To this nobleman, as secretary for marine affairs, James made his chief application; and he had promised the command of the troops destined for his service to Latisun, whom Louvois hated.

For these reasons this minister thwarted his measures, and retarded the assistance which Louis had promised towards his restoration.
JAMES ARRIVES IN IRELAND.
Yet notwithstanding all his opposition, the succours were prepared and the fleet ready to put to sea by the latter end of February.

The French king is said to have offered an army of fifteen thousand natives of France to serve in this expedition; but James replied, that he would succeed by the help of his own subjects, or perish in the attempt.
Accordingly, he contented himself with about twelve hundred British subjects, [010] _[See note E, at the end of this Vol.]_ and a good number of French officers, who were embarked in the fleet at Brest, consisting of fourteen ships of the line, seven frigates, three fire-ships, with a good number of transports.

The French king also supplied him with a considerable quantity of arms for the use of his adherents in Ireland; accommodated him with a large sum of money, superb equipages, store of plate, and necessaries of all kinds for the camp and the household.

At parting he presented him with his own cuirass, and embracing him affectionately, "The best thing I can wish you (said he) is, that I may never see you again." On the seventh day of March, James embarked at Brest, together with the count D'Avaux, who accompanied him in quality of ambassador, and his principal officers.