d actual
preparations, made at a vast expense, in order to invade the several
parts of the British dominions. He gave them to understand he had
received his sovereign's commands, to use his utmost endeavours to
animate and excite his loyal people of Ireland to exert their well-known
zeal and spirit in support of his majesty's government, and in defence
of all that was dear to them, by timely preparation to resist and
frustrate any attempts of the enemy to disturb the quiet and shake
the security of this kingdom; he therefore, in the strongest manner,
recommended it to them to manifest, upon this occasion, that zeal for
the present happy establishment, and that affection for his majesty's
person and government, by which the parliament of that nation had been
so often distinguished. Immediately after this message was communicated,
the house of commons unanimously resolved to present an address to the
lord-lieutenant, thanking his grace for the care and concern he had
shown for the safety of Ireland, in having imparted intelligence of
so great importance; desiring him to make use of such means as should
appear to him the most effectual for the security and defence of the
kingdom; and assuring him, that the house would make good whatever
expense should be necessarily incurred for that purpose. This
intimation, and the steps that were taken in consequence of it for the
defence of Ireland, produced such apprehensions and distraction among
the people of that kingdom, as had well nigh proved fatal to the public
credit. In the first transports of popular fear, there was such an
extraordinary run upon the banks of Dublin, that several considerable
bankers were obliged to stop payment; and the circulation was in danger
of being suddenly stagnated, when the lord-lieutenant, the members of
both houses of parliament, the lord-mayor, aldermen, merchants, and
principal traders of Dublin, engaged in an association to support public
credit, by taking the notes of bankers in payment: a resolution which
effectually answered the purpose intended.

LOYALTY OF THE IRISH CATHOLICS.

Howsoever the court of Versailles might have flattered itself that
their invading army would in Ireland be joined by a great number of
the natives, in all probability it would have been disappointed in this
hope, had their purposed descent even been carried into execution,
for no signs of disaffection to the reigning family appeared at this
juncture. On the