a

done away, and each individual thought only of his own personal safety. Some yeomen and supplementaries who, during the whole of the morning, had been stationed in the street opposite the goal, were heard continually to threaten to put all the prisoners to death; which so roused the attention of the goaler to protect his charge, that he barricaded the door; and on hearing of a surrender, to manifest more strongly the sincerity of his intentions, he delivered up the key to Mr. Harvey. This gentleman was, indeed, so apprehensive of violence, that he had climbed up inside a chimney. When he had arranged his apparel, and adjusted himself so as to put off the appearance of chimney-sweeper, about two hours before the troops retreated from Wexford, Right hon. George Ogle, captain of the Shilmalier infantry, Cornelius Grogan, John Grogan, captain of the Healthfield cavalry, James Boyd, captain of the Wexford cavalry, Solomon Richards, captain of the Enniscorthy cavalry, Isaac Cornock, captain of the Scarawalsh infantry, and Edward Turner of the Shilmalier cavalry, all magistrates, along with lieutenant-colonel Colville of the 13th regiment of foot, and lieutenant-colonel Foote of the North Cork militia, visited Mr. Harvey in the goal, and, at their express request, he wrote the following notice to the insurgents on the mountain of Forth:

"I have been treated in prison with all possible hu"manity, and am now at liberty. I have procured "the liberty of all the prisoners. If you pretend to "christian charity, do not commit massacre, or burn "the property of the inhabitants, and spare your pri"soners' lives.

"B. B. HARVEY.

"Wednesday, 30th May, 1798."

THIS note was undertaken to be forwarded by Doyle, a yeoman of the Healthfield cavalry, who offered to volunteer on this hazardous service, when the proposal was made to his corps by captain John Grogan. He had the precaution to put off his uni

form, and to dress himself in coloured clothes; but when ready to set off he was discovered to be a roman catholic, and therefore reflected upon, for so the whisper went about, how could a papist be trusted?' -The yeoman finding his zeal met with a reception so contrary to his expectation, again put on his uniform and retreated with his captain; thus proving himself to the full as loyal as any of those who on the occasion displayed their illiberality, which even common policy, it might be well imagined, should repress at so critical a juncture. Doctor Jacob then proposed the enterprize to his corps, and counsellor Richards with his brother Mr. Loftus Richards, were appointed to go to the Three-rocks on this expedition, to announce the surrender of the town to the insurgents, whose camp they reached in safety, though clad in full uniform.-Scarcely had these deputies set out upon their mission, when all the military corps, a part of one only excepted, made the best of their way out of town. Every individual of them seemed to partake of a general panic, and set off whithersoever they imagined they could find safety, without even acquainting their neighbours on duty of their intentions. The principal inhabitants whose services had been accepted of for the defence of the town were mostly catholics, and, according to the prevalent system, were subject to the greatest insults and reflexions. They were always placed in front of the posts and cautioned to behave well, or that death should be the consequence. Accordingly persons were placed behind them to keep them to their duty, and these were so watchful of their charge, that they would not even permit them to turn about their heads, and yet these determined heroes were the very first to run off on the apprehended approach of real danger. Thus were the armed inhabitants left at their posts, abandoned by their officers, and actually ignorant of the flight of the soldiery, until the latter had been miles out of the town, and were therefore left no possible means of retreating. Lieutenant William Hughes of the Wexford infantry, with a few

of his corps, was, it seems, the only part of the military, left uniformed of the intended retreat, and this was owing to his being detached with these few yeomen to defend a distant part of the town-wall, and he and they were apprized of their situation, as were also the armed inhabitants, only by the approach of the insurgents; so that Mr. Hughes and his few yeomen, together with the armed inhabitants, are the only people that can be said not to have abandoned their posts in Wexford on this occasion. The confusion and dismay, which prevailed, was so great, as no kind of signal for retreat had been given, that officers and privates ran promiscuously through the town, threw off their uniforms, and hid themselves wherever they thought they could be best concealed. Some ran to the dif ferent quays, in expectation of finding boats to convey them off, and threw their arms and ammunition into the water. All such as could accomplish it embarked on board the vessels in the harbour, having previously turned their horses loose. Some ran to the goal to put themselves under the protection of Mr. Harvey. Officers, magistrates, and yeoinen of every description thus severally endeavoured to escape popular vengeance; and in the contrivance of changing apparel, as there was not a sufficiency of men's clothes at hand for all those who sought safety by this means, female attire was substituted for the purpose of disguise. In short, it is impossible that a greater appearance of confusion, tumult or panic could be at all exhibited. The North Cork regiment on quitting the barracks set them on fire, which, however, was immediately put Lieutenants Bowen and Paye, with ensign Harman, and some serjeants and privates of this regiment remained in the town.

