 That was Townsend's demand, but the tottering Grafton ministry would not sanction this," and a factor in their refusal appears to have been the list, which the ministers chose to regard as sufficient evidence that the viceroy would succeed without resorting to more severe methods. Townsend was really correct in regarding it as concrete evidence that he was in a position to fight, but that more drastic measures were needed if he was to be certain of winning a victory. The history of the first session of the new parliament bears out the viceroy's diagnosis founded on the list.

It is not very profitable to discuss the Ictration between the list and the later, more elaborate lists of 1773 and 1775 which have been printed by Rev. M. Bodkin and William Hunt respectively.'" J. R. Fisher concluded in 1911, on the basis of the frequent references to the list in the viceroy's correspondence of 1769, that it was the draft for the later list of 1775,16 but it is clear that Jackson's list was compiled for a specific occasion. His aim was to provide his chief with as accurate a forecast as possible of the balance of forces in the commons when parliament should assemble; hence, for example, the careful calculations as to the disposition of new members who should

12 Weymouth to Townsend, 8 July 1769 (Cal. H.O. papers, 1766-9, PP. 484-5). 13 Townsend to Weymouth, I7 Aug., 13 Sept. 1769 (Cal. H.O. papers, 1766-9, pp. 488-92, 496-7).

14 Weymouth to Townsend, 23 Sept. I769 (Cal. H.O. papers, 1766-9, p. 500).

15 M. Bodkin, 'Notes on the Irish parliament in 1773 ', in R.I.A. Proc., xlviii-xlix (1942-44), C, pp. 145-232; The Irish parliament, 1775, ed. William Hunt.

" J. R. Fisher, The end of the Irish parliament, pp. 58-9.



24 Select documents

come in later when those M.P.s who had been returned for two constituencies decided which they should sit for. The list also provided a convenient brief guide to favours required by government supporters at the particular time of its composition. Indeed a good deal of the information in the list is relevant only to the particular time and circumstance of its composition. It is essentially a snapshot of a parliamentary situation that was extremely fluid, as Lecky emphasised, and it has the merit of fixing the situation at a particular point as no other document can. Of course, it is possible that Jackson's information about members' patrons, their purchase of seats, and their political allegiance in Townsend's time, was transferred to later lists; those lists do refer back to members' political behaviour in previous years, and in such cases the later lists agree with Jackson's list more often than not. If there was a transference, then the list is the original source for such matters. On the other hand it is more likely that the compilers of the later lists did not have access to the present list. It became part of Macartney's papers and it is likely that he took it away with him when he ceased to be chief secretary.

Jackson seems to have carried out his work conscientiously. There are a few slips, as might be expected: for instance, he makes the number of new members 74 but as 4 should not have been thus marked, and 6 should have been marked as newcomers, his figure needs raising to 76."~ But where Jackson's work can be checked, as for example in regard to offices ascribed to members, or remarks about their family connections, he appears to have been well informed, and his list may be regarded as generally trustworthy. As such it deserves the attention of historians of the Irish parliament. It illuminates the parliamentary situation during a curious interlude when the undertakers were regarded as the nucleus of the opposition, though they had not been dismissed,16 and the patronage they

17 Cornelius Bolton, Barry Denny, Edward Denny, William Hull, John Lloyd, and Thomas Moore should have been marked as new to parliament, while Henry Alcock, John Cramer, William Gore and Robert Ross should not have been thus marked.

18 Ponsonby, of course, is only described by Jackson as 'late speaker' because parliament had been dissolved and had not yet reassembled when Jackson was writing.



The Irish house of commons in 1769 25 enjoyed as officeholders had not returned to the viceroy's hands. But perhaps the most striking aspect of Jackson's analysis of the parties in the commons is the numerical strength of the independent members, that is to say those who were not attached to administration in any degree, however slight, or to the undertakers. Members may be broadly classified as active politicians, court and administration members, and independent members. It is clear that the latter outnumber the first two groups.

Of the 112 members who are numbered as government supporters in the list, Jackson believed that 36 'were the most that can be considered unconnected with any party and steadily attached to it from office'. It is possible to pick out 36 in the list who answer with some degree of certainty to such a description.'" They include a few active politicians such as Macartney, the chief secretary, Philip Tisdall, the attorney general, and Hely Hutchinson, the prime serjeant, the last two being scarcely reliable supporters; but the majority of them held administrative offices involving a varying degree of dependence on government and of activity in those offices. A few enjoyed pensions or places that were sinecures in the strictest sense of that ill defined term. But, as Jackson remarks, the government depended, at this stage, on the support of 'the independent gentlemen who make up many of the rest' of those whom he expected to side with the government when parliament met. As he so frequently notes, they or their patrons needed to be spoken to 'on interesting questions', or, in other words, wooed by administration if they were to support it. The list shows that such wooing had recently been tried in the form of favours to members and their relations. No doubt this created some bond between a member and administration, but it must have been a loose one. The favours granted were probably often more rewards for past support rather than prizes carrying firm obligations for future support. For example, Thomas Bligh is described as having 'behaved very honorably to government', and the note

19 The 36 referred to by Jackson appear to be those in his list numbered 2, 7, 8, 15, 29, 30, 48, 53, 63, 67, 73, 88, 89, 96, o104, 121, 127, 129, 130, 151, 164, 168, 184, 203, 205, 209, 216, 230, 231, 247, 256, 259, 261, 262, 267, 268.



26 Select documents

continues: 'Lord Townsend gave his brother a deanery'.20 Nevertheless it may be conceded that there existed among the government supporters a class of member attached in some degree to administration otherwise than by place, pension, possession of a regiment or enjoyment of a well paid office. Into such a class fall those members whose relations had received a favour-a pension, church preferment, a step up in the peerage, or the promise of a title--or those members who had themselves received a direct favour from the administration, such as two who had been made baronets. Into this class also should fall close relations of court and administration members, lawyers known to be looking for employment, and army officers who had received promotion through the lord lieutenant or hoped to receive it. But altogether it appears that 21 is the total of this quasi-dependent group among the government supporters.21 Taking them and the court and administration group together, we obtain 57 of the 112 government supporters named in the list who were dependent in any sense.

We have left 55 independents. No doubt there are signs in Jackson's observations that some of these independents would be willing to become attached in some way to administration, but in quite a number of cases he indicates their independence, I think, by describing them in his second column as 'doubtful, government'.22 Most of these independents were country gentlemen such as Sir Archibald Acheson, Mervyn Archdall and Sir Arthur Brooke, or sons of peers, but it is interesting to find Robert Scott is referred to in terms indicating that he was an independent merchant.23 The impression that the independents were a basic factor in the house, and not only among the government supporters, is reinforced by Jackson's calculation that of 83 'doubtful' members, 60 'were quite unconnected with any group or party', and of the Io4 members

20 See no. 26 in the list. This is a case in which Jackson's information about a member's behaviour in the Townsend administration is repeated in a later list (see The Irish parliament, 1775, ed William Hunt, p. 5).

