The Government paid little attention to his offer, and finally refused it.

Two months later the French were on the Irish coasts, and great confusion and distress was occasioned by the want of accurate news.

'The troops were harassed with contradictory orders and forced marches for want of intelligence, and from that indecision, which must always be the consequence of insufficient information.

Many days were spent in terror, and in fruitless wishes for an English fleet.

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