A popular history of the insurrection of 1798: derived from every available record and reliable tradition

Front matter

Eev. Father Kavanagh. O.S.F.

j^A POPULAR HISTORY

OF THE

Preface To First Edition

THE story of the brief, but fierce and gallant struggle made by the Patriots of '98 cannot but prove deeply interesting to their descendants. The heroic men who took part therein have, indeed, passed away to that happier country where the tears of the oppressed are dried — where might is no longer the enemy of right, where no tr}^ant threatens, and no slave weeps in fetters ; but their memory still remains, a bright Ught to guide us through darkness to the holy Temple of Freedom. Nor is that memory less dear to us, because the Flag they raised so boldh', and bore aloft so bravely, fell in the disastrous battle, and was trodden under the iron heel of the representative of brute force and unrighteous aggression. No ; the Irish heart is of too generous a nature to bov/ down before the idol of power because success has crowned it, or to forsake a just cause because it has not proved triumphant. The Irish people know that the charter of their couyitry's liberty has heeji written by the hand of God, and that of man can never efface the

subhme record.

THE AUTHOR.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND

EDITION

IN the compilation of this new and much enlarged Edition of his History the Author has had recourse to every available source of information, and has spared no pains to perfect his work. The pages of Hay, Gordon, Clooney, Teeling, and Plowden, have been diligently perused. Besides these standard authorities, others of less note have not been passed over ; in fact, every document that helped to throw hght on the subject in hand has been availed of. In selecting from these various sources of information, the Author has taken care to distinguish between what the narrators witnessed themselves and what they heard from others. But the writer of this volume claims to be something more than a mere compiler. Before he ever read a work on the subject of which he treats, he had acquired no small amount of information from those who were best calculated to impart it — the actors in the struggle. Born in the centre of the district where the contest was most fiercely waged, many of those who took part therein were his own near relatives, and from their lips he learned much of what he now narrates. He was, from the information thus obtained, enabled to discern whatever was erroneous in works previously written on the same subject. While he frankly acknowledges that his sympathies are wholly with the cause for which the insurgents suifered and laid down their lives, he has, nevertheless, striven to avoid the errors of the

ADVERTISEMENT VH

partizan — telling truth even when it seemed least favourable to those with whom he sympathises. If in his mention of the Orangemen of the period he verges sometimes towards asperity of expression, let his readers bear in mind that he views th§._Qrmg^^Sgcuty_JnAhe Hght of a political faction, inveterately hostile to the rights of the majority of his fellow-countrymen, and that their rehgious creed does not in the slightest degree influence him in the expression of liis opinion ; no one more gratefully acknowledges the sterhng patriotism of those gallant leaders who, though they worshipped the same God, knelt before a different altar.

To those who would fain draw a veil over the past of this country, which, thank God, is still a nation, he would suggest that the struggles of a people for liberty form the most glorious page in their history, and constitute their most precious inheritance. We whose fathers have shed their blood in defence of civil and rehgious hberty should be dastards, indeed, did we suffer the memory of their struggles to be buried in obHvion. The Author shall deem himself well rewarded for his labour in the compilation of this work if, while recounting the deeds of the dead fathers, he should awaken to a brighter glow the sacred flame of patriotism in the bosoms of the living sons.

In conclusion, it may not be amiss to express a hope that our onward journey towards long-lost liberty may be made by peaceful paths — that when the crown of an independent nation is placed upon the brow of Erin, no stain of blood may be seen upon its golden round.

Cork, January loih, 1874.

Chapter I

England's jealousy of Ireland's prosperity under her native Parliament, — The course adopted by England to ruin her rival. — The Irish aristocracy of the period. — Brief account of the United Irish Society, its origin and aims. — Severities used by Government towards its members. — Trial of Jackson, and flight of Theobald Wolfe Tone. — How Tone worked for Ireland in France and Holland. — The French and Dutch expeditions. — Severe measures adopted by Government. — Capture of United Chiefs at Bond's. — Seizure and death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. — Fate of other leaders ........

