smallest doubt would agree to facilitate the plan; it being then late at night, he promised to return early in the morning, to set off with lord Kingsborough; who was so anxious to have the project carried into execution, that he was dressed in full regimentals, and completely ready to set off at three o'clock in the morning of the 21st of June, 1798, at which time he sent for Mr. Hay, who immediately attending, represented to lord Kingsborough the danger of his going out equipped as he was, and that it would prove their inevitable destruction if they went without the consent of the people, Lord Kingsborough then entreated Mr. Hay to hasten a meeting of the principal inhabitants, and to have the drum beat to arms, and the men would speedily repair to parade, where their consent might be obtained, for there was no time to be lost, as the smallest delay might prove the destruction of the town and all its inhabitants. Mr. Hay instantly com plied, and returned with an account of the Wexford men having agreed to the plan, with the greatest alacrity; and it had been further proposed, that lord Kingsborough should not leave the town, which should be instantly surrendered to him, as military commander; and that doctor Jacob should reassume the office of Mayor, all of which was immediately carried into effect, with some opposition on the part of captain Keugh, who wanted to retain the command, but was most spiritedly opposed by Mr. Hay, who set off with captain M'Manus, as soon as lord Kingsborough could write out the necessary dispatches to the next commanding officer of his majesty's forces, announcing the town of Wexford having surrendered to him; and that in consequence of the behaviour of those in the town during the rebellion, they, "the town's people," should be protected in person and property, except murderers, and people who had instigated others to commit murder," hoping that these terms might be ratified, as he had pledged his honour in the most solemn manner to have them fulfilled, on the town being surrendered to him: the Wexford men not being concerned in the massacre which was perpetrated by country people in their absence. I saw Mr. Hay on his return from general Lake, on the 22nd of June, 1798, when Lord Kingsborough considered himself under so many obligations to him, which he acknowledged in the strongest terms, and insisted he should live in the house with him, where Mr. Hay remained with us until we left Wexford, on the 29th of June, 1798, during which period, I have heard him repeatedly express a desire to be brought to trial if any thing was alleged against him, as he would wish to have the benefit of our testimony before we went to Waterford. I consider myself bound, on all occasions that may be afforded me, and I think it an indispensible duty to do justice to the meritorious conduct of Mr. Hay during the rebellion in Wexford. Actuated by principles of honour and gratitude, I think myself bound to subscribe to. MICHL. BOURKE, Capt. and paymaster, North-Cork militia. Sallins, June 3rd. 1799. TO EDWL. HAY, ESQ. WEXFORD GOAL. I believe the above statement of Mr. Bourke, with the alterations I have made to be true. KINGSTON. N. B. The alteration alluded to by lord Kingston, are marked by inverted commas. SIR, Dublin, March 19th, 1800. ACCORDING to your request, I have made a proper retrospect on the circumstances you allude to in your letter of the 17th, and recollect perfectly when a memorial was presented to M. Gen. Hunter, on your part, from on board a prison ship, denying you had ever petitioned for transportation, and to be liberated under the general proclamation: that the general had every good disposition to liberate you, and believe would have complied with your petition; but on questioning the committee, on this point, they still asserted you petitioned for transportation. Gen. Hunter declared, if so, you should apply to his Excellency, and if you wished it, would forward such memorial. When you were afterwards removed from the prison ship to the goal, on account of ill-health, through the interference of general Craddock, and recommendation came by which I was sent to you to inquire more particularly into your situation, when you demonstrated the facts so clearly to me by documents, and I had every reason to believe the general would liberate you, on discovering the iniquitous designs of the committee as I conceive you had sufficient proofs to shew the falsity of their assertion. But unfortunately for you at that period, the landing of the French in this kingdom obliged the general to depart hastily, which left you and many more innocent persons the victims of a persecuting sanguinary party, which I call that vile body, commonly called, "the "committee." However, I congratulated you on your happy escape from becoming the victim of suborned perjury, which to my knowledge was too commonly resorted to in that town under the pretext of law. I regret exceedingly general Hunter is not in the realm, as you would be certain to meet from him every honourable testimony of your situation, as he never countenanced party of any kind, and was always ready to relieve the oppressed. I shall be happy at any time to come forward to attest any thing that comes to my recollection, and should long since unveil the horrid atrocious practices of that town, if my public duties did not interfere.-I wish you may succeed in getting redress; and have the honour to remain, SIB, Your obedient humble servant, EDWARD HAY, ESQ. SIR, From what I saw of your conduct while I was at Wexford a prisoner, I am convinced, that you did all in your power to save the people whom the rebels wished to murder, and myself among that number. And it was through you, &c. that the town of Wexford was given up to me, which circumstance, I believe, saved the lives of many; and by what I have heard from you of your trial, &c. think you have been very unjustly persecuted. Your most obedient humble servant, Colney, Dec. 14, 1799. EDWD. HAY, ESQ. KINGSTON. NUMBER IX. Sir Richard Musgrave, author of Memoirs of all the rebellions in Ireland, (parturiunt montes!) has in a pamphlet professedly written against Doctor Caulfield, Roman catholic bishop of Ferns, given us the following letter, demon |