Repeal of the Union: Report of the Debate in the House of Commons, on Mr. O'Connell's Motion, and the Proceedings in the House of Lords on Earl Grey's Motion; For Concurring in the Address of the Commons; April, 1834 (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Repeal of the Union: Report of the Debate in the House of Commons, on Mr. O'connell's Motion, and the Proceedings in the House of Lords on Earl Grey's Motion; For Concurring in the Address of the Commons; April, 1834

Knowing the unfavourable auditory he had to address, he would pass as speedily as he could over these preliminary topics, to dwell at greater length upon matters not so likely to encounter the prejudices, and per haps the resentment, of those who heard him. There were not many individuals who were aware that only 220 years have elapsed since I re land was first recognised as a portion of the dominions of the Crown of Great Britain. It was in the year 1614, and not earlier, that the distino tion between Irishmen and English subjects - between Irish as the law considered them, and English subjects - was put an end to. Down to the year 1614, two distinct independent nations were recognised in Ireland. Then it was that, for the first time, the power Of the King of Great Britain - the King of England and Scotland - was generally recognised in Ireland. No title of subjection was.acquired by battle; previously or since - no right of conquest - nothing that the jurists and writers upon international law would consider as giving any claim to England to say that there had been submission on the part of the Irish people as subjects, and, above all, no recognition of them as being sub jects. As he was not speaking for the present hour, or addressing the House merely for the present passing occasion, he felt bound to lay his foundations broad, distinct, and, as he thought, irreversible, bound to have recourse to some ancient documents, to prove the per feet accuracy of his statement, that there was neither a submission, nor a recognition as subjects of the people of Ireland.

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