latter defeated a small force under colonel Walpole, (a relation of the viceroy, and totally unqualified for a soldier) r and took three pieces of artillery. The rebels next advanced to New Ross, in two bodies, one under Edward Roche on the north, and another, more formidable, under the command of Mr. Harvey, (the late prisoner in Wexford) penetrated to the south. The conquest of New Ross would have opened the communication with the counties of Waterford and Kilkenny, where many thousands were supposed ready to rise on the appearance of their successful confederates. The possession of this town, however, was obstinately contested for ten hours; but the rebels, more intent on plunder than victory, and at the same time intoxicated, were ultimately repulsed, and the royal troops obtained possession of the place. The slaughter of the rebels was prodigious; while the king's troops lost about ninety men killed, among whom was lord Mountjoy, colonel of the Dublin militia. Enraged at this defeat the fugitive rebels turned their fury against objects incapable of resistance, and more than one hundred protestant loyalists were massacred in cold blood.

After some days of comparative inactivity, the army under father Michael Murphy, twenty thousand strong, advanced against Arklow on the 9th of June, the attack was fierce and irregular, and continued for more than two hours; but the destructive fire of the troops rendered all their efforts unavailing, and they were unable to enter the place. Father Murphy harangued the troops, and advanced with a standard on which a cross had been emblazoned; but though he had pronounced himself to be invulnerable, he was killed by a cannon ball, on which his troops hastily retreated to Gorey.

The north had hitherto remained quiet; not because dissatisfaction did not prevail, but because the disaffected wanted an organised system of action, and were waiting to know what success had attended the rebels in the south. Consequently when they heard of the proceedings in Wexford, and the victories gained over the royal army, insubordination made its appearance in the neighbourhood of Antrim, where a considerable number assembled on the 7th of June, but were dispersed by the troops under general Nugent, with the loss of about 200 men. Unsuccessful

T

attempts were likewise made by small parties at Larne, Ballymena, and Ballycastle; but as the war in the south had assumed a completely religious complexion, the insurgents were made to understand that the rest of the northerns would not second their efforts, the protestants justly fearing that if they assisted the catholics in overthrowing the government, the next overthrow would be their own; the malcontents therefore relinquished all thoughts of further warfare, and destroying, throwing away, or surrendering their arms, dispersed to their several homes. Partial insurrection also showed itself in the county of Down, and an action between some insurgents and the royal troops took place at Ballynahinch; but they were soon dispersed, and finally separated from the same motives as had influenced the disaffected in Antrim. Some of the leaders, however, being taken were executed.

The insurgents in the county of Wexford were now left to contend almost alone against the royal troops. The town of Wexford was the prime seat of the rebellion in the south. It remained in possession of the rebel force from the 30th of May to the 21st of June, during which period continual apprehension of death had attended the hapless loyalists who had not succeeded in effecting their escape. Since their repulse at Ross and Arklow, they were reduced to defensive warfare, and could only hope to maintain some posts until forces should arrive to their assistance from France. During this period Vinegar-hill, with the town of Enniscorthy at its foot, became the scene of horrid butcheries. A number of protestants were murdered on the spot, but many more were dragged to Vinegar-hill, where after a mock trial, but oftener without the form of any trial whatever, they were shot or transfixed with pikes : they were frequently flogged or otherwise barbarously treated before their final execution,

This dreadful state of affairs could not long continue. It was requisite it should be brought to a conclusion either by the vigour of the government, or the ascendancy of the insurgents. Accordingly on the morning of the 21st of June, a royal force of at least 13,000 men, with a formida. ble train of artillery, was to commence an attack from all quarters at once on the great station of Vinegar-hill, where were posted nearly 20,000 of the rebels. The attack

All the divisions were

began with the firing of cannon. at their respective posts by seven in the morning, except that of general Needham, who did not arrive till nine, when the affray was finished. After sustaining the fire of the artillery and small arms for about an hour and a half, the rebels fled through the gap left open from the non-arrival of general Needham. The fugitives directed their course towards Wexford.