Chapter II Insurrection In Kildare, Dublin, Carlow, Meath, Wicklow, And Cork

Outbreak of the insurrection. — Actions at Naas, Prosperous, and Kilcullen. — William Aylmer in Kildare. — Various conflicts between the soldiery and the people in the counties of Dublin, Carlow, Meath, and Wicklow. — Massacre of Catholic yeomen at Dunlavin. — Proclamation issued by the authorities on the outbreak of the Insurrection.— How the Irish Parliament acted on the same occasion. — Colonel i\Iax well's horrid proposal. — Loyal address of Catholic gentry and aristocracy. — Attack on the town of Carlow by the insurgents. How it ended. — Fate of Sir Edward Crosbie. — Engagement "between the insurgents and Fingal's Yeomanry at Tara Hill. — Massacre at Gibbet Rath, on the Curragh. — Official accounts of the affair — Insurrection in Cork ....... 25

Chapter III Insurrection In Ulster

The seizure of the Ulster chiefs retards the Insurrection in that province. — How the intended junction of the insurgents of Down and Antrim was frustrated. — Henry Joy McCracken chosen to command the men of Antrim. — His first measures.

CONTENTS

PAGE

— Advance of the United Army upon Antrim. — The Attack, — Panic and flight of the insurgents. — Gallant stand made by Hope. — Colonel Clavering and McCracken. — ^McCracken quits Donegore. — Saves his followers from capture. — Falls into the power of his enemies, and is put to death ......... 53

Chapter IV

The men of Down assemble at Saintfield. — Colonel Stapleton falls into an ambuscade. — Death of Mortimer, Rector of Comber. — Attack on Portaferry. — Rendezvous at Saintfield — ^Munroe chosen commander-in-chief. — His character. — The steps he took on being appointed. — Advance of the English from Belfast and Downpatrick. — Conflict of Ballinahinch. — Fatal mistake of the insurgents. — The flight. — Official accounts. — Burning and pillage of Ballinahinch.— Romantic episode.— 'Death of Munroe . . .60

Chapter V Insurrection In Wexford

Authorities did not apprehend any serious disturbance in Wex-

Jord. — McGee's description of Wexford. — The people of

"Wexford not a Celtic race. — Population. — Hay and others on the social condition of the people. — Musgrave and Maxwell's calumnies refuted. — Relations existing between the people and the gentry. — The persecuting class encouraged by Government. — Liberal Protestants dare not interfere. — How informers were made. — Burning of houses. — ^.Instance given by Mr. Gordon of death brought on by fear of torture. - — Question of the number of United Irishmen in Wexford discussed. — Opinions of divers authors given. — Arrival of the North Cork, who outdo the yeomen in cruelty. — Pitch-cap introduced. — County proclaimed. — Many people deliver up their arms. — Proceedings of Hunter Gowan and other persecutors. • — Transportation. — Horrid rumours abroad during the week preceding the Insurrection . . 71

Chapter VI

Wholesale massacre perpetrated by the loyalists. — Father John Murphy the first to raise the standard of rebellion. — His character. — His first achievement. — Minor events in Wexford.— March of the militia and yeomanry to Oulart. — Burning of Darby Kavanagh's house. — ^ffects of the first success of the insurgents.— ^The Boolevogue insurgents proceed to Oulart Hill . . . . . . -9'

CONTENTS XI

CHAPTER VU

PAGB

Slaughter of the peasantry at Kilmacthomas Hill. — Position taken by the insurgents at Oulart Hill. — The Battle. — Total defeat of the loyalists. — Atrocities committed by the yeomen during their flight. — Route taken by the victorious 'insurgents. — Joined at Balliorrell by Father Michael Murphy. — Attack on Enniscorthy. — Capture of the town. — Flight ol^the loyalists.— Attempt made by the Orangemen to murder the prisoners in Enniscorthy jail frustrated. — Moderation of the victorious insurgents. — Insurgents' camp at Vinegar Hill reinforced. — Division in their councils. — The arrival of the Wexford deputation. — Its effect. — Insurgents arrive at the Three Rocks. — Surprise and defeat of the Meath Militia on their way to Wexford. — Official account of the affair ....... 103

