lics have the grace to avail themselves of it, for the Minister is bound by the King's recommendation, and opposition will be bound, as bringing in the petition. The only use of Hobart's bringing it in, is, that it may pledge him to the whole

measure.

Sub-committee. After sundry debates for two or three days, the prayer of the petition is altered to Gog's mind. I am clear he is wrong. If the form now agreed upon were the best, which I doubt, there should not be allowed the least alteration, for no form of words that was not downright offensive to Parliament, can do such mischief as this appearance of fluctuations and indecision in our councils. This is very bad; not that the alteration is very material, but that it betrays a sad decay in our spirit. Three or four days ago the Sub-committee rejected the idea of alteration unanimously, and with some appearance of resentment. To-day the same alteration is unanimously and very quietly adopted. Sad! sad!

A scuffle between MM. Gog and Hutton. In the last debate on the alteration, Mr. Hutton mentioned some expressions which he had heard out of doors. Gog, in his reply, remarked, in a very pointed manner, "that the Sub-committee were not to be influenced in their decisions by reports of conversations with persons whom they knew nothing about." And in another part, that they were not to attend to conversations that were held in corners." Mr. Hutton taketh fire thereat, as the insinuation is too strong and pointed to be overlooked. He riseth in great heat. T. Warren adviseth him not to speak, but he sweareth with vehemence that he will. In the mean time Edward Sweetman addresses the chair, and pronounces a handsome eulogium on Mr. Hutton, which a little abates the choler of that illustrious patriot, and also gives him a moment's time to recollect himself. He determines to make the apology to Gog as easy as possible, that he may have no reason to accuse himself. He, therefore, fixing his eyes on Gog, says, with great mildness, "that he is sure that gentleman did not intend to cast "any imputation on him, but, as, unluckily, the words he had ❝used, might be construed so as to bear a bad sense, he thought "it but right to give him an opportunity to explain them. That "he (Mr. Hutton) had never had a conversation with any man "on Catholic affairs, that he would not hold before every man

"in the room; nor done any action, in a corner or elsewhere, “which he would not repeat at the Royal Exchange at noon"day. That he had no secret, and, consequently, no fear. That ❝he mentioned this, in justice to Gog, to induce him to give a “proper explanation, for he would not suffer himself to suppose "that Gog could intend to convey the smallest imputation upon "his conduct."

These last words brought up Gog in a fuss. He payeth Mr. Hutton sundry compliments, and appeals to the Sub-committee, whether he had not always expressed the obligations which the Catholic cause owed to his exertions and talents, and whether he had not always said that the Catholics were bound, in honor, not only to reward him, but to raise his fortune. That he thought his (Mr. Hutton's,) measures for the last few days, alluding to the business of the petition, had tended too much to commit the Catholics with Parliament, but was satisfied, at the same time, of the perfect purity of his intentions; that, as to the expressions himself had used, he never intended by them to convey the smallest imputation on Mr. Hutton, and, particularly, as to what he had said about "corners," which he now saw was equivocal; he was sorry it had escaped him; and begged to recall it; he added sundry civil things, to all which Mr. Hutton answered by a low bow, and so the affair ended.

Now the fact is, Gog knew very well what he was saying, and did intend to attach an oblique censure on Mr. Hutton, which would have stuck to that gentleman, if he had not immediately resented it. Another fact is, that Gog is not a firm man, which is so much the better for Mr. Hutton, who has, thereby, a claw upon the said Gog. If he had not apologized, Mr. Hutton would have sent a certain officer, of the name of Edward Sweetman, (who is indeed delegate for Wexford, and does not much love Gog,) with a message, which would, as is presumed, have speedily brought him to a proper sense of his duty. The fellow will ruin me yet with the Catholics, if he can let him, but I will do, at all risques, what I feel to be my duty.

The paper, with the attack on the Chancellor, seems universally given up. No body mentions it. A long despatch from Devereux, containing an account of a conversation which he had with Dundas, wherein, after pressing him very hard, he had driven him to confess, that they did not intend to go be

yond partial relief. The Sub-committee puzzled to know what to say to this. Devereux is several notes above their present key. Gog, at length, makes a very artful and insidious attack on Devereux, under colour of excusing his warmth and inexperience, and, in the course of his harangue, he twice hoped the S. C. would not dishonor their deputy. Edward Sweetman flames out, being indeed cousin and bosom friend to Devereux; he seizes the word "dishonor," and says his kinsman is not to be dishonored by any man. Gog finds, to his great mortification, that this won't do, and that he has a chance of being very roughly handled by Sweetman. He immediately begins to apologize with great earnestness, and vehemence, and to express his great respect and affection for Devereux. The S. C. all at once, declare their assent to this, and say that no man could possibly intend disrespect to Mr. Devereux; so, at length, with some difficulty, Sweetman is pacified, and Gog got out of what, at first, appeared to be an ugly scrape. Gog has managed his matters poorly enough, to be obliged to apologize twice in one week ; he hates Sir Thomas French, Sweetman, and Mr. Hutton, worse than the Devil, and for a good reason.