The royal troops obtained possession of Wexford on the same day as Enniscorthy. General Moore, at the head of 1,200 men, had been intercepted on the evening of the 20th, by about 5,000 rebels, led from Three Rocks by Philip Roche, at Goff's bridge, near the church of Horetown. A smart contest ensued in which the royalists were victorious. Joined by two regiments under lord Dalhouse, the army took post on the field of battle, and on the morning of the 21st was prooeeding to Taghmon, where messengers arrived with proposals from the inhabitants of Wexford to surrender the town, on condition that their lives and properties should be guaranteed by the generals. Moore forwarded these proposals to general Lake, who returned for answer that no terms could be granted to rebels in arms; but that the people might have peace and protection, when their arms and leaders were delivered into his hands. Lord Kingsborough, who was a prisoner in the town, promised them full security if they complied with these conditions.

The insurgents divided themselves into two bodies; one under the command of the Rev. Philip Roche, marched into the barony of Forth, and encamped that night at Sledagh; the other under Fitzgerald, Perry, and Edward Roche, proceeded to Peppard's castle, where they encamped for the night. When general Lake arrived at Wexford on the 22nd, he found it in possession of general Moore. Many persons who remained upon the faith of lord Kingsborough's assurance of safety, were apprehended and suffered death. Philip Roche, likewise, on coming to Wexford to settle the manner in which the rebels under his command were to surrender with his majesty's generals, was dragged from his horse, kicked, buffeted, and at length committed to prison. These acts of cruelty had a most injurious effect. His followers, as soon as they learned

his fate, considered their case as hopeless, marched away to the county of Carlow, under the command of John Murphy, the blood-stained priest who had first raised the standard of insurrection in the county of Wexford. Hav. ing advanced in column they were opposed by lieutenant Dixon, who was defeated; but they were pursued by general Dunn, and completely routed on the 26th of June, at Kilcomney-hill. Father Murphy, who fled from the field of battle, but was taken soon after, and being conducted to the head quarters of general Duff, at Tullow, was hanged the same day, and his head placed on the market house.

The great system of rebellion was now shattered, and though a few skirmishes between the insurgents and the royal troops took place, and many barbarities were committed, nothing like a general course of operation was followed. With the final dispersion of the insurgents in Wexford, the rebellion was at an end; but the fatal con. sequences to those concerned in it, did not so soon terminate.

CHAPTER XI.

Administration of lord Cornwallis. Act of amnesty passed. Invasion of Ireland by the French. Their proceedings frustrated. Union with Great Britain first brought before parliament. Unpopularity of the measure. Debate in the Irish commons. Majority of one in favour of the measure. Proceedings in the British legislature. Further discussions in Ireland. The union resolved upon.

ness.

EARL CAMDEN was superseded in the viceroyalty by the marquis Cornwallis, who assumed the civil government and supreme military command, June 21st, 1798. The marquis received instructions to put down the rebellion by moderation, and to check the ferocity of the orange-men by firmThe first act of the new governor was a proclamation authorising his majesty's generals to grant protection to such as having been simply guilty of rebellion, should surrender their arms, abjure all unlawful societies, and take the oath of allegiance. To give the full sanction of law to this measure, a message was delivered from his excellency to the Irish parliament, on which was grounded an act of amnesty to all who not being leaders, had not committed manslaughter except in the heat of battle, and who should comply with the conditions mentioned in the proclamation. This act was followed by a treaty with the chiefs of the united Irishmen, negotiated by counsellor Dobbs, a member of the house of commons, expressed in the following terms: "That the undersigned state prisoners engage to give every information in their power of the whole of the internal transactions of the United Irishmen; and that each of the prisoners shall give detailed information of every transaction that has passed between the United Irishmen and foreign states; but that the prisoners are not, by naming or describing, to implicate any person whatsoever, and that they are ready to emigrate to such country as shall be agreed on between them and government, and give security not to return to this country without the permission of government, and not to pass into an