[167] All this is exactly what Downshire's visitor told him (see chap. i.).
[168] His challenge to the commander-in-chief, Lord Carhampton, was among the 'imprudences.'
[169] Instead of the words 'circumspect' and 'moderate,' 'prudence' and 'cowardice' are applied to Macnevin's party by Turner (vide chap. i.).
[170] Castlereagh Papers, i. 286-8.
[171] Among the letters headed 'Secret Information from Hamburg,' in the Castlereagh Papers, is one making allusion to the writer's previous communications with Downshire, whom he mentions by name, and stating that certain letters to Charles Rankin, of Belfast, were 'to be sealed with a particular seal I have for the purpose.'—Ibid. i. 234.
[172] Mr. Lecky says, what previous writers do not, that Macnevin wrote the memorial at Hamburg.
[173] Other intercepted letters addressed to the French Minister of War will appear later on. These unanswered appeals were well calculated to damp the ardour of the Irish refugees; but they tried to keep the machine of conspiracy moving—despite the subtle insertion of so many hidden obstacles tending to clog and destroy it.
[174] Castlereagh Papers, i. 271.
[175] Ibid. i. 284.
[176] How this appointment came about, see Appendix.