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No. LXVI.

LETTER OF GENERAL STRODE TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT, CONCERNING THE LANDING OF THUROT.....PAGE 63.

INFORMATION of Benjamin Hall, lieutenant and adjutant to my regiment, who this moment arrived here, on his parade, from Carrickfergus, in order to get provisions for the officers and soldiers of my regiment there, says, that on the 21st inst. three ships appeared off the isle of Magee, standing in shore, for the bay of Carrickfergus, and at eleven o'clock came to an anchor, about two miles and a half to the N. E. part of the castle, and within musquet shot of the shore at Thilroot-point. At this time the small number of troops belonging to the garrison, were at exercise, about half a mile on the road to Belfast; and at a quarter after eleven o'clock, the guard was turned out, made up, and marched off, to relieve that on the French prisoners in the castle: the rest of the men continued in the field of exercise, where an account was soon brought, that the three ships just come to anchor had taken and detained two fishing boats, and with them and several others were plying on and off between the shore and the ships; on which immediate orders were sent to the castle for both guards to continue under arms, and double the sentinels on the French prisoners; and be particularly strict and watchful over them, till they could be satisfied whether they were friends or enemies; though at the same time, a strong report prevailed with some, that it was an English frigate and two store ships: but to be convinced what they were, after the troops had assembled in the market place, Lieutenant Hall went off with a reconnoitring party, and took post on a rising ground, where he could plainly perceive eight boats landing armed men; and that they drew out in detachments, and took post on the dykes, hedges, and all the rising grounds, from whence they could have the most extensive views: upon which he gave the necessary orders to his non-commission officers and men, to have a watchful eye of their approaches; and to take particular care, that they did not get round them, by going to the foot of the hill undiscovered in order to prevent which he posted them himself, and told them as soon as ever their advanced guard came within shot, to fire upon them, and continue to do so until they repulsed them; or, if necessary to retreat, he likewise pointed that out to them, with orders to take every opportunity or advantage of the ground, in their retreat, to retard the enemy's approach; and to be sure to keep up a communication with the town as much as possible;

and, on this he immediately went to the town and acquainted Lieutenant Colonel Jennings, where he met him with the troops on the parade, who immediately ordered detachments to be made to defend the gates of the town, and all the avenues leading thereto; soon after which the reconnoitring party retired, after having spent all their ammunition: during which time the lieutenant colonel and chief magistrate of the town, sent off the sheriff and Mr. Macklewain (who is captain of the militia of the corporation) with orders to take off the French prisoners of war, and convey them with all speed to Belfast, where they were to receive further orders from me. By this time the enemy were in full march for the town, which he computed to be near 1000 men; and two or three straggling hussars, on horses they had picked up after landing, attempted to enter the gates, but on the first fire, retired, but were soon supported by parties of foot, who attacked both the north and Scotch gates; as also the garden walls of Lord Donegal; but were repulsed also, and kept back as long as the men had ammunition. On which Colonel Jennings ordered the whole to retire to the castle; which he had sufficient time to do, as now the enemy was a little checked from our fire; and would have been more so, if the men had ammunition. Before the gates of the castle were shut, they made their appearance in the market place; and then it was, in his opinion, the destruction of the enemy would have commenced, had it not been for the still dreadful want of ammunition, notwithstanding the supply of powder they had received a few days before by my order, from Belfast, but were in want of ball, and even time, if they had that, to make them up: from which the enemy, finding our fire so cool, attacked the gates sword in hand, which from the battering of the shot from both sides, the bolts were knocked back and the gates opened, and the enemy marched in: but Lieutenant Colonel Jennings, Lord Wallingford, Capt. Bland, Lieutenant Ellis, with some gentlemen, and about fifty men, repulsed the enemy and beat them back. Here it was he saw a great resolution in a few Irish boys, who defended the gate after it was opened, with their bayonets; and those from the Half-moon, after their ammunition was gone, threw stones and sticks. Had this attack of the enemy been supported with any degree of courage, they must certainly have succeeded in it, but they retired back under cover, leaving the gates open, with our men in the front of it; which gave them a short time to consider what was the best to be done: first, to see the men's ammunition, who if they had any, would have certainly sallied, and even without it, had not Colonel Jennings and all the officers thought the enterprise too hazardous. Then they considered if the gate could be defended: the breach in the castle wall, could not; it being near fifty feet long; and having but a short time to deliberate, all agreed a parley should be beat, and Lieutenant Hall sent to know on what terms they might

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surrender; which was done accordingly, and on his going out, found the greatest part of the enemy under shelter of the old walls and houses before the castle gate; and after the usual ceremony, demanded of the commandant (the general being wounded) what terms would be given to the troops on their surrender; and at the same time sent the drum to call Colonel Jennings out of the castle, in order to treat with the French commandant on the articles of capitulation, which he says, as well as he can remember, were as follows, viz.

"Colonel Jennings demanded that the troops should march out "with all the honours of war, and the officers to be on their parole "in Ireland, and that an equal number of prisoners should be sent "to France within one month, or as soon after as ships could be got ready for that purpose.......Granted.

