a justification of myself, but where I am sealing my life with that breath which cannot be suspected of falsehood, what I say may make some impression on the minds of men not holding the same doctrine. I declare to God, I know no crime but assassination which can eclipse or equal that of which I am accused. I discern no shade of guilt between that and taking away the life of a foe, by putting a bayonet to his breast when he is yielding and surrendering. I do request the bench to believe that of me. I do request my country to believe that of me-I am sure God will think that of me.

Now, my lords, I have no favour to ask of the court-my country has decided I am guilty, and the law says that I shall suffer-it sees that I am ready to suffer.

But, my lords, I have a favour to request of the court that does not relate to myself. My lords, I have a brother, whom I have ever loved dearer than myself; but, it is not from affection for him alone that I am induced to make this request. He is a man, and therefore, I hope, prepared to die, if he stood as I do, though I do not stand unconnected, but he stands more dearly connected. In short, my lords, to spare your feelings and my own, I do not pray that I should not die; but that the husband, the father, the brother, and the son, all comprised in one person, holding these relations dearer in life to him than any other man I know; for such a man, I do not pray a pardon, for that is not in the power of the court; but I pray for a respite for such time as the court, in its humanity and its discretion, shall think proper. -You have heard, my lords, that his private affairs require arrangement. I have a further room for asking it :—if immediately both of us be taken off, an aged and revered mother, a dear sister, and the most affectionate wife that ever lived, and six children, will be left without protection or provision of any kind. When I address myself to your lordships, it is with the knowledge you have of all the sons of our aged mother being gone. Two have perished in the service of

the king; one very recently. I only request that, disposing of me with what swiftness, either the public mind or justice requires, a respite may be given to my brother, and that the family may acquire strength to bear it all. That is all I wish-I shall remember it to my last breath, and I will offer up my prayers for you to that Being who has endued us all with sensibility to feel. This is all I ask-I have no-+ thing more to say.

Lord Carleton then pronounced sentence of death on the prisoners; and these unfortunate brothers were executed on the 14th day of July, 1798, to the inexpressible sorrow of a great majority of the Irish nation.

COUNSEL for the crown-Mr. Solicitor-General, Mr. Prime Serjeant, Messrs. Saurin, O'Grady, Mayne, Webber, and Ridgeway; Agent, Mr. Kemis.

COUNSEL for the prisoners:—For Henry Sheares, Messrs. Curran and Plunket, assigned-For John Sheares, Messrs. Curran and M'Nally, assigned; Messrs. Orr and Finlay, assistants; Agent, Mr. Fitzgerald.

COPY OF A LETTER FROM MR. JOHN SHEARES TO HIS SISTER, DATED KILMAINHAM PRISON, 11th JULY, 1798.

"Wednesday Night.

"The troublesome scene of life is nearly closed, and the hand that now traces these lines, in a short time will be no longer capable of communicating to a beloved family the sentiments of his heart.

"It is now 11 o'clock, and I have only time to address my beloved Julia in a short, eternal farewell. Thou Sacred

Power! whatever be thy name and nature, who has created us the frail and imperfect creatures that we are, hear the ardent prayer of one now on the eve of a most awful change. If thy Divine Providence can be affected by mortal supplication, hear and grant, I most humbly beseech thee, the last wishes of a heart that has ever adored thy greatness and thy goodness. Let peace and happiness once more visit the bosom of my beloved family-let a mild grief succeed the miseries they have endured; and when an affectionate tear is generously shed over the dust of him who caused their misfortunes, let all their ensuing days glide on in union and domestic harmony. Enlighten my beloved brother; to him and his invaluable wife, grant the undisturbed enjoyment of their mutual love; and, as they advance, let their attachment increase-Let my Julia, my feeling, my too feeling Julia, experience that consolation which she has often imparted to others-let her soul repose at length in the consummation of all the wishes of her excellent heart-let her taste that happiness her virtues have so well merited. For my other sisters, provide those comforts their situation requires. To my mother, O, Eternal Power! what gift shall I wish for this matchless parent?-Restore her to that peace which I have unfortunately torn from her let her forget me in the ceaseless affections of my sisters, and in their prosperity-let her taste that happiness which is best suited to her affectionate heart; and, when at length she is called home, let her find, in everlasting bliss, the due reward of a life of suffering virtue.

"Adieu, my dear Julia-My light is just out-The approach of darkness is like that of death, since both alike require me to say farewell-Farewell for ever!-O, my dear family, farewell-Farewell for ever!

"J. S."

The following is the paper alluded to as found in the writing box of John Sheares.

"IRISHMEN! Your country is free, and you are about to be avenged. That vile government, which has so long and so cruelly oppressed you, is no more! Some of its most atrocious monsters have already paid the forfeit of their lives, and the rest are in our hands. The national flag-the sacred GREEN, is at this moment flying over the ruins of despotism, and that capital, which a few hours past had witnessed the debauchery, the plots and crimes of your tyrants, is now the citadel of triumphant Patriotism and Virtue! Arise, then, United Sons of Ireland, arise like a great and powerful nation, determined to live free or die. Arm yourselves by every means in your power, and rush like lions on your foes. Consider that for every enemy you disarm, you arm a friend, and thus become doubly powerful. In the cause of liberty inaction is cowardice, and the coward shall forfeit the property he has not the courage to protect. Let his arms be secured and transferred to those gallant spirits who want and will use them. Yes, Irishmen, we swear by that Eternal Justice in whose cause you fight, that the brave patriot who survives the present glorious struggle, and the family of him who has fallen, or shall hereafter fall in it, shall receive from the hands of a grateful nation an ample recompense out of that property which the crimes of our enemies have forfeited into its hands, and his name shall be inscribed on the national record of Irish revolution, as a glorious example to all posterity; but we likewise swear to punish robbers with death and infamy. We also swear never to sheath the sword till every being in the country is restored to those equal rights which the God of Nature has given to all men, until an order of things shall be established in which no superiority shall be acknowledged among the citizens of Erin, but that of virtue and talent.

"Rouse all the energies of your souls, call forth all the merit and abilities which a vitious government consigned to obscurity, and under the conduct of your leaders march with a steady step to victory. Heed not the glare of a hired soldiery or aristocratic yeomanry; they cannot stand the vigorous shock of freemen; their trappings and their arms will soon be yours; and the detested government of En'gland, to which we vow eternal hatred, shall learn that the treasures it exhausts on its accoutred slaves for the purpose of butchering Irishmen, shall but further enable us to turn their swords on its devoted head.

1

"Many of the military feel the love of liberty glow within their breasts, and have already joined the National Standard. Receive with open arms such as shall follow so gloriou's an example; they can render signal service to the cause of freedom, and shall be rewarded according to their deserts. But for the wretch who turns his sword against his native country, let the national vengeance be visited on him -let him find no quarter.

"Two other crimes demand

"Attack them in every direction by day and by night. Avail yourselves of the natural advantages of your country, which are innumerable, and with which you are better acquainted than they. Where you cannot oppose them in full force, constantly harass their rear and flanks, cut off their provisions and magazines, and prