Early English poetry, ballads, and popular literature of the Middle Ages Volume 21 - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 Excerpt: ...assumed a definite shape, which offered some reasonable prospect of success, about the 3rd of April 1796. Three months after, that is to say in June, Tone seems to have been aware of what was going forward. A commission dated the 19th of June as chef de brigade (a rank which answers to that of colonel in our service), was given to him; and delighted by this elevation, he, according to his own confession, directly aspired at the post of Ambassador from the Irish republic to France. Early in July Tone was informed by General Clarke, that upon the arrival of General Hoche to confer with the directory, the final arrangements for the invasion of Ireland would be made. At this time Tone's finances were completely exhausted; on the 6th of July he writes: "Here I am, with exactly two louis in ray exchequer, negotiating with the French government and planning revolutions." Tone was introduced on the 12th of July to General Hoche, by whom he was subsequently appointed adjutant general. And he was directed by him to draw up a proclamation respecting the invasion of Ireland, of which important document Hoche on the 23rd of July shewed him a copy in print. This circumstance would probably be unworthy of notice, did it not prove how effectually secrecy was preserved by the ingenious conduct of Hoche, which prevented a copy of the proclamation falling into the hands of the English spies, who were well known to be abundant in Paris, and also in every considerable sea-port of France, and who were assured of receiving a considerable reward for the authentic communication of any important intelligence. Hoche caused proclamations, as if the armament fitting out at Brest was destined for Portugal, to be printed both at Paris and Brest, with the usual precautions to en...