1827.] Death of Castlereagh to Canning's Premiership. 181 Agitation of a violent kind was the more natural before the passing of the Emancipation and Reform Acts, because the majority of the Catholic population were absolutely without any representation in the Parliament which had the control of their fortunes. The Association stood forward on their behalf, and it did directly represent the people in whose name it acted. Just at this time, too, a great leader presented himself who could stir the enthusiasm of his followers and fearlessly attack their opponents. The time was coming when Daniel O'Connell was to be an active element in national politics, ranging himself often with the Radicals in opposition to the Whigs: but at present he appears only as the champion of the cause of his own oppressed countrymen. Under his leader- ship the Catholic Association rapidly grew in power and importance, having much more influence in Ireland than was possessed by the imperial Parliament. During the first year of its existence it held regular sessions in Dublin, nominated committees, received petitions, referred them to a committee of grievance, ordered a census of the population to be taken, and even proceeded to levy a tax upon the people. It assessed the cities, towns, and parishes, appointing collectors in every district for the receipt of a tax which they called " Catholic rent." * What alarmed the Government not less than its success in directing agitation, was the ability of the Association to ensure an obedience to the law which its ordinary adminstrators could not effect. At the bidding of the Asso- ciation ribbon brotherhoods and secret societies of all kinds ceased their operations, agrarian crime disappeared ; the whole energy of the people was bent, in obedience to their leaders, upon accomplishing the one object of emancipation. The speech with which the Parliamentary session of 1825 was opened on the 3rd of February, contained references to three subjects of great interest : the formal recognition of the inde- pendence of some of the Spanish South American colonies ; the success of and the propriety of extending the free trade policy recently commenced ; and the position and objects of
- "Annual Register," 1824, p. 42.
