OTD Wolfe Tone Diary

July 22 1792 - Burke by far the most impudent, opiniatre fellow that I ever knew.

July 21,22,23 1797 - I pass my time here in an absolute torpor. When I was in Brest I was bad enough, but, at least, we had some conversation. But here - well!

July 22 1796 - Dined very pleasantly with Stone and Helen Maria Williams. All our politics English. Stone very hearty, but H.M. Williams is Miss Jane Bull, completely. I was quite genteel and agreeable.

July 22 1796 - Huzza! Huzza! I am always huzzaing, like a blockhead.

July 22 1796 - Called at Clarke's, on Fleury; coming out met General Hoche, who desired to see me tomorrow morning at seven o'clock, in order to talk over our business and settle about my leaving Paris.

July 22 1796 - I received for my month's pay, 35 francs in cash, 600 in mandats, worth today 24, and 300 in assignats, worth, I suppose, about 6d. It is no great things, but hang the money.

July 22 1792 - Meet the Sub-committee; read the address, which is approved with a clause promising protection from the General Committee to all peaceful capital. Think this is a capital stroke, as it gives such a hold of the bas peuple,

July 21 1792 - Mr Hutton says that is very hard, which Grattan admits; but says the reason is obvious, that we have no parliament in Ireland. Grattan seems angry.

July 21 1792 - Mr Hutton asks for a committee to inquire, next session, into the state of the North and the causes of the riots there. Grattan thinks it would do mischief,

July 21 1792 - We arrive at Grattan's and tell him of the state of things in the North and in the South, which he approves. Talk of next winter. He apprehends government will make a blow at the Catholics, by committing their chairman.

July 21 1792 - Dublin, July 21. Rode out with Gog to Grattan; entertained all the way with stories of [Richard] Burke, who is become most odious to Gog. Burke certainly scheming with the Catholics, either to get more money or raise his value in England with the minister;

July 20 1797 - Would to God we were arrived safe and well at our destination!

July 20 1797 - following is a state of our army. Infantry, eighteen battalions of 452 men, 8,136; Chasseurs, four battalions at 540 men, 2,160; Cavalry, eight squadrons, 1,650; Artillery, nine companies, 1,049; Light Artillery, two companies, 389; Etat-Major, 160; total, 13,544.

July 20 1797 - Wind foul, as usual.

July 20 1796 - As to my rations, I am quite at a loss to know how I shall manage with them. A Frenchman would soon settle it, but it is a different thing with a foreigner.

July 20 1796 - Called at Clarke's, and saw Fleury, who gave me my brevet, signed by Carnot, and so now I am to all intents and purposes, chef de brigade in the service of the Republic.

July 19 1797 - I cannot express the anxiety I feel. Well, no matter! I can do nothing to help myself, and that aggravates my rage.

July 19 1797 - to emancipate one, perhaps three, nations; to open the sea to the commerce of the world; to found a new empire; to demolish an ancient one; to subvert a tyranny of six hundred years. And all this hangs today upon the wind!

July 19 1797 - There never was, and never will be, such an expedition as ours; if it succeeds, it is not merely to determine which of two despots shall sit upon a throne, or whether an island shall belong to this or that state; it is to change the destiny of Europe,

July 19 1797 - Naval expeditions are terrible for their uncertainty.