CAULFIELD. 425 Howe's fleet of fourteen sail of the line were manned, and the world has heard of the result, that the enemy's fleet was utterly defeated. In the summer of 1782 a plan was proposed by govern- ment to supply the deficiency of the troops of the line, which, from the number of twelve thousand men, settled in Lord Townshend's administration, as the standing force of the country, was now reduced by drafts for foreign ser- vice to three thousand men, not sufficient for garrison duty: and the plan proposed was to raise four provincial regiments of one thousand men each, under the name of fencibles; to be enrolled for three years, or for the war, and officered by Irish gentlemen, with rank according to the numbers they should respectively raise, and not be sent out of Ireland. The plan was submitted to Lord Charlemont, with an offer of commanding the whole or part, with the rank of major-general. The latter offer he declined on the first instant, and afterwards stated to the viceroy his objections to the entire plan. From bis pecu- liar situation, he knew it would be highly unpopular. If, however, on full consideration, it should appear eligible, its mere unpopularity would not sway him as an honest man. The volunteers would certainly consider it as a direct attempt to undermine them, who had manifested such alacrity for the defence of their country. In the result, however, Lord Charlemont's predictions of the un- popularity of the measure were fully verified, and although there were above one hundred and fifty applications for commissions in the proposed regiments, and many of those from the most outrageously abusive enemies of the fen cible scheme, the plan was abandoned; and the lord-lieu- tenant expressed to Lord Charlemont his regret that his lordship had proved so true a prophet. When the volunteer regiments of Leinster were reviewed by Lord Charlemont in the Phoenix Park, the Duke of Portland was present; and on being thanked by the noble general at the next levée, for the honour his grace had done the volanteer troops by his presence; -his grace
