of the Wexford militia, with some others, from the fury of the populace. Mr. Hay, also, by his humane interference, snatched many others from the jaws of death; while different other persons of inferior note, and some even of the lower class, interposed so as to save one or other of their neighbors; and, at length it pleased God that this horrid butchery ceased! The Catholic clergymen, and all the principal inhabitants who remained in the town that day, exhausted every means in their power in endeavouring to appease the rage of the populace, of whom, it is necessary to observe, they could have little or know personal knowledge, as the outrageous multitude collected, by Dixon and Byrne, was from the northern parts of the county, and not at all composed of Wexford-men, over whom they might be supposed to have some local influence. But such as have not been eye-witnesses, and who have not, even in that case, been sometimes among and conversant with the people, can have but a very inadequate idea of the danger of interference against the uncontroulable fury of a rabble, exasperated to the highest pitch by the incidents already described.

Among the various occupations assumed by different persons in the course of this melancholy catastrophe, one man, in a most audible voice, counted the victims one by one, until ninety-seven had been deliberately butchered. On that ever to

be lamented day, there were many who ran great risque of personal safety in becoming advocates for the unfortunate: we wish we could learn of as many, who exhibited equal proof of sincerity in favour of the hapless and ill-fated people! were this the case we should not have to relate the dreadful desolation in this quarter of the kingdom. In critical times, such as those, certainly different circumstances will excite different sensations; but with respect to the business before us, the saying of a most liberal government gentleman must be regarded as possessing peculiar force in repressing misrepresentation. He says....." I have heard of "hundreds of United Irishmen, during the insur"rection, who have, at the risque of their lives, "saved Orangemen; but I have not heard of a "single Orangeman who encountered any danger "to save the life of an United Irishman."

Although Mr. Edward Roche, a Baronial General, was sent to Wexford to command Dixon's party of misguided wretches, who were the most dastardly and unruly, and therefore the most savage and cruel of the mob, yet his authority appears to have been very limited, when he was not able to lead them to the intended destination, occasioned by this infernal monster, who retained with all his sanguinary ferocity, a surprising influence over the lowest of the rabble, although possessed of not even any nominal command; being but a general

blusterer, affecting great consequence, galloping from town to town, and seeking every opportunity of doing mischief, generally while the battles were going on, and at one of which he never appeared, but in the back-ground. His denomination of Captain was owing to his being a master of a brig which traded to and from Wexford. It is but justice to observe, with the exceptions of the above mentioned Mr. Roche, and five subaltern officers, who commanded the guards for the protection of the prisoners, there was no other officer actually commissioned in the United army, present at this fellow's savage and ferocious proceedings. These officers and Mr. Roche were, on their subsequent surrender, in December 1799, tried by a courtmartial in Wexford, on a charge of " aiding and abetting the murders on the bridge, on the 20th of June, 1798." But their humane exertions appeared so meritorious before that tribunal, that they were acquitted of this charge, which could not possibly be, as they possessed command, had it not been perfectly proved, that such command was merely nominal, as their orders and endeavours were counteracted by a few low ferocious demagogues, having no command whatever, but what arose from inflamatory addresses to the populace, urging them to take exemplary vengeance of their enemies, in which they were unfortunately but too, successful.

Mr. Hay and the council, whose humane exertions were as conspicuous as their lamentations were sincere, for the dreadful scenes then exhibiting, made one effort more to get rid of the infuriated rabble. They accordingly sent for Mr. E. Roche, and conjured him to hasten down to the bridge once more, and there represent the urgent necessity of the people's attendance at Vinegar-Hill, suggesting that he could, with more propriety than any other, interpose his authority with prospect of success, as he was himself called on to attend by all the chiefs in the camp; and as an express was sent from Vinegar-Hill to Wexford, threatening to punish all with instant death who would refuse to come with him. These considerations inspired the General with new vigour to endeavour to lead these men out of the town, which he at length effected, and the people marched off under his command out of Wexford.

When the town was thus cleared of its dreadful visitors, about 8 o'clock in the evening, the Council, and the different Committees, took a retrospective view of the horribly distracted state of the country, as well as of its impending danger, and after a variety of consultation between them, it was agreed, that the only mode of preserving Wexford and all its inhabitants from destruction was, that early on the next morning, Mr. Hay, accompanied by Lord Kinsborough, should go to the

Royal army, and by an explanation of existing circumstances, it was hoped the town might be spared from the dreadful fate that seemed to await it every instant. Wexford was indeed at this period in a most perilous situation. Intelligence had arrived there of the approach of three different armies, one of which was advanced as far as Oulard, another had arrived at Enniscorthy, and the progressive march of the third was conspicuous the evening before from the Three-Rocks, by the United army stationed there. The gun-boats on the coast also made a formidable appearance, as announced by the men who had been stationed at the fort of Rosslare, but who now abandoned that post and fled into Wexford, bringing the alarming news, that several ships of war and other armed vessels were approaching the harbour.

Undismayed by the late signal defeats at Ross and Arklow, some of the principal chiefs determined to march direct against the capital itself, wisely judging that the possession of Dublin would at once decide the fate of the whole kingdom. Nor ought it to be forgotten, that the metropolis was at this period in a state of the utmost dismay and consternation, for the Vice-Queen* and all the principal families of distinction had fled to En

The Vice-Roy, Cambden's Lady.