Cleveland Row, June 13th, 1798.
MY DEAREST BROTHER,
I do not hear of any Irish news this morning; if there is any, I
will add it before I close this letter. I entirely agree with you
in thinking the situation of Irish Secretary to be in rank and
estimation much below Tom's calibre. In point of real utility and
scope for displaying the powers of his mind, God knows it is
difficult, extensive, and important enough for the talents of the
greatest man this country ever saw. It is, however, as you will
have learnt by my note of yesterday, out of the question; and
Pelham's rank is too much on a level with his, to admit of the idea
of interposing Tom or Lord D. between Lord C. and him.
When I wrote yesterday, I had not seen Nugent's letter, nor indeed
heard much of the particulars, as you will have seen from my
letter. I think nothing can be better than Nugent's conduct seems
to have been, and his letter is extremely manly, distinct and
judicious. But what a picture does it offer of our officers! I
believe I do not know _this_ Lumley; but I do not, as far as I
_have_ known them, think that there is one of the race fit to be
trusted with the command of a patrole of watchmen, from Lord
Scarborough downwards. Walpole I had long known, and certainly I
should have said the same of him. What a calamity it is, that our
army has not yet been taught that the command of troops in moments
of difficulty and danger requires skill and knowledge, and is not a
faculty bought with a commission at the regulated price.
_Je vois tres en noir_ about this Irish business; but with me that
feeling never has, I trust, operated otherwise than as an
incitement to greater exertion, "to bate no jot of heart, or hope,
but still bear up, and steer right onward." We have gone through
such scenes as this country has never before known; where we have
been wanting in firmness, we have suffered for it; where we have
shown courage adequate to the danger, God has borne us through it;
and so I trust He will do. At all events, our lives, and honour,
and the existence of our country, are staked upon the issue, and
nothing but resolution can save us.
I saw with the greatest pleasure the address of your regiment. I am
happy it has taken that shape, because I think it the least
exceptionable, and still am inclined to the measure. If it
depended on my choice alone, I do not think many hours would pass
over before you would be in march.
It really looks as if Buonaparte was after all in sober truth going
to Egypt: and Dundas seems to think the scheme of attacking India
from thence not so impracticable as it may appear. I am still
incredulous as to the latter point, though as to the former I am
shaken. But as Buonaparte on the 23rd was still off Toulon, and as
Lord St. Vincent must have detached on the 21st at latest, there is
much reason to hope that Nelson may destroy all these visions, be
they what they may. From the coasts of Normandy and Brittany the
troops are in great part withdrawn--they do the Germans too much
honour!
Ever yours,
G.
One of the plans of Ministers (which appears to have originated with
Lord Buckingham) for inspiring confidence in Ireland, was to send over a
few regiments of English Militia, during the continuance of the
disturbances. Lord Buckingham was the first colonel of an English
Militia regiment that volunteered upon that service, and, remembering
the position he had on two former occasions occupied in Ireland, his
example in taking the lead on such an occasion was productive of the
happiest effects in awakening the zeal of others.