sisting of an eighty-four-gun ship and eight large frigates, appeared in the beginning of October, off the North coast of Ireland. Four thousand troops were embarked in this fleet, whose landing was prevented by the sudden approach of a British squadron, commanded by Sir John Borlase Warren. A fierce conflict ensued: in which the line-ofbattle-ship, and three of the frigates, struck their colours; the remaining frigates separated and took to flight. My brother Graham, commanding the Melampus frigate, was hotly engaged in this action. The chase continued all night, and next morning only two of the frigates were in sight, these the Admiral continued in pursuit of; but directed Captain Moore to examine the bay of Killibeg, where it was suspected one of the enemy might have taken shelter. At midnight, he descried close within shore two large vessels of the enemy. He bore up to them, engaged a ship carrying forty guns and four hundred men, which struck to him; and the other sheered off in the dark. After taking pos

prize, as he foresaw an approaching storm, he steered for the Clyde, where he rode in safety by which nautical prescience, he shunned a hurricane which shattered and had nearly foundered the rest of the squadron. Among the prisoners who were taken was Wolfe Tone, the prime fomenter of the Irish rebellion. This man had once before been arrested for treason; but by dissembled repentance his forfeited life had been spared by government. On this occasion he tried to escape by legal chicanery; which failing, with his own hand he finished his pernicious life.

VOL. I.

CHAPTER IX.

DEPARTURE FROM IRELAND-CAMPAIGN IN

HOLLAND.

THE defeat of the French invaders, and the punishment of the rebels, pacified Ireland. But this temporary benefit was procured by a British army, which put an end to a calamitous insurrection raised on the fallacious plea of liberty.

Were all mankind disinclined to injure or do injustice to each other, they certainly ought to be left to the enjoyment of perfect liberty, and every man should have the power of acting as he pleased. But the dispositions and habits of human beings to do unto others, what they would not that others do unto them, render the establishment of laws and government essential for their welfare.

As the prevalence of vice is the only good cause for imposing any restraints on freedom, these never should be greater than is requisite for the happiness of the people; and always proportioned to their disposition to do evil. The degrees of virtue, and the tendency to various vices, are different in different countries; consequently one code of laws, and one constitution of government, are unsuitable to all. Projects of one universal legislative system would neither be agreeable to the tempers, nor adapted to the correction of the various corruptions, of the human race. Experience proves this.

The English laws and constitution have been found admirably suited to the character of Englishmen: which imposed upon them no greater prohibitions than were re quisite for establishing good order; and which granted a greater degree of freedom than was possessed by any other nation.

In the year 1706, this constitution was extended to Scotland, and suddenly the Scots were transformed from an ill-governed,

turbulent, and impoverished people, into an orderly, composed, and improving nation: which concordant effects proved that there was an agreement in character, and an equality in morals with the English.

But when the same constitution was transferred to Ireland, no such beneficial consequences ensued; for lawless riots, wanton pillagings, and atrocious murders have continued to prevail in that hapless country. And it is found absolutely necessary to maintain there a numerous standing army, to restrain carnage and the destruction of property from increasing throughout the island.

The continuance of these flagrant acts is a decisive proof that the restrictions of the laws and constitution are not proportioned to the propensity to do wrong. If the freedom of the Irish laws and government were wisely graduated by the scale of virtue and morals which have been attained by the natives, it is reasonable to believe that they would soon become peaceful, prosperous, and happy.