CAULFIELD. 417 He was sueceeded by the Earl of Carlisle, accompanied by Mr. Eden, (afterwards Lord Auckland,)as his secretary. The nation called out for independence; for without a free constitution, they regarded a free trade as insecure. Lord Carlisle did not meet parliament till the October after his arrival; and the plan of a national bank was pro- posed as a measure of popularity to his administration, and adopted. In the year 1781, an event took place peculiarly illus- trative of the ardent loyalty, which prevailed in the northern volonteer arimy, different in no respeet from what would have been shewn in any other part of the kingdom, had occasion required it. A rumour was prevalent, that the French had determined on the invasion of Ireland, Lord Charlemont, in consequence, waited on the lord-lieutenant, who acquainted him there was strong reason to believe the rumour authentic, and that a letter from Lord Stormont, then secretary of state, gave many particulars of the pro- posed expedition, and stated that Cork was the meditated point of attack. Lord Charlemont proposed, that, with his excellency's permission, he should proceed to the north, with "the fullest reliance of obtaining" a volunteer auxiliary force there, ready to march to the southward, and baffle every attempt of the enemy. The viceroy warmly approved his proposal, and his lordship set out next morning, and reached Armagh that night. The officers of his own eorps (which consisted of one thousand infantry, with two troops of horse and two companies of artillery) were at that time in the town, attending the assizes; and no sooner had his lordship stated to them his object, and asked what they would authorise him to say to the viceroy, than the lieutenant-colonel, authorised by the rest of the officers, expressed that "his regiment were extremely hurt that his dordship, whom they had unani- mously chosen as their colonel, should feel it necessary to make an application so hurtful to their feelings, for with the reliance which they hoped he had on their spirit and obedience, he should in the first instance have assured the ЕЕ VOL.
