Chapter VII: THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV. (concluded)

Opinions of the Irish Government on the Catholic Question--Renewal
of the Catholic Claims by Burdett--Vesey Fitzgerald accepts
the Board of Trade--O'Connell opposes him for Clare--His
Reputation--His Backers--Father Murphy's Speech--O'Connell
to the Front--The Nomination--O'Connell's Speech--The
Election--Return of O'Connell--Anglesey's Precautions--Peel's
Reflections on the Clare Election--Anglesey describes the State
of Ireland--Peel wishes to resign--The Duke wavers--Anglesey
urges Concession--Insurrection probable--Wellington determines
on Retreat--Why he and Peel did not resign--The Viceroy's
Opinion--Military Organisation of the Peasantry--The Brunswick
Clubs--Perplexity of the Government--O'Connells "Moral Force"--The
Liberator Clubs--Dawson's Speech--"No Popery" in England--The
Morpeth Banquet--The Leinster Declaration--Wellington's Letter
to Dr. Curtis--Anglesey's Correspondence with O'Connell--The
Premier censures the Viceroy--Anglesey dismissed--He is succeeded
by Northumberland--Difficulties with the King and the English
Bishops--Peel determines to remain--His Views communicated
to the King--The King yields--Opening of the Session--Peel
defeated at Oxford University--Suppression of the Catholic
Association--The Announcement in the King's Speech--Peel
introduces the Relief Bill--Arguments of the Opposition--The
Bill passes the Commons--The Duke's Speech--It passes the Lords
by large Majorities--The King withdraws his Consent--He again
yields--His Communication to Eldon--Numbers of the Catholics
in Britain--The Duke's Duel with Winchilsea--Bill for the
disfranchisement of "the Forties"--O'Connell presents himself
to be sworn--He refuses to take the Oaths--He is heard at the
Bar--Fresh Election for Clare--O'Connell's new Agitation--The Roman
Catholic Hierarchy--Riots in the Manufacturing Districts--Attempt
to mitigate the Game Laws--Affairs of Portugal--Negotiations
with the Canningites--Pitched Battles in Ireland--Meeting
of Parliament--Debate on the Address--Burdett's Attack on
Wellington--The Opposition proposes Retrenchments--The Duke's
Economies--Prosecution of Mr. Alexander--Illness and Death of
George IV. 268