11 April 1798:
Expectations of an all-out assault on republican cadres are deflated by Gen Abercromby's decision to issue proclamations threatening the full weight of martial law for non-compliance with regulations demanding the surrender of weapons.
Robert Ross complains on the 6th that the commander-in-chief `calls rebellion insubordination' and, by permitting a 10-day period of grace to meet his demands, gives the insurgents `time to commit fresh outrage'.
The people of Kildare, Queen's County and King's County are warned to desist from subversive activities or suffer `free quarters', that is, the forced billeting of troops in their communities without compensation. Thousands of proclamations are posted in Queen's County, imposing a nine o'clock till dawn curfew and requiring that `a correct list of the names of the persons residing in each house should be placed on the door'. Patrols can arrest unlisted persons and `if any person is absent, the rest of the inhabitants are to be accountable for him, and measures are to be taken to discover where he is'.
The prospect of the convening of summary courts martial is welcomed by those concerned by the manner in which the civil assizes are being overwhelmed by the volume of prisoners in custody. Over 60 await trial in Waterford after the end of sessions in which several were sentenced to transportation. Tipperaryman Dudley Hartigan was acquitted of `administering (an illegal) oath to John Magrath Esq, of Grange, to whom he was steward, and levying a contribution of one shilling upon his said master'. This escape is attributed by many to his informing activities.
Freeman's Journal complains on the 6th that one of those `readily found to publish the most pernicious compositions, if they can but make one penny profit by their mischievous labours, was seen to vend, in Poolbeg Street (Dublin) and its seditious vicinity, some pamphlets entitled Union and Freedom. It is to be lamented that some person, sensible of his public duty, did not interfere to stop this dissemination of treason, and hand over the vile medium to the punishment provided by the law'.
Recent public `interference', however, has led to a spate of vicious attacks on suspected informers in Elbow Lane, Patrick Street and Thomas Street. The latter victim was set upon by men wielding clasp knives when misidentified as `the villain who hung some United Men at Naas'. Upon being pulled from a temporary sanctuary in Audoen's Arch with a rope around his neck, he was dragged to Coal Quay where his head was dashed off the pavement.
Rumours that 10,000 soldiers will be sent from England are boosted on the 11th when 425 members of Baron Hompesch's 2nd battalion of riflemen embark at Cowes in the Isle of Wight on the Medusa and Ulysses. Saunder's Newsletter is informed that the Cork-bound unit are `as fine a corps as ever was seen, all Germans, scarce a man under six feet high, and of the best discipline'. The use of other foreign formations such as the `Hessians' of the 60th regiment and Swiss mercenaries is also under consideration.
Manchester, meanwhile, was `thrown into confusion' by the detention of 10 high treason suspects by `officers' sent down from Bow Street, London. It is claimed that `a great number of people (chiefly Irish from the New Town) assembled with intent. . .of rescuing the people in custody; in consequence of which the drums beat to arms, and the volunteers, both horse and foot, were immediately assembled'. The prisoners included four Englishmen and were sent under escort to London.