Page images
PDF
EPUB

army might meet with the like good treatment that they did, otherwise, they feared reprisals might be made, and their destruction inevitable; which proposal was confided to my charge, and with which I was to proceed to the next commanding officers of the army, and to return with the answer with all convenient speed. I accordingly set off from Wexford on the 14th day of June, 1798, and proceeded as far as Enniscorthy, where I was stopped by the people, and not allowed to proceed any further, and obliged to return to Wexford the next day; on which disappointment we felt our situation more alarming than eyer, and experienced, in a greater degree, the consoling visits of Mr. Hay, who was truly concerned at this disappointment. Among the many attentions paid to us by Mr. Hay, he brought us letters that were directed to us, and had fallen into the hands of the rebels, which, if made public to them, would have proved our instant destruction, for which piece of service Mr. Hay narrowly escaped with his life, as captain Keugh, who then commanded in Wexford, was very angry on hearing it from Lord Kingsborough, who inadvertantly mentioned Mr. Hay having done so; and Mr. Hay was afterwards constantly prevented from visiting us, by order of captain Keugh. I never saw or heard of Mr. Hay having any command amongst the rebels, or did ever see him appear in arms, or

wear any mark of distinction or uniform, which I had daily an opportunity of witnessing, had it been so, as the house in which we were confined was situated in the Bullring, and commanded a full view of the most frequented streets in Wexford, through which all the armed men in the town passed and repassed twice a day. On the 20th day of June, 1798, the day of the massacre on the bridge, considering our situation more critical than ever, we wished to see Mr. Hay; Lord Kingsborough sent for him, and he immediately attended, but was denied admittance to us, but we spoke to him out of the window, and he declared to us, that as long as he was alive, we might depend on every exertion of his. We had at last the consolation of Mr. Hay being admitted up-stairs to us at eight o'clock in the evening. We found him beyond expression affected at the cruelties that had been committed; that he had in vain done every thing in his power to prevent them, and anxious to undertake any thing for safety of the prisoners. After a variety of consultation, Lord Kingsborough and Mr. Hay agreed to go out to meet the army, that was approaching Wexford, in order to save the town from destruction. The Wexford men that had gone out that day, returned from the battle of Fook's Mill, when Mr. Hay was still with us; he then proposed to go and consult the principal inhabitants, who he had not the

smallest doubt would agree to facilitate the plan; it being then late at night, he promised to return early in the morning, to set off with lord Kingsborough; who was so anxious to have the project carried into execution, that he was dressed in full regimentals, and completely ready to set off at three o'clock in the morning of the 21st of June, 1798, at which time he sent for Mr. Hay, who immediately attending, represented to lord Kingsborough the danger of his going out equipped as he was, and that it would prove their inevitable destruction if they went without the consent of the people. Lord Kingsborough then entreated Mr. Hay to hasten a meeting of the principal inhabitants, and to have the drum beat to arms, and the men would speedily repair to parade, where their consent might be obtained, for there was no time to be lost, as the smallest delay might prove the destruction of the town and all its inhabitants. Mr. Hay instantly complied, and returned with an account of the Wexford men having agreed to the plan, with the greatest alacrity; and it had been further proposed, that lord Kingsborough should not leave the town, which should be instantly surrendered to him, as military commander; and that doctor Jacob should reassume the office of Mayor, all of which was immediately carried into effect, with some opposition on the part of captain Keugh, who wanted to retain the command, but

was most spiritedly opposed by Mr. Hay, who set off with captain M'Manus, as soon as lord Kingsborough could write out the necessary dispatches to the next commanding officer of his majesty's forces, announcing the town of Wexford having surrendered to him; and that in consequence of the behaviour of those in the town during the rebellion, they, "the town's people," should be protected in person and property, except murderers, and people who had instigated others to commit murder," hoping that these terms might be ratified, as he had pledged his honour in the most solemn manner to have them fulfilled, on the town being surrendered to him: the Wexford men not being concerned in the massacre which was perpetrated by country people in their absence. I saw Mr. Hay on his return from general Lake, on the 22nd of June, 1798, when Lord Kingsborough considered himself under so many obligations to him, which he acknowledged in the strongest terms, and insisted he should live in the house with him, where Mr. Hay remained with us until we left Wexford, on the 29th of June, 1798, during which period, I have heard him. repeatedly express a desire to be brought to trial if any thing was alleged against him, as he I would wish to have the benefit of our testimony before we went to Waterford. I consider myself bound, on all occasions that be afforded me,

may

and I think it an indispensible duty to do justice to the meritorious conduct of Mr. Hay during the rebellion in Wexford. Actuated by principles of honour and gratitude, I think myself bound to subscribe to.

MICHL. BOURKE,

Capt. and paymaster, North-Cork militia.

Sallins, June 3rd. 1799.

TO EDWL. HAY, ESQ. WEXFORD GOAL.

I believe the above statement of Mr. Bourke, with the alterations I have made to be true.

KINGSTON.

N. B. The alteration alluded to by lord Kingston, are marked by inverted commas.

SIR,

Dublin, March 19th, 1800.

ACCORDING to your request, I have made a proper retrospect on the circumstances you allude to in your letter of the 17th, and recollect perfectly when a memorial was presented to M. Gen. Hunter, on your part, from on board a prison ship, denying you had ever petitioned for transportation, and to be liberated under the general proclamation: that the general had every good disposition to liberate you, and believe would have complied with your petition; but on questioning the committee, on this point, they still asserted you petitioned for transportation. Gen. Hunter declared, if so, you should apply

« PreviousContinue »