Chapter VIII

Consternation produced amongst the loyalists in Wexford by the defeat of the militia at Oulart. — Attempt of the militia to put the prisoners to death. — Their design defeated b}' the governor of the jail. — Arrival of fugitive loyalists from Enniscorthy. — ^Wexford^ hot-bed of Orangeism. — Preparations made by Ihe loyalists for the defence of Wexford. — Arrival of reinforcements. — Terror of the Orangemen. — Precautions taken for the security of the town. — Loyalists resolve to send a deputation to the insurgents. — Arrival of Mr. Colclough in Wexford. — Delivers his message. — Sally headed by Colonel Watson. — Its results. — The loyalists hold a council of war and resolve to evacuate the town. — The dishonest stratagem employed by the loyalists to retard the approach of the insurgents. — Strange scene of confusion exhibited in the flight of the military. — Entrance of the insurgents from Ferrybank. — Rage of the insurgent army on discovering the deceit practised upon them by the soldiery. — Altered aspect of Wexford on the entry of the insurgents. — Two Orangemen put to death on the quay. — Excesses of the fugitive garrison. — Tranquillity in Wexford. •^^^^^T^parlure of tlie insurgents . . . . . iig

Chapter IX

Two divisions of the insurgent army march from Windmill Hill, taking separate routes. — Force under Father John Murphy joined by that under Fathers Roche and Kearns. — Attack on Newtownbarry. — March of the royal troops from Gorey and Carnew against the insurgents on Carrigrew. — Defeat and death of Colonel Walpole. — Flight of General

Xll CONTENTS

PAGE

Loftus — Mr. Plowden on the above-mentioned affairs. — Esmond Kyan's services. — Joyful surprise of the people of Gorey. — Results of these victories. — Speech of Mr. Fox in the British House of Commons. — Loss sustained at this period by the English . • • . . . .132

Chapter X

Preparation made by the insurgents under General Harvey for the assault upon New Ross. — Harvey sends an officer with a flag of truce to demand the surrender of the town. — Death of the Envoy. — Letter found upon his person. — Death of Lord Mount] oy. — New Ross, its situation. — tJispositions for its defence made by General Johnson. — Various accounts of the battle. — How it began. — Marvellous courage displayed by the insurgents, acknowledged even by their enemies. — Colonel Clooney's attack upon the toyalists posted in the market-place and at Irishtown. — Return of the loyalists. — Their subsequent success. — Real cause of the insurgent defeat. — Number of killed and wounded on both sides. — Accounts given by various writers. — Heroism displayed by a boy of thirteen. — A heroine. — The burning of Scullabogue. — Further details of this massacre. — Examination of Mr. Frizel at the Bar of the House of Commons. — Last proclamation issued by General Harvey. — His resignation. — Insurgents quit Carrickburn and arrive at Slieve-Keelter. — The forging of false despatches by loyalist officers proved . . .146

Chapter XI

Insurgents on Gorey Hill. — Difficulty they experienced in obtaining provisions. — Burning of Hunter Gowan's house. — Insurgents march towards Camew. — General Loftus takes refuge in Tullow. — Insurgents hearing of the occupation of Arklow by the loyalists return to Gorey Hill. — Disadvantages under which they laboured. — The insurgent leader, Father John Murphy. — Exertions made by the insurgents to acquire military discipline. — How they progress.— The lack of gunpowder a great obstacle to their success. — Gunsinen and pikemen . . . . .163

Chapter XII

State of the County of Wexford. — ^r^at increase in the number of royal troops. — Orange atrocities.^-AVexford insurgents search for a concealed Orangeman. — Seizure of Mr. Turner. — Measures taken by Captain Keough as military governor.