21 The 21 are those numbered by Jackson 14, 19, 23, 26, 33, 40, 45, 50, 54, 68, 70, 75, 1o2, 133, 138, 172, 178, 219, 237, 238, 241.

22 e.g. nos 1, 1o, 64, 71, 84, etc. 23 Typical examples are nos I, 3, 17, I8, 24, 34, 47, 52, 57, 61,

64, etc.



The Irish house of commons in 1769 27 expected to be in opposition 37 would oppose 'from a variety of publick and private considerations', a dry phrase which nevertheless defines the essence of the independent member in the eighteenth century. In short if we add up the independents expected to support the government (55), the independents among the doubtfuls (6o), and the independents among the opposition (37), we get just over half the membership of the house of commons.

Furthermore the relatively small role played by patronage in its widest sense is indicated by a glance at the group of 47 members calculated by Jackson as being the Ponsonby-Shannon connection. These 47 can be picked out in his list.24 We should expect to find among them members of a dependent or quasi- dependent kind who had thrown in their lot with the principal undertakers rather than the viceroy. But the number of such members was quite small-16 in all, including everyone who in any way might be so classified.25 The other 30 were connected with. Ponsonby and Shannon not by the tie of patronage, but by the looser ties of family relationships, political sympathies, and to some extent the electoral influence of the two undertakers which in some cases guaranteed their return to parliament but in other cases merely assisted it.

The original list is in four columns: headed respectively (I) 'name', (2) 'how disposed', (3) 'influence', (4) 'observations'. The version given below includes all particulars in this order, but in paragraph form. Where the 'influence' column is blank, square brackets have been inserted. All information in the original document is represented in the present version, but its precise form is not reproduced where a more concise modern usage conveys the same meaning. Spelling,26 punctuation and capitalization have

24 They appear to be nos 25, 27, 39, 46, 58, 59, 77, 80, 86, ioo, 113, 116, 119, 122, 123, 128, 131, 132, 135, 144, 146, 153, 154, 155,

156, 161, 162, 163, 167, 171, 175, 188, 189, 190, 191, 192, 199, 217, 218, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 260, 265, 266.

25 The 16 are nos 25, 77, 100, 116, 119, 123, 144, 153, 156, 161, 175, 218, 250, 251, 252, 265.

26 The form used on the first appearance in Commons' in. Ire. has been followed for M.P.s' names and that used by G.E.C., Peerage, for peers' names.



28 Select documents

been normalized, and the following abbreviations have been used.

Against Against government bor. borough co. county comm. commissioner For For government gov. governor new new member

DAVID LARGE

I. Acheson, Sir Archibald. Doubtful for. [ ] Rather inclined govt. but courts popularity. Wants to be made a P.C. To be spoken to on interesting questions. Returned for co. Armagh and bor. of Killyleagh; will sit for the co.

2. Adderley, Thomas. Govt. [ ] Comm. of barracks. Must be spoken to upon interesting questions.

3. Agar, James, senior (new). Doubtful. Gent. of large fortune, ready to ask favours. Must be spoken to upon interesting questions. Purchased his seat.

4. Agar, James, junior. Govt. Speaker and Welbore Ellis. Nephew to above. Has 3 seats in parlt. to dispose of, 2 for Gowran, one for Thomastown. Will sit for co. Kilkenny.

5. Alcock, Henry (new). Against. Speaker. Shapl [and] Carew, member for Waterford, petitions against him for that city.27

6. Aldworth, Richard, junior. Doubtful against. [ ] Brother to St Leger St Leger who has been soliciting the title of Doneraile.

7. Allen, Thomas. For. Sir Henry Cavendish. Taster of wines, Dublin port, without a salary. Has often solicited for one without success. Purchased his seat from Ld Conyngham.

8. Andrews, Francis. For. [ ] Provost of the university and P.C. Returned for the city of Londonderry and bor. of Bally- shannon. Will sit for former and bring in his relation, Mr Gamble, for the latter.

9. Annesley, Francis Charles. Doubtful. Ld Glerawley and Ld Tyrone. Son to Ld Glerawley, who wants to be an earl, or P.C., and nephew to Ld Tyrone.

27 The petition resulted in Henry Alcock being declared not duly elected and Shapland Carew was returned as member for Waterford city. The decision had not taken place before the list was compiled, hence Shapland Carew's name does not appear in it.




10. Archdall, Mervyn. Doubtful for. William Henry Dawson and Ld Bellisle. Married to Mr Dawson's daughter. Connected with Ld Bellisle in co. Fermanagh which he represents.

11. Armstrong, John (new). Doubtful against. [ ] Purchased his seat from Ld Westmeath. A lawyer with a large fortune.

I2. Aylmer, Sir Fitzgerald. Against. Duke of Leinster. 13. Bagenell, Beauchamp. Doubtful. [ ] Wants to be P.C.

Has a large fortune. Returned for co. Carlow and bor. of Enniscorthy. Should be spoken to upon interesting questions. Rather connected with Mr Burton, Speaker's nephew, who is his brother member for co. Carlow.

14. Balfour, Blaney Townly. Govt. Ld Tyrone. Lately obliged by Ld Townsend who made Mr Pratt dean of Cloyne at his request.

15. Barry, Robert. Govt. [ ] Brought into parlt. by Id Shannon. Seneschal of the king's manors. Comm. of appeals and K.C.

16. Barry, James (new). Doubtful against. [ ] Brother to Mrs St Leger St Leger.

I7. Beauchamp, Ld. Govt. [ ] Ld Hertford's son. Usually resides in England.

18. Belfield, Ld. Govt. [ ] Son of Ld Belvidere, who wants to have him made joint gov. with him of co. Westmeath, and to be joined with him in the office of muster-master general.

19. Beresford, John. Govt. Ld Tyrone. His brother lately made a P.C. by Ld Townsend. Returned for co. Waterford and bor. of Coleraine.

20. Bernard, Francis. Doubtful absent. [ ] Always lives in England. Gent. of very large fortune.

21. Bingham, Sir Charles. Doubtful against. [ ] Wants to be a P.C. To be spoken to by the solicitor-general.

22. Blackwood, John. Against. [ ] Usually in opposition. Not to be influenced except, perhaps, by Ld Hertford, who made his father a bt.

