I beg to acquaint you, for the information of my lords commissioners of the admiralty, that, when cruising at the entrance of St. George's channel with the squadron under my command, I received information on the 19th, that the king's troops were to commence their attack on the rebels at Wexford, on the 20th or 21st. I immediately proceeded off that har-bour with the ships named in the margin, and five cutters which I had collected. Lieutenant Carpenter, senior lieutenant of the Endymion, was immediately dispatched in command of the cutters and ships' launches, manned and armed with carronades in their prows, to blockade the inward part of the entrance of the harbour, and to prevent the escape of the rebel armed vessels, and others, of which they were in possession, to the amount of forty or fifty sail. On the 21st, I was joined by the Chapman and Weasel sloops, which being of light draught of water, anchored much nearer in than the frigates could venture, and thereby gave more effectual protection to the cutters and launches destined to attack the harbour and fort at the entrance of it, which fired on them. On the arrival of captain Keen, of the Chapman, I directed him to conduct the operations of the cutters and launches, and endeavour to possess himself of the harbour and fort, the tides being so low, and the wind blowing out, that neither of the sloops could get in. The launches proceeded to attack the fort, of which they soon possessed themselves, upwards of 200 of the rebels precipitately retreating from it, leaving behind them

pounders. The launches then immediately proceeded up the harbour; and, upon their arrival at the town, bad the happiness to find the king's troops were just marching into it, they having entirely defeated the rebels in two separate attacks on the 20th and 21st, and who are now flying in all directions. Two of their generals, Hay and Roche, are taken prisoners. As the object of the squadron remaining at anchor here is now fully accomplished, it is my intention to get to sea to-morrow, if possible; and I am happy to be informed, since the reduction of Wexford, that the appearance of his majesty's ships and vessels off the harbour, and the measures pursued by them, have been attended with the happiest consequences, and greatly contributed to check the further progress of the horrible massacres that have been committed in the town of Wexford, disgraceful to humanity. There being a number of boats and small vessels along the coast, belonging to the rebels, which I conceived would be employed in facilitating the escape of the fugitives, I have ordered the boats of the squadron in, and destroyed about one hundred of them; in some, pikes were found concealed. The public service has greatly benefited by the judicious arrangements of captain Keen and lieutenant Carpenter, and by the zeal and activity manifested by them and the officers and people employed in the different ships, boats, and launches under their command, and otherwise.

JULY.

thus

thus related by the Rev. Dr. Coke. "This evening I went into the pulpit, the chapel being so full that many could not get in. While the congregation was singing the two last lines of the second bymn, an old woman cried out, "The roof is coming down." One of our friends, knowing there was no manner of danger, in a whisper desired her to hold her tongue; but it was too late. Almost universal cries and shrieks took place. The people immediately rushed out. The court, which is but small, was instantly crowded. None, I think, were hurt in the chapel; but in the court, just on the outside of the door, six women and a boy of four years old were thrown down, and, alas! alas! were trod to death! It was in vain to cry out, "Sit still, for there is no danger." Nobody gave the least attention. I never was so much distressed in my life; it being the most awful event I ever witnessed."

Whitehall, July 3. The following dispatches have been received from the lord lieutenant of Ireland. Kilkenny, June 26.

My Lord, Fearing the consequences that might result from allowing the rebels who fled from Wexford to remain any length of time in this county, I preferred attacking them with the troops I already had, to waiting till a reinforcement arrived. My force amounted to 1100 men. The rebels consisted of about 5000 men. I attacked them this morning at six o'clock, in their position at Kilconnel hill, near Gore'sbridge, and soon defeated them, Their chief, called Murphy, a priest, and upwards of 1000 men, were killed; 10 pieces of cannon, 2 swivels, their colours, and quantities of ammunition, arms, cattle,

&c. were taken; and I have the pleasure to add, that some soldiers, who were made prisoners the day before, and doomed to suffer death, were fortunately released by our troops. Our loss consisted of seven men killed and wounded. The remainder of the rebels were pursued into the county of Wexford, where they dispersed in different directions. C. ASGILL. Dublin Castle, June 28.