CONTENTS Xill

FAGB

— Arrival of the Barony of Forth Men. — Bagenal Harvey chosen commander-in-chief. — His unfitness for command. — Insurgent freedom from bigotry. — Energetic preparations made by the insurgents for resistance. — Bank notes esteemed of no value. — Provisions : their cheapness. — The Wexford " Fleet." — Capture of Lord Kingsborough and his officers. — Reinforcements sent to the camps. — Orangemen exclusively the objects of popular hatred. — Unreasonable fear displayed by the Protestants. — Pretended converts. — Instance of liberality on the part of Catholics. — Hatred borne towards traitors. — -Punishment inflicted upon informers. — Dixon's violence. — RequisitionsT — Comparative tranquillity existing in the town. — Outrages become more frequent. — Proclamation issued^^gaiHst iTawtrey White and his associates. — Catholics refuse to permit the Protestant church to be used as an hospital. — Popular anger excited by the discovery of a pitch-cap. — Kingsborough's danger. — Messengers from the camp demand ammunition and reinforcements. — Good conduct of gunsmen sent from the town. — Alarm of the loyalist prisoners in Wexford. — Kingsborough's letter to the Lord Lieutenant intercepted by Captain Dixon. — Tumult excited by the letter. — How appeased. — Severe measures of retaliation adopted bythe insurgents at^VinegaFHiH . . . 169

Chapter XIII

The insurgents leave Gorey and march upon Arklow. — Their number and equipment. — The battle of Arklow. — Death of Fr. Michael Murphy. — Absence of Father John. — Contest between Esmond Kyan and Colonel Skerret. — Return to Gorey. — ^Massacre of the wounded insurgents by the English spldiery.— Cannibalism of the Ancient Britons — Loss on both sides. — The falsehood of General Needham's despatch demonstrated by various authorities. — State of the country. — Merciful spirit displayed by the insurgents. — Their respect for the fair sex contrasted with the brutality of the loyalist officers and men . • • • , .183

Chapter XIV

Movements of the insurgents and royalists. — Position of the contending forces. — Encampment on Mount Pleasant. — Vaunts of the royalist general. — Retreat of the royal troops. — Insurgent challenge refused. — Insurgents proceed to Vinegar Hill. — Attack on Borris House. — Battle of Longraig or Fooke's Mill . . . . . .194

Xiv CONTENTS

Chapter XV Page

Alarm of the English Government at the long-continued resist- ■" — ^"atice of the Wexford men. ^Combined movements by the E "glish generals. — The entrance of Wexford harbour blocked up by men-of-war. — How the insurgents at Vinegar Hill prepared to encounter their enemy. — Commencement of the battle. — Gen. Needham accused of cowardice. — Scarcity of ammunition among the insurgents. — Number engaged on both sides. — Sir Jonah Barrington's description of the fight. — Women take part in the conflict. — Operations of the insurgents under Father Kearns and Mr. Barker. — Death of Father Clinch. — Retreat of the insurgents towards Wexford. — ^Wounded insurgents slaughtered by the soldiery — Fate of Barker. — Slaughter of the defenceless people who followed the insurgen retreat.— Small number of the fighting men slain at Vinegar Hill. — The insurgents from Vinegar Hill and those from New Ross meet at Wexford. — General Edward Roche covers the insurgent retreat. . 203

