The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-16 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, Jsx. It
The great fact of this day was the meeting of the
landed proprietors and gentry of Ireland at the
Rotundo. It was certainly a very remarkable de-
monstration, whether we consider the numbers, the
intelligence, or the thorough unanimity which
pervaded it. There were some thirty odd resolu-
tions passed, and as the member for the University
observed, it was perhaps the first time in Irish
history where the concord was unbroken, and the
oratory limited. The numbers were about 800 or
[ 900, admitted by tickets at five shillings, and very
fairly represented the provinces. The speeches were
short, and to the point.
The only remarkable event of the day, of a se-
condary character, was the short speech of Mr. Ralph
Osborne to the first resolution. He asked whether, in
the event of the minister refusing to comply with the
demands of the Irish party, they were prepared to
move an amendment to the address? The feeling
certainly was in favour of that extreme course, but
Mr. Nlonsell interfered, and desired that the Irish
members should be left to pursue the most fitting
1 course. Mr. O'Connell spoke briefly and touchingly.
One fact stated by Lord Bernard, son to the Earl of
Bandon, is of painful weight. Ho said that the Pro-
testant Doan of Cloyne and floes, informed him that
fire thousand persons had already perished of famine
'along the south-western coast, since the beginning of
r September.
r I must refer you to the meeting, of which the fol-
lowing condensed report will give a fair idea :

MEETING OF THE IRISH GENTRY.
The long contemplated meeting of the Irish gentry took
place this day in the long room of the Rotunda. The meet-
mg was not only numerously, but beyond all comparison the
most influential that ever assembled in Dublin. Every
county iu Irrdand was represented.
On the motion of the Earl of CHARLEMONT, seconded by
Lord FARNHAM, the Marquis of Ormonde was called to the
chair.
Mr. 13. OBRORNR addressed the chair, suggesting that the
reporters of the public press be permitted fully to record
and publish the proceedings. He dwelt at great. length on
the necessity of having the proceedings of a meeting so in-
fluential, in point of rank and numbers, fully placed before
the public.
Mr. MUNCIE, one of the secretaries, observed that an
understanding was come to at the committee, not to have
the meeting partake of the character of a public meeting, but
rather of a conference of the Irish gentry ; that, however,
, the gentlemen of the press were all accommodated with
tickets of admission, with permission to give the paling •
general view of the object, character, and proceedings die
meeting. We are not yet aware whether the repoetan will
be permitted fully to transcribe their notes; and, as they
were admitted on the faith of submitting to the rules of the
meeting, it would be a breach of that faith to fully publish
the proceedings without the express assent of the committee.
Several letters of apology were read, including letters from
the Marquis of Conyngham, Lord Glance'', Lord Ramis*,
the Ron. Frederick Shaw Sir B. Hayes, Sir G. Aylmer.
Grogan Morgan, .
Theo hilts Nugent, Gen. Con
James Hamilton, A. O'Connor, Conway Dobbs, Hyde,.
Castle Hyde; N. Wieldy, R. Smyth, &c,, &c., ap-
proving of the proposed union of Irishmen, and of the gene
reel objects of the meeting.
Sir M. CHAPMAN addressed the meeting, and dwelt upon
the dire character of the visitation with which this counta
was afflicted, and on the total inadequacy of the present may
surer of the government to meet the exigencies of the case.
I He urged the necessity of forcing the government to import
food for the people, and not to permit their false theories of
trade to sacrifice the lives of the people of Ireland. He en-
tered rit some length into the project of an Irish party, and
strongly urged the necessity of Its prompt formation and
'united action. Having recounted the labours of the repro-
C. O'Loghlen,
dlimmittee he moved C. Mn, Sir
Wm. , Monaell1 andthat RichardStanlev Hawkeo th
, Eine.,
ad as secretaries to the meeting.
Mr. °coaxer, M.P. for Dublin, seconded the resolution,
and in • short speech gave his full adhesion to the proposed
Irish party, to its objects, and the laws of its formation.
At this stage of the proceedings O'Connell entered the
room, and was received with loud and enthusiastic cheers by
the whole meeting.
Mr. G. A. HAMILTON, M.P., proposed the first resolution,
which is as follows
That we deem it our duty moat earnedly to Imp reas upon our re-
yessentativen our mimeo conviction of the nocernity of their now co-
ageratum cordially in pediment for the advancement of the Intervale
al Ireland ; and of their uniting to advocate such measures as may ap-
pear calculated to nine the metal, material, and moral condition of
ihe people ; to sere wxlety tram the ruin by which all entree in the
land are now threatened; and to preserve the property of the country
from conitscation.
The hon. and learned gentleman proceeded at great length to
develop the necessity that existed for union amongst Irish-
men—declared that an Irish party was not any project, but
was already a thing effected, is the proud array of name*
published in the public journals of the day proclaimed.
( Loud cheering.) He proceeded to say that he bound him-
self to the principles of that union, and wmdd devote ell his
energy and time to the working out its object, and seeking
the advancement of Ireland, totally heedless of all party and
sectarian interests. Mt. Rani:tot dwelt on the necessity 01