the painful necessity of making a visit this morning to the Princess of Orange, on the supposed death of her son, who was an excellent young man.

Yours ever affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

14th Feb., 1799.

a

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,—I just write you a few lines to tell you that on to-morrow we are to have a grand exhibition of the troops on both sides. The Speaker has directed the Opposition to propose a measure to counteract the stated determination of Mr. Pitt to persevere in the object of Union. Lord Corry gave notice, but did not tell what the measure was. He avowed that he meant to move a Committee, in which some measure was to be proposed. It is well understood that this is for the purpose of the Speaker's having an opportunity of speaking. It is intended to oppose the Committee. If we should prevail, it is intended, we hear, to ask leave for him to speak from the chair, which I understand is to be opposed.

I think we shall have a good majority; and if we have, the game will turn speedily.

I shall go to the House, although ill able; it is sup

a Somerset Lowry Corry, Lord Corry, son of Armar, first Earl of Belmore, and Lady Margaret Butler; born 1774; M.P. for county Tyrone 1797 to 1802; succeeded his father 1802; married, 1800, Lady Juliana Butler, daughter of Henry, Earl of Carrick; died 1841.

posed we shall be up all night. I fear I shall be knocked up.

The packet, in which my speech of Mr. Pitt's must be, has not come in; that of the next day has, and has brought many of them.

Yours in haste,

J. BERESFORD.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

16th Feb., 1799.

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,—I some time ago sent to you, Mr. Pitt, and Rose, the speech of Mr. William Smith" on the competency of Parliament to unite the two kingdoms. You since ask me who he is. He is the son of Baron Smith, one of the Judges, and is himself a lawyer. He has been in Parliament since 1795, and has been almost always in Opposition. He is a very whimsical man, eccentric and ill-tempered; goes his own way without connection, and is not to be influenced even by his father. He certainly was very able on this occasion, and is a very ingenious young man, but would be, I believe, very impracticable and hard to act with.

Yesterday came on our battle. Lord Corry moved that the House should resolve itself into a Committee of the whole House, to take into consideration the state of

a William Smith, son of Sir Michael Smith, Bart., Baron of the Exchequer, and afterwards Master of the Rolls, and Mary Cusack; M.P. for Lanesborough 1794; for Donegal borough 1797; called to the bar 1788; appointed Solicitor-General 1800; Baron of the Exchequer 1801; succeeded as Baronet 1809; died 1836.

the nation. This he did without stating any ground for such inquiry, or intimating what was to be done in the Committee. In the course of the dullest debate I ever heard, he let out that he meant to propose an address to the King, to express the opinion of our House of Parliament against an Union, to counteract Mr. Pitt's resolutions. The whole of the debate was supported on the ground of Mr. Pitt's speech, which was represented as containing false statements, &c., and much coarse and improper language was made use of. The Opposition were very much elevated and insolent, and were making bets that they would carry the question. However, on division, we had 123 to 103. Mr. Blake was objected to by the Speaker, as he was on the steps of the letterroom when the question was put, which place the Speaker declared not to be in the House, and therefore would not suffer him to be told. This passed while the minority were in the lobby, and proceeded entirely from the Speaker. Mr. Blake would have made us 124.

This majority will, I think, settle the business of the session, as Opposition will not be able to keep their friends together when they see that they are not omnipotent; so that if Government are active to gain friends, they will be able soon to curb the exorbitant insolence of our great man.

By the Irish papers you will see that before we went into the business a Member observed to the Speaker that there were strangers in the gallery; the result was, that the Speaker, from the chair, declared he must put the orders into execution, unless some Member moved

that it be repealed. This suggestion was immediately adopted, and we are now a French Assembly.

We shall want five millions at least, and no preparation, except the two millions secured by Mr. Pitt, nor is there a tax provided or thought of yet. A member of Opposition has just told me that they do not mean to go further against the Union, but I suspect that they will tease and badger Government, and particularly the new Chancellor of the Exchequer. Our officers are very inadequate.

There is a letter in town this day which says that there are three ships on the coast, supposed to be two French frigates and a ship of the line. This letter was received by Colonel Jackson, Member for Mayo, and Colonel of the Mayo Militia, but Government have no account of them.

Pikes are making, and every preparation for a visit. The French are expected daily, and have sent assurances to their friends that they would be here by the 14th.

Ever yours,

J. BERESFORD.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

18th Feb., 1799.

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I have waited until this hour, half-past eight P.M., in hopes of hearing what was done in the House of Commons; for you must know I am again laid up in consequence of the long sitting of

a Mr. Corry, who succeeded Sir John Parnell 1799.

Friday last; but no news is yet come; the cause of curiosity is a report that the Speaker would, in the Committee of Supply this day, make a speech in answer to Mr. Pitt, under pretence of stating the trade of the kingdom to show its capability. I had made some notes on the subject, which, as I could not go myself, I have given to Mr. Johnson, but I do not think the Speaker will speak upon this occasion, as I have reason to believe he means to publish a pamphlet on the subject.

I am of opinion that, except a little teasing opposition to expose the incapacity of individuals, we are done with opposition for this year; I am sure that our opponents are divided and broken among themselves. Mr. Ponsonby sees that he can do nothing, and he knows that his character was totally gone before this session : he thinks that his opposition to Union has gained him some credit, and on that he will endeavour to regain a character, and wipe away the impressions which the public entertained of his connection with the rebels, or at least Jacobins; and I think he will now support Government, or at least not oppose them.

As to the Speaker, he must see he is not able to carry his point; he cannot but perceive that the country gentlemen are afraid both of him and Ponsonby, and he sees the error of having brought again forward the question of Union, and not being content with the victory he had, and he knows that over that he has been beaten, and that our numbers would increase on every question. My opinion, therefore, is, that he will endeavour to persuade Government that he never meant to oppose them in anything except the one question, Union,