MR. BERESFORD TO MR. ROBINSON.

Dublin, Dec. 20th, 1779.

MY DEAR SIR,-I sit down at this hour, near ten o'clock, just come from the House, to congratulate you upon the very glorious success of this day-a success as little expected at three this day as it was deserved by the conduct of Government. They did everything which they ought not to have done, and had like to have overturned all; but the publications in the papers of this day, meant to do mischief, as you will see upon perusal, so terrified gentlemen, that we had an unanimous assent to the resolutions enclosed; and not only that, but Opposition all spoke, and said everything which could be wished for by you. They all spoke most strongly in favour of the resolutions of Lord North, said everything in praise of his Lordship, and Lord Hillsborough, and many of our Opposition did very liberally abuse yours. They said that they pretended to be the friends of Ireland, when they could do them no good or service; but when they could, they held back and only acquiesced, but would not approve, &c. A circumstantial account will go from Blaquiere to Lord North; he is writing at the other end of the room. We write against time, the

express goes off in half an hour.

I must conclude to you very shortly, but hope, in a very few days, personally to inform you of this business, and much more.

Ever yours sincerely,

J. BERESFORD.

MR. ALLAN TO MR. BERESFORD.

Bath, Dec. 27th, 1779.

MY DEAR SIR,-Although you mentioned in your last some hope of my seeing you, I did not expect it would be so soon. I am sincerely glad, for Lord North's sake, that you are come; for you will keep him to the point, and make him follow up that reputation which he has justly gained with respect to Ireland. Inspire him with resolution to dismiss your present Viceroy, and Ireland may be restored to quiet and good government.

The great points which you will have to discuss are an union and revenue. To the former you know your ground well, and will find Lord Hillsborough very open on the subject.

To the second there are more difficulties. You see a storm brewing all over this kingdom. If the war continues, Lord North may get the money for this year; but by next session, I do fear, we shall have some serious commotions. The same idea prevails in your country. In your conversation with Lord North, remember that you may be the Irish Secretary.

As to myself, I have no settled plan. If I can be of service to you, and am wanted, I will come up on receiving your answer to this. If not, I have holidays to the 14th January, when I must be at the Custom House. If I am wanted, I can leave this at any time. Most sincerely your obedient servant,

THOS. ALLAN.

LORD BUCKINGHAMSHIRE TO LORD NORTH.

Dublin Castle, Dec. 31st, 1779.

MY LORD,-Your Lordship will naturally wish that any ideas with respect to the future conduct of the public business, the support which His Majesty's Government is likely to meet with, and the projected official arrangements, should be submitted to your consideration.

I flatter myself that any attempt to reduce the establishment will prove abortive; but in the present state of the country no very sanguine hopes can be entertained of their going any further. Yet the reflection, now obvious to every Irishman, that the preservation and defence of the colonies is become as much the interest of Ireland as that of Great Britain, may have its influence; and no exertion on my part shall be wanting to give that circumstance its full weight. As to the particular taxes which it may be expedient to exact— nothing certain can well be settled upon that subject till the regulations of the Bill for opening the West India trade, &c., are determined upon; but it is computed that the sugars alone, if your Lordship should deem it advisable to take off the drawback upon the exportation from England to this kingdom, will produce 50,000l. per annum. The expediency of putting an end to the volunteer companies is evident to all thinking men; but the fixing the manner of accomplishing so

desirable an end is equally difficult and delicate. The many whom I have consulted on the subject are of opinion that the carrying a proper Militia Bill into execution, as soon as the other liberal favours intended to this kingdom have been confirmed by Parliament, will be the wisest and most practicable mode. If the military plan, which I lately transmitted to Lord Hillsborough in a private letter, nearly of a similar tendency, could be adopted, it would co-operate most effectually. The Attorney-General authorises me to use his name as recommending that measure, and Mr. Forster concurs in that opinion. The filling up the office of Prime Sergeant is extremely embarrassing, as the preference, wheresoever it is given, would dissatisfy many; yet the leaving it open encourages a jealousy with respect to Mr. Burgh's being intended to be recalled, which carries with it a degree of inconvenience. Your Lordship will believe me when I assure you that, after his conduct the first day of the session, and the extreme aggravation upon the question of continuing the Loan Duties, I never admitted an idea of restoring him; and I am persuaded that even his best friends think he never would give a firm and steady support to Government in Parliament, though his acting in Opposition must carry serious inconvenience. The two persons, one of whom it is in my contemplation to recommend to His Majesty for the office of Prime Sergeant, are Mr. Fitz Gibbon and Mr. Browne, brother to the Earl of Altamont. The Parliamentary abilities of the first would clearly decide the preference in his favour, if he had not lately, contrary

to assurances given, taken a warm part in Opposition. I understand that he professes a resolution to act with the most determined steadiness if employed, and the Attorney-General interests himself in his favour. Mr. Browne is a man of business, but is deficient in that readiness and activity in parliamentary debate which times like these may hourly call for. He and his family might possibly be satisfied with an engagement to give him a seat at the Revenue Board, by some arrangement at the close of the session. Lord Shannon recommends Mr. Attiwell Wood, who is dull to a proverb, and Sir H. Cavendish and his relation, Mr. F. Flood, will be dissatisfied if the latter is not favoured in the law arrangements. My own preference would rather incline to Mr. Fitz Gibbon; but I would submit the whole to your better judgment, as well as whether the office should be filled up immediately, or kept open till the business of the session is concluded, with a private assurance to the person preferred that His Majesty will honour him with the office. Sir R. Heron is with me of opinion that it might be advisable to keep it open. The serious mortifications which I have experienced in Parliament, from the desertion of all those who are most obliged to Government, render it impossible for any person in my situation, till the first fever of patriotism has had time to subside, to pledge myself for the certainty of a majority; but my hopes are sanguine that the hourly-increasing good humour, and the holding out expectations of honours and emoluments, which I flatter myself His Majesty will hereafter, when merited, con