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Conway, an ancient town, and the Gothic 'castle built on "Old Conway's foaming

flood," is the most romantic place I ever saw ; 'it was well-suited for an old Welsh baron. 'We crossed the river Conway near the sea, ' and then the road leads close to Penman'muir. Nothing is more savage, I am per'suaded, in the Alps; and situated, as it is, upon the sea-coast, in that respect the view ' is superior.

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'We got to Holyhead at six o'clock yesterday evening. I did not feel much fatigued; but I washed myself in warm water, ' and went immediately to bed. I was awa'kened before twelve o'clock at night to em'bark, and shall be at Dublin before twelve 'o'clock to-day.

It will be my business to set off in the mail-coach this evening for Athlone, to see my dear brother: but I imagine, I had al

'most said I fear, everything will be over before I can reach the army, the news at 'Holyhead is so favourable,

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Dublin, six o'clock in the Evening.

'The account here is that General Lake has been surprised. His outposts guarded

carefully the high-roads, but the French 'chose to march by the narrow paths; a complete surprise and rout was the consequence; six pieces of cannon were taken,'the number of the killed is concealed. 'Lord Cornwallis, it is thought, has so great

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a force, that the French will lay down their

arms without firing. O! that I may arrive

' in time! I have luckily got a place in a

'carriage to-night for Athlone; and perhaps

'I shall still see the French in battalia.

This in haste.

Yours affectionately,

'JAMES MOORE.'

'Moate, Ireland, 16th Sept., 1798.

'My dear Father,-James, disappointed in ' not seeing a battle, left me at Carrick Shannon. That day I received a note to attend Lord Cornwallis, at Lord Longford's. His 'first intention was to have sent me to Kilala,

and Castlebar,-in short, to the country lately disturbed, in order to disarm and quiet "it; but having information of other arma'ments ready, in Brest, to sail for this coun'try, he determined to send another officer, ' and to keep my corps in a central situation, 'ready to move to any point threatened. After giving the troops a couple of days rest, I ⚫ marched to this place, and have pitched my " camp in a convenient situation, a mile from 'the village; for myself I have taken lodg

ings; as no enemy exists, I think it fair to 'indulge; especially as since I left Cork, the 'beginning of June, till now, some few days ' in Dublin excepted, I have never slept with 'my clothes off.

'I believe it is intended, if the French 'do not again derange our plans, that I 'should cantoon in this neighbourhood during the winter. Great numbers of English 'militia are pouring over. It is found that the Irish are not to be depended upon, not 'from disaffection, but from want of discipline. Sir Ralph's assertion

'has been completely verified; they are for'midable to everything but the enemy. 'James must have given you every detail,

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' which makes it unnecessary for me to enter upon them. Had the campaign continued,

my post at the head of the reserve was most ' enviable. I, however, wish for no more 'visits from the French; the consequences are too serious for this country and for 'Great Britain.

'My love to my Mother, &c. &c. Ever, my dear Father,

'Your affectionate Son,

6 'JOHN MOORE.'

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--

'Athlone, Dec. 9, 1798.

'My dear Father, I received your letter of the 3rd yesterday. My reason for communicating to Anderson, what I did not ' wish him to mention even in Clifford Street, 'was to delay his journey till such time as it was determined whether I was to leave this

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country or not. I was enjoined secrecy ; 'besides which, I was unwilling to tantalize

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you or my Mother with the hopes of seeing 'me, which might not be realized.

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By a letter I received from B-,* 'yesterday, I consider my recall as cer 'tain. Lord Cornwallis will, I believe, not 'be pleased to part with me, but a peremptory order in the King's name will not 'leave him an option. The high opinion I have of Lord Cornwallis's character, the 'distinguished command I bear, and the 'favour he shows me on every occasion, ren' der my situation in this country (if there 'was war) more pleasant, and more brilliant, than it can possibly be elsewhere; but I 'consider, the service in Ireland as over. The French lost the moment, and can no 'longer invade but with a superior force. I 'am, therefore, well pleased to be taken from

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a country, where nothing but war could re'concile me to stay,-to be employed in a 'scene likely to be more active.

'At present I can say no more to you, and 'I must recommend, even to this much, the

* Sir Robert Brownrigg, Secretary to the Duke of York,

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