Chapter XVI

On the rumours of a French invasion the Government redoubje tHelF efforts to quell the insurrection. — Great increase of the English forces. — Insurgents resolve to maintain the cbiitest to the last extremity. — ^They concentrate their forces at Vinegar Hill. — ^Anxiety felt by the townspeople. — Reinforcements despatched thence to the chief rendezvous. — Captain Dixon plots the destruction of the Orange prisoners. — Steps taken by Mr. Hay to foil the Captain. — Mr. Hay on his return from the Three Rocks finds the town occupied by a fresh force of insurgents under General Edward Roche. — The latter unable to persuade his men to accompany him to the hill. — Frenzied state of the multitude.— Resolve to put the Orange prisoners to death. — jifEorts made by Mr. Hay to save them. — Dixon prevails by the aid of two Orange informers. — Execution of prisoners on the bridge of Wexford. — leather Currin comes to the rescue. — His appeal to the people. — Its effect. — Esmond Kyan's intercession. — Noise of the engagement at Vinegar Hill heard in Wexford. — Lord Kingsborough sends for Mr. Hay. — Inhabitants of the town assemble to concert measures for their saferty. — Captain Keough delivers up his sword. — Dixon and his friends oppose the capitulation. — Despatch sent to Greneral Lake and his answer thereto. — Route taken by the defeated insurgents. — Desire the same terms as the towmspeople. — Kingsborough's promises. — Timothy Whelan attempts to put an end to the negotiations for the suirreoi-er of the town. — Surrender to General

CONTENTS XV

PAGE

Moore. — His humanity on this occasion. — ^Wounded insurgents in hospital put to death by the yeomen. — Disappointment of General Lake. — His character . . . .213

Chapter XVII

How the insurgents acted after the disastrous retreat from Vinegar Hill. — March out of the town in two divisions. — The route taken by the division under Father John Murphy and Edward Roche. — Hold a council of war. — Father PhiUp Roche goes on his fatal embassy. — His character. — ^Miles Byrne not a leader. — March towards Longraig. — Insurgents penetrate into Carlow and Kilkenny. — Put the yeomanry who oppose them to flight. — -Conflict at Kiledmond. — Force the passage of the River Barrow. — ^Wexford militia taken prisoners. — Qruel deed committed by. the militia. — The Hessians j^j^eir brutal character ..... 224

Chapter XVIII

Insurgents arrive at the village of Dunain, where they are joined by the colliers. — Attack on Castlecomer, — Attempt to take possession of Lady Anne Butler's mansion. — Burning of Castlecomer. — Flight of Sir Charles Asgill. — Strange apathy of the people of ICilkenny and Queen's County. — Insurgents retrace their steps towards Wexford. — Treachery of the colliers. — Insurgents force their way through ScoUagli Gap. — Father John captured. — Insurgents again separate into two bodies, taking different routes . . . .231

Chapter XIX

The msurgents halt at Monaseed, where they hear of fresh *^ Orange atrocities. — They fall in with the force they are in quest of. — How the division of insurgents under Garret Byrne, on their way to Wicklow, are met by a horrid spectacle at Gorey. — They take vengeance on the murderers of women and children. — The engagement at Hacketstown. — Just retribution that befel the Ancient British cavalry. — Defeat of the Orangemen at Ballyrakeen Hill. — Attack on Captain Chamney's house. — Resolve to destroy all strongly-built mansions . . . . . . . .^41

Chapter XX

Insurgents proceed to Wicklow Gold Mines, where they burn the English camp. — Receive a reinforcement from Killaughrim Wood. — " The babes in the wood." — They attack General

XVI CONTENTS

PAGH

Sir James Duff, and force him to retreat. — Mr. Plowden's narrative of the battle of Cranford or Ballygullen. — Insurgents divide their force. — ^Wexford men return to Carrigrew. — Wicklow men retreat at Glenmalure. — Wexford insurgents quit Carrickburn and proceed to Kildare to join Aylmer, — March tov/ards Athlone. — Attack a fortified house occupied by Lieutenant Tyrrell, — The Wexford men separate from the Ealdare insurgents and penetrate into Meath. — Encountered by the Limerick militia and forced to retreat.— Capture and execution of Father Kearns and Anthony Perry. — ^The Wexford insurgents cross the Boyne and enter Louth. — Attacked by a large force of cavalry near Ardee. — Approach within seven miles of the metropolis, where they are routed by a squadron of Dumfries dragoons. — The Rev. Mr. Gordon's account of the last stand made by the^'Wexford insurgents '; ,"'"' . . . . .253