23. Blakeney, John. Govt. [ ] Half-pay officer. Ld Town- send intends to give him a pension. Has the bor. of Athenry which he and his brother represent.

24. Blakeney, Theophilus (new). Govt. [ ] Brother to John. 25. Blenerhassett, John. Against govt. Speaker and Ld Shannon.

Has a pension of 200 p.a. Father of the house. 26. Bligh, Thomas. Govt. [ ] Has behaved very honourably

to govt. Ld Townsend gave his brother a deanery. 27. Blunden, Sir John. Against. Speaker. Ld Hertford made him

a bt. To be spoken to. Has some demand on govt. Seems much disposed to be taken notice of.

28. Bolton, Cornelius. Doubtful against. [ ] To be spoken to by Ld Tyrone.

29. Bourke, John, senior. Govt. [ ] Comm. of Revenue. 30. Bourke, John, junior. Govt. [ ] Son to the comm. of



30 Select documents revenue. Surveyor of the stores. Has asked leave to sell his places and been refused. Should be spoken to.

31. Brabazon, Ld. Against. [ ] Member for co. Dublin. Son to Ld Meath, who has a pension of £500 p.a. during pleasure.

32. Brabazon, William. Against. [ ] Member for co. Wicklow. Brother of Ld Brabazon. These two brothers to be spoken to.

33. Brodrick, Edward (new). Govt. [ ] Brought into parlt. by Lady Midleton. Has a commission in the guards. Has never yet been in Ireland. Must be written to if necessary.

34. Brooke, Sir Arthur. Govt. [ ] Brother-in-law to the Fortescues. Ought to be considered and spoken to.

35. Brownlow, William. Against. [ ] Made a P.C. by Ld Hertford. Gent. of large fortune. Returned for co. Armagh and bor. of Strabane.

36. Borrowes, Sir Kildare. Against. Duke of Leinster. 37. Brown, Hon. James (new). Govt. [ ] Viscount Westport's

son. A lawyer. Bought his seat. 38. Burgh, William (new). Against. Duke of Leinster. 39. Burton, William. Against. Speaker. Speaker's nephew. 40. Burton, Francis Pierpoint. Govt. [ ] Son-in-law to Mr

Clements and nephew to Ld Conyngham. Usually resides in England. Should be sent to and considered.

41. Burton, Lt Col. William. Govt. Ld Conyngham. Nephew to Ld Conyngham. Wants several things which he has applied for. Much out of humour. Must be spoken to.

42. Bushe, Gervase Parker. Doubtful against. [ ] Much connected with Henry Flood. His father wants, either a peerage for himself, or something for his son. Purchased his seat in the last and present parlt.

43. Butler, Hon. John. Against. Ld Lanesborough. Clerk of the Pipe for life. Uncle to Ld Lanesborough and brought into parlt. by him.

44. Campbell, Ld Frederick. Govt. Ld Lt. Usually resides in England but would attend upon an emergency.

45. Cane, Lt Col. Hugh (new). Doubtful govt. [ ] Has a disputed election. Should be spoken to.

46. Carew, Robert (new). Against. Ld Shannon and Speaker. Ld Tyrone may perhaps have some influence with him.

47. Cary, Edward. Govt. Ld Tyrone--his brother-in-law. Wants to be a P.C. Not pleased, but should be spoken to.

48. Cavendish, Sir Henry. Govt. [ ] P.C. and teller of the exchequer.

49. Caulfield, Hon. Francis. Against. Ld Charlemont--his brother. Brought into parlt. by him.

50. Caulfield, William (new). Govt. Chief justice Caulfield. Nephew to the chief justice and brought into parlt. by him. An officer. Must be spoken to.



The Irish house of commons in 1769 3' 5 . Chichester, John. Doubtful. Ld Donegal-his brother. Resides

chiefly in England. Lady Charlotte Edwin to speak to Ld Donegal about him.

52. Clarke, Michael. Govt. Mr Conolly. Brought into parlt. by Mr Conolly and agent to him.

53. Clements, Nathaniel. Govt. [ ] P.C. Deputy vice- treasurer etc. Returned for co. Leitrim and bors. of Cavan and Roscommon. Will sit for the co.

54. Clements, Robert. Govt. [ J Son to Nathaniel. 55. Cobbe, Thomas. Govt. Ld Tyrone-his brother-in-law. Will be

petitioned against. Lost his seat. 56. Coddington, Dixie. Against govt. Judge Tenison-his uncle.

Brought into parlt. by him. The judge must be spoken to. 57. Coghlan, Thomas (new). Govt. Ld Ossory. Must be applied

to by his lordship. Bought his seat. 58. Colclough, Vesey. Against. [ ] Much connected with

Henry Loftus from co. interest. 59. Colthurst, Sir John. Against. Ld Shannon. 60. Congreve, John. Govt. [ i Much connected with

counsellor Power. Returned for co. Waterford with John Beresford and Sir James May. Probably will not sit. Not in parlt.

61. Conolly, Thomas. Govt. [ ] Gent. of very considerable fortune. P.C.

62. Cooper, Joshua. Doubtful against. [ ] Independent gent. of very considerable fortune. Connected with Rt. hon. Owen Wynne in the co. interest. Should be taken notice of.

63. Coote, Guy Moore. Govt. [ I Has a pension of £200 p.a. during pleasure. Ld Townsend has promised to take further notice of him.

64. Copinger, Maurice. Doubtful govt. Ld Branden and Mr Mason. A lawyer. Should be taken notice of. Must be applied to through Mr Mason.

65. Corry, Armar Lowry (new). Against. [ ] Returned for co. Tyrone and bor. of Enniskillen. A man of large fortune.

66. Cramer, John (new). Against. Ld Lanesborough. Returned for Belturbet and Ratoath. Will sit for former which belongs to his relation, Ld Lanesborough, who returned him.

67. Creighton, Hon. John. Govt. Ld Erne-his father. Brought into parlt. by Ld Erne who was created a peer by Ld Townsend. Storekeeper of the ordnance.

68. Creighton, Abraham (new). Govt. Ld Erne-his father. 69. Crofton, Edward (new). Doubtful. [ ] To be applied to

by Ld Tyrone. Returned for co. Roscommon but doubtful whether he will sit.

70. Croker, John (new). Doubtful govt. [ ] Bought his seat. Sir Henry Cavendish's nephew and to be applied to through him.

71. Crosbie, Launcelot. Doubtful govt. Ld Branden. Brought into parlt. by his lordship and to be applied to through him.



32 Select documents

72. Cuffe, James (new). Doubtful govt. Ld Arran-his uncle. Ld Annaly and Mr Conolly have an influence with him. To be applied to through them.