My own opinion is, that Devereux did not act like a trained politician in this business, but he did like a good Irishman, and a man of high spirit; at any rate, no bad consequence has resulted, for the ultimatum was despatched to Ireland before this conversation.

The King of France was beheaded on the 21st-I am sorry it was necessary. Another interview with Hobart; he agrees to present the petition as altered, but takes care to protest against his being thereby committed to the whole measure. He says he will go so far as he is supported by the House, and the Catholics give him the petition to present, saying they hope his conduct will be such as to entitle him to the gratitude, and his Majesty's Government to the support of the Catholics. They are all wrong in my judgment. They should give it to some independent man, for Hobart is bound already to do what he can by the speech from the throne, and this imposes no additional tie, whilst it cripples opposition; besides, he did not appear any way anxious to present it, and they in a manner forced it upon him, which is very bad, as it betrays a want of confidence in themselves and their friends. I am not much in love with their

proceedings for some time back. They have totally lost the spirit which they seemed to have in England.

February 1, 1793. Debate on the late business with the Goldsmith's corps. A few days ago they paraded, when they were informed by Alderman Warren, that if they attempted to march, he would take the officers into custody; on which, after some consideration, it was agreed to disperse. The reason of this was, that some individuals threatened to resist, by force, and it was not thought advisable to commit the volunteers with Government just now. There are about 250 volunteers in Dublin, and the garrison is not less than 2,500, so that resistance is out of the question for the present. Do Government mean to carry the principle on with other corps? Will they go on and disarm us all? I hope not.

February 4. Hobart presented the petition, and moved for leave to bring in a bill, which is granted. The measure of relief intended, as chalked out by him, is as follows: The elective franchise. Magistracies. Right of endowing schools. Admissibility to corporations. Right of carrying arms, subject to modification. Civil offices, subject also to modification; but we shall see more when the bill is introduced, and still more when it is carried. The points withheld are: The two Houses of Parliament. The Bench, and the Board of Commissioners of the Revenue. The last two are nonsense. There is no need of an act of Parliament to do what the King can do of himself, and it establishes a principle of exclusion, which ought to be kept out of sight as much as possible. Will the Catholics be satisfied with this bill? I believe they will, and be damned! I am losing ground amongst them, I see, hourly, owing to my friend Gog, who, I know, will work me out. He does not like to have me close enough to inspect his actions, and I am much afraid he has some foul negotiation on foot. I know no more of their plans for the last week than the man in the moon.

February 5. Gog has exhibited a master-stroke! He moved this day, when only nine gentlemen were present, “that, in order to unite secrecy and despatch, the gentlemen who have been appointed to "wait on the Minister, be requested to con❝tinue their applications, in order to carry into effect the object "of the petition." This seems innocent enough, but what does it mean? It is a delegation of the whole power of the Catholic

body, to seven men who have no definite instructions, who are not bound to report their proceedings, and who have no responsibility. The Sub-committee is thus adjourned sine die, and the Catholic body is governed by a Septemvirate, Gog being Dictator. This is all damned fine, but it wont do. What makes it more curious, is, that, of the nine men who voted this wise measure, five were of the deputation. Magog, Mr. Hutton, and every body else, are fairly excluded from all knowledge of or interference in Catholic affairs, and that without the least bustle or noise. This scheme will never do. We must have a counter-revolution, or an open meeting. Gog is as deep as a draw-well. Mr. Hutton informs Magog of this unexpected change. Magog in a rage; swears he will take Gog off his stilts. Goes off to inflame the citizens against the Septemviri. Their reign, I see clearly, will be very brief. It is, to be sure, a damned impudent attempt, and a very artful one of Gog.

February 6th. A meeting of malcontents: Present, Magog, Capt. Sweetman, P. P. and Mr. Hutton. Much railing against the new Dictator; a formal conspiracy against his authority. Magog has poisoned the whole city. Agree to call the Subcommittee, and rescind the vote appointing the Septemviri; if defeated in the Sub-committee, to call the General Committee. Gog's new authority tottering already. Mr. Hutton and P. P. walk together; much laughing at Mr. Hutton, who is indeed an ex-minister, and no longer possesses the confidence of the Catholics. All this will soon be rectified. As the Septemviri will soon be abolished, it is thought proper here to insert a list of their names. Sir Thomas French, John Keogh, Thomas Fitzgerald, Randal M Donnell, Christopher Bellew, Edward Byrne, and Dennis Thomas O'Brien.

February 7th. Magog is ready, and has summoned the Subcommittee for to-morrow.

February 8th. A complete counter-revolution effected, and the Septemviri removed without tumult or disturbance. Magog moved, that the order of the 5th be rescinded, which, after a feeble opposition from the Dictator, who is once more indeed, become plain Gog, is carried ună voce. Gog lays down the fasces, and walks forth a private citizen-Huzza! huzza! Mr. Hutton restored, also Magog, also all good Catholics. Huzza! that business is over, and the Dictatorate at an end, after an existence