Chapter XXI

Great numbers thrown into prison on the entry of the military into Wexford, — ^ruel treatment of prisoners. — Heroism of the boy Lett. — General Needham's troops and the Hompesch dragoons. — Executions in Wexford. — Kelly of Killane. — General Hunter's clemency. — ^Lord Lieutenant's proclamation. — Orange ferocity. — Esmond Kyan's death. — Hunter Gowan. — " Mr. Massacre." — False alarms raised by the Orangemen. — Major Fitzgerald's courage and prudence. — The island discovered by Hawtrey White cannot be discovered when sought for. — Landing of the French expedition under General Hardy. — Surrender of the insurgent general Edward Roche^^ — Execution of Walter IJevereux and James Redmond . . • . . 263

'Theobald Wolfe Tone.

Lord Edward FitzGerald.

A POPULAR HISTORY

OF THE

Chapter I

England's Jealousy of Ireland's Prosperity under her Native Parliament.— The course adopted by England to ruin her Rival. — The Irish Aristocracy of the period. — Brief account of the United Irish Society, its origin and aims. — Severities used by Government towards its members. — Trial of Jackson, and Flight of Theobald Wolfe Tone. — How Tone worked for Ireland in France and Holland. — The French and Dutch Expeditions. — Severe measures adopted by Government. — Capture of United Chiefs at Bond's. — Seizure and Death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. — Fate of other leaders.

THE Irish Parliament, for a long period the fettered slave of the English Legislature, and used only as an instrument of oppression, sprang from its feebleness into life and vigour at the imperious summons of the Volunteers.

Under the fostering care of her native ParHament, thus enfranchised, Ireland in a brief time became marvellously prosperous. But England's jealousy took alarm when she beheld the slave she had unwillingly liberated assuming the aspect of a rival, and the nation by whose plunder she had been enriched, and whose blood she had so prodigally wasted, now controlling her own revenues, and, freed in a great measure from foreign oppression, bidding fair to become in time as great as she was independent. .

The courage of England had failed her at the sight of the drawn swords and loaded cannon of the Volunteers ; but these determined patriots being disarmed and rendered powerless by aristocratic treachery,* she again took heart, and resolved to reduce to her former state of abject slavery her hated rival. To effect the degradation of Ireland, by wresting from her a native Parliament, was rightly judged too perilous an undertaking so long as her sons were united. Myriads of armed Irishmen would have laughed to scorn the threats of England, and at the command of their own ParHament would have defied her power in the field. But English ministers did not dream of employing force against a united nation.

No ! there was another method by which their object might be more surely achieved.

The glorious fabric of Irish independence might have withstood the rudest shock of armed violence, but the brand nJ of religious discord, thrown with a skilful hand, could hardly fail to consume its proud walls with irresistible conflagration. This brand was thrown by the hand of the EngHsh Prime Minister. The popular Viceroy, Lord Fitzwilham, was recalled, and Lord Camden sent in his place, charged with the detestable mission of fomenting religious discord. The hopes of the long-persecuted CathoHcs had risen with the rise of the Volunteers, for though this force was mainly composed of Protestants, they were of the middle-class, who are often inclined to concede to others that liberty of conscience they seek to secure for themselves.

Now that the Volunteers were disbanded, the class

* " An attempt, a month later, to re-assemble the Convention was dexterously defeated by their president, Lord Charleville" — McGee's History of Ireland, p. 251. " Lord Charlemont did not oppose but he duped them." — Sir Jonah Barrington's Rise and Fall of the Irish Nation, p. 376.

from which they sprung had lost influence in the govern -

* ment of the country, and the aristocracy once more enjoyed

^unHmited power. Never was any country cursed with so

powerful, and, at the same time, so bitterly hostile an

aristocracy as Ireland.*

Foreign in race and creed, having no sympathy with the people, but regarding them as helots born to slavery, whose cry for liberty was to be smothered in their blood, they beheld with reluctant eyes the grand triumph of the Volunteers, and now that the latter had disappeared from the scene, and that the EngHsh Government was bent on reducing Ireland to her former misery by the destruction of her native Parliament, they resolved to afford her their most strenuous aid.