73. Cunninghame, Col. Robert. Govt. [ ] Has a regiment. Adjutant-general.

74. Daly, Denis. Against. [ ] Returned for co. Galway with Ld Dunkellin and William Power Keating Trench. Will most probably sit for the co. Ld Bellisle's nephew. Mr Malone and his lordship have considerable influence with him.

75. Dawson, John. Govt. William Henry Dawson--his father. Recommended by Ld Townsend for a peerage. Returned for Queens co. and bor. of Portarlington. Latter seat to be disposed of at Ld Townsend's recommendation.

76. Deane, Joseph. Against. [ ] Ld Tyrone may perhaps have some influence with him.

77. Dennis, James. Against. Ld Shannon. Second serjeant-at-law. A considerable lawyer.

78. Denny, Barry. Doubtful against. [ ] Ld Branden has some influence with him. Wants to be a bt.

79. Denny, Edward. Doubtful against. [ ] Half-pay officer. Barry Denny's brother and will probably go with him.

80. Devonsher, Abraham. Against. Ld Shannon. 81. Dobbs, Conway Richard (new). Doubtful. [ ]. Ld

Hertford may perhaps have some influence with him. Should be spoken to.

82. Dunkellin, Ld (new). Doubtful absent, Ld Clanricarde--his father. An officer in the army. To be taken notice of. Returned for co. Galway with Keating Trench and Daly. Will probably sit.

83. Dunluce, Ld (new). Govt. Ld Antrim-his father. Must be applied to.

84. Earberry, Matthias (new). Doubtful govt. [ ] The prime serjeant has considerable influence with him. Bought his seat.

85. Eyre, Thomas. Govt. [ ] Has a demand upon govt. Bought his seat in the last and present parlt. Ld Townsend wishes to serve him.

86. Falkiner, Riggs (new). Against. Ld Shannon. A banker at Cork brought into parlt. by Ld Shannon.

87. Fetherston, Ralph. Govt. Ld Granard. Returned for the bor. of St Johnstown and manor of Mullingar. Both these bors. belong to Ld Granard.

88. Fitzgerald, Maurice. Govt. [ ] Customer of Dingle. Wants an additional salary.

89. Fitzgerald, Robert. Govt. I ] Maurice Fitzgerald's uncle. Searcher of Dingle, comm. of appeals, judge of admiralty and etc.

9o. Fitzgerald, Garret. Against. Duke of Leinster. Brought into parlt. by his grace.

g91. Fitzgerald, Richard. Govt. [ ] Ld Kingston has the most



The Irish house of commons in 1769 33 considerable influence with him, but as he wants many things must be spoken to.

92. Fitzgibbon, John. Doubtful against. [ ] Ld Tyrone has the most considerable influence with him. Bought his seat in the last and present parlt.

93. Flood, Henry. Doubtful govt. [ ] Chosen for Callan and bor. of Longford which he disposes of if he sits for Callan, where there is a contest between him and Mr Agar senior. Bought at Longford. Must be spoken to.

94. Flood, John. Doubtful govt. Henry Flood-his cousin. Brought into parlt. for Callan by his cousin. Seat doubtful.

95. Ferde, Matthew. Against. [ ] Independent country gent. of the north.

96. Fortescue, William Henry. Govt. absent. [ ] Postmaster- general and P.C. Chosen for two places. Will sit for bor. of Monaghan. His seat at Dundalk will be given to James Smyth who will be with govt.

97. Fortescue, James. Govt. [ ] Brother to William Henry. Wants to be a P.C. If not done will be either against or absent.

98. Fortescue, Thomas (new). Doubtful against. Ld Mornington. Brought into parlt. by his lordship, his uncle, who wants to be a P.C. and is much discontented at the delay.

99. Foster, John. Govt. Chief baron Foster-his father. Chosen for co. Louth and bors. of Navan and Dunleer. Will sit for co. John Preston, a doubtful member, will come in for Navan and Robert Sibthorp, govt., for Dunleer.

Ioo. Fownes, Sir William. Against. Speaker-his brother-in-law. P.C. Searcher, packer etc. of Cork for life.

iox. Freke, Sir John (new). Govt. [ ] Son-in-law to Ld Arran who has an influence with him. Made a bt. by Ld Townsend.

1o2. French, Robert. Govt. [ ] Independent gent. Made a trustee of the linen board by Ld Townsend, but must be particularly spoken to upon all interesting questions.

103. French, John. Doubtful govt. [ ] Much connected with the Speaker, but Ld Kingston and Ld Annaly have an influence with him. One of the four members returned for co. Roscommon. His seat is doubtful.

104. Gisborne, James. Govt. [ ] Quartermaster-general. Has .a regiment. A useful speaker.

105. Glover, George (new). Against. Ld Lanesborough. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. Surveyor of Dun Laoghaire.

106. Gore, William (new). Govt. [ ] In a very bad state of health. Ld Annaly has considerable influence with him. Dead.

107. Gore, Henry. Govt. Ld Annaly-his brother. Ld Annaly wants some favour from govt. for him.

108. Gorges, Hamilton. Govt. Ld Tyrone. Has a disputed election at Swords. His seat doubtful. Ld Tyrone is much interested for his success. The Speaker will be apt to make a point against him for his friend [John] Hatch. Lost his seat.

D



34 Select documents 1og. Gorges, Richard. Govt. Ld Tyrone. Hamilton Gorge's son and

cousin german to Ld Tyrone. Bought his seat. I Io. Graydon, Robert (new). Against. Duke of Leinster. Brought

into parlt. by his grace. i I. Grogan, Cornelius (new). Against govt. Ld Arran. Henry

Loftus and Vesey Colclough have considerable influence with him. 112. Hall, Roger. Against. Duke of Leinster. Ld Hillsborough has

some influence with him. Must be applied to through his lordship. 113. Hamilton, George (new). Against govt. Ld Donegal and Speaker.

Brought into parlt. by his lordship. K.C. Wants some favour from govt.

114. Hamilton, Henry. Doubtful absent. [ ] Bought his seat from Ld Conyngham who has some influence with him. Resides chiefly in England.

115. Hamilton, John. Doubtful govt. Ld Abercorn. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. To be applied to through him.

II6. Handcock, William. Against. Speaker. Collector of Trim. Dean Handcock is his uncle and has considerable influence with him.

117. Harward, William. Against. [ ] A very old man in a bad state of health.

118. Hatch, John (new). Doubtful against. [ ] Has a petition for Swords. If he succeeds he has a place to dispose of at Taghmon which he bought. Ld Palmerston is his particular friend. Much connected with the Speaker, but the Provost, Monck Mason and counsellor Damer have considerable influence with him.

