provoked at what we may now surely call innocent truths; let those truths be secreted for better days and better times, even though no great deference should be observed to the errors of men, who would rather continue ruinously mistaken, than be unpleasingly undeceived; my deference to such men would go but a short way; and were I author of the Historical Memoirs, I would apprehend but very little from the open avowal of them. But, perhaps the true author, whoever he is, has more measures to keep through the delicacy of his situation. For my part, I can see neither relief nor persecution from the complexion of the present times, they seem not purified. enough for the one, nor implacable enough for the other; and when the scales of political wisdom are thus poised, let us conclude that wis dom and justice will take care one time or other to cast the balance on the right side. Your's affectionately, CHARLES O'Conor. DEAR SIR, TO THE SAME. Belanagare, October 20th. ON my return two days since from Jamestown, I called in Elphin, at Mr. Stafford's. He informed me, that he put a book which lately came out, (on the fatal rebellion in 1641) into the Bishop's hands, who promised it an impartial reading. As you might probably have perused that work, you may be curious to know what so great a man's thoughts are relative to it; they are indeed pretty much what I foresaw they would be....The author (said he) hath taken great pains to support his facts by authentic testimonies, but I cannot approve of the discretion of gentlemen, who in the present time revive such facts.... Mr. Stafford made no reply; nor could it escape his lordship, that such facts are revived incessantly, in the anniversary sermons, pamphlets, and books of the most eminent men among us. But the charge of indiscretion is levelled particularly at any person, who now have the audacity to controvert any matters set forth in these periodical writings. For my own part I cannot but approve entirely of the equity of this judgment: nor can I see the reason, why a people, who contended in vain for civil justice in a former age, should have any historical justice done them in this! Who does not see that under all popular governments, popular contention must sometimes arise, and that every discomfited party, (which party must be surely always in the wrong) owe at least one duty to the public, which is either to applaud the justice done them, or leave the honour of the panegyric to others. In the present case you see, that nothing more than a respectful silence is required, and sorry I am that the author of the book Í mention, did not follow the example set him by his own party for seventy years past. Had he done so, nothing more than the usual course would be served up, on the approaching anniversary of the 23d instant; but now I am not without my apprehensions, that the perusal of those memoirs may swell the bill of fare; and prove. expensive to those, for whom such feasts are annually prepared. Here I drop my melancholy subject, having only to add, that his lordship suspects strongly, that the author of the book I mention, lives this side of the Shannon; he will doubtless confirm others in this idea. I lay four nights ago in Jamestown, nine miles off. It contains an area of four or five plantation acres, in an oblong square, surrounded by a strong wall six feet in thickness, about twenty feet high; the two great gates are broken down. It stretches along the Shannon, under a rising ground to the West; no fortification was ever worse situated for defence. I give you this description of the place, as it is almost as famous in history, for its council of bishops in the civil war, as Trent is for another council, which is equally the object of popular odium. I have tired you and myself. Adieu, CHARLES O'CONOR. P. S. The great man set off for Dublin on Monday last. He thought that the not procuring him the Iphigenia, was owing rather to a design in secreting the work, than the real want, of the book. I request you will do all you can to hunt down this historical fugitive, and let him be delivered bound up, or even loose, to one who is so eager to have him examined. THE ANSWER. DEAR SIR, I RETURN a thousand thanks for both your last favours. Your great neighbour's observation on the Memoirs is pleasant enough. After a very short, critical, inquisitive perusal of an unpleasing work, because a work, destructive of one of his principal topics of argumentation against an opposite party, whom he is in the habit not only of dissenting from, but detesting; for such a man to have no other fault to find, but indiscretion, in the publication of such truths at this juncture, nay, to allow that the author has supported his facts by authentic evidence....quod erat desideratum....amounts, consideratis considerandis....to approba tion and applause. From a judge so circumstanced as his lordship, no more could be expected; and his mentioning the fault of indiscretion, looks like affected criticism; because you have shewn it to be entirely groundiess, and because it was, you know, absolutely necessary he should find some fault. I have been seeking in vain for Iphigenia: if I can get her at any price, she shall be at your service. Adieu, J. CURRY. No. LXV. THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC GENTLEMEN, MERCHANTS, AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, TO HIS GRACE, JOHN, DUKE OF BEDFORD, &c....PAGE 37. (From the Dublin Gazette, December 15, 1789.) MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GRACE, WE, his majesty's dutiful and faithful subjects, the Roman Catholic gentlemen, merchants, and citizens of the city of Dublin, do, with the greatest respect, approach the illustrious representative of the best of kings, with our hearty congratulations on those glorious successes, by sea and land, which have attended his majesty's arms, in the prosecution of this just and necessary war. We gratefully acknowledge the lenity extended to us by his most sacred majesty, and by his royal father, of happy memory. Our allegiance, may it please your grace, is confirmed by affection and gratitude; our religion commands it; and it shall be our invariable rule firmly and inviolably to adhere to it. We are called to this duty, at the present time in particular, when a foreign enemy is meditating desperate attempts to interrupt the happiness and disturb the repose, which these kingdoms have so long enjoyed, under a monarch, who places his chief glory in approving himself the common father of all his people: and we sincerely assure your grace, that we are ready and willing, to the utmost of our abilities, to assist in supporting his majesty's government against all hostile attempts whatsoever. Whenever, my lord, it shall please the Almighty, that the legislative power of this realm, shall deem the peaceable conduct of his majesty's Catholic subjects of Ireland, for many years past an object worthy of its favourable attention, we humbly hope means may then be devised, to render so numerous a body more useful members to the community, and more strengthening friends to the state, than they could possibly have hitherto been, under the restraint of the many penal laws against them. We most humbly beseech your grace to represent to his majesty these sentiments and resolutions of his majesty's faithful subjects, the Roman Catholics of this metropolis, who sincerely wish, that a peace honourable to his majesty and advantageous to his kingdoms, may be the issue of the present war; and that the people of Ireland may be long governed by your grace, a viceroy, in whom wisdom, moderation, and justice, are so eminently conspicuous. Dated this first of December, 1759. (nine). MIS GRACE THE DUKE OF BEDFORD'S ANSWER TO THE AD DRESS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF DUBLIN, IN HIS LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE JOHN PONSONBY, ESQ. SPEAKER OF THE HONOURABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (From the Dublin Gazette, December 15th, 1759.) SIR, Dublin Castle, 10th of December, 1759. I BEG the favour of you to return my most sincere thanks to the gentlemen, the Roman Catholics of Dublin, for the address which you brought me from them this morning, and for the good opinion which they have therein expressed of me. The zeal and attachment, which they profess for his majesty's person and government, can never be more seasonably manifested, than in the present conjuncture. It gives me the greatest pleasure to find, that they are so fully sensible of the lenity, which hath been extended to them, during the whole course of his majesty's reign; and they may be assured, that, so long as they conduct themselves with duty and affection to the king, they will not fail to receive his majesty's protection. I am with great truth and regard, sir, BEDFORD. 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 det ichments, 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; |