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IT'ish Opinion on the AmeT'ican Revolution In 1772 Townshend was replaced as viceroy by Lord Harcourt who held the position until the end of 1776. The latter's principal achievement lay in inducing the Irish Parliament to support the British government in attempting to suppress the American Revolution. It was a foregone conclusion that the Patriots would see the colonists ' cause with sympathy and as resembling their own. This identity of interest had been pointed ~p by no less a person than the redoubtable Benjamin Franklin on a visit to Ireland in 1771.Dublin had proved as hospitable to him as Paris, and he was entertained by "both parties, the courtiers and the patriots." 1 The Irish House of Commons paid him the honor of admitting him to sit with the members, 'and he was favorably impressed with his reception . Of the leading members of the Patriot group he wrote: I found them disposed to be friends of America, in which I endeavoured to confirm them, with the expectation that our Iris-h Opinion on the AmericcAn Revolution In 1772 Townshend was replaced as viceroy by Lord Harcourt who held the position until the end of 1776. The latter's principal achievement lay in inducing the Irish Parliament to support the British government in attempting to suppress the American Revolution. It was a foregone conclusion that the Patriots would see the colonists ' cause with sympathy and as resembling their own. This identity of interest had been pointed up by no less a person than the redoubtable Benjamin Franklin on a visit to Ireland in 1771. Dublin had proved as hospitable to him as Paris, and he was entertained by "both parties, the courtiers and the patriots." 1 The Irish House of Commons paid him the honor of admitting him to sit with the members, "and he was favorably impressed with his reception . Of the leading members of the Patriot group he wrote: I found them disposed to be friends of America, in which I endeavoured to confirm them, with the expectation that our IRISH POLITICS AND SOCIAL CONFLICT growing weight might in time be thrown into their scale, and, by joining our interests with others, a more equitable treatment from this nation [the English] might be obtained for them as well as for us.2 At the opening of the parliamentary session of 17751776 Harcourt succeeded in having each house include in its customary address of loyalty to the king a passage asserting that ... whilst your Government is disturbed by a Rebellion existing in a part of your American Dominions, which we hear with abhorrence and feel with indignation, we shall be ever ready to show our most devoted and inviolable Attachment to your Majesty's sacred Person and Government, in the assertion of your just Rights, and in the support of your legal Authority." This condemnation of the colonists was subjected in both chambers to determined though unsuccessful opposition. In the Lords an amendment was proposed expressing concern with "the unhappy differences which now subsist between the Parliament of Great Britain and your American Colonies", and the hope that they might be terminated "without further Effusion of Blood." The amendment clearly implied that the struggle was a quarrel and not a rebellion, and that greater efforts should be made by the British Government to procure peace. Despite the efforts of the Opposition, the address was passed by an overwhelming majority (the normal procedure on governmentsponsored measures in the Irish House of Lords), the minority consisting of Charlemont, Irnham, Leinster, Meath, and Powerscourt," In the Commons the address to the .king was voted by a majority of 36, go in favor and 54 against. The Administration argued that it was important to persuade the IRISH POLITICS AND SOCIAL CONFLICT growing weight might in time be thrown into their scale, and, by joining our interests with others, a more equitable treatment from this nation [the English] might be obtained for them as well as for us.2 At the opening of the parliamentary session of 17751776 Harcourt succeeded in having each house include in its customary address of loyalty to the king a passage asserting that ... whilst your Government is disturbed by a Rebellion existing in a part of your American Dominions, which we hear with abhorrence and feel with indignation, we shall be ever ready to show our most devoted and inviolable Attachment to your Majesty's sacred Person and Government, in the assertion of your just Rights...

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