119. Hellen, Robert (new). Against. Ld Shannon and Speaker. Brought into parlt. by Henry Loftus. Chiefly under the influence of Ld Shannon and the Speaker. A lawyer. Wants to be brought forward. Has a pension of £100 p.a. during pleasure.

I2o. Herbert, Edward. Doubtful against. [ ] A lawyer. Wants to be a K.C. Related to Ld Tyrone by marriage who has considerable influence with him.

I21. Hill, Hugh (new). Govt. [ ] Collector of Londonderry. Related to Ld Tyrone who has considerable influence with him.

I22. Hoare, Edward (new). Against. Speaker. A lawyer. Son to Joseph Hoare of Askeaton. Brought into parlt. by William Burton, the Speaker's nephew, with whom he is entirely connected.

123. Hoare, Joseph. Against. Speaker. Weigh-master at Cork. Father to Edward Hoare.

124. Holmes, Peter. Doubtful govt. [ ] Connected by marriage with Col. Prittie's family and Sir Henry Cavendish. A gent. of good fortune. Has half the bor. of Banagher.

125. Howard, Ralph. Doubtful govt. [ I Wants to be a peer or counsellor. Returned for co. Wicklow and bor. of St Johnstown. The latter seat to be filled by his brother, Hugh Howard, a lawyer.

126. Hull, Lt Col. William. Doubtful. Col. Tonson. Bought his seat. An opponent of Ld Shannon in co. Cork. Should be spoken to.



The Insh house of commons in 1769 35 127. Hutchinson, John Hely. Doubtful govt. [ i Prime

serjeant., P.C., alnager of Ireland, reversionary secretary of state etc. 128. Hyde, John. Against. Ld Shannon and Speaker. Chosen for co.

Cork and Carlow bor. The latter seat to be disposed of by William Burton, the Speaker's nephew.

129. Jackson, Richard. Govt. Ld Lt. Second secretary to his excellency. Clerk of the paper office.

I30. Jeffryes, St John. Govt. [ ] Lt gov. of Cork so made by Ld Townsend. Should be spoken to upon all interesting questions by Ld Dungannon, his uncle.

131. Jephson, Denham, senior. Against. Ld Shannon and Speaker. 132. Jephson, Denham, junior (new). Against. Ld Shannon and Speaker.

The bor. of Mallow belongs to these gents. William Jephson, son of Jephson senior, was formerly in parlt., but having a pension of £150 during pleasure and voting for the augmentation, is now left out.

133. Ikerrin, Ld (new). Govt. Ld Carrick-his father, for whom Ld Townsend procured a pension of £Iooo p.a.

134. Jones, Richard. Govt. Ld Conyngham. A near relation to his lordship and brought into parlt. by him.

135. Kearney, James (new). Against. [ ] Ld Shannon has the most considerable influence with him. He came into parlt. for Kinsale chiefly through the interest of Mr Southwell of Kings Weston who should be spoken to about him. His father has a large fortune.

I36. Keatinge, Maurice. Against. Duke of Leinster. Very old and dying. Brought into parlt. by his grace. Dead.

137. Kildare, Marquess of. Against. Duke of Leinster. Chosen for the city of Dublin and Kildare bor.

138. King, Henry. Govt. Ld Kingston-his brother. Brought into parlt. by his lordship who was made an earl by Ld Townsend.

139. Kirwan, Edward (new). Doubtful. [ ] Bought his seat. Ld Westport to speak to him.

140. Knox, John. Govt. [ ] Brother-in-law to Ld Kingston who has considerable influence with him. Gent. of large fortune. Chosen for bors. of Donegal and Castlebar. Will sit for latter. Ld Arran brings in his son, Richard Gore, for Castlebar.

141. Knox, Thomas. Against. [ ] Mr Brownlow and Mr Pery have considerable influence with him. His father is lately dead. He intends to bring in his brother John for Dungannon, who is collector of the excise for the city of Dublin which he wants to sell. It is probable that these gents. might be had by proper application from govt.

142. Lambart, Charles (new). Govt. [ ] Ld Belvidere has an influence with him.

143. Lambart, Gustavus. Govt. [ ] Brother-in-law to Ld Belvidere.

144. Langrishe, Hercules. Doubtful against. Speaker. Collector of Kilkenny and comm. of barrack board. To be spoken to.



36 Select documents 145. La Touche, David. Doubtful. [ [ Banker of considerable

business. To be spoken to. Bought his seat. I46. Le Hunte, Thomas. Against. Speaker. Brought into parlt. by

the Speaker. 147. Le Hunte, Richard (new). Against. Speaker. Thomas Le

Hunte's nephew. 4.8. Leigh, Robert. Against. [ [ Much connected with Ld

Milltown, and Ld Meath's family. 149. Leigh, Francis. Against. [ [ The attorney-general, Ld

chief baron Foster and Mr Balfour are his particular friends. Rather inclined to govt. Should be taken notice of. Wants some small favour for his nephew.

50o. Levinge, Richard (new). Doubtful against. [ [ Col. Marlay is his brother-in-law and has considerable influence with him. Bought his seat.

I51. Lill, Godfrey. Govt. [ ] Serjeant-at-law. Counsellor to the comms. of revenue. Bought his seat from Ld Baltinglass.

152. Lloyd, John. Doubtful against. [ ] A lawyer. Ld Drogheda to be spoken to about him.

153. Loftus, Hon. Henry. Against. Speaker. Brings five or six members into parlt. A comm. of the barrack board. Should be spoken to. His wife has a pension of £200 p.a. during pleasure.

154. Loftus, Henry (new). Against. Hon. Henry Loftus. Brought into parlt. by him. A capt.

155. Loftus, Arthur (new). Against. Hon. Henry Loftus. Brought into parlt. by him.

I56. Longfield, Richard. Against. Ld Shannon. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. Ld Townsend appointed him a trustee of the linen board.

157. Lowther, Gorges. Against. [ ] Always against. I58. Lowther, George. Against. [ ] Gorges Lowther's son.

Chosen for Ratoath and Ardee. 159. Lucas, Dr Charles. Against. [ ] Always against. 16o. Lucas, Edward. Against govt. [ ] Ld Blayney and Mr

Dawson of co. Monaghan have considerable influence with him. Must be applied to through them on any interesting question. Gone to Bath in a bad state of health.

I61. Lysaght, Hon. Joseph (new). Against. Ld Shannon. Ld Lisle's son. Collector of Cork. Should be spoken to.

