ed his fpeech.] He declared he did not mean to screen himself behind explanations; he wished to speak plainly; he was ftating, that the Houfe had not fuch credit with the country, and did not deferve to have it, as to make it poffible that the country fhould fuppofe this Addrefs was not a vote for continuing the war; that the country was no longer to be impofed upon. He would fay the Parliament did not enjoy that credit with the nation which former Parliaments had done. He knew this was not respectful to the House; he always defired to be fo; but there were times that did not admit of the ordinary modes of conduct. He concluded by moving an amendment in oppofition to the Address, in fubftance as follows: "Your Majefty's faithful Commons have learned with inexpreffible concern, that the Negociation lately commenced for the reftoration of peace, has been unhappily fruftrated. 66 In fp awful and momentous a crifis, we feel it our duty to speak to your Majefty, with that freedom and earneftnefs which becomes men anxious to preserve the honour of your Majesty's crown, and to fecure the interefts of your people. "In doing this we fincerely deplore the neceffity we feel of declaring that, as well from the manner in which the late negociation had been conducted, as from the fubftance of the memorial, which appears to have produced the abrupt termination of it, we have reafon to think your Majefty's Minifters were not fincere, in their endeavours to procure the bleffings of peace, so necessary for this diftreffed country. "The profpect of peace, fo anxiously looked for by all descriptions of your Majefty's fubjects, is at onee removed from our view; on the one hand, your Majefty's Miniiters infift upon the reftoration of the Netherlands to the Emperor, as a fine qua non from which they have pledged your Majefty not to recede, while on the other hand, the Executive Directory of the French Republic, with equal pertinacity, claim the prefervation of that part of their own conquefts as a condition from which they cannot depart. "Under thefe circumftances, we cannot help lamenting to your Majefty, the rafhnels and injuftnefs of your Majefty's Minifters, whofe long-continued mifconduct has produced this embarraffing fituation; by advising your Majefty, before the bleffings of peace had been unfortunately interrupted, to refuse all Ne gociation for the adjustment of the then fubfifting differences, although the Netherlands, now the main obftacle to the return of tranquillity, far from being confidered as an object of conteft, were not only not then confidered by the French Republic as a part of their territory, but the annexation of which was folemnly renouneed, and the peace of Europe offered into your Majefty's hands upon the bafis of that renounciation, and upon the fecurity and independence of Holland, whilft she preserved her neutrality towards France. "Your Majefty's faithful Commons have further deeply to lament, that soon after the commencement of the War; when, by the vigilance of your Majesty's arms, with the affiftance of your Allies, the Republic of Holland had been refcued from invafion, and the greatest part of the Netherlands had been recovered by the Emperor, at a time too when most of the Princes of Europe, with refources yet unexhaufted, continued firm in their alliance with Gr. Britain, your Majefty's Minifters did not only not avail themselves of this high and commanding pofition for the Negociation of an honourable Peace, and the establishment of the political balance of Europe, but, on the contrary, without any example in the principles and practice of this or any other nation, refused to set on foot any Negociation whatsoever with the French Republic; not upon a real or even alledged refufal on her part to liften to the propofitions now rejected by her, not to any specific propofal of indemnity or political fecurity, but upon the arrogant and infulting pretence that her Government was incapable of maintaining the accustomed relations of peace and amity among nations; and upon that unfounded and merely fpeculative affumption, advised your Majefty to continue the War to a period when the difficulties in the way of Peace have been fo much increafed by the defection of moft of the Powers engaged in the Confederacy, and by the conquefts and confequent pretenfions of the French Republic. "Your Majefty's faithful Commons having thus humbly fubmitted to your Majefty the reflections which your Majefty's gracious communications immediately fuggeft, will proceed with unremitting diligence to inveftigate the caufes which have produced our prefent calamities, and fo offer fuch advice as the critical and alarming circumftances of the nation may require." Mr B Whitehall, Jan. 3. Y difpatches received on Sunday evening from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, by his Grace the Duke of Portland, his Majefty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, it appears that a part of the French Fleet, confifting of eight two-deckers, and nine other veffels of different