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"That the castle of Carrickfergus should not be demolished, or any of the stores destroyed or taken out of it....... Granted. "That the town and county of Carrickfergus should not be "plundered or burnt, on condition the mayor and corporation furnished the French troops with necessary provisions.......... "Granted."

That, as well as he can remember, was the verbal articles agreed on; though on writing them the French commandant, after consulting his principal officers, declared he could not by any means answer to his master, the French king, for granting to his Britannic majesty the stores in the castle, which he insisted upon and Colonel Jennings, to his great grief had it not in his power to refuse, declaring solemnly, at the same time with a grave counte nance, that he would rather have been buried in the ruins. To which the French commandant replied, that he could not insert itin the articles of capitulation, yet he would give his word of honour, and did so, that if there was nothing of great value in the castle, belonging to the king, besides powder, he would not touch it (which there really was not): but how far he will keep his promise, is not yet known. Likewise the magistrates of Carrickfergus, not furnishing the French with necessary provisions, they plundered the town, declaring it was their own fault, as they were convinced they had it in their power to supply them, as they had found enough in the town afterwards.

Mr. Hall further informs me, that he has discovered by some of the French, that there was a disagreement betwixt their General and Captain Thurot, the General being for the attack of Carrick, and Thurot for landing at the White-house and attacking Belfast. He likewise judges the frigates to be one of 40 guns, the other two about 20 each.

Lieutenant Hall begs leave to present his duty to your grace, and hopes your grace will excuse any inaccuracy, that may be in his description, as he was no way provided with any papers, and states

but from his memory, having been often interrupted by numbers of gentlemen of the militia, who were crowding perpetually into the

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THE ADDRESS OF THE QUAKERS.............PAGE 66.

TO GEORGE the Third, King of Great Britain and the Dominions thereunto belonging.

The humble Address of the People called Quakers, of the Kingdom of Ireland.

MAY IT FLEASE THE KING!

We, thy dutiful and faithful subjects, being deeply impressed with a sense of the loss these nations have sustained by the sudden and unexpected removal of thy royal grandfather, our late gracious king, beg leave to condole with thee on this affecting event.

His mild and just government rendered him dear to all his faith ful subjects; and the particular indulgence and protection we have enjoyed in the free exercise of our religious duties, have left on our minds lasting impressions of gratitude and respect for his me

mory.

At the same time permit us to congratulate thee on thy accession to the throne of these realms, in which exalted station, we trust in that God by whom kings reign, that those many virtues which we hear adorn thy breast (and for which we are humbly thankful to the divine giver) will ever continue to animate thy conduct; and thy gracious declaration for the encouragement of piety, and suppression of vice and immorality, gives us just grounds to hope, that thy reign will be happy to thy people, and honourable to thyself.

Persuaded of the clemency and benevolence of thy disposition, and conscious of our own fidelity and affection to thy person and government, we are emboldened to ask, and assured o thy favourable protection: a protection we stand the more in need of, as

some of our religious tenets (of the truth of which we are firmly persuaded) expose us to sufferings from unreasonable men. Such protection, we thankfully acknowledge, the kind acceptance of our peaceable and dutiful demeanour hath procured to us, during the late reigns of thy royal ancestors; and it is our firm resolution (through divine assistance) to merit the continuance thereof, by behaving agreeable to our christian principles, as becomes faithful subjects.

We offer up our fervent prayers to Almighty God, that he may endue thee with wisdom, to rule in his fear; that in thy days righteousness may exalt the nation; and that thou may be the happy instrument of restoring a permanent peace; that his protecting providence may shield thee from every danger, preserve thee long the beloved sovereign of a happy and grateful people; and perpetuate their happiness by continuing the crown in thy family to latest posterity.

Dublin, the 13th of the 11th month (called November) 1760.

To the King's most excellent Majesty.

The humble Address of the Roman Catholics of the Kingdom of Ireland.

MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN,

WE, your Majesty's most dutiful and faithful subjects, the Roman Catholics of the kingdom of Ireland, beg leave to approach your majesty with this humble tender of our unfeigned loyalty, on your Majesty's happy accession to the throne of your

ancestors.

While your Majesty's subjects of all denominations are now endeavouring to be foremost in the exertion of every duty towards your Majesty's person and government; and while all circumstances of affairs at home, and abroad, unite for the present happiness and future glory of your reign; permit us to condole with your majesty, and pour out our sincere sorrow for the loss we have sustained, by the death of a monarch, who had always approved himself the common father of all his people; a loss the more sensible on our part, as the repose we have so long enjoyed proceeded from his royal clemency, and the mild administration of his government in this kingdom.

Ever since the accession of your Majesty's royal house to the throne of these realms, we have in a particular manner experienced the paternal interposition of your illustrious predecessors. We, most gracious sovereign, who are so unfortunately distinguished from the rest of our fellow subjects, cannot subsist without a continuance of the royal favour and protection.

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