out before our fleets are on their backs, and if they go to westward of the Bay they will find it very difficult to work into it and I do not see that they can escape, even if they run from our coast, for the wind is directly against them; and if they keep the sea with their transports, &c., we must overtake them. The only anxiety I meet is lest these scoundrels should escape.

Mr. Annesley is come in time from Pelham to tell me that there is no absolute certainty as to the fleet; that they have accounts that they are not in the Bay; one lugger came in and landed on Baerhaven Island, and carried away some cattle, and Pelham has no doubt they are French. Thus things stand at just three o'clock. I shall not seal my letter till the last moment, as news is hourly expected. There was intelligence from Sir Neal O'Donnell of a fleet of six ships seen off Black Sod Bay, steering north. This is not believed, but it may for all that be a detachment pushing for the north, which might not evince the same spirit as the south has done. Let this business end as it may as to the enemy, it must have the very best effects as to our internal foes, for it has brought out such a host against them as will make them feel their inability to carry out the mischief which they flattered themselves they would achieve. I am in spirits, and sanguine at the appearance of things, and I hope I do not deceive myself. I have sent to hunt for a copy of your pamphlet.

I certainly heard of the report which you mention, and saw it in the newspapers. Lord Camden has more than once asked me if I knew anything about it. I answered, as I shall continue to do, that I knew nothing

about it. Whatever may be the issue, my warmest

wishes are not wanting for the best.

I could

I could say much upon the subject, but this is not the proper time. With the best compliments of the season to Lady

MY DEAR AUCKLAND,—It is surprising that some people would not believe that a French fleet was absolutely upon our coast, but chose to make it any other fleet under the sun: however, we have ascertained the fact. One of their 64-gun ships ran down a frigate, and carried away her masts; the Lieutenant was sent with four boatmen for orders to the Admiral, and the boat was forced by the current and the wind on shore, and the men taken. The Lieutenant has been brought up, and is now at the Castle. He says that there were 50 sail in all, 17 of the line, 15 frigates, 13 transports, and some corvettes, commanded by Hoche; that the fleet was separated by high winds, and that but eleven ships of the line are at anchor under Baerhaven. He did not know how many frigates, or he pretends not to know. I do not believe they intend landing in Bantry Bay, but mean to rendezvous there and proceed to some other place, which I consider is the north, where the people

are the very devil. I am writing my own ideas, for no one has told me any better. Their force I suspect to be about 20,000, which I thus compute: the Lieutenant's frigate had 380 men; 15 would have 5700. Seventeen sail of the line, 600 men each, as stated in the papers, 10,200. Thirteen transports, each 500, 6500. Total 22,400, which will be about 20,000 efficient.

=

Everything is quiet, and loyalty apparent everywhere, except in the north. Now that the fact of a French fleet is ascertained, we shall immediately see the real disposition of the United Irishmen. The military of every description and denomination appears firm. We are dreadfully impatient for Bridport or Colpoys. I saw a letter from Portsmouth, dated 25th: Bridport was getting under weigh; and they knew of the French fleet on our coast. What can have become of Colpoys?

Yours ever affectionately,

J. BERESFORD.

MR. BERESFORD TO LORD WESTMORELAND.

Dublin, 20th June, 1797.

MY DEAR LORD,-As you expressed a desire of hearing how we go on here, I have the pleasure to let you know that things are changed much for the better. The late exertions which have been made have operated, as exertions always have done in this country (witness the National Guards in your time); they have put down the conspirators, at least for the present, and if they are

VOL. II.

L

persevered in will, I trust, quiet the country. I do not mean to say that the chief conspirators either have changed or will change their principles, but that the great bulk of the people, who were led away, some by misrepresentation and some by their fears (for the system of terror was not more complete in France than it was here), when they found that the business was taken up seriously, began to reflect on their situation, and finding that the safety which they expected, from taking the United men's oaths did not exist, they have thought it best to take advantage of the indemnity offered to them by the proclamation, and vast numbers of them have come in and taken the oaths of allegiance, and given security for their good behaviour; but the most material circumstance is, that many have delivered up their arms, and much arms have been taken up by the yeomen and the army. One thousand five hundred at Carrickfergus, and 6000 at Belfast, took the oaths before Lord Yelverton and Justice Chamberlaine, and I suppose above 20,000 have done the same; and although several of these may not be to be depended on, yet it makes a great break among the disaffected, and shows the timorous that the numbers they expected cannot be relied on.

This town is quite quiet now, and the prospect of peace, and the conclusion of the naval mutiny has cast down the United men beyond what could be imagined; but your Lordship knows enough of the real dispositions, both of the Roman Catholics and the Dissenters, to let you imagine that they have totally laid aside their plans; far from it; I believe Rebellion sleeps, but is not dead.

They still retain the scheme of a separation, and will endeavour, whenever they have opportunity, to put it in practice, and no concessions will ever induce them to give up this favourite object; concessions will strengthen them, and they will take advantage of that strength; nothing but a constant and vigilant attention to keep them in order will keep us in quiet or preserve the connection between the two countries.

All your friends are well; our session is over, and I hope we shall have a quiet summer if we have a peace. I am, my Lord, ever your affectionate and obliged, humble servant,

J. BERESFORD.

LORD AUCKLAND TO MR. BERESFORD.

Eden Farm, Oct. 6th, 1797.

MY DEAR BERESFORD,-I begin to think it long since I heard from you. I have passed much of my time lately at Holwood, and Mr. Pitt is far advanced in his preparations for the money business of the next session: I hope that we shall do well. It will depend a little on the Lisle story, as soon as it can be told with propriety, a little also on retrenchments; and I apprehend it may be expedient to call by Act of Parliament for some contributions, regulated perhaps by the scale of assessed taxes, and proportioned to incomes, and varying from one-tenth to one-fifteenth of the annual expenditure of individuals, to be taken in aid of the supplies of the