’The Bishop of Deny (Lord Bristol), wishing well to Ireland, but of a far less judicious character than Lord Charlemont, was at the head of the opposite party. . . .  Lord Charlemont, foreseeing the danger of disagreement between the parliament and convention, if at this time any communication were opened between them, earnestly deprecated the attempts.  It was his desire that the convention, after declaring their opinion in favour of a parliamentary reform, should adjourn without adopting a specific plan; and that they should refer it to future meetings of each county, to send to parliament, in the regular constitutional manner, their petitions and addresses.  Mr. Flood, however, whose abilities and eloquence had predominant influence over the convention, and who wished to distinguish himself in parliament as the proposer of reform, prevailed upon the convention, on one of the last nights of their meeting, to send him, accompanied by other members of parliament from among the volunteer delegates, directly to the House of Commons then sitting.  There he was to make a motion on the question of parliamentary reform, introducing to the House his specific plan from the convention.  The appearance of Mr. Flood, and of the delegates by whom he was accompanied, in their volunteer uniforms, in the Irish House of Commons, excited an extraordinary sensation.  Those who were present, and who have given an account of the scene that ensued, describe it as violent and tumultuous in the extreme.  On both sides the passions were worked up to a dangerous height.  The debate lasted all night.  “The tempest, for, towards morning, debate there was none, at last ceased.”  The question was put, and Mr. Flood’s motion for reform in parliament was negatived by a very large majority.  The House of Commons then entered into resolutions declaratory of their fixed determination to maintain their just rights and privileges against any encroachments whatever, adding that it was at that time indispensably necessary to make such a declaration.  Further, an address was moved, intended to be made the joint address of Lords and Commons to the throne, expressing their satisfaction with His Majesty’s Government, and their resolution to support that government, and the constitution, with their lives and fortunes.  The address was carried up to the Lords, and immediately agreed to.  This was done with the celerity of passion on all sides.

’Meantime an armed convention continued sitting the whole night, waiting for the return of their delegates from the House of Commons, and impatient to learn the fate of Mr. Flood’s motion.  One step more, and irreparable, fatal imprudence might have been committed.  Lord Charlemont, the president of the convention, felt the danger; and it required all the influence of his character, all the assistance of the friends of moderation, to prevail upon the assembly to dissolve, without waiting longer to hear the report from their delegates in the House of Commons.  The convention had, in fact, nothing more to do, or nothing that they could attempt without peril; but it was difficult to persuade the assembly to dissolve the meeting, and to return quietly to their respective counties and homes.  This point, however, was fortunately accomplished, and early in the morning the meeting terminated.’