more rebellion

A couple more letters from the time of the rebellon: 
More from Mc Peake

22 August 1798
John Colclough, Dublin, to Caesar Colclough, Ulm,
about his arrest on suspicion of [having] been implicated in the rebellion. ‘ From a
letter to my mother in London, I conjecture she has informed you of my situation. I
wish she had not done so, as it could only tend to make you uneasy and be of no use,
as I shall probably be discharged before you receive this. I cannot conceive on what
charge I was apprehended (at Fishguard on the 9th July), and am still continued in
confinement; for it is utterly impossible there can be anything against me, though
there have been several attempts made by Tottenham of Ross and the protestant
Ascendancy party to suborn witnesses to swear against me-but in vain. I long since
petitioned twice to be tried, even by a court martial, but could not obtained it, which
I conceive to be a tolerable proof that there is nothing against me, and that I am only
kept in confinement through the malicious importuity of Tottenham and the abovementioned
party, who first cause my apprehension. Tom Mc Cord was also
implicated in the warrant with me, but he has gone to London, and so escaped being
arrested where he continues still, rather choosing to be his own keeper until I am
disposed of, when he means to give himself up. I should long since have lodged the money I mentioned, but the sloop and cargo are under seizure, and probable will not be released till I am at liberty. I must apprise you that I understand Tintern has not suffered much, that very few indeed of the
people have been killed, and the rest have all returned to peace and industry; so that
things are not so bad as I dreaded, nor will my dear brother, I trust, ever be obliged
to earn your bread with the sweat of your brow, and I hope this unfortunate country
will soon be at peace with itself and the rest of the world. I shall a short time give
you an account of the rise and progress of the rebellion, etc.
I think you should by all means remain where you are, until all is quite here. At least I
am very comfortably situated in the back(?) House in Castle Street, where you used
formerly (to) get soop (sic-?). I had the liberty of seeing my friends and am well
used every way, and it costs me nothing. I deferred writing to you from day to day,
still expecting to get out. I had began (sic) a letter to you, but I did not intend letting
you know my situation, but my mother’s letter has put that out of the question. ...’

9 December 1798
Caesar Colclough, Ulm, to Lady Colclough, Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square,
London,
about John Grogan’s memorial and about the rebellion. ‘... the agreeable tidings of
Lord Cornwallis’s conduct to John is another proof of John’s innocent persecution
and the infamous conduct of party against Lord C. in secreting John’s memorial in
order to make enemies to the system that is now established. ...
I do not know what can be the reason of our letters miscarrying. However, I believe
it may be the vigilance of government, to prevent any political intercourse with
foreign countries, and probable the negligence of the offices, when they have
opened and read our letters, not to take the trouble of re-sealing them. However, I
am glad that this consolation results from their precaution, that we shall be known
and of course esteemed for our moderation, attachment to order and philanthropy,
and notwithstanding the ills our property and relations have suffered from the
rebels, the former sentiments of humanity are unshaken; and though on the other
hand we have been equally chagrined, never did we impute it to the intentions of
government but the unlucky intolerance of a petty faction, which is extinguished by
the firmness of Lord Cornwallis’s administration.
I dare not speak of the union, but I can only say that the forfeiture of my borough
would be a trifling consideration for the purchase of so great an advantage to my
country.

20 December 1798
John Colclough to Caesar Colclough, Ulm,
a long complaint about the shabby behaviour of William Harvey in a financial
transaction, and reflections on the rebellion. ‘... I have been here three weeks, and
can’t bear to look out, on account of my meeting the villains of this place, for such a
horrid set of hell-hounds never inhabited any country.
They were intent on nothing but plunder and murder. The greatest savages of Africa
and America were civilisation itself compared to them. You cannot, nor did I,
conceive that man could be so ferocious, and I am convinced that, had the country
remained another week under them, a single protestant, in particular a gentleman of
any kind, would not have been left alive. As it was, Bagenal Harvey, Keogh and John
Colclough were repeatedly in the most imminent danger. Keogh was twice taken out
to be piked.
I will send money to Wright twelfth day, as that is the day I have given notice to the
tenants to pay, which they are very unwilling to do. Do you know, or could you
believe, that during the troubles that no man dare show the least concern or sorrow
insomuch that, if any man were seen at work, it was as much as life was worth. I
desired my mother to write you the news, which she can do much better than I, as I
am in one continual passion and fret from morning till night with the sight of the
rascals. So much as a barrel of wheat they would not send into the mill, least it
might be placed to the credit of their rent,’