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Your letter of the 5th arrived very opportunely; I gave it to our friend Rose, who carried it to Mr. Pitt. The latter had received an account that the inquiry was taking a turn disagreeable to you. I believe (but do not know it positively) that this account came from an officious and ill-informed friend of Lord Westmoreland, who a few days afterwards received a proper account of the transaction from Fitz Gibbon, which state was also sent to Mr. Pitt. After all, I am glad that this business is settled. If there is any printed report respecting it, pray let me have it.

That "unhappy nobleman your late Viceroy hides himself and his unhappiness. I have not seen him these four months, except that he appeared in the House of Lords, but without speaking, on the day when a debate was expected relative to Burke's pension.

I do not like the symptoms of ruffianism and revolt which show themselves in your Irish interior, but I trust to the same Providence which has so long preserved your country. I have often thought that Ireland is like a drunken man, who staggers unhurt and miraculously many a mile, amidst waters and precipices, without drowning himself or breaking his neck. That, however, is no reason for tempting Providence; and I heartily wish that a radical cure could be given to your evils by diffusing prosperity, property, and instruction more equally among your people, so as to attach them to Government and civilisation.

I have nothing to say upon the subject of the war beyond what I said and printed five months ago (and which by-the-bye has gone through eleven editions in

different countries and languages); though the stocks are rising on the speculation of peace, I do not see one ray of hope for such an event. It may come suddenly, by the breaking down of the French Government, or by their avowing the failure of their finance measures, and an utter inability to go forwards; but in the meantime we are drawing near to a new campaign, and the Emperor is seriously preparing for it, and we must help him. I see a good deal of Mr. Pitt; he is at present at Holwood, but he comes to town to-morrow, and we dine together. His spirits are always equal and cheerful, and he is constantly at work.

Lady Auckland desires to be kindly remembered, she is in high spirits, and wandering through the nights with her daughters from one assembly and ball to another. The latter are grown tall and well formed, and meet with full as much admiration as I wish them to have.

Believe me, my dear Beresford, ever affectionately

yours,

AUCKLAND.

LORD WESTMORELAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Walmer, June 25, 1796.

DEAR SIR, I received this morning yours of the 18th. Your kind manner of expressing yourself is very flattering to me. If you want any more of the same articles, and will inform me, I will take care they shall be sent to you. I was much hurt at the news of the

death of poor Conyngham; was it not very sudden? By the public appearance you at present seem very quiet in Ireland, but I have no doubt "latet anguis in herbá,” if the French should pay you a visit, to jump out with great vigour. I have read the trial of the conspirators to murder Hanlon, and a pretty history it is; can you tell me who was the gentleman in boots that was with Glenan when Smith gave him an account that he had Hanlon? and who was the gentleman in black, with a patch on his face, that formed one of the committee in Lord Milton's room to examine Smith; was it G. Ponsonby? We have been much alarmed at the story of an Austrian peace, which is, however, blown over; and I saw yesterday a French paper, by which the French have received a severe check on the Lahn, if not been defeated.

Be kind enough to remember me to Lord Waterford, whose proxy I had the honour of giving very often last year, and to the Chancellor.

I am, dear Sir, yours sincerely,

WESTMORELAND.

Your arrangement seems to hang very long.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

August 28th, 1796.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-Having received your letter when Mr. Pitt happened to be passing the day here, I

thought proper to put it into his hands, more especially as it contained so forcible a paragraph on the perilous predicament of Ireland. He considered it attentively. It is so momentous that it ought for the present to swallow up every other consideration, and if the disaffection and danger are such as you describe, everybody who has any influence, either in opinion or otherwise, should stand forward in time. In that case the alarm is salutary when not carried to the extent of discouraging. Our friend Rose has also communicated to me your letter to him. The Irish affairs have been for some time under the consideration of the Cabinet, and you will learn the result in part immediately; but the salvation of the country depends infinitely more on the exertions of all of you who are on the spot than upon anything that can be done or suggested from hence. Lord Fitzwilliam will have a melancholy topic of triumph over us all eventually. At any rate, I agree with you that it is a very awful moment, and that every possible precaution ought to be taken without delay.

Some precautions must be taken here for our own defence, but they will be of a very different colour and description, the people of Great Britain being in general zealous for the support of good government, and for the extermination of all French invaders. I am writing this letter in my library, with a mixture of company, and in as much noise as can be created by twenty young people, who care no more about the danger than I do about the troubles in a Chinese village. Let us hear from you again soon, and I will write more connectedly if anything occurs. Unless events should suddenly be such

as to force us to meet in September, which is not likely, we shall be appointed to meet towards the middle of October. It will be an unpleasant meeting, but will do good; and I hope that your Parliament will also meet soon. Our abundant harvest, and the consequent cheapness of bread, will operate more beneficially than half a dozen victories.

No more at present. Yours very affectionately,

AUCKLAND.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD AUCKLAND.

Abbeville, 4th Sept., 1796.

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MY DEAR AUCKLAND,-I this day received yours the 28th of August, in which you acknowledge mine, in which, I will promise you, there was nothing exaggerated. The informations which have come to Government, and which I suppose, and indeed know, have been transmitted to Administration, and the information you have in return sent us, but too plainly show the disagreeable situation that we are in; but, thank God, we are roused, and such measures are about to be pursued as will, I trust, put us into a very different situation. We have people enough to protect the country, if they were brought forward; measures are being taken for that purpose, and I trust that we shall be able to meet all our enemies. The arming the Protestants, who can be depended on, is now in everybody's mouth, and the wisdom of the measure appears from the confidence which it

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