CHAPTER VII
THE COALITION
1783
While the Administration of Shelburne had been negotiating abroad, it had not been idle at home. Fresh difficulties had arisen in Ireland. In the autumn of 1782, Lord Mansfield gave judgment in the Court of King's Bench in an outstanding Irish case, which some time before had been brought before him, but previously to the passing of the recent legislation. A cry at once arose in Dublin that the country was betrayed. The absurdity of the grievance was almost self-evident; for as no more writs of error could be issued, the English Courts would in future be clearly unable to decide on Irish cases. The storm none the less grew, and Lord Temple was interrupted in the midst of his labours for the establishment of the new order of the Knights of St. Patrick, by the complaints of the Patriots. Mr. William Grenville had to rush over to England to consult with the English Government, and Townshend,[1] in order to humour the susceptibilities of Flood and his friends, who had in reality only stirred the question to gain a cheap popularity at the expense of Grattan, introduced a Bill formally
- ↑ 23 G. III. c. 28.
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