Burke followed his leader.

We may almost say that for once he allowed his political integrity to be bewildered.

In 1778 and 1779 he had firmly resisted the pressure which his mercantile constituents in Bristol had endeavoured to put upon him; he had warmly supported the Irish claims, and had lost his seat in consequence.

The precise ground which he took up in 1785 was this.
He appears to have discerned in Pitt's proposals the germ of an attempt to extract revenue from Ireland, identical in purpose, principle, and probable effect with the ever-memorable attempt to extract revenue from the American colonies.

Whatever stress may be laid upon this, we find it hard to vindicate Burke from the charge of factiousness.