was behind them, and at Castlebar cut off their retreat toward Erris or Galway. General Lake was at Swineford, south-east of them on the right; General Taylor at Bellaghy, south of them on the right also, and General Nugent north-east of them, between Sligo and Ballina; so that I do not see how they can get into the country, either by Sligo, Roscommon, or Galway. They are shut in the north and north-east of Mayo. I suppose they up mean to try and fall back to Killalla again, in hopes that the second armament which they expect from France may arrive and relieve them, either by enabling them to fight or by taking them away; and should they be disappointed, as I trust they will be, they will surrender; such is my conjecture. I am sorry to tell you that the country, in numberless places, shows evident signs of a disposition to rise, and particularly near Dublin, where they do not conceal their intentions, and they only wait the event of a western battle, or of a second landing of the French. We got rid of one enemy last night. Oliver Bond, after playing ball all the evening, died suddenly of apoplexy. Yours ever, J. BERESFORD. MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND. 9th Sept., 1798. MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I find the post goes out to England, and all over Ireland, this night contrary to prac tice, to carry, I suppose, the good news as soon as may be; I therefore write to let you know that Lake came up with the enemy, and has taken them all prisoners who were not killed. General Cradock slightly wounded. No officer killed. I send the bulletin. I have just received yours of the 3rd and 6th. Master Gough is not fair in imputing his dismissal either to you or the Board; for the fact was, as I before stated, that nobody having heard of him for eighteen months, Webbe who lived near his official residence, applied to the Archbishop of Cashel for the office, stating that he was dead you wrote an official letter to the Board, and they, certain that the fact was so from his long silence and absence, signed a Commission for Webbe, and I believe Gough did not come to life for two years after. As to his argument, of the Board ordering the person who did his duty to be paid out of his salary, it is always the case, and the order goes only to such time as they have leave for, but does not and cannot go to allow a man to act by deputy, as he supposes. The Board, at my desire, and I myself, have often represented his case, and he knows it. Lord Fitzwilliam arrived here this day at the Hotel in Kildare Street, heard all news, wrote to Lord Castlereagh, and went directly on board again, and sailed the same tide. Yours ever, J. BERESFORD. MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND. Walworth, near Derry, 16th Oct., 1798. MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-Glorious news; Sir John Warren is come into Lough Swilly, with La Hoche, of eighty-four guns, and four large frigates, with four thousand troops, arms, &c., an immense quantity; and the other four frigates are so shattered they cannot escape: we have three frigates in pursuit of them. Napper Tandy fled in the outset of the battle, and has escaped. They had six thousand troops in all, and would have been landed in twelve hours. I shall go to Lough Swilly to-morrow to see the fleet. Yours ever, J. B. MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND. Derry, 17th October, 1798. MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I am thus far on my way to Lough Swilly, where I am to dine with Lord Cavan, in company with Sir John Warren and Sir Thomas Byard. My account of last night is authentic, but I learn that the four French frigates which escaped have thrown over a John Borlase Warren, Admiral, K.B., and Bart.; M.P. for Marlow 1774; for ditto 1780; for Nottingham 1798 to 1806; appointed Ambassador to St. Petersburg 1802; created a Baronet 1775; K.B. 1794; married Caroline, daughter of General Sir John Clavering; died 1822. board their guns, arm chests, &c., in order to escape; we have three frigates, one the "Doris," which was not in the action, after them, and it is thought that Commodore Homes' squadron is off Black Sod Bay. Our squadron consisted of This is the ship which fought five so well. I understand the brunt was borne by the Robust, Magnanime, Melampus, and Anson. The Hoche fought well, I hear. Yours ever, J. B. LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD. Eden Farm, October 17th, 1798. MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I presume that you are returned from your northern expedition, and that these few and hasty lines will find you in Dublin. I have not yet seen Lord Clare, but he is likely to be here to-night, to meet the Chancellor, who is passing three or four days with me; and on Friday we all go to Holwood. The opinions lead towards an Union, strictly Protestant, and on the principle of not changing the constitution of either kingdom in Church or State. Mr. Pitt is very desirous to send you a summons to come over for a few conferences, but I wish to postpone his decision on that point till I can see Lord Clare, and learn how far it would be convenient or practicable. Mr. Pitt has conveyed an intimation to Mr. Foster that it will be also necessary for him to come. Take no notice of this till it is publicly known. It is a consideration of great difficulty in the arrangement, of greater difficulty in the execution, and after all precarious in its consequences; but when opinions are properly formed for the best, they must be followed up. You shall hear again in a day or two. It would be of use in the meantime, if you would order and methodise statements of revenue in war and peace, war and peace establishments, &c., debt and interest, &c., comparative duties on principal articles in the two countries, particularly on articles of consumption, for the old bone of contention as to countervailing duties must come forward. We have a magnificent revenue for the year ending 10th October-above 23,000,000l. nett, of which 14,100,0007. are the old permanent taxes. Yours sincerely and affectionately, AUCKLAND. |