Their fetters, they went on, were clenched, if the English Government was to be allowed thus to take the initiative in Irish legislation.

The factious course pursued by the English Opposition was much less excusable than the line of the Anglo-Irish leaders.

Fox, who was ostentatiously ignorant of political economy, led the charge.

He insisted that Pitt's measures would annihilate English trade, would destroy the Navigation Laws, and with them would bring our maritime strength to the ground.

Having thus won the favour of the English manufacturers, he turned round to the Irish Opposition, and conciliated them by declaring with equal vehemence that the propositions were an insult to Ireland, and a nefarious attempt to tamper with her new-born liberties.