claffes, had anchored in Bantry Bay on the 24th ult. and had remained there, without any attempt to land, till the 27th in the evening, when they quitted their ftation, and have not fince been heard of. The wind, at the time of their failing, blowing hard at S. S. E. From their first appearance, every exertion was made by Gen. Dalrymple, the Commanding Officer of the District; and a confiderable force was collected to repel the enemy. The accounts further ftate, that the Yeomanry and Volunteer Corps displayed the utmoft zeal and alacrity, in undertaking the guards in those places from whence the regular troops were withdrawn; and the univerfal read inefs fhewn by all defcriptions of people to forward the preparations for defence, left no doubt of the event, in case the enemy had ventured to make a defcent. In particular, the fpirit, activity and exertions of Richard White, Efq; of Seafield Park, deferves the most honourable mention. An officer and feven men were driven on fhore in a boat belonging to one of the fhips, and were immediately made prifoners. This gentleman was conveyed to Dublin, and, upon examination, ftates that the fleet, upon its leaving Breft, confifted in all of about fifty fail, having an army of 25,000 men on board, commanded by Gen. Hoche, and that it was. deftined for the attack of Ireland. Admiralty Office, Jan. 3. Copy of a letter from Capt. Stirling, of his Majefty's Ship Fafon to Mr Nepean, dated off Cape Clear, the 24th of December, 1796. SIR, I had the honour to inform you, on the 20th inft. by La Suffrein, a French veffel, arme en flute, which we had taken, with 250 troops, arms, &c. on board, that my intentions were to cruise fome days, to endeavour to intercept any of her conforts. The prifoners have fince informed me, that the failed on the 16th, in company, with fixteen fail of the Line and Tranfports, having 20,000 troops. As the wind has been easterly fince the date of my letter, and blowing very hard, I hope they have not reached a port; and as the troops had only ten days provifions, they must be badly off. I faw a large fhip of war laft night, and I am perfuaded the body of the fleet cannot be far from me. A rudder and other pieces of wreck have floated paft us to-day. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 3, 1797. Copy of a letter from Capt. John Drew, Commander of his Majesty's Ship Cerberus, to Evan Nepean, Efq; dated in Caryfand Bay, the 29th of September, 1796. SIR, I beg leave to inform my Lords Commiffioners of the Admiralty of my arri val val here, with his Majefty's fhip Cerberus under my command, having captured La Didon French cutter privateer, nine days out of Granville, and had taken nothing, carrying four brafs fourpounders with swivels, small arms, and thirty men. I am, Sir, &c. John Drew. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 3. Extract of a Letter from Admiral Sir Peter Parker, Commander in Chief of bis Majefty's fhips and veffels at Portf mouth, to Evan Nepean, Efq; dated on board the Royal William, the ft of Ja nuary 1797. The Diamond has fent into this port L'Amaranthe French national brig, of twelve fix-pounders, and nine men, from Havre, bound to Breft, which the captured yesterday off Alderney. Whitehall, Jan. 7. 1797. By dispatches received this day by his Grace the Duke of Portland, his Majef ty's Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and Mr Pelham, dated the 3d and 4th inft. it appears that a part of the French fleet had returned to Bantry Bay, and that a further part had been feen off the mouth of the Shannon; but that both divifions had quitted their ftations, and put to fea, on the evening of the ad inft, without attempting a landing. The accounts of the difpofition of the country, where the troops are affembled, are as favourable as poffible; and the greatest loyalty has manifefted itself throughout the kingdom; and in the fouth and weft, where the troops have been in motion, they have been met by the country people of all defcriptions with provifions and all forts of accommodations to facilitate their march; and every demonftration, has been given of the zeal and ardour of the Nation, to oppofe the enemy in every place where it could be fuppofed a decent might be attempted. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 7. Extrad of a letter from Capt. William Carthew, Commander of his Majesty's Ship Regulus, to Evan Nepean, Efq; dated in latitude 20 deg. 18. min. North, longitude 33 deg. 46 min. Weft, the 11th of November 1796. SIR, South from us, to which I gave chace, and upon nearing her could difcover the was a fhip of war, and at which time the bore up, quartering, having been upon a wind before, which gave fufpicion of her being an enemy. At ten P. M. came within hale; and as the would not heave to, or fay of what nation she was, a broadfide was given, upon which the ftruck, and proved to be the San Pio, Spanish Corvette, of eighteen guns and one hundred and forty men. Having the day before received intelligence that Admiral Mann's fquadron had been chaced by the Spanish Fleet, and alfo that they had taken an Hofpital fhip from us, I deemed it juftifiable to detain her. The Corvette was detained in latitude 36 deg. 18 min. North, 19 deg. to min. Weft Longitude, having failed from Cadiz the 10th of October, on a cruize of fix weeks, twenty days of which were unexpired, and had taken nothing. I have the honour to be, &c. