HAY’s HISTORY OF THE REBELLION IN WEXFORD. 
point its political magistracy at home. 
But whatever we may suspect of the 
catholics, we know of the protestants; 
and have witnessed a religious perse- 
ution, which it is neither correct nor 
useful to disguise under the dress of 
political party. 
Of the accomplished author of this 
work it will be best to speak in his own 
words. He thus accounts in the intro- 
duction for his interference in Irish 
affairs. 
“© Very serious disturbances took place in 
a part of the county of Wexford, in the 
month of June 1793; but they were soon 
suppressed by the exertions of the country 
gentlemen, who formed ¢ an association for 
the preservation of the peace.’ J constantly 
attended their meetings, and I believe it will 
be allowed, that my conduct and endeavours 
proved as effectual as that of any other to 
restore public tranquillity. 
«Tn January 1795, while lord Fitz-Wil- 
liam was viceroy, I procured a great number 
of signatures, to a petition to parliament, 
from the catholics of the county of Wexford, 
and in the same month I was one of those 
that presented an address from them to his 
excellency. When his lordship’s recall was 
announced from the government of Ireland, 
a meeting of the freeholders and other inha- 
bitants of the county of Wexford was con- 
vened on the 23d of March of the same 
year, when a petition to his majesty was 
unanimously agreed to, and I was appointed 
one of the delegates to present it to the king. 
1 had been as far as Dublin to take ship for 
England, when it was thought advisable to 
have the petition subscribed by as many 
persons as possible, and while my brother 
delegates proceeded to London, I returned 
to the county of Wexford, and considering 
- that I was the chosen delegate of protestants 
as well as of catholics, I took the precaution 
of consulting the principal protestant gen- 
tlemen of the county first, to prevent the 
possibility of misrepresentation, or of de- 
nominating my pursuit the business of party; 
and I was so successful as to procure in the 
space of one week, 22,251 signatures to the 
etition; with which I then proceeded to 
ee el and had the honour to present it, 
along with my brother delegates, to his 
Majesty, at a public levee at St. James's, 
en the 22d of April 1795; and we met a 
most gracious reception. 
k Different motives of private concern in- 
duced me to resolve to quit Ireland, in the year 
1797, and to goto reside in America, and this 
J purposed to do as soon as the regulation of 
my affairs would permit me. I was mestly 
in the county of Wexford in the latter end of 
1797, and beginning of 1798; but my at- 
tendance in Dublin was sometimes necessary 
upon law business, which I at length flat- 
tered myself 1 had finally got rid of by com- 
245 
promise. In the latterend of April, there- 
fore, I took leave of my friends, as my pro- 
posed short stay in Ireland would not allow 
me the opportunity of seeing them again; 
as I had determined to go immediately to 
England, and from thence to America. In 
this project I was most unhappily disap- 
pointed, as a part of the compromise, which 
was, that my furniture should be taken at a 
valuation, was not complied with; and I 
was therefore reluctantly obliged to remain 
in the country, until I could, as I thought, 
dispose of them by auction, which I ad- 
vertised would take place on Monday the 
28th of May. I am thus particular, to 
counteract the malevolent insinuations of my 
enemies, and as it was this disappointment 
that occasioned my detention in the county 
of Wexford until the commencement of the 
disturbances; by which I fost all my furni- 
ture, and all else that could be taken from 
me, except what I had on my back, and 
about my person. Tiad I any possible inti- 
mation of the calemities that ensued, I most 
undoubtedly would have preferred settling 
my property even at a loss, and securing the 
value, to waiting to be detained against my 
will in that unfortunate country ; and [ 
would thus have escaped enduring those suf- 
ferings and persecutions that afterward fell to 
niy lot. 
«¢ My conduct during the insurrection, as 
far as it is neessary to be known, properly 
belongs to the history of the times ; and so 
I shall proceed to a relation of my persecu- 
tion and sufferings. 
‘* Lord Kingsborough and his officers 
conceived themselves under such obligations 
to me, that at their entreaty I lived in the 
same house with them, from the surrender 
of the town until the 20th of June, when 
they departed for Waterford. My former 
intention of going to America, was by no 
means lessened but augmented, by the scenes 
of which | had so recently been witness to 
in my native country. I accordingly per- 
sisted in my resolution, and was determined 
to get out of the country as speedily as pose 
sible. .The committee that had been ap~ 
pointed by lieutenant general Lake, to act 
as a kind of council to general Hunter, then 
in command in Wexford, and to grant 
passes, now began to practise their malici- 
ous arts against me, which they avoided 
before, being apprehensive, if not well aware, 
that their schemes would be counteracted 
and defeated, if attempted to be put in exe- 
eution, while the officers, who were ac- 
quainted with my conduct, remained in 
Wexford. I received a nete from the chair- 
man of this committee, (and it was delivered 
to me by one of the body, whom I then 
considered as my friend) desiring I would 
write to him, stating what I would wish to 
be done, and that my request would be 
taken into immediate consideration. This 
induced me to write to them, intimating the 
desire, I had so often expressed, of going 
R 3 
