of popular tribunal divided; three were for death, but the other four, true to their promise, and unwarped in their humane inclinations, firmly declared, that they considered themselves merely appointed to prevent massacree, aad to save the lives of the prisoners, and would not attend or listen to any representation from Dixon or his fellows. This produced a very violent altercation, and great danger was to be apprehended by the friends of humanity, as Morgan Byrne and his ruffians, actually rushed into the room, and threatened them with instant destruction, if they did not agree to the death of the prisoners. Some others of Dixon's blood thirsty associates had got into the gaol, and were selecting such of the prisoners as they pleased to deem fit objects of destruction;. but although Dixon's own designs cannot be doubted of ravening for blood, and that he was, willing and eager to attempt any thing to gain his object; yet, as the four men resolutely persevered, in refusing to agree to the death of any man at such a crazy and phrenzied moment, he was going to retire from a place, where his sanguinary views and cruel sentiments were opposed and overruled, and it is more than probable, that the sanguinary retarded for hours in the onset, would have cooled in their fury, and have recoyered sentiments of humanity sufficient to prevent them from putting any one to death, were it not for two informers, Charles Jackson, a carver and gilder, and one

Phelan, an organist, both of whom had not long resided in Wexford, and who were cast off from the society of the other prisoners, then in the goal. These, as ill fate would have it, threw themselves on their knees to Captain Dixon, acknowledged that they were Orangemen, and ready to give every information provided their lives might be spared. Dixon, before in despair, at finding his sanguinary hopes baffled and blasted, readily agreed to their proposal, as it afforded a new prospect of perpetrating his infernal designs. He instantly addressed his gang assembled before the goal, stating, that two Orangemen had become informers, and that proceeding to trial was therefore unnecessary, as the evidence of these men must be conclusive. It may easily be conceived, that, on this communication, horribly vociferated by Dixon, and re-echoed by his wife, and some others, the populace became ungovernable! the low miscreants instantly approved of his plan, and demanded that all Orangemen should be sent out to them; but his first care was to turn the men who opposed his bloody schemes, out of the gaol, of which he and his savage associates took complete possession. Several persons were denounced by the informers and immediately shot at the goal door.

While these unforeseen but melancholy events were passing, almost all the principal inhabitants and people of Wexford, were courageously engag

ed fighting in the field. To the honor of the few that had remained in the town on that day, it must be mentioned, that they did all in their power to restrain the fury of the brutal savages, and prevent the spilling of blood; but, under existing circumstances, it was impossible to controul the mob, inflamed as they were by the infernal representations of Dixon and his vile associates; and in such eminently critical cases, it is not every one that has nerves strong enough to encounter the impending danger for it is remarked, that although Mr. Hay and the gentlemen composing the Council, were courageous enough in the beginning of this bloody day, in thwarting for hours the saguinary inclinations of the infuriated mob; yet they found themselves afterwards in such a dangerous situation, from the vengeance vowed against them for their humane interference, as to be incapable of any exertion.

After the slaughter of thirty persons, deemed the most obnoxious, Captain Dixon and his fellows proposed, that the rest who were to be put to death, should be brought down to the bridge, a magnificent fabrick, ill adapted, from the beauty of its appearance, for such hideous exhibitions. Eighteen intended for execution, were first conducted from the goal to this place, under a strong guard, headed by Dixon, flanked by the two Orange informers, whom he wished to exhibit as

the grand support of his couduct. These informers were brought into a public billiard-room on the custom-house-quay, (and not at all to the bridge, to which it is adjacent) where they underwent an examination, at which Dixon presided. It is probable, that these informers did not give information against every one that was put to death on this occasion; but it is a certain truth, and an evident fact, that the information of these men was esteemed of such consequence, even by such a sanguinary tribunal, that their services saved their lives. The fate of the prisoners was quickly decided, on their being conducted to the bridge, as the proceedings concerning them were summary indeed. It was asked, did any one know any good action of the intended victim sufficient to save his life? and if no answer was made, the assertion of an individual of some deed against the people, was conclusive evidence of guilt, and immediately death was the consequence, on his primary denunciation by Captain Dixon. Some, however, escaped with their lives, on the interference of some person steping forward in their favour. A few were shot, but the greater number suffered by being piked, and some of those with aggravated circumstances of barbarity. All the bodies were thrown over the bridge, but neither stripped, nor their pockets rifled, as their watches and money were found upon them when afterward discovered. Captain Dixon sent, from time

to time, for different persons, to the several places of confinement, and at intervals came out to announce further discoveries from the informers. This admirably suited his hellish purpose of putting all the prisoners to death, which he might unfortunately have effected, but that Providence was at length pleased to interpose, while the minds of the populace seemed wrought up to the most desperate pitch of cruelty !..... The Reverend Mr. Corrin, who had been absent from the town the whole of the day, on parochial duty, had but just returned, when he was sent for by Mr. Kellett, then on his defence at the bridge. Thither the Reverend gentleman instantly repaired, and having thrown himself on his knees, entreated they might join him in prayer; when he supplicated the Almighty, to shew the same mercy to the people as they would shew their prisoners; and with that he addressed them in such feeling, pathetic and moving language, that he thereby saved the lives of several who had been just ordered to the bridge from the market-house, by Dixon. While the Reverend Mr. Corrin was on the fatal spot, Mr. Esmonde Kyan, who had been wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Arklow, lay in the most excruciating torture, at a house by Ferry-bank, on the country side of the bridge; but, on hearing what was going forward, he instantly got out of bed, ran to the fatal spot, and by his animated conduct and address, rescued Mr. Newton King, and Captain Milward,