7 March, 1798: Dublin Castle officials continue to assess the implications of Gen Sir Ralph Abercromby's latest General Orders. Fresh from an information gathering tour of Ireland, the Scotsman expresses his extreme displeasure that "the very disgraceful frequency of courts-martial, and the many complaints of irregularities in the conduct of the troops in this kingdom, having too unfortunately proved the army to be in a state of licentiousness, which must render it formidable to every one but the enemy".
Officers are instructed to take personal charge of all patrols and to "positively forbid the troops to act but in case of attack".
Abercromby's moderation is becoming intolerable to conservatives for whom each day brings further news of chronic instability. Active magistrates with the resolve and conviction to implement the full range of coercive powers at their disposal continue to pay the ultimate price for their actions.
Robert Johnson informs Marquis Downshire on the 3rd of the assassination of a second hard-line Kildare magistrate, Johnson Darragh, of East Hill. Negative inferences are drawn from the fact that Darragh was killed near his own home at midday and that his labourers did nothing to apprehend the perpetrators.
Six more parishes of King's County (now Offaly) are proclaimed under the Insurrection Act on the 6th but such ad hoc responses to seditious flash points appear increasingly unsatisfactory. The international scope of the conspiracy, moreover, is affirmed by claims that the disaffected representatives of three maritime counties; Wexford, Waterford and Cork, had received communications from their French allies.
Wicklow conservatives intensify their efforts to shrive the county yeomanry of the many United Irishmen and sympathisers known to have infiltrated their ranks. Attention is focused on corps commanded by liberal officers who gradually succumb to pressure to administer a loyal "test" oath to their men.
Capt John Edwards, of Oldcourt (Bray), elicits harsh criticism for resisting demands to expel those who take a stand against the "insult offer'd them by the test". Seventeen infantrymen oblige the embarrassed Edwards on the 4th, but 34 do not, including the Second Lieut Isaac Litton who allegedly "cannot keep himself sober even when on guard or parade".
The information available to Lord Camden on the 6th disposes him to reassure the Duke of Portland that he need "not apprehend any progress" of the United Irishmen in England and that "the activity of the Crown Lawyers and the vigor of the Scotch Law will enable Government to crush the greater advances which have been made in Scotland".
Ireland, however, remains in a "perilous situation" and the Viceroy is unsure as to the "best mode of acting with respect to those who are known to be at the Head of this Conspiracy". He claims that "almost all those who support my Administration are disconcerted at what they construe to be the timid conduct of Government".
Placating extremists is rendered more complicated by the "most extravagant party prejudices" as "the eager Protestants, calling the present Conspiracy a Popish Plot, are indulging in language & in conduct revolting to the Catholics, are encouraging the Orange Men, avowing themselves of their society, & averring that until the Penal Laws against Catholics are again enacted, the Country cannot be safe".