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 7. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. Capt. Colvill, commander of his Majesty's floop Star, to Evan Nepean, dated at Spithead, the 21st of December 1796. SIR, I beg you will inform their Lordships, that his Majefty's floop under my command captured, yesterday, off the Isle of Wight, a fmall French cutter privateer called the Le Coup d'Efai, mounting two carriage guns, well found in small arms, and carrying 28 men. She had taken, a few hours before we fell in with her, a light brig, called the Anne, of Newcastle, which he had fent off for Cherbourg; we inmediately made fail in purfuit of her, and were enabled to re-capture her. I am, Sir, &c. John Colvill. Whitehall, Jan. 10. By difpatches received this day by his Grace the Duke of Portland, his Majef ty's principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, from the Lord Lieu tenant of Ireland, dated the 6th inftant, ceived accounts from Vice-Adm. Kingf it appears that his Excellency had remil, ftating, that on the 5th inft. his Majefty's fhip the Polyphemus, Capt. Lumfdaine, had captured and brought into the Cove of Cork, La Tortue, a French frigate of 44 guns, 625 men, including troops; and that he had allo captured a large tranfport, full of troops, which C3 I beg leave to acquaint you, that on Wednesday the 2d of November, at one P. M.2 fail was discovered, bearing Ed. Mag. March 1797. being Admiralty-Office, Jan. 9. 1797. Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir George Keith Elphinstone, K. B. to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated on board his Majefty's fhip Monarch, Crookhaven, Dec. 30. I have the honour to inform you, that the Impatiente French Frigate, carrying 20 four-pounders, 310 men, and 230 foldiers, came on fhore near this place about one o'clock this morning, and was totally loft. Seven of the men escaped on the rocks. Extract of a letter from Sir R. Strachan, Captain of his Majesty's fhip Diamond, to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated in the Ance de Vauville, Dec. 24. I have the honour to inform you, that this morning, being off Alderney, we faw a brig, which we gave chace to, and in the evening we came up with her in the Ance de Vauville; he is called L'Efperance, has been out from Havre four days. Extract of a letter from Vice-Adm. Murray, to Evan Nepean, Efq. dated on board bis Majesty's. fhip Cleopatra, off the Start, Jan. 1. 1797. On the 16th of Dec. in the morning, in latitude 48 deg. 42 min. N. longitude 20 deg. 31 minutes W. we fell in with, and after a fhort chace, captured L'Hirondelle, French privateer of 12 guns, and 70 men, 15 days out from Bour. deaux. She is a fine brig, pierced for 16 guns, but now mounting only 12, and newly coppered. Admiralty.Office, Jan. 14. 1797. Extract of a letter from Vice-Admiral King fmill, Commander in Chief of his Majfy's fhips and veffels at Cork, to E. Nepean, Efq dated L'Engageante, Cork Harbour, Jan. 2. 1797. Please to inform my Lords Commif fioners of the Admiralty, that his Majefty's floop Hazard has captured a fine coppered French ship privateer, La Mufette, of 22 guns and 150 men. In this laft cruize she had, about thirty leagues weftward of Cape Clear, taken two veff:ls, one of which, the Abbey of Liverpool, from Lifbon to Liverpool, is re-captured, and juft brought in by his Majefty's fhip Daphne. gir Extract of another letter from the fame to the fame, dated Jan. 2. 1797. Les Deux Amis French privateer, of 14 guns and 80 men, a fine coppered fchooner of about roo tons, is just arrived, prize to his Majefty's bips Polyphemus and Apollo. Admiralty-Office, Jan. 14. Copy of a Letter from Capt. Barton, of his Majefty's fhip Lapwing, to Evan Nepean, Efq; dated in Basseterre Roads, 3d Dec. 1796. SIR, A Packet leaving this place to-day for England, I embrace the opportunity, for the fatisfaction of their Lordships, to acquaint them, that I anchored at St Kitt's on the 25th ult. when an express boat had been fent from the Ifland of Anguilla, to inform the Admiral that the inland was attacked by two French men of war and feveral fmall veffels, containing four hundred troops. I felt it my duty (as the exprefs boat returned here the fervice I was ordered on to endea with the lofs of her main-maft) to leave vour to relieve that place. The wind being to the northward, prevented my getting up there in time to ftop them from burning the town; but I have the pleasure to fay, after an action of near two hours, I effectually relieved that ifland, by taking the hip and finking the brig. The fhip proved to be Le Decius, mounting twenty-four fix-pounders, two twelve pound carronades, and two