Weary  of  debate,  the  house  merely  formed  a  com-
miftee,  and  then  adjourned.  The  next  day,  before
the  speaker  left  the  chair,  Mr.  Sheridan,  referring  to

some  observations  which  had  occurred  in  former  dis-
cussions, delivered  his  decided  opinions,  importing  that,
besides  the  multiplied  perils  which  would  attend  the
prosecution  of  die  scheme  of  union  at  the  present
time,  it  would  never  be  a  desirable  measure,  as  it  would
not  augment  the  prosperity  of  either  country,  and
might  endanger  the  liberties  of  both  ;  *nd  that,  what-
ever might  be  the  competency  of  the  British  parlia-
ment to  accept  the  surrender  of  the  independence  of
another  legislature,  that  of  Ireland  had  no  right,  con*
sistehtly  with  its  duty  to  the  people  whom  it  represent*
ed,  to  resign  its  separate  existence.
