The Irish Bevolutionists,

From the Year 1782, till the Suppression of the Rebellion.

SIR RICHARD MUSGRAVE, BALT.

UPON THIS WORK.

By the REV. JAMES GORDON,

FERNS,

RECTOR OF KILLEGNY, IN THE DIOCESE OF FERNS, AND OF CANNAWAY,

IN THE DIOCESE OF CORK.

AUTHOR OF TERRAQUEA, OR A NEW SYSTEM OF GEOGRAPHY AND

MODERN HISTORY.

Truth's would you teach, and save a sinking land,

All fear, none aid you, and few understand.

Pope.

London:

Printed by J. D. Dewick, Aldersgatc-street,

FOR T. HURST, 32, PATERNOSTER-ROW;

AND

J. COOKE, 5, ORMOND QUAY, DUBLIN,

1808,

PREFACE.

How far I may be justifiable in devoting any portion of my time to the writing of a preface, on account of puerile and unfounded objections, I know not precisely, but such may be expected by some readers.

That my history of the rebellion would be an object of reprobation to the irrational zealots of two opposite and mutually hostile parties, who distract this unfortunate island, and that it would be offensive to some individuals independently of party, since truth is odious to the guilty, I was completely aware, and my expectations have been as completely fulfilled. That it should be so much approved by the discerning few, particularly by some who are eminent in literature, was indeed beyond my expectation. Of these, part were prepossessed in its favour, even before they saw it, from the contradictory censures of opposite zealots. Thus a gentleman of great literary knowledge told a friend of mine,

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