8 - 1782–85: Fencible Men and the Militia Reconsidered

Summary

By the end of June 1782 the Irish Volunteers had been in existence for more than three years. Their members were almost exclusively Protestant, invariably loyal, and consisted overwhelmingly of the ‘middling’ class of men. They were predominantly led by their social betters: men from the established elites who controlled the land and politics of the country. This large, armed body of men outside the confines of the law was regarded with suspicion by the government. This was not least because they were perceived as having played key roles in the establishment of free trade and legislative independence. Arguably, Volunteering had considerably expanded the active political constituency in Ireland, and coupled political agitation with the threat of armed force. In the Irish parliament however, a further constitutional debate had now emerged. Despite the granting of free trade, disputes had arisen between Irish and Portuguese interests that seemed to demand a clarification of the relevant laws. The Methuen Treaty of 1703 had allowed English merchants to trade with Portugal on favourable terms and, with free trade, Irish merchants expected to be granted the same privileges. However, the Portuguese government was reluctant to admit Irish textiles on the same terms as English goods, as they undercut domestic manufactures. In turn, London was unwilling to pressure the Portuguese and risk alienating a vital European ally. With this in mind, the focus of many, especially in the Patriot grouping, shifted to the apparently fragile condition of legislative independence.