162. Lysaght, Hon. James (new). Against. Ld Shannon. Ld Lisle's son.

j63. Lysaght, Hon. Nicholas (new). Against. Ld Shannon. Ld Lisle's son. These three brothers are related to Ld Shannon, and brought into parlt. chiefly through his influence.

164. Macartney, Sir George (new). Govt. Ld Lt. Chief secretary to his excellency.

165. McCausland, John (new). Against. [ ] Charles Gardiner may possibly have some influence with him.



The Irish house of commons in 1769 37 166. McDonnell, Charles. Against. Sir Lucius O'Brien-his brother-

in-law. Seldom attends. 167. Mahon, Thomas. Against. Speaker. Chosen for co. Roscommon

with three others but is likely to sit. 168. Malone, Anthony. Govt. [ ] P.C. and first K.C. Chosen

for co. Westmeath and bor. of Granard. Will sit for co. and bring in his nephew, judge Malone's son, for Granard.

i69. Massy, Hugh. Doubtful govt. [ ] Brother to Lt Col. Eyre Massy. Wants to be a peer. His son is collector of Maryborough. To be spoken to.

170. Mathew, Francis (new). Doubtful against. [ ] Son-in-law to James Smyth who has some influence with him. Wants to be a P.C. Gent. of large fortune.

171. Mathews, Joseph (new). Against. Sir William Fownes and the Speaker. Brought into parlt. by Sir William.

172. Maude, Sir Thomas. Govt. [ ] Made a P.C. by Ld Townsend.

173. Maunsell, Thomas (new). Govt. [ ] Son of the K.C. with whom the solicitor-general has some influence. Bought his seat.

174. Maxwell, Hon Barry. Against. Ld Farnham--his brother. 175. May, Sir James. Against. Speaker. Collector of Waterford.

Returned for co. Waterford with Mr Beresford and Mr Congreve. Likely to sit.

176. Mayne, Sir William. Doubtful against. [ ] Resides chiefly in England. Made a P.C. by Ld Hertford. The duke of Leinster has some influence with him.

I77. Meade, William (new). Doubtful govt. [ ] Ld chief baron Foster has some influence with him and should be applied to to speak to him.

178. Mervyn, Richard Rochfort. Govt. Ld Belvidere--his father. Made a Lt Col. by Ld Townsend. Gone to Gibraltar with his regiment.

179. Molyneux, Sir Capel. Against. [ ] Brother-in-law to the bishop of Clogher who has some influence with him.

I8o. Monck, Thomas (new). Govt. [ ] Brought into parlt. by the bishop of Ferns.

i81. Montgomery, George. Against. [ ] Son-in-law to Mr Clements. Chosen with Mr Maxwell for co. Cavan. but is petitioned against by Mr Pratt. His seat is doubtful.

182. Montgomery, Alexander (new). Against. [ ] Of co. Donegal. A capt. and served in America in the last war.

I83. Montgomery, Alexander (new). Doubtful against. [ ] Of co. Monaghan. William Henry Fortescue and Mr Dawson of co. Monaghan have some influence with him. Wants something for his son in the army.

I84. Montgomery, William. Govt. Ld Drogheda. The agent. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. Auditor of imprest. Wants an additional salary.



38 Select documents

185. Montgomery, William. Govt. Ld Hillsborough. Of co. Down. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. Wants an ensigncy for his son.

x86. Moore, Thomas. Doubtful against. Ld Bective. Brother-in-law to his lordship and brought into parlt. by him. Ld Bective wants to be a P.C.

187. Moore, John (new). Govt. Ld Drogheda. Brought into parlt. by his lordship.

I88. Moore, Hon. William. Against. Speaker. Ld Mountcashell's brother and nephew to the Speaker.

189. Moore, Hon. Colvill. Against. Speaker. The same. x9o. Morres, Lodge (new). Against. Speaker. Counsellor Redmond

Morre's son. Brought into parlt. by Sir William Fownes. 191. Morres, Haydock Evans (new). Against. Speaker. Sir William

Morres's son. Succeeds his father in his seat for Kilkenny city. Cousin german to Lodge Morres.

192. Mossom, Eland. Against. Speaker. 193. Moutray, James. Against. [ ] Brother-in-law to Mr

Knox of Dungannon. 194. Nedham, William. Govt. absent. [ ] Usually resides in

England. To be applied to through Ld Hillsborough and Mrs Anne Pitt.

195. Nesbitt, Thomas (new). Govt. [ ] Mr Clements must be spoken to about him.

196. Nevill, Arthur Jones. Against. [ ] Has some demand on govt. Mr Waite should be spoken to about him.

197. Newcomenl, Charles. Govt. Ld Granard. Brought into parlt. by his lordship.

198. O'Brien, Sir Lucius. Against. [ ] 199. O'Callaghan, Cornelius (new). Speaker. Brought in for Fethard

in the room of his uncle, Cornelius O'Callaghan, who is much connected with the Speaker.

200oo. Oliver, Silver. Doubtful govt. [ ] Returned for co. Limerick and bor. of Kilmallock. An independent country gent. Ought to be taken notice of.

201. O'Neill, Charles. Against. [ ] Dead. 202. O'Neill, John. Against. [ ] Absent. 203. Ormsby, William. Govt. [ ] Much connected with Owen

Wynne. Collector of Sligo which Ld Townsend has promised him leave to sell. Ld Frederick Campbell's honour is engaged for this, or for his obtaining some equivalent.

204. Osborne, Sir William. Doubtful. [ ] Must be particularly applied to. Has a seat to dispose of.

205. Palmer, Roger. Govt. [ [ Bought his seat for Portarlington upon easy terms from his relation, William Henry Dawson. Wants an additional salary to his place of first chamberlain of the exchequer which is at present about £50 p.a.

206. Pakenham, Robert (new). Against. [ ] Ld Longford's brother with whom the duke of Leinster has considerable influence. Capt. Robert Digby to speak to Ld Longford.



The Irish house of commons in 1769 39 207. Parnell, Sir John. Govt. Ld Drogheda. 208. Parsons, Sir William. Doubtful against. [ ] Connected

in some degree with the Speaker. To be spoken to by Ld Drogheda. 209. Patterson, Marcus. Govt. [ ] Solicitor-general. 210. Pennefather Richard. Doubtful against. [ ]. 211. Pennefather, Kingsmill. Doubtful against. [ ] Father and

son have a favour to ask relative to the title of Doneraile for their kinsman, St Leger the minor. Are under no engagement.

212. Pepper, Thomas. Doubtful against. Ld Bective. Brought into parlt. by his lordship.

213. Pery, Edmond Sexten. Against. [ ]. 214. Pole, William. Govt. absent. Ld Drogheda-his brother-in-law.

A P.C. Gone abroad in a bad state of health. 215. Pomeroy, Arthur. Against. Duke of Leinster. 216. Pomeroy, John. Govt. [ ] Arthur Pomeroy's brother.

