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rode twice into Belfast, and returned, on the morning following. As, about this time, the king's troops and insurgents had frequent engagements, in the counties of Wicklow and Wexford, the public mind was very much agitated, and the public ear occupied, by rumors, often as inconsistent and unfounded, as they were numerous and alarming. In Belfast, I had not only an opportunity of reading those contained in the public papers, but of hearing such as were communicated by private letters, or wafted by the breath of popular fame. These reports, I freely, and, as far as I could, correctly mentioned, in company, on my return to the house of Mr. Sinclair, Presbyterian minister, at Newtown Ards; not passing, without remarks, the extravagance of some, and the glaring inconsistency of others. Among these, I mentioned one, viz. “that a party of the black horse had gone over to the insurgents;" which, by the bye, was confidently asserted, and generally believed, for several days. The cause of my now recollecting this, more correctly than others, will soon appear, and, at the same time, shew, how eagerly cause of crimination against me was hanted for, and, on what slight pretences I might expect to be laid hold of.

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On Tuesday morning, May 29th. I left Mr. Sinclair's with a view to spend the day at Crawford's-burn, the seat of John Crawford Esq.

and ride thence, to Belfast, in the evening. However meeting some gentlemen, on their way to Belfast, who told me that major Crawford was not at home, I accompanied them thither. Next day, I rode out to Ballygown house, the seat of Robert Rollo Reid Esq. where I spent the afternoon and night, that I might be convenient to Saintfield fair, in which I intended to buy a horse, next day. On Thursday, I paraded the fair, for several hours, and in the most public manner, but did not find a horse, such as I wished for. On mentioning my disappointment, to some gentlemen present, one of them said, that he knew a horse, such as I had déscribed and that the proprietor wished to dispose of him, but that neither he nor the horse was in the fair. On learning that captain George Sinclair, of Belfast was the owner, I expressed a wish to have the horse sent to town, as I was obliged to be there, on the following morning. On this, a gentleman, having looked around shouted, "M'Ginn." M'Ginn immediately came forward, and being requested to call at captain Sinclair's, and order his servant to take the grey horse to town, would be a gentleman mised that he would.

next morning, as there there to buy him, pro

This being settled, the day far spent, and my appetite keen, I went to, what was called the best Inn, (I believe, Elliot's) to get some refresh

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ment. From the hurry and confusion of the place, I could not get a morsel, with any comfort. On this disappointment, I called at the house of a David Shaw, where I got some excellent cold beef, drank one tumbler of punch, and immediately left town, with an intention of returning to Belfast, without having entered a house in Saintfield, except the Inn, as above mentioned, and that of David Shaw; or spoken to an individual, except in the public fair

These circumstances, thro' seemingly trivial, will afterwards appear of some importance, from their relation to M'Ginn, as the message about the horse, is transformed, by Joha Hughes, into a message to him, then in Belfast, relative to my intended removal to Ballynahinch. I mention

sons.

I have mentioned the two nights, spent with Mr. Ried, as they were the fifth and sixth before my arrest, for several rea1st. he had been my pupil, from his seventh to the end of his tenth year. 2dly. in consequence of this I had lived in perfect confidence with him whenever we met. 3dly. from these circumstances, I might be supposed to have unbosomed myself, to him, respecting my military command, &c. &c. especially, as fame had conferred on him the rank of Colonel. 4thly. on the latter of these evenings, he expressed great ureasiness, from the apprehension that Mr. Cleland would call, while I was with him. And 5thly. he was one of the reputed informers, after my arrest, and, on whose information, my conviction was deemed certain; as he had been obliged to flee the country in 1797 and permitted to return, thro' interest so special, that under the Influence of reviving loyalty, cherished by gratitude, his testimony was counted on, as a matter of course, and great things expected from it.

I mention them, also, for another reason During the whole of my stay, in Saintfield, on that day, I was so faithfully attended, at humble distance, by a few gentlemen, that, whenever I looked round, they met my eye. I say gentlemen," because one of them was possessed of a considerable landed property, and another a dignitary of the church; and, to all such, courtesy and custom allow that appellation,*

In the evening, instead of proceeding to Belfast, I stopped at Ballygurn, where I slept, that night also; and, next morning, set out for Belfast, on business, and in hope of seeing Capt. Sinclair and his horse; but, unfortunately, the Captain was not at home, and the horse was not sent to town. I suppose Mr. M'Ginn had mistaken his route, as well as the purport of his message.

On this disappointment, as the horse which I rode, was not only a slow traveller, but weak, I intended to go part of the way, that evening to Ballee, where, by appointment of Presbytery, I was to preach next day, and administer the

sacrament

*Whatever ideas the particular attention of these gentlemen excited at the time, I have frequently reflected on it since, with equal pleasure, and gratitude, though not gratitude to them. It supplies a strong presumption, at least, that I was neither in improper company, nor improperly employed, on that occasion; whatever may have been surmised afterwards, on the authority of Mr. Hughes, who will be introduced in the sequel.

sacrament of the Lord's Supper, on the day following. However, as I was mounting, 1 was accosted by Mr. John Coulter, of Collon, who, on knowing my situation, pressed me to go home with him, and he would accommodate me with a horse, which would carry me to Ballee, in due time next morning, with ease and safety. I did so, and, setting out early in the morning, reached Downpatrick, twenty miles distant, before eleven o'Clock.*

On my arrival, a new circumstance occurred, which proved, with what avidity my inculpation was sought for, and with what eagerness every word of mine was laid hold of, by the minions at Newtown-Ards, which, even by implication, could possibly lead to it. Before I could enter the inn, at which I stopped, Captain Marshall, of the York Fencibles, whom I have already mentioned, came up to me, and, accompanying me into a room, told me, with affectionate agitation, that he had been at Portaferry, in my absence, with a message from Colonel Stapleton, to enquire on what authority I had said, at Mr. Sinclair's

* I hope this circumstance will be recollected, when the testimony of John Hughes shall be brought forward; as he is made to swear that I was to go to Mr. Pottinger's, not onè mile from Belfast, on that day, and wait there till seven o'clock in the evening, that he might have an opportunity of sending me the intelligence for which I had come to Belfast; which intelligence, hic also swears that I communicated to him at the

same time.

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