enmity was exasperated by religious rancour. In the collision of these furious passions, many atrocities were committed by the Irish on each other; and when the military were called in to restore peace, they were always insulted, and frequently opposed. Provocations excited retaliation, and the soldiers also became guilty of illegal acts. Such was the dismal state of Ireland, when a second hostile expedition was fitted out at the urgent instigation of the Irish rebels. This armament was secretly assembled in Holland, and a fleet of Dutch men of war sailed from the Texel in October, 1797. Admiral Duncan, who commanded on that station, proceeded vigilantly in quest of the enemy. He descried, overtook, and discomfited the Dutch fleet one half of which was captured, and the rest escaped in a shattered condition.

This defeat rendered all immediate succours from France very doubtful; yet it did not discourage the disaffected Irish from their determination of breaking out into insurrection. The plot was communicated to

government, and the chief command of the army given to Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who applied for Moore to be appointed BrigadierGeneral under him. This was immediately acceded to, and both reached Dublin on the 2nd of December.

Previous to this, the military force had been scattered over the country in separate detachments to assist the civil power. This dispersion gave the agitators an opportunity of debauching the soldiers; many of whom were tempted to take oaths contrary to their allegiance, discontents were fomented against their officers, and discipline and subordination were impaired. The Commander-in-Chief, resolving to correct immediately the disorders in the army, began by collecting the troops into large bodies. He then issued an order, in which the Generals and Commanding Officers of corps were enjoined to pay strict attention to their duty, to correct the licentious state of the troops, and to restore order and obedi

ence.

VOL. I.

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As the generals of districts, and commanders of Irish corps, had been accustomed to be complimented, they could not bear the truth. They first murmured, and then declaimed against this order, which surreptitiously got into the public newspapers. It was there virulently commented upon with factious malignity, as a libel upon our brave army, whose conduct, it was asserted, merited the highest praise. And the opponents to government artfully quoted it, as a complete proof, or indeed, an acknowledgment, that the riots and disaffection which had prevailed, were solely owing to the misconduct of the soldiers. One sentence was particularly dwelt upon, in which the General enjoined, that the military should not act, except in the presence, and by the authority of a Civil Magistrate.' This injunction was noticed as contradictory to a proclamation from the Lord Lieutenant, issued before Sir Ralph had the command. Sir Ralph had not been aware of that proclamation, and having newly arrived in the country, con

ceived that the tumults and irregularities might be suppressed by lenient means. The ferment against him at last rose so high, that apprehensions of a serious nature began to be entertained. On which a fresh proclamation, similar to the first, and a correspondent order were issued; and Sir Ralph Abercrombie, who was devoid of political circumspection, judged it prudent to resign the command, which was conferred on General Lake.

But before his resignation, he visited, along with Brigadier Moore, the southern coast, where an invasion was chiefly apprehended. The harbour of Cork, Bantry Bay, and the fortifications along the adjacent shores, were all examined; and the defensive preparations were found in a very defective state. They were also not a little surprised to find a volunteer corps clothed in the French uniform. The commanding officer was sharply reprimanded, who alleged in his defence, that he knew not that it was the French dress.

The chief command of this district was

given to Sir James Stewart, who was in a bad state of health, and resided in the city of Cork. Moore fixed his quarters at Bandon. The troops under his immediate command exceeded three thousand, and were considered the advanced southern corps of the army. They chiefly consisted of Irish militia; the officers were Protestants, and most of the men Catholics, who bore ill will to their officers, and were exceedingly disaffected. To check the irregularities of those men of lawless habits, and to form them to obedience, was a difficult task. But notwithstanding their faults, they were a fine body of soldiers, and remarkably good tempered; so by kind, yet strict management, Moore gradually brought them into tolerable order. Among other regulations, he never suffered the bands to play tunes grating to Irish feelings; and to prevent the jarring of the discordant parties, the soldiers were marched to church without music. Severity was very rarely had recourse to, but could not always, with these unruly men, be dispensed with.