Has a regiment. Brought into parlt. chiefly through the interest of Ld Mornington.

217. Ponsonby, John. Against. [ ] Late Speaker, first comm. of the revenue and P.C. Chosen for three places.

218. Ponsonby, William Brabazon. Against. Speaker-his father. Examinator of the customs during pleasure.

219. Power, Richard. Govt. [ ] A lawyer. Bought his seat in this and the last parlt. Wants to be a judge.

220. Preston, Joseph. Doubtful. [ ] To be spoken to by Ld chief baron Foster. Ld Granard has some influence with him. Ld Ludlow's nephew.

221. Price, Francis. Govt absent. Ld Hertford-his uncle. Brought into parlt. by his lordship.

222. Quin, Windham (new). Doubtful. [ ] Brother-in-law to Mr Dawson of co. Monaghan who must speak to him. An independent gent. of large estate. Bought his seat.

223. Ram, Abel. Against. [ ] Has a seat to dispose of. Chosen for two places.

224. Ram, Stephen. Against. [ ] Brother to Abel. 225. Rochfort, Hon. Robert. Govt. Ld Belvidere-his father. Joint-

surveyor of lands with £600 p.a., if he survives William Molesworth, now near eighty years old.

226. Ross, Lt Col. Robert. Doubtful against. [ ] To be spoken to. Wants to sell out.

227. Rowley, Hercules Langford. Doubtful against. I ] Gent. of large independent fortune. P.C. To be applied to through judge Tenison.

228. Ruxton, John. Against. [ ] Ld Bristol, at his instance, appointed his brother, surgeon-general.

229. St George, Sir Richard. Govt. I ] Chosen for co. Roscommon with three others and also for Athlone. Will probably sit for Athlone. Much connected with Ld Arran.

230. Sandford, Henry. Against govt. Duke of Leinster. Registrar of forfeitures £800 p.a. Should be spoken to.



40 Select documents 231. Sandford, Robert. Doubtful govt. Duke of Leinster. Henry

Sandford's brother. Made gov. of Galway by IA Townsend to whom he is aide-de-camp.

232. Scott, Robert. Govt. [ ] Connected with the Fortescues. A merchant of Newry who has always supported govt. without any favour. Has asked to be a trustee of the linen board.

233. St Leger, St Leger. Doubtful against. [ ] Has applied for the title of Doneraile.

234. Skeffington, Hon. Henry (new). Govt. [ ] Lady Massereene's son. Should be spoken to.

235. Skeffington, William John (new). Govt. [ ] Henry Skeffington's brother.

236. Staples, John. Govt. Mr Conolly--his brother-in-law. Brought into parlt. by him.

237. Smyth, Charles. Govt. [ ] Brother to the archbishop of Dublin and to baron Smyth of the exchequer. Wants a lease from the crown of the King's island at Limerick.

238. Steele, Sir Richard. Govt. Ld Granard. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. Ld Townsend made him a bt.

239. Stewart, Annesley. Against. Ld Charlemont. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. A banker.

240. Stewart, William. Against. Ld. Lanesborough. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. A country gent.

241. Stewart, James (new). Doubtful govt. [ ] Capt. of dragoons. To be spoken to. Returned for co. Tyrone. An expensive contested election.

242. Stratford, Hon. John. Govt. Ld Baltinglass-his father. 243. Sudley, Ld. Govt. absent. Ld Arran-his father. Now at Naples

on account of Lady Sudley's health and will probably be absent. 244. Talbot, William, senior. Against. [ ] Brought into parlt.

by Mr Forward, father-in-law to Ralph Howard. 245. Tighe, William. Against. [ ] Son-in-law to Sir William

Fownes and related to Gen. Bligh. A gent. of fortune. To be spoken to.

246. Tighe, Edward. Against govt. [ ] A lawyer. William Tighe's brother.

247. Tisdall, Philip. Against govt. [ ] Attorney-general, secretary of state for life and P.C. Chosen for the university and bor. of Armagh. Will sit for the university. Charles O'Hara will be chosen in his room for the bor. of Armagh.

248. Tonson, Richard. Doubtful absent. [ ] An old man and probably will not attend.

249. Tottenham, Charles (new). Against. Speaker. Of New Ross. Related to Hon. Henry Loftus and brought into parlt. by him.

25o. Tottenham, Charles. Against. Speaker. Of Tottenham Green. Surveyor-general for Leinster. To be spoken to. Connected with and related to Henry Loftus.

251. Tottenham, Charles. Against. Speaker. Of Ballycurry. Very



The Irish house of commons in 1769 41 nearly related to the other Mr Tottenham and to Mr Loftus. An officer in the army.

252. Tottenham, John. Against. Speaker. Brought into parlt. by Henry Loftus. Collector of Drogheda, captain on half pay and late aide-de-camp to Ld Townsend.

253. Townsend, Richard. Against. Ld Shannon. Brought into parlt. for co. Cork chiefly through his lordship's interest.

254. Trench, [William] Power Keating (new). Doubtful. [ ] Son-in-law to Charles Gardiner. Returned for co. Galway with Ld Dunkellin and Denis Daly. Probably will not sit.

255. Trevor, Hon. Arthur. Govt. Ld Dungannon-his father. 256. Tunnadine, John (new). Govt. [ ] Master in chancery

and wants to sell. Ld chancellor and solicitor-general have some influence with him.

257. Tyrrel, Duke. Govt. Ld Belvidere. Brought into parlt. by his lordship.

258. Vandeleur, Crofton (new). Doubtful. [ ] To be applied to through the solicitor-general.

259. Vesey, Agmondisham. Govt. [ ] Accountant-general which he wants to sell.

260. Ussher, Charles. Against. Speaker. Connected with the Speaker and to be applied to through Ld Blesington.

261. Waller, Robert. Govt. [ ] Surveyor-general for Connaught. Related to Ld Jocelyn.

262. Walsh, Col. Hunt. Govt. Ld It. Has a regiment. 263. Ward, Bernard. Govt. [ ] Chosen for co. Down and

bor. of Bangor. Will probably bring in his son for the latter. Has solicited a peerage.

264. Whitshed, Col. William. Govt. absent. [ ] In the guards. Resides in England and must be written to, if necessary.

265. Wilson, James (new). Against. Speaker. An officer in the marines. Bought his seat.

266. Wood, Attiwell (new). Ld Shannon. Brought into parlt. by his lordship. A lawyer.

267. Wynne, Owen. Govt. [ ] A P.C. 268. Wynne, John. Govt. [ ] Owen Wynne's brother.

Lt Col. of dragoons. Lately made gov. of Cork by Ld Townsend.