My Lord,

I have the honour to acquaint your grace, that this day advices were received from lieut. Gardner of the Antrim militia, dated from Baltinglas, the 26th instant, which state, that, early in the morning of the 25th, a very large body of rebels attacked his post at Hacketstown. They were in number many thousands. Lieut. Gardner's forces consisted of 50 Upper Talbotstown, and 24 Shebagh cavalry, 50 of the Antrim militia, 46 Hacketstown, and 30 Coolatrin yeoman infantry. He at first took an advantageous situation in front of the town; but, after a few shots without effect, the rebels filed off in every direction to surround him. He then retreated into the town to defend the barracks. A contest took place in the midst of the flame for near nine hours, for the rebels set fire to the town. They were at last repulsed with considerable loss; many dead were found in the streets and ditches, and thirty carloads of killed and wounded were carried off in their retreat. Capt. Hardy, of the Hacketstown yeoman infantry, fell early in the action. His other loss consists of 10 privates killed, and 1 serjeant and 19 privates wounded. I inclose to your grace a further account of the action near Gore's-bridge, and a return of killed and wounded,

which has been received from major-general sir Charles Asgill.

CORNWALLIS.

My Lord, Kilkenny, June 27. I have the honour to send you inclosed a return of the killed and wounded in the action with the rebels at Kilconnel hill, on the 26th of June, and a return of the ordnance, ammunition, &c. &c. taken on that day. I have the pleasure to assure you that every thing they possessed has fallen into our hands; and, from the subsequent accounts, the loss they sustained was much greater than I had the honour of stating to you in my former dispatch. I have no doubt but this victory will restore the counties of Kilkenny and Carlow to peace and tranquillity.

C. ASGILL, major-general. Return of ordnance, colours, and ammunition taken.

One colours,, 5 four-pounders, 5 one-pounders, 4 swivels, a few guns, and a number of pikes, which were destroyed as soon as taken; a number of shot of different sizes, with a quantity of lead and moulds.

Return of stores taken.

Black cattle, 170; sheep, 100; horses, 700;-total, 970. Also a vast quantity of bedding, blanketing, and wearing apparel.

J. LEWIS HIGGINS. A Return of killed, wounded, and missing, of the Troops engaged at Kilconnel Hill, on the 26th Instant (June 1798), under the Command of Sir Charles Asgill. Total.-1 lieutenant, 1 corporal, killed; 1 serjeant, and 3 rank and file wounded; 5 horses killed, and 1 missing. Officer killed-Lieu tenant Stones, of the Mount Leinster yeoman infantry.

[This gazette also contains an account of the capture of La Julie privateer, of Nantes, mounting 18

twelve and six-pounders, and manned with 120 men, by the Shannon, capt. Fraser; also, by the schooner Recovery, capt. Ross, La Revanche, pierced for 12 guns, and had 10 guns and 54 men on board. She captured 10 vessels the last cruise, and 19 the preceding one. And, also, the French privateer schooner L'Incredible, 2 long six-pounders, 4 swivels, and 33 men.-By the fleet under the command of vice-admiral Parker, L'Hirondelle, French privateer, of 10 guns; another of 6 guns; and another of 6 guns, pierced for 10, and 40 men; by the Acasta; also, the St. Mary de Lovaine of 2 guns and 25 men, by the Acasta and Ceres; also, the Dutch lugger, Sea-Hound, pierced for 14 guns, but having only 7 mounted, and 4 swivels, manned with 30 men, by the sloop Hound, captain Wood.]

Admiralty Office, July 7. This gazette contains an account of the capture of La Zenodone, French polacca privateer, mounting 2 sixes, 6 fours, and 2 three-pounders, carrying 61 men, by his majesty's ship Caroline, capt. Luke.

Admiralty Office, July 10.

This gazette contains an account of the capture of a Spanish letter of marque, named the Union, carrying 12 guns, and 32 men, laden with tallow, hides, and herb tea, and estimated at about 10,000l. by the Indispensable letter of marque, of 14 guns and 32 men.

6. This night, about nine, a fire broke out at a place called Rat's castle, Diot-street, St. Giles's, in the warehouses of Mr. Gimbert, of Piccadilly, cork-cutter to his majesty. In a short time the whole of those extensive premises were burned to the ground, together with an immense quantity of cork. The whole were insured, and were reck

oned