out.

Ir has been already observed, that thousands of people were seen to assemble, during the entire morning, on a hill over Ferry-bank, marching and counterinarching in hostile appearance, and seemingly waiting only for the moment that the town would be abandoned by the military, to take possession of it

themselves; but their entrance, when this took place was retarded, until boards were procured to supply the place of the flooring of the wooden-bridge, where it had been burnt. In the mean-time, Messrs. Richards, after having run great risque, arrived at the camp at Three-rocks, and making known that they were deputed to inform the people, that the town of Wexford would be surrendered to them, on condition of sparing lives and properties; these terms would not be complied with, unless the arms and ammunition of the garrison were also surrendered. Mr. Loftus Richards was therefore detained as a hostage, and counsellor Richards and Mr. Fitzgerald were sent back to the town, to settle, and arrange the articles of capitulation; but these gentlemen on their arrival, to their great astonishment, found the place abandoned by the military. The bridge being at this time nearly made passable, the vast concourse of people that had collected at the other side of the Slaney, was just ready to pour in and take unconditional possession of the town. It was therefore necessary to treat with these, (it being yet unknown who they were,) in order to prevent the mischiefs likely to ensue from such a tumultuary influx of people. They first proceeded to the goal, released all the prisoners, and insisted that Mr. Harvey should become their commander. the houses in town, not abandoned by the inhabitants, now became decorated with green boughs, or green ornaments of one description or another. The doors were universally thrown open, and the most liberal offers made of spirits and drink of every kind, which however were not as freely accepted, until the persons offering had first drank themselves, as a proof that the liquor was not poisoned, a report having prevailed to that effect; and which was productive of this good consequence, that it prevented rapid intoxication, and of course, in the beginning, lamentable excesses.

All

THE insurgents having now got compleat possession of the town of Wexford, many persons who had been yeomen, after having thrown off their uniforms,

affected a cordial welcome for them, and endeavoured, by an exhibition of all the signs and emblems of the united Irismen, to convince them of their sworn friendship; and it is indeed not a little remarkable, that many of those who, in this change of affairs, boldly marched out, as occasion demanded, to meet the king's forces, now display themselves as staunch orangemen of unimpeachable loyalty. Almost every person in the town threw open their doors with offers of refreshment and accommodation to the insurgents; and the few, who did not, suffered by plunder, their substance being considered as enemy's property.

AFTER various scenes of disorder, hurry and confusion, naturally attendant on such occasions, parties were dispatched in boats to bring on shore all the men, arms and ammunition they could find in the ships, and other vessels in the harbour, which in the morning had fallen down towards the bar, neither wind or tide being favourable; two only out of the whole had actually sailed for Wales. By these means all the men, as well yeomen as other inhabi-“ tants, were directly brought on shore in the evening, and the vessels with the women and children immediately followed to the quay.

AMIDST this scene of tumult and confusion, not easily conceivable to any one who has not witnessed popular commotion, while all wished to accommodate themselves as much as possible to the exigency of the moment, and to appear the friends of their newly denominated conquerors, it was ludicrous to observe a gorgeous military uniform, clandestinely changed for loathsome, tattered rags, with more address and expedition than actors on the dramatic stage assume different dresses and appearances.

AMONG those brought on shore from the ships, was Mr. John Boyd, brother to captain James Boyd of the Wexford cavalry. He was immediately recognised, and he and his family being obnoxious to the people, he ran off on landing, was chased, overtaken, piked and left for dead, but he lived in excru