to some readers, appear not only extraordinary, but, incredible; yet, they are not more extraordinary than true; which I can with safety aver, as many of them came within my own knowledge; the rest I received from gentlemen of the strictest veracity, who will prove them if required-and I will add, that I have been so far from inventing stories, that had I related all the circumstances, to which I myself was witness, they would swell this History beyond its intended size.

I now with all humility send it forth into the world, hoping it may tend to show how much we are indebted to God, and how thankful we ought to be for that Constitution, which affords us such privileges, civil and religious.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The extensive sale of the two former Editions of this little Work, has afforded the Author the most satisfactory proof of the public confidence in the fidelity of his statements, and encourages him to issue a third, and much improved Edition, at a period when every thing connected with the History of Ireland must be viewed with more than ordinary interest.

Dublin, March 1, 1829.

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A

HISTORICAL ACCOUNT,

&c.

FOR some years previous to the rebellion of 1798, the county of Wexford was partially disturbed by certain bodies of men, who stiled themselves in succession, White-boys, Steel-boys, Oak-boys, Right-boys, and Defenders; until at length they were all drawn into the great vortex of the United Irishmen.

The White-Boys, who were the first disturbers of this once peaceable county, made their appearance in the year 1774, and being members of the Church of Rome, they occasioned for some time a very serious alarm; but by the activity and perseverance of the magistrates and loyal inhabitants, they were soon quelled, and two of the ringleaders, named Owen Carrol, and John Daggan, were found guilty of some heinous offence, and executed near Newtown-barry, on the 28th of September, 1775. The practice of these depredators was to assemble in the night, dress them

B

selves in white shirts, which were thrown over their clothes, seize all the horses they could find, then set off at full speed in great bodies to the destined place, and proceed to dig up the pastures, burn houses, barns and stacks of corn, drag out the proctors, cut off their noses and ears, horse-whip them nearly to death, and sometimes bury them alive; and all this to prevent their gathering the tithes.

Amongst the spirited magistrates, whose exertions tended to restore tranquillity and good order at this alarming crisis, none stood more conspicuous than Isaac Cornock, and the late Vesey Colclough, Esqrs. These gentlemen, by manly firmness, tempered with moderation and humanity, were at once the terror of the desperate and incorrigible, and the reclaimers of those whom error and evil connexions had led into excess ; their efforts succeeded equally to their own honour, and the pacification of this extensive and respectable county.

The disturbances which prevailed at this time, and the very small military force in the country, gave rise to the volunteer associations, of which the county of Wexford is said to have been the birth-place. From 1775 to 1781, many corps of volunteers, both cavalry and infantry, were raised in the county; they appointed their officers, purchased their own uniforms, and with the assistance of persons properly qualified, assembled regularly on parade, to acquire a knowledge of the military' art. That upright senator, the late Right Hon. George Ogle, one of the then representatives in parliament of the county, was chosen general in chief of the