198] 
more than once proved highly de- 
trimental to the interest of France. 
It was imagined, at the time, that 
this retention of the Dutch money 
proceeded froma motive by which 
the directory doubted not to justify 
it. This was the great project of in- 
vading Ireland, that had long been 
meditated, and which they were 
now preparing to carry into execu- 
tion. The importance of that no- 
ble island to Great Britain was well 
known. The number and bravery 
of its inhabitants, the fertility of the 
soil, abounding in all the necessaries 
of life, pointed it out as an acquisi- 
tionto France, that would set it 
above all difficulties, and put an end 
to the war at once, by depriving 
England of those supplies of men 
and provisions, indispensibly wanted 
for its armies and navies. 
In this vast undertaking, the 
Freuch principally relied on the co- 
operation of the Irish themselves. 
They were thoroughly acquainted 
with the situation of the country, 
and the discontents of the people, 
by means of the secret correspond- 
ence between’ the French govern- 
ment and the heads of the malcon- 
tents, who regularly informed it 
of the measures that were taking, 
on their part, to excite a general in- 
surrection. 
The armament, designed for this 
great expedition, had been prepa- 
ring, at Brest, during the whole sum- 
mer. , It consisted of twenty-five 
ships of the line, including the se- 
ven that composed the squadron of 
admiral Richery, who was to join it 
with all speed, fitteen stout frigates, 
beside sloops and transports for an 
army of twenty-five thousand men, 
to becommanded by general Hoche, 
whose military abilities were esteem. 
ed equal to those of any officer in the 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 1796. 
French service, Moreau and Buona- 
parte himself scarcely excepted. 
Through several unforeseen acci- 
dents, this armament was not ready 
for sailing till the eighteenth of De- 
cember. On going outof Brest, some 
of the largest ships struck upon the 
rocks, at the mouth of the harbour, 
and several were lost, and others ren- 
dered unfit for present service. The 
Day after its departure, a violent 
storm arose, which dispersed the 
fleet, and damaged many of the 
ships. This tempestuous weather 
lasted during the whole time of the 
expedition. On the twenty-fourth, 
admiral Bouvet,commander-in-chief 
of the French fleet, anchored with 
seven ships of the line, and ten 
others, in Bantry-Bay. In order 
to reconnoitre the country, a boat 
was dispatched towards shore; but 
it was immediately captured, and 
multitudes appeared on the beach 
in readiness to oppose a landing. 
After lying some daysin this bay, 
the storminess of the weather in- 
creased to such a degree, that, on 
receiving no intelligence of. general 
Hoche and the principal officers, 
who were in a frigate that parted 
from the fleet, in the gale of wind 
that scattered it gn putting to sea, 
the French admiral determined to 
quit his position, and make the best 
of his way to France. The land 
officers, on board, objected to this, 
and insisted on landing the troops ; 
but as general Hoche, who alone 
possessed the plan of the expedition 
was absent, he refused to comply 
with their representations, and set 
sail for Brest, where he safely ar- 
rived, on the last day of December. 
The other divisione of his fleet had 
also the good fortune to reach that 
harbour, with the loss, however, of 
five ships: two of the line, and 
three 
