To the EDITOR of the POLITICAL REGISTER. SIR, Dublin, May 19, 1768. In your number for January last you prefented the public with the copy of a curious plan for augmenting the army in Ireland. The affair was at that time a particular fecret; I fuppofe from a childish delicacy to the great perfon who is faid to have been the author of it. But a few months have disclosed a wonderful scene. The matter was firft opened to the house of commons on the 19th of April, 1768, by a meffage from the lord lieutenant. in the following words: TOWN SHEN D. Gentlemen, AM commanded by his majefty to inform you, that the I public fervice of his majesty's kingdoms requiring that fome part of the troops, kept on the eftablishment of Ireland, fhould be employed towards the neceffary defence of his majesty's garrifons and plantations abroad; and that, as it may be expedient that a number of troops, not lefs than twelve thoufand men, commiffioned and non-commiffioned officers included, should be kept within this kingdom, for the better defence of the fame, exclufive of such regiments on this eftablishment as are or may be employed in his majesty's faid garrifons and plantations; his majefty thinks it neceflary that his army on this establishment should be augmented to fifteen thoufand two hundred and thirty-five men in the whole; of which number it is his majefty's intention, that, as far as is confiftent with such a defence as the fafety of both kingdoms, in case of any fudden or extraordinary emergency, may require, a number of troops, not less than twelve thousand men, commiffioned and non-commiffioned officers included, fhall be kept within this kingdom, for the better defence of the fame: And his majesty having the firmeft reliance on the known loyalty" and affection of his faithful commons, cannot entertain the leaft doubt but they will chearfully concur in providing for a measure calculated to maintain the honour and dignity of his crown, to promote the public fervice, and to add ftrength to his army in this kingdom, which has hitherto been fo much weakened by frequent draughting. I have ordered a plan and estimate of the charge which will be incurred by this augmentation, formed with as much pre cifion cifion as poffible, to be laid before you; and you may be af fured that particular care fhall be taken, that this fervice fhall be performed with the utmost economy; and that, of the fums which fhall be granted, no greater part fhall be raised, than shall appear to be absolutely necessary for the purpose. The following is the SCHEME. T. Scheme proposed for the military establishment of Ireland. 1768. Prefent Establishment. Regiments. Numbers. 664 972 531 From which deduct three regiments of foot, without mates that are to be discontinued 981 Numbers of which the establishment is to confift, according to his majesty's plan N. B. Twenty-two regiments of foot are to remain in Ireland, furnishing four companies for the Isle of Man, and only five regiments of foot on foreign fervice are to be continued upon this establishment. 15235 VOL. III. Distribution Distribution of the army upon the establishment of Ireland, accord Troops and companies. 24 33 ing to the above plan. 18 3 light dragoons 531 198 22 battalions of infantry 10648 Numbers of which a battalion of foot, with a mate, confifts, Number of which each battalion of foot will confist when 10445 I 8 Charge of a battalion, and its warrant men, upon the prefent establishment 8215 10 10 2229 10 10 Increase of annual expence Annual difference of expence upon the aug- Remains Annual pay of fix mates, which must be provided for upon the establishment Total annual additional charge to the establish ment Eftimate of the fum that will be neceffary to provide for the levy money, arms, accoutrements, and extraordinary appointment of a quarter mafter, nine ferjeants, nine corporals, nine drummers, two fifers, and one hundred twentyfix private men, with which each of the twenty-feven regiments of foot upon this establishment is to be augmented, and for their pay, together with that of fix additional mates, from the 1ft day of January, 1769, when they are to be placed upon the military establishment of Ireland, to the 31ft day of December following, inclufive. Numbers of non-commiffioned officers and private men, with which each regiment is to be augmented C 2 155 From At 51. 8s. 4d. levy money for each man, 790l. 16s. 8d. for each regiment. And making for 3942 men, for augmenting twenty-seven regiments of foot, 213521. 10s. od. Arms, accoutrements, and extraordinary cloathing for each. 9 Serjeants halberts 1. s. d. regiment. 1. s. d. 5 2 42 4 10 +400000 noo 1. S. d. 9 Drum carriages 9 Drummers fwords o 2 Fifers fwords 14 Grenadiers fwords o 126 Firelocks and bay Total expence for arms, accoutrements, and extra cloathing, for the augmentation to 27 regiments of foot, each at 4571, 1s. 111d. 12341 12 Fo Total carried over 33694 2 10 |