N.B.-There are 70 new members in the above list of the house of commons, besides those that are to come in by deaths and double returns; and 24 in the above list have purchased their seats, which may be seen by referring to the column of observations, where they are all particularly mentioned. Bellingham Boyle, Mr Mitchell, John Magill and Sir Edward Loftus, whom Ld Townsend made a bt., should be reminded to purchase seats.

[The following summaries and general observations, which add considerably to the value of the list, are to be found in the last few pages of the volume.]



42 Select documents Members returned to the present parlt. according to the foregoing

list 268 To be deducted on account of the double returns for cos.

Roscommon, Galway and Waterford 4

264

To be added: vacant seats of those elected on double returns 31 Members dead (John St Leger, Thomas Knox, Hungerford

Skeffington and James Daly) whose seats are to be filled 4

299

George Smyth made a baron of the exchequer whose seat is also to be filled I

300

In the foregoing list of 268 members it appears that there will probably be

for govt. 104 against govt. 99 doubtful 65

268

Out of the double returns of 31 members govt. will probably have those who are brought into the places of the following members:

Francis Andrews, for bor. of Ballyshannon I John Beresford, for town of Coleraine I Nathaniel Clements, for bor. of Cavan and bor. of

Roscommon 2 John Dawson, for bor. of Portarlington I Ralph Fetherston, either for Mullingar or St Johnstown Ld Granard's bors., who should be spoken to I William Henry Fortescue, for bor. of Dundalk I John Foster, for bor. of Dunleer 1 Philip Tisdall, for bor. of Armagh I Bernard Ward, for bor. of Bangor I Anthony Malone, for bor. of Granard I John Knox, for bor. of Donegal I

12



The Irish house of commons in 1769 43 The vacant seats of the following double returns will probably

be sold:

James Agar, junior, for bor. of Gowran I James Agar, junior, for bor. of Gowran for which Mr

Ponsonby is returned I James Agar, junior, for bor. of Thomastown I Beauchamp Bagenell, for bor. of Enniscorthy I Armar Lowry Corry, for bor. of Enniskillen I John Cramer, for bor. of Ratoath I Henry Flood, for bor. of Longford I Silver Oliver, for bor. of Kilmallock x Sir William Osborne, for bor. of Carysfort I Stephen Ram, for bor. of Duleek or Newborough

[Gorey] I

IO

The vacant seats of the following double returns will probably not be sold:

Sir Archibald Acheson, for bor. of Killyleagh I Sir Richard St George, for bor. of Athlone I William Brownlow, for bor. of Strabane I Ralph Howard, for bor. of St Johnstown I John Hyde, for bor. of Carlow I Marquess of Kildare, for bor. of Kildare I John Ponsonby, for bor. of Newtown I John Foster, for bor. of Navan I George Lowther, for bor. of Ardee I

9

Total of the foregoing lists of double returns seats in bors. for govt. 12 seats in bors. probably to be sold Io seats in bors. probably not to be sold 9

31

A general account of how the members will stand when the house of commons is full and all the double returns are settled :

For govt., as before 1o4 Out of the double returns those that will be brought

in for govt. 12 In the room of baron Smyth I

II7



44 Select documents

Against govt., as before 99 Among the double returns not to be sold (bors. of

Kildare, Newtown, Carlow and Ardee) 4 In the room of John St Leger, probably against I

1o4

Doubtful, as before 65 Seats upon double returns to be sold and doubtful 1o Seats upon double returns not to be sold and doubtful 5 To be brought in in the places of Hungerford

Skeffington, Thomas Knox and James Daly and doubtful 3

83

Abstract of the foregoing general account Probably for govt. I7 Probably against 1o4 Probably doubtful 83

304

Deduct for the double returns of counties Roscommon, Galway and Waterford 4

300

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

It is to be observed that of the I17 members set down to govt., 36 are the most that can be considered as unconnected with any party and steadily attached to it from office etc. The remaining 81 are many of them independent gents., and the others are chiefly under the influence of the following persons: Lds Tyrone, Drogheda, Belvidere, Arran, Granard, Antrim, Kingston, Hillsborough, Hertford, Carrick, Massareene family, Westport, Conyngham, Dungannon, Jocelyn, Annaly, Erne, and Baltinglass; Mr Conolly, chief baron Foster, Mr Malone, the Provost and judge Tenison.

The following members are set down to govt. as part of the 117, all of whom must be particularly applied to through proper persons, as already noted in the column of observations, otherwise they cannot be depended upon: Thomas Allen, Roger Palmer, Richard Power, John Blakeney, Theophilus Blakeney, William Caulfield, Thomas Coghlan,



The Irish house of commons in 1769 45 John Congreve, Guy Moore Coote, Robert French, George Hamilton, Hugh Hill, St John Jefferyes, Edward Lucas, Thomas Monck, William Gore, Henry Skeffington and John William Skeffington. It is also to be considered that the following members set down to the account of govt. reside chiefly in England: Ld Frederick Campbell, Ld Beauchamp, Lt Col. Whitshed, William Nedham and Edward Brodrick. Besides these, Ld Sudley and William Pole are abroad on account of health and probably will not be here during the next session. Lt Col. Rochfort Mervyn is also gone to Gibraltar with his regiment.

The members set down against govt. which amount in the whole to lo4, are most of them under the influence of the following persons: Mr Ponsonby, Ld Shannon, duke of Leinster, Hon. Henry Loftus and the Tottenhams, and Lds Lanesborough, Charlemont and Lisle. The members considered as under the influence of Mr Ponsonby, Ld Shannon, the Loftus's and Tottenhams, who are all related and connected together, amount in the whole to 47

duke of Leinster I4 Ld Lanesborough 4 Ld Charlemont 2

67

The remaining 37 to make up the Io4 set down against govt. will be in opposition from a variety of public and private considerations. It is probable that none of the opposition members will be absent.

The doubtful members amount in the whole to 83. Some of these are under the influence of the following persons: Lds Donegal, Mornington, Milltown, Bective and Branden; Mr Rowley, the prime serjeant, St Leger St Leger, and Henry Flood. But at least 60 of these doubtful members stand unconnected, and, if necessary, might probably be engaged to support govt. upon proper applications. It is also to be noted that 3 doubtful members reside chiefly in England viz. John Chichester, Sir William Mayne and Francis Bernard. N.B.-It is probable that there will not be above ii or 12 members absent during the next session.

Finished 31 May 1769.



The Irish House of Commons in 1769

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