Grattan nobly struggled at the head of his glorious minority to obtain toleration for his Catholic fellow-countrymen ;

* In proof of this assertion, we may remind our reader, that King William III. would have granted religious freedom in Ireland, but for the persistent opposition offered by the Irish Parliament, then, and long afterwards, composed exclusively of members of the aristocracy; that in the reign of Queen Anne, and in subsequent reigns, they passed the terrible penal laws which deprived the Catholics of all civil rights ; that in many instances they urged the confiscation of the estates of the ancient Irish families, such as that of the Mac Carthy More of Cork, in opposition to the known inclination of the English sovereigns. In truth, it was not till the democratic element appeared in the Irish Parliament that any measure favouring the freedom of the masses was conceded, Xlie_ProJ;estants of the middle class have ever proved themselves the sine crest fnends of their persecuted fellow-countrymen of another creed, while the aristocracy, with the lower rabble, their clients and dependents.have been their most relentless enemies. This course of hostility to the rights of their fellow-countrymen they continued, till at length the time came when they consummated their guilty career by aiding in the destruction of the legislative independence of their native country. Concerning their conduct at that crisis, Sir Jonah Barrington observes : " They perpetrated the most extraordinary act otlegislative ™^ suicide which ever stained the records of a nation."!^ The Irish / nation can never forget that they owe the Union and all its lament- -^ able consequences to the Irish aristocracy .J but, as might have been foreseen, with an audience predeterminedly hostile, he failed, and the halls of Ireland's desecrated Senate no longer echoed to the voice of the great orator.

Bigotry achieved an inglorious triumph, and the chains were but more firmly riveted on the prostrate form of the Catholic. A gloom settled over the land, for the rising sun of hope was darkened by the clouds of religious bigotry. But its light was not utterly extinguished, and nothing else would content the EngHsh Minister. Ireland still possessed a native though venal Parhament, and even of this last vestige of independence she was destined to be deprived.

It was now plain to all reflecting men that a great effort must necessarily be made to foil the efforts of the English Government, by preserving to Ireland the invaluable right of self-government ; and that the union of all creeds and classes was the only means by which this could be accomplished. To effect this union the leaders of the United Irishmen used their utmost endeavours.

It is outside our present purpose to enter into a detailed and lengthened narrative of the United Irish Society ; but inasmuch as with that famous body the idea of armed resistance to British tyranny was in those days revived in Ireland, and as, moreover, many of its leading members took an active part in the subsequent insurrection, we deem it well to furnish our readers with a brief account of their proceedings.

When the Society in question came into existence, the population of Ireland was divided into various jarring and hostile factions. In the North the Presbyterian " Peep o' Day Boys " contended with the CathoHc " Defenders." The agrarian societies of the South, known as " Right

Boys " and " Ribbonmen/' waged a midnight warfare against the tyrant lords of the soil and the rapacious tithe-proctors. The spirit of animosity and hatred was equally rife among the higher classes. The gentlemen, lay and clerical, who formed the Catholic Association, found their bitterest opponents in the Whig Club, composed of the leading men of the Protestant aristocracy, whose persistent accusations of disloyalty they thought themselves obhged to refute by no less constant protestations of their ardent loyalty to the British Crown. To reconcile these jarring and hostile factions, to unite them in a unanimous effort to obtain the rights desired by all, was the noble aim of the United Irishmen. In the June of 1791, the Society was instituted in Belfast, at a meeting of a number of merchants and professional men, inhabitants of that city and its neighbourhood.

To Samuel Neilson, a Belfast merchant, must be given the credit of starting the Society ; to Theobald Wolfe Tone, a distinguished member of the Bar, the honour of being its chief organiser and most able penman. The programme adopted by this important meeting was prepared by Wolfe Tone, and contained three propositions : that " Enghsh influence " was the great danger of Irish hberty ; that a reform of ParHament was needed as a counterpoise to that influence ; that such a reform should include Irishmen of all religious denominations.