1806. jeant Moore, one of the law officers of the crown, to repair without delay to the county of Armagh, for the purpose of investigating fully the circumstances stated in O'Neil's deposition, and to make a special report upon the subject for his Grace's information,

Commission

to investi

gate O'Neil's casé.

"I cannot conclude without making my acknow ledgments for your communication, and I flatter myself, that the arrangement, which his Grace has adopted, will save you the trouble of a journey to Dublin.

I have the honor to be, &c. &c.

WILLIAM ELLIOT."

Within some few days after the receipt of this letter, Mr. Serjeant Moore, accompanied by Mr. Hamilton, Solicitor for the Crown, arrived at Owna Lodge, declaring, that he had the commands of the Lord Lieutenant, fully to investigate the whole of the subjects contained in the letter to Mr. Elliott. After much conversation, they both assured Mr. Wilson, that incorrect as he had stated the conduct of those magistrates to be, yet the conduct of the magistrates was infinitely worse in almost every other part of the kingdom. Soon after, Mr. Serjeant Moore in the prosecution of his commission, proceeded to Armagh, and thence went into the neighbourhood,, where the offences had been committed. On his arrival, he sent for the elder Mr. Verner, saying, that he conceived this, in delicacy, was due to him. To him he thought fit to intimate, that, as he did not know how to

1

get at the evidences he wished to examine, he 1806. hoped Mr. Verner would put him in the way of coming at the truth. Immediately Mr. Verner expressed his readiness to send his sons, (the two persons stated by O'Neil as heading the incendiaries) to bring forward the people, whom O'Neil' pointed out as able to corroborate his deposition. The evidences were brought forward by the young Messrs. Verner; but he could not get any thing out of them, (after the most strict examination), which could tend towards the crimination of these gentlemen. The house certainly was burned; but the incendiaries could not be identified. It was true, the two young Messrs. Verner were there, but' only as spectators, after the house was destroyed; but nothing appeared to justify an opinion, that either of those gentlemen was concerned in the outrage.

between

Moore and

Mr. Wilson made some observations upon this Difference singular mode of probing to the bottom such flagi- Mr. Sertious transactions; to consult with the father of jeant the supposed offenders, and employ the offenders Mr. Wilson. to collect evidence to bring themselves to the gallows; adding, that if he left the country with this sort of investigation, it would have been much better, if government had not paid any attention to his communications. This opinion was more pointedly expressed by Dr. Conwell. Mr. Serjeant Moore appeared highly irritated at the reflection; and asked Dr. Conwell, did he want him to thrust the two Messrs. Verner into goal? If he' did, he certainly was mistaken, but, that he sup

1806. posed was the only thing, which could satisfy him. To this Dr. Conwell replied, that he by no means wished for anything, but such an investigation, as might be the means of permitting his poor people (his parishioners) to live in peace; that it was well known, that the inhabitants in Mr. Verner's neighbourhood stood in such dread of that gentleman and his yeomen, and his Orangemen, that they would not dare to state any thing, which could affect him or his party. During the three first days after his arrival, Mr. Serjeant Moore communicated freely with Mr. Wilson, and expressed a wish and determination to get at the bottom of the flagitious affair, and bring every one concerned in it to condign punishment. After his interview with Mr. Verner, his conduct towards Mr. Wilson became altered; he was cold, distant and reserved. Although Mr. Wilson had been present at the first examination of O'Neil and his wife and others, he was not suffered to attend any of those examinations, that were taken after the Verners had been with the Serjeant. Mr. Wilson wrote to Mr. Elliott on the 12th of May to inform him, that Mr. Serjeant Moore had taken unwearied pains to get at the bottom of the business, and that their sentiments had been in perfect unison on all points, with only one exception, as to the mode of getting at some of the evidence.

Mr. Wilson

summoned

Some days after the receipt of that letter, Mr. to Dublin. Elliott sent for Mr. Wilson to Dublin. At his first interview with Mr. Elliott, he was introduced to the Chancellor, and having been desired to make

his statement, he began with expressing his regret at the unfortunate difference of opinion, which latterly subsisted between Mr. Serjeant Moore and him, and which subsequent consideration and enquiry had not at all removed. He was stopped. short by the learned Lord, who earnestly declared, that, Mr. Serjeant Moore's conduct, in his jour➡ ney to the North, had met with the most unqualified approbation of government. This anticipating declaration, convinced Mr. Wilson, that government's attending to his communications was to amuse, not to investigate. He however remarked, that it was a very novel mode of investigating a most flagitious crime, by applying to the parties accused to collect evidences to convict themselves. To this the Chancellor replied with encreased energy, that Mr. Serjeant Moore's conduct entitled him to, and possessed the warmest approbation of govern

ment.

Mr. Wilson made some observations on the state of the magistracy in his part of the country, and the Chancellor asked, how he proposed to remedy the evil? Mr. Wilson replied, that the only effectual mode would be, by issuing a general new commission. This would not give any partial offence; and care afterwards should be taken not to admit any improper persons into it. His Lordship replied by a smile. This ended his personal communications with government. He afterwards found himself under the necessity of continuing his written correspondence: the ultimate result of which lamentably proves the unwillingness government to listen to, and their reluctance to

of

1806.

1806.

Mr. Wilson writes to

correct any abuses, that can be brought home to the Orange predominancy. His perseverance grievously annoyed the new government.

On the 12th of July he wrote to Mr. Elliott a Mr. Elliott, letter, in which he thus questioned the Secretary, as to the results of the commission, which strongly affected the interests of a great body of the people. "Have O'Neil's injuries been any way redressed? "Has he even received a compensation for the "ruin of his property and his personal injuries? "Have the aggressors (be they who they may) “ been put in the way of punishment? Has a

66

single step been taken to prevent future aggres"sions against this harassed, this ruined man? "Has a symptom of amelioration, a prospect of "protection (since Mr. Serjeant Moore's visit) "been felt or held out to the persecuted Catholics, save what my confined and unsupported power afforded them? I am grieved to say, I "fear I myself can reply to all these questions in

46

an afflicting negative." In that letter he applied to Mr. Elliott for a commission for the county of Armagh, as well as for Tyrone, in order, as he stated, to strengthen his efforts in tranquillizing the country, and give effect to the laws, as he was separated from it (Armagh) only by a river, which runs through his grounds; its contiguity enabled offenders to escape or collect a party, which set him at defiance, before he could get an Armagh magistrate to back his warrants; the nearest being five miles distant from his place. This letter was followed up by a second within a