cherous. It is said by some, that governments should never acknowledge any wrong. Is it necessary also that they should never do any right?

Finding now that both my friends and I had been mistaken, in supposing that any more humane or wiser policy had been adopted, I let the matter rest until the Spring of the next year. During this time, I had received several advices from my friends, in which it was stated, that all such matters were left to the entire disposal of Lord Castlereagh, and that without his concurrence, it was impossible to succeed. And I was strongly urged to address myself at once to him and as all my wrongs had originated in his warrant of arrestation, that he might perhaps have been willing to wipe away the sense of that injury, by a well-timed act of justice. It was laying a trap for his generosity, but it was not to be caught. However, he had at least the good manners to answer me. His letter bears date, as you will see, the day on which Mr. Pitt died.-(Jan. 24, 1806.)

To

The Right Honorable

My Lord,

Lord Viscount Castlereagh.

Hamburg, December 31, 1805.

In the beginning of last summer, I left Paris to conduct my wife and children to their native country; and in the month of September, I

made, through the medium of Mr. Thornton, his Majesty's minister resident here, a request to my Lord Hawkesbury, to be permitted to accompany them, in order to arrange my affairs previous to my intended departure for America. It was hoped, as well by my friends as myself, that the government would not have refused an indulgence consistent at once with humanity and policy. And that eight years of exile, with a conduct above all blame, would have been a sufficient expiation, whatever demerit I might have had in their eyes. And I was informed, that his lordship had transmitted my request to the Irish government.

I have also understood, that in such a case, your lordship would be materially consulted, and your interference, at all events, conclusive. In an affair so important to my family, I find it my duty to address myself directly to your lordship, to whom it would be useless to repeat further circumstances. If I recollect well, the law by which I was exiled, a passport from the secretary of state would be sufficient authority. I therefore take the liberty of entreating a speedy answer, as my stay cannot be long in this country, which is entirely uncongenial to the state of health.

my

I have the honor to be, my Lord,

Your Lordship's

Most obedient servant,

WILLIAM SAMPSON

Sir,

ANSWER.,

Downing-street, January 24, 1806.

I HAVE to acknowledge your letter of the 31st ultimo, requesting me to obtain permission for you to return to Ireland with your family. I have only in answer to say, that is not in my power to interfere or to decide upon the merits of your case. I have, however, taken an opportunity of transmitting your letter to Mr. Long, the chief secretary to the Irish government, to be submitted for the consideration of the lord-lieutenant.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

CASTLEREAGH.

Mr. William Sampson, Hamburgh.

This was the state of things, when an event, surprising to me, and to every body, took place. That same Charles Fox, whose name had been expunged by the king's own hand from the list of privy counsellors, as mine had been from that of Irish counsellors for it is fair to compare great things with small. That Charles Fox, whose words had been taken down with a view to his impeachment, about the same time that I became "suspected of treasonable practices." This truly great and amiable man, was now, strange to tell, at the head of the cabinet, and

apparently first in the council of the king. I must say, that from the impressions of my mind, I was at first at a loss how to believe the fact. I thought it too like wisdom to be real. But when that was put beyond doubt, I could not think that it was done otherwise than as a trick or subterfuge to answer some crooked or temporary purpose. However, when the news came that the whole ministry was changed; that Lord Moira was grand master of the ordinance, and Mr. Ponsonby, high chancellor of Ireland ; that Mr. Grattan, and Mr. Curran were thought worthy of trust, I no longer doubted, that my case would meet with difficulty. At the time that I became "suspected," the Ponsonbys had, I have been told, soldiers billeted on them at free quarters; and they had seceded from the house of commons, as a place too corrupt for an honest man to sit in. Mr. Grattan had been disfranchised by the corporation of the city of Dublin: his picture taken down in Trinity College, and put into the privy-house. The name of a street, called from him, was changed, and he was loaded with the grossest obliquy, and often threated with hanging. I remember some persons examined before a secret committee, touching his intimacy with me; but whether to criminate him by me, or me by him, I do not pretend to say.

Lord Moira had been abused; his tenants massacred, and his town threatened with the flames. Mr. Curran was once so persecuted, that I was reprobated for visiting him and often urged to change the name of my son, who was called after him, and

whose sponsor he was. Imight say more, but to what purpose? If there was sincerity in man, I might have counted upon the sympathy and friendship of these persons. I was very true in the attachment I had formed for them: I looked upon their great talents as ornaments to their country, and wished nor expected no other reward than a return of personal friendship. Indeed, my own independence has ever been the jewel of my soul: that I have preserved, and will preserve whilst I have life. Will any of these important characters say that they were at one time more favored by the peep-of-day-boys, than I was? No! the difference was only this: When I was suspected, I was not in parliament; when they were obnoxious, they were. And the suspension of the habeas corpus had respect to that sacred office"Les loups ne se maugent pas," says the French proverb. The wolves dont eat each other; and as members of parliament they were safe. But this I call heaven to witness, that the proudest of them never acted towards his country with sentiments more holy than I have, and I am sure they know it. Enough of this at present. Another time I may come back upon this subject: and, if I can at the same time do these great men honor, and do myself justice, it will be a happy task for me. I shall now give you the copies of the letters I respectively addressed to them, and that will advance me considerably towards the conclusion of my story, and put you in possession of my every action, and of every feeling of my heart.