erous naval budget. In
truth, I do think that, if the ruin of this French expedition be as
complete as it promises to be from these circumstances, the
security of Ireland, and of England too, has been more promoted by
it than by any event which has happened during the war; and much as
I applaud your manly and forward zeal in your military offer, I
doubt whether the occasion for it will again be renewed. I ought to
have mentioned to you that the four men saved from the 'Impatiente'
describe the troops on board as having been from the first highly
dissatisfied and discontented with the expedition, and that twelve
thousand, instead of twenty thousand, sailed, because it was found
difficult to persuade the troops in general to embark in the
enterprise. The result will therefore add to the ill-temper upon
this subject, and Irish invasion will for a long time be no popular
measure in the harbour of Brest. Stay then at Stowe, my dear
brother, and enjoy the satisfaction which you will feel in the
prompt and handsome service which you were ready to have done.
_Laudo momentem_--not so (_between ourselves_)--do I say to
Elphinston. I do not know what is his pretence for coming away with
the 'Monarch' in such a moment, but I shrewdly suspect his Cape
treasure to have been on board and to have influenced his decision;
if that is the case, of which I know nothing, I do think it will be
disgraceful beyond all measure, but I am speaking my own
conjectures only, for I have not had time yet to ask more. God
bless you.

The sequel of the expedition was sufficiently ludicrous. Having
effected a landing of some fifteen hundred men on the shore of the Bay
of Cardigan on the 23rd of February, the militia, fencibles, and
peasantry of the neighbourhood immediately collected; but the invaders
saved them the trouble of an engagement, by laying down their arms, and
surrendering themselves prisoners of war. The frigates were captured on
their return to Brest; and thus terminated an enterprize, which was so
inadequately planned, as to create universal astonishment that it was
ever undertaken.

The state of Ireland offered a favourable opportunity to the Opposition
for an attack upon Ministers; and Lord Fitzwilliam, having failed in his
attempts to bring them into discredit in reference to his own case, now
extended the grounds of