brafs field-pieces, with 133 men of her own complement, and 203 troops, commanded by Ciroyen Andree Senis, and the brig La Valante, mounting four twenty-four pounders, with 45 men, and go troops, commanded by Citoyen Laboutique. The particulars of the action I have tranfmitted to Rear-Admiral Harvey, for the information of their Lordships. I am, &c. R. Barton. N. B. I am informed that they were picked troops from Victor Hughes, for the fole purpofe of plundering and deltroying the island. Whiteball, Jan. 17. I have the fatisfaction to acquaint your Grace, that fince the information tranfmitted to Mr Greville, that the French had entirely left Bantry Bay, there has been no re-appearance of them upon the coafts; fo that I truft, from the violence of the tempeft, and from their fhips being ill found and ill victualled, their expedition is for the present fruftrated. Upon reviewing what has paffed during this expedition of the enemy, I have the fatisfaction to reflect, that the beft fpirit was manifefted by his Majefty's Regular and Militia Forces; and I have every reafon to believe, that if a landing had taken place, they would have difplayed the utmoft fidelity. When the flank companies of the Antrim regiment were formed, the whole regiment turned out, to a man, with expreffions of the great eft eagerness to march; and the Downfhire regiment, to a man, declared they would ftand and fall by their Officers. At the time the army was ordered to march the weather was extremely fevere I therefore ordered them a proportion of fpirits upon their route, and directed an allowance of fourpence a day to their wives until their return. During their march the utmoft attention was paid them by the inhabitants of the towns and villages through which they paffed; fo that in many places the meat provided by the Commiffariat was not confumed. The roads, which in parts had been rendered impaffable by the fnow, were cleared by the peafantry. The poor people often shared their potatoes with them, and dreffed their meat without demanding payment; of which there was a very particular inftance in the town of Banagher, where no gentleman or principal farmer refides to set them the example. At Carlow a confiderable fubfcription was made for the troops as they passed; and at Limerick and Cork every exertion was used to facilitate the carriage of artillery and baggage, by premiums to the carmen; and in the town of Galway, which for a fhort time was left with a very inadequate garrifon, the zeal and ardour of the inhabitants and yeomanry was peculiarly manifefted, and in a manner to give the utmost fatisfaction. In fhort, the general good difpofition of the people through the South and Weft was fo prevalent, that had the enemy landed, their hope of affistance from the inhabitants would have been totally dif appointed. From the armed Yeomanry Government derived the moft honourable affittance. Noblemen and Gentlemen of the first property vied in exerting themselves at the head of their corps. Much of the exprefs and efcort duty was performed by them. In Cork, Limerick, and Galway, they took the duty of the garrifon. Lord Shannon informs me, that men of three and four thousand pounds a year, were employed in efcorting baggage and carrying expreffes. Mr John Latouche, who was a private in his fon's corps, rode twenty-five miles in one of the fevereft nights, with an exprefs, it being his turn for duty. The merchants of Dublin, many of them of the first eminence, marched fixteen Irifh miles with a convoy of arms to the north, whither it was conducted by reliefs of Yeomanry. The appearance in this metropolis has been. highly meritorious. The corps have been formed of the moft refpectable barrifters, attornies, merchants, gentlemen, and citizens, and their number is fo confiderable, and their zeal in mounting guards fo useful, that I was enabled greatly to reduce the garrifon with perfect fafety to the town. The numbers of Yeomanry fully appointed and difciplined in Dublin exceed two thoufand. Above 400 of whom are horfe. The whole number of corps approved by Government amount to four hundred and forty, exclusive of the Dublin corps. The grofs number is nearly twenty-five thousand. There are alfo ninety-on one offers of fervice under confideration, and one hundred and twen ty-five proposals had been declined; and, in reply to a circular letter written to the Commandants of the relpective corps, their anfwers almost univerfally contained a general offer of service in any part of the kingdom. Many prominent examples of individual loyalty and fpirit have appeared.— An useful impreffion was made upon the minds of the lower Catholics by a judicious addrefs from Dr Moylan, the titu lar Bishop of Cork. I cannot but take notice of the exertions of Lord Kenmare, who spared no'expence in giving affiftance to the commanding officer in his neighbourhood, and who took into his own demefne, a great quantity of cattle which had been driven from the coaft. Nor could any thing exceed the ardour of the Earl of Ormonde, who, when Gg 2 his |