Keeping Ulster quiet.

Treason in Ulster

• Houlton.

(See Chapter 2)

The repeated mention of Houlton’s name in the history of the Sham Squire leads to the query whether the miscreant named Houlton, described by Plowden, as having personated a rebel general in 1798, was connected with the colleague of Francis Higgins. Mr Houlton, after an interview with the Irish Privy Council, Lord Redesdale presiding, was equipped with a superb rebel uniform, including a cocked hat and feathers, which was paid for by Government, and sent on a mission to Belfast, to tempt, to proselytise, to dupe, and to betray. An orderly dragoon repaired with instructions to General Sir Charles Ross, who commanded in Belfast, that Houlton was a confidential servant of the Government, and on no account to be molested.

Houlton, however, having set off on his mission in a post-chaise and four, arrived at Belfast long before the advice of his advent, and the result was that, when in the act of spouting treason with startling volubility at a tavern, Houlton was arrested by the local authorities, paraded in his uniform round the town, and sent back under a strong guard to Dublin. [Post-Union History, vol. i., p. 223. It may be pertinent to add, that in the interval which elapsed between the French expedition to Bantry Bay and their arrival at Killala, the Mayor of Drogheda hired a staff of spies, whom he dressed up in French uniforms, and despatched through the country to entrap the unwary peasantry]

A fine field for the profitable pursuit of betrayal was spoiled by this contrariety. The north of Ireland, at one time ripe for revolt, never rose. Some interesting papers, formerly in the possession of General Nugent, who had the chief command in the North, are now in our hands, and reveal the formidable length to which the organisation reached in Ulster.

The conspiracy was not confined to the men who had nothing to lose. Among those who staked their lives and fortunes on its issue, was Mr Stewart of Acton, a gentleman of large property, noticed at considerable length in “the Private and Secret” letters of Under-Secretary Cooke, addressed to Lord Castlereagh, and published in the correspondence of the latter. [Memoirs and Correspondence of Lord Castlereagh, vol. 1., pp. 253-60. See also the Personal Recollections of Lord Cloncurry, 2d edit., pp. 64 and 66.]

The letters in question boast of possessing information calculated to criminate Mr Stewart, but the details or even substance of the information is not given. The following letters are now printed for the first time. Lord Castlereagh’s, we may add, was enclosed in the larger communication addressed by Lord William Bentinck to General Nugent, commander-in-chief in Ulster:-

(Secret.) “Dublin Castle, *June *24.

“My Lord, - The information upon which I granted a warrant against Mr Stewart stated him, a very short time previous to the rebellion, to have accepted the situation of Adjutant-General for the county of Armagh in the rebel army.

“Your lordship’s knowledge of the public mind of the North confirms me in a hope I have for some time’ entertained that there has a salutary change of sentiment taken place amongst the Dissenters. I am not sanguine enough to hope that Mr Stewart can, in so short a space of time, have become a good subject; however, under all the circumstances, it appears to me desirable that Mr S. should, at least for the present, remain at large, under his bail, as taken by your lordship. Should any circumstance arise to make it advisable to proceed otherwise, I shall have the honour of communicating on the subject with your lordship before any steps are taken. - I have the honour to be, your lordship’s very obedient servant,

“Castlereagh.

“To Lord William Bentinck.”

“Armagh, July 27, 1798.

“Dear General Nugent, - I send under the charge of one of our quartermasters, Mr Stewart a prisoner, who was a man of very good property at the time he was apprehended under a warrant from Lord Castlereagh.

“I was at the time so convinced that all the leading people of this town whom I had known to be violent United Irishmen about a year and a half ago, with the exception of one or two, had now changed their opinion, that upon their offer of very large bail I took upon myself to liberate him, and informed Lord Castlereagh that I had done so. And it is my opinion that the having liberated this man when I did, contributed very much to keep the people here in good humour; and, as far as I can learn, they never had any intention of rising. Mr Stewart confessed to me *privately *that he was a United Irishman, which confession appears to me, as being unnecessary and infamous to himself, a proof of his innocence as to an insurrection. I send you Lord Castlereagh’s letter to me. When I liberated him, I, of course, knew nothing of the charge against him, and since his release I cannot discover that he has been concerned in any way whatever with the rebels.

“You have a man of the name of Jackson at Belfast, whom I apprehended here, and against whom, by a letter from a Mr Hamilton at Belfast there appear to be no charges. It is of very material importance to the tranquillity of this part of the country that he should not return. He has always been remarkably active among the people; he is in all particulars very like Munro, who was hanged at Lisburn. He is the great leader here. - I am, dear General, yours truly, “W. Bentinck.”

“Lisburn, *June *27, 1798.

“Sir, - I am directed by Major-General Goldie to send to you to Belfast, William Kean, a man who acted as aide-de-camp to Munro, and who was formerly a clerk in the *Star [The Northern Star, edited by Samuel Neilson] *office at Belfast. James Petticrew, Robert Fullerton, Charles Keanan, and John Sinclare, all prisoners, are positive evidence against him; Hugh Orr and Christopher Williamson, likewise prisoners, are circumstantial evidence against Kean. When Kean’s trial is over, the General wishes you to send back these evidences, as they give information against people who are confined here. Hugh Reid is likewise sent, but the General desires me to say that he does not wish that this man should be brought to trial, as he is a very principal evidence against many people; and you will be so good as to send him up here when you are done with him. A man of the name of Fleeting is likewise sent, who says that he was employed by Dulry, who is now on trial with you, to make pikes, for whom he made about 14. Please to send him back when Dulry’s trial is over. - I have the honour to be, Sir, &c., Alex. M’Auley, M. B.”

“Antrim, Dec .20, 1798.

“Dear General, - I enclose the examination against the man who was sent to Belfast yesterday of the name of Duggan. The person who gave it may be heard of from Mr MacGuicken, at the sign of the Cock, in this place.

“I have also enclosed a state of our ammunition, and an application to have the deficiency made up.

“Information has just been given me of an intended meeting near Donegal Moat, about four miles from hence, this evening. I shall send out a party, which I hope will be successful. - I remain, dear General, &c., D. Leslie.”

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