pendence of the Irish legislature, and a radical reform in the representation of the Irish people.*

This belief was more than confirmed, if possible, on his first appearance in the county, previous to his election, in 1790. On his canvass, he was received, with marked cordiality, and expressive joy; and these were kindled into enthusiasm, by his strong expressions of attachment to the liberty of his country, of ardor for reform, and solemn declarations that, if returned to parliament, he would use all his efforts to obtain it.--Nay, as some averred, by expressions of patriotism much stronger.

The effect of such addresses, added to his former popularity, in such a county as Down then was, may be easily conceived. In fact, it was much, that, I am fully, convinced, had the freeholders

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*While Mr. R. Stewart was with Mr. Sturrock, an incident occurred, which I would not dare to recite, had it not been published at the time, and supported by a cloud of witnesses equally numerous and respectable. These consisted of the late Lord Camden, the late Dr. Haliday of Belfast, Dr. Sturrock, Mr. Cieland, the Household at Mount Stewart, the Rosemount family, and all the surrounding neighbours. The personal friendship, determined fortitude, calm composure, and patient perseverance, exhibited, placed the youth far above the friends novel, and the heroes of romance. In hope of procuring the original publication in the Beifast paper, before this Narrative shall be printed off, I shall reserve every thing farther, on the subject, for an Appendix: See No. ↳`

freeholders been left to an unbiassed choice, nine tenths of their number would have voted in his favor.

The contrary, however, was the case. His popularity was met by an opposition as formidable as power, interest, or personal favor, could excite. The influence of the government, thro' its dependents and expectants; that of a peer of the first property in the county; amiable in private character; unrivalled as a landlord; who had brought under obligations a great proportion of the gentlemen of smaller fortune, by providing for their sons, in the army, navy, revenue, and church; to whom many others oked up for preferment; and, who had two roughs at his disposal; with all their depennts and de-dependents were marshalled against

m.

To meet, and counteract, this opposition, very friend to the youthful candidate, and the cause to which he had pledged himself, set ont to canvass in his favor. In the enthusiasm of he day, my mind was not indifferent, nor my ertions withholden. For several weeks, preus to the election, and the three months, ring which it continued, I was on horseback, 1ost every day; and seldom left in my own ise, at night. In fact, I rode oue horse, rly to death, reduced another to half his

value, and expended above 501. part of which I was obliged to borrow: Nor can I now say, whether I was most actuated by affectionate esteem for the youthful candidate, confidence in his profession, or zeal for the interests of my country, in my quixotical excursions. Under the joint influence of the whole, I canvassed, far and wide, regardless of interest, influence, and connexions; and succeeded so far as to provoke some of my best friends, by voting their tenants, for Mr. Stewart, contrary to their orders, and in their presence. Of that success, whatever it was, I was proud, at the time: tho', God, knows, frequently have I regretted it, since, in the bitterness of my heart, not only on account of my country, but real pity for the then successful candidate. Even now, I cannot express the thought that, had he been happily rejected, on that occasion, he would never have reached that pinnacle from which he hath fallen, at least unpitied that Ireland would yet have been the independent, proud, powerful, and affectionate sister of Britain-her Presbyterian church unfettered, and its extension unchecked.*

Be

* Of my success on that occasion, lord C. retained a much higher opinion than I ever expressed, if a judgment may be formed from the following anecdote. A short time after my arrest, a particular friend of mine, alarmed by the dreadful reports industriously and artfully circulated of my criminality and consequent danger, asked his lordship, what was to be done with me?" His answer was, "I do not know. Every

Be this as it may, our favorite was returned to parliament, though under age, at the time of his election, and, for a short time, retained his popularity, by some speeches in the house, and attendance on patriotic societies.

In the year 1791, the Whig Club of Dublin was warm, leud, and diffuse, in the cause of reform. A Northern Whig Club was formed, in Belfast, on the same principles. Of this the Stewart family were prominent members. About the same time, a third Society was instituted, under the auspices of the Duke of Leinster, and other characters, then, highly respectable. Whilst the two former, by speeches and toasts, roused and animated the spirit of reform, the other zealously recommended the institution of Societies, over all Ireland, that the great body of the people might unite, and forward petitions to the throne, and to parliament, for its attainment. Pamphlets, were, every where, circu

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thing possible has been done to procure evidence against him; but we cannot obtain a single sentence, tho' we know he is guilty "My God:" exclaimed the gentleman, "if that be the case, why keep him in confinement? Do you mean to destroy both him and his family ?" "O sir" replied his lordship, "from his popularity in the year 90, I know he would be a very dangerous person to leave at liberty now."

His lordship might likewise have recollected 83. Even in that year I enjoyed some share of popularity, as appears in a proceeding page. And, whatever that share may have been, his father and he enjoyed exclusively the benefit of its exertions.

Landlords, in

lated, for the same purpose. many places, are said to have distributed them among their tenants. And, from the Agent's office of Mr. St, if report spoke truth, they were issued in multitudes,

Thus sanctioned and stimulated, the people formed themselves into societies, in every town village, and parish, through Ulster, and soon extended themselves over the kingdom. From the importance of the object, a test was drawn up, and initiation, to these societies, became regular and solemn. Under the strongest impressions of this importance, I took the test, so early as December 1791, in presence of "the first society of united Irishmen in Belfast," three of whom were members of the "Northern Whig Club.

In this society, I do not know that my name was ever enrolled, as a member; but this I can positively assert, that, so far as I can recollect, I never was present at any succeeding meeting of them, as a society, or any meeting of any other society, in Belfast, or elsewhere, where any member was admitted, or other business, peculiar to united Irishmen, transacted. It is true, when in Belfast, where I frequently was, I found myself surrounded by united Irishmen; and the union of Irishmen was, on every occasion, the common topic of conversa

tion,