ing a number killed on the field. Lord Kingsborough then proceeded to Wicklow, and hearing there, that the communication from thence to Wexford was totally stopped, he determined to wait for the Dunbarton fencibles, and send an express by sea to Wexford to order the garrison to hold out, and that he with a strong reinforcement, would march to their assistance as speedily as possible. Mr. Woodroofe, a revenue officer, with a few chosen men, were ordered on this expedition, and embarked immediately. On coming into the harbour of Wexford, to their astonishment, they perceived the rebel flags flying in all parts of the town. The rebels, manning one of their cruizers, pursued Mr. Woodroofe and his companions, till they came in sight of the Welsh coast, when they gave over the pursuit, and Mr. Woodroofe with a great deal of trouble and fatigue, got into Wicklow the next morning. Lord Kingsboroagh in the mean time, came to Arklow, and being equally ignorant that the rebels had possession of Wexford, took a fishing-boat, and sailed for that port; but he was unfortunately met by the cruizer that pursued Mr. Woodroofe, and taken prisoner: and after he was landed in Wexford, so little did the rebels respect his rank, that they confined him in a common dramshop, where he was daily exposed to repeated insults from the rabble. On Sunday, the 10th of June, the following proclamation was read from the altar, and a most lively exhortation delivered by Father Roche, chaplain to Bishop Caulfield; in which he told the pike-men, that they would be all murdered if they did not succeed, desiring them at the same time to make no more proselytes, as they could not be sincere. PROCLAMATION OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF WEXFORD. WHEREAS, it stands manifestly notorious that James Boyd, Hawtry White, Hunter Gowan, and Archibald Hamilton Jacob, late magistrates of this county, have committed the most horrid acts of cruelty, violence and oppression, against our peaceable and wellaffected countrymen: now WE the people, associated and united for the purpose of procuring our just rights, and being determined to protect the persons and properties of those of all religious persuasions who have not oppressed us, and who are willing with heart and hand to join our glorious cause, as well as to show our marked disapprobation and horror of the crimes of the above delinquents, do call on our countrymen at large, to use every exertion in their power to apprehend the bodies of the aforesaid James Boyd, &c. &c. &c. and to secure and convey them to the gaol of Wexford, to be brought before the Tribunal of the People. "Done at Wexford, this 9th day of June, 1798. The persons mentioned in this proclamation, were gentlemen of respectable characters, and distinguished loyalty, who had apprehended several United Irishmen, and lodged them in the county gaol some time before the rebellion broke out, and for which they received the public thanks of the county. The rebels now made no secret of their United oaths. The following were printed by order of the Council for directing the Affairs of the People of the County of Wexford. "Oaths to be taken by the United Army in the most public and solemn manner. TEST OATH. "I, A. B. do voluntarily declare, that I will persevere in endeavouring to form a brotherhood of affection among Irishmen of every religious persuasion; and that I will also persevere in my endeavours to obtain an equal, full, and adequate representation of all the people of Ireland. I do further declare that neither hopes, fears, rewards or punishments, shall ever induce me directly or indirectly, to inform on, or give evidence against any member or members of this or similar societies, for any act or expression of theirs, done or made collectively or individually, in or out of this society, in pursuance of the spirit of this obligation. "So help me God." PRIVATE'S OATH. "I, A. B. do solemnly and sincerely swear, and take God and his only Son our Lord Jesus Christ to witness, that I will at all times be obedient to the commands of my officers; that I am ready to lay down my life for the good of my country; that I have an aversion to plunder, and to the spilling of innocent blood; that I will fight courageously in the field, and have mercy where it can be given; that I will avoid drunkenness, as tending to disorder and ruin; that I will endeavour to make as many friends and as few enemies as possible; that above all, I detest cowardice, and that I will look upon him as an enemy, who will stand back in the time of battle. "So help me God." OFFICER'S OATH. "In the awful presence of God, who knows the hearts and thoughts of all men, and calling my country to witness, I, A. B. officer in the, do solemnly swear, that I do not consider my life my own, when my country demands it; that I consider the present moment calls for a proof of the sincerity of that sentiment, and I am ready and desirous to stand the test, and do aver, that I am determined to die or lead to victory; and that all my actions shall be directed to the prosperity of the common cause, uninfluenced by any inferior motive: and I further declare my utter aversion to all alarmists, union-breakers, and cowards, and my respect and obedience to the commands of my superior officers. "So help me God. "Done at the Council-chamber in Wexford, June 14th, 1798. "By order of the Council, "B. B. HARVEY, President, It appears by the above publication, that Mr. Harvey sat as president after he was deposed of his command. There was another oath taken by the Papists, which the disaffected Protestants and Presbyterians knew nothing of; this was called the Black Test, and was as follows: "Every loyal Irish Protestant Heretic, I shall murder, and this I swear." Such as bound themselves under this oath, had a pass-word, by which they knew each other wherever they should meet. This pass-word was the initials of the several words in the oath, and no individual knew this but such as were sworn. "Eliphismatis" was the pass-word. At Gorey the rebels had an immense camp, from whence they made various excursions through the country in search of Protestants, whom on discovery, they forced from their homes, and confined in the assembly-room over the market-house. In this religious hunt, there was no respect paid to old age: and among many of this description were William "Bryan of Coolook, near Ballycanow, aged seventy; and William Atkins, of Curraclough, near Wexford, aged eighty. Such of the Protestants as could escape, availed themselves of the opportunity, and fled from various parts to the fortified towns. Arklow gave shelter to hundreds of these poor refugees, and the small town of Wicklow to no less than one thousand and sixty! Many who could not leave their families were in a pitiable situation; day after day the men were torn from the arms of their beloved wives and children, or distracted mothers and sisters, and murdered before their eyes. The widow Carley, near Castlebridge, and the widów |