Where Government has _resisted_, the good effects have been found; when it has _relaxed_, demands have increased.... To come to the point: give the Papists all they _want_ or _nothing_. Without the former the sword must be drawn at one period or another; and the query is, whether it's not better to try the _event_ when they are _unprepared_, than to continue going on to give the _adder_ time to strengthen with the heat of _summer_: not that I think there is the smallest danger of any _war_ but _wordy_ ones from them--unless time and the interference of their _Gallic Friends_ may embolden them to acts of desperation. [He then proceeds to advise the embodiment of military corps in Dublin, well officered. The pay to be such as to induce respectable Protestant tradesmen and others to enlist.] Suppose the whole to be mounted and appointed as dragoons, this small corps will be found of as much use as any Regiment of Cavalry in the Kingdom. If a _friend_ of yours[406] should be thought of, I think there would be an end to all _illegal meetings_,[407] associations and combinations, and I will answer for his compleating and arraying the number in 10 Days.[408] A small measure of Catholic Relief was at length offered by Pitt. Collins, a month later, courageously writes: 'If you think it prudent to have me examined by the Secret Committee, I may give some useful information previous to the Catholick Bill going to the Upper House.'[409] It is not surprising that, from the regularity and general accuracy of the spy's reports, Giffard in his conversations more than once revealed a knowledge that fluttered the Inner Circle. On February 15, 1794, Collins reports, in the _précis_ of proceedings that had taken place that night:-- A notice by Mr. John Sheares that he will on Friday next propose a new Ballot of the whole of the Society, or else the total dissolution thereof, in order, as he says, to get rid of some suspected Members, who, he says, are in the habit of betraying the Secrets of the Society to Government. At the time he gave this notice there were not more than fifteen members present and the proposition seemed to meet their approbation. The fact is they are all cursedly frightened by the examples made of some of their friends. Fear only can keep them in order; gentleness will only encourage their audacity. Three months elapsed: they met and deliberated; the reports went regularly to Dublin Castle; arrests were made; the Society wondered; but Collins, though a loaded mine lay beneath his feet, stood his ground. On Saturday, May 10, 1794, he announces:--