Books, Memoirs of Mrs Coghlan

[Before 28th February 1777] Mr. Coghlan (age 24), my [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 14)] present husband, saw me at an assembly, when, without either consulting my heart, or deigning to ask my permission, he instantly demanded me in marriage, and won my father to his purpose.—In a savage mind, which only considered sensual enjoyments, affection was not an object, for I told him at the time he had not any affection, and conjured him in the most peruasive terms, to act as a man of honour and humanity: his reply was congenial with his character; he valued not any refusal on my part, so long as he had the Major's consent; and, with a dreadful oath, he swore, "that my obstinacy should not avail me." Indeed, my refusal signified nothing; he insinuated himself fo far in my father’s confidence, as to draw upon me the anger of a parent, to whose displeafure I had never been accustomed, and whose rebukes I had not resolution to resist: Confined to my own apartment, I was forbid his presence, unless prepared to receive the husband he had provided for me. Wretched in mind, smarting under the sad reverse, I who had only known the heart-cheering smiles of parental fondness, to become the object of parental anger! the idea overcame me, and besieged, at the same time, by the pathetic intreaties of a much-loved brother, I unhappily yielded, and here fate dashed me on a rock which has destroyed my peace of mind in this world, and may, perhaps, have paved my way to eternal torments in another.

In consequence of these fatal intreaties, I [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 14)] was married to Mr. John Coghlan (age 24), on the 28th of February, 1777, at New-York, by special licence, granted by Sir William Tryon, who was then Civil Governor of that province. At this period, I was only fourteen years and a few months old; so early did I fall a melancholy victim to the hasty decision of well-meaning, but alas! most mistaken relations. My union with Mr. Coghlan I never confidered in any other light, than an honourable prostitution, as I really hated the man whom they had compelled me to marry.

Mr. Coghlan (age 25) took lodgings at New-York, where he introduced me [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 15)] to libertines, and to women of doubtful character. In this city we remained about a month, when a convoy being ready to fail for Cork, we embarked on the 8th of February, 1778, and had not been many days at sea before my husband, freed from all restraint, from the protection that I had enjoyed under my father’s roof, threw off the mask of deception, and appeared in his true native character, the brutish unfeeling tyrant! never omitting an opportunity to persecute and torment me. Innumerable cruelties did I endure from this man while on our passage; and so unrelenting was he in his barbarous treatment, that it at length became public in the ship, and obliged Captain Kidd, the commander, to take notice of it, threatening to confine him as a madman, if he persevered in his inhuman career.

[Before 1794] After what I [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 31)] have said of nobility, let me be permitted to make one honourable exception: I should be ungrateful indeed, and belie the feelings of my soul, if I did not proclaim my dear friend, Lord Hervey (age 36), a nobleman possesling honour, generosity, and affection—His heart, always open to the congenial feelings of humanity, never refused obedience to its sacred impulse. I knew him in his prime of youth, and although now some years have passed since I enjoyed the happiness of seeing him, I am pleased to flatter myself that his soul has escaped the politician's lot, —that it has not become hardened and corrupt.

[1785] I [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 22)] had now formed an acquaintance with Lord Hervey (age 27). Of this noble Lord I have spoken in the preceding pages, and even at this moment cannot reflect on the virtues and splendid qualities that distinguith the mind and person of his Lordship, without the most lively sensibility. With him I enjoyed, for several months, all the comforts and delights of domestic life, and with him I continued until he was appointed, by his Britannic Majesty, Envoy at a foreign court¹.

Attached to my native country (America) I fancy the reader will have already discovered that I am by no means a friend to arbitrary principles; nor is it because I admire the man, that I am to be considered a convert to his palitical notions.

I was therefore concerned when I read the manifesto which he published at that court, during his embassy. Nothing, however, can abate the lively gratitude and esteem which my heart feels for this valuabie friend — His Lordship had left me only a few months, when I brought forth a pledge of our union, a daughter, whom death soon ravished from me: previous to which loss, a new and amiable connection called me back to Ireland, where I received the above fatal intelligence, which was a terrible drawback upon the happiness I then enjoyed.

Note 1. From 1787 to 1794, he was Minister to Tuscany, after which he returned to Naval service in command of the Zealous with the Mediterranean fleet during the winter of 1795.

[Before 31st October 1793] Captain B****** (age 36), my [Margaret Maria Moncrieffe (age 30)] new lover, was every way calculated to obliterate the impression I might have received from former admirers, and to sooth the affliction which I felt for the loss of my dear and beloved child. From him I have uniformly experienced every kindness that the tenderest affection could bestow. The roving habits of a military life did not admit any permanent attachment of this nature; but it is sufficiently flattering to me, that Mr. B****** never omitted an occasion of seeking my society.

The fruits of our connection are two sons, both now living, and both happy under the protection of their worthy parent, who is himself lately united in marriage with a lady who, I am told, possesses every virtue and every necessary accomplishment to secure his happiness, and with whom I ardently wish him a continuation of all the blessings and enjoyments which he fo eminently deserves. Let me, however, indulge the hope, without withing to ftrew the thorns of jealoufy or discontent on ber bridal pillow, that he will never utterly neglect his former friend, the mother of his children, Humanity, and friend- fhip for others, are not uncongenial with conju- gal fidelity, and if I am rightly informed of Lady A——'s charaéter, she is not the woman to encourage a dereliction of those duties. The honourable connection that Mr. B****** has formed is incompatible with the union that once subsisted between us, and if previous thereto there had been any chasm in that union, it was because his fortune could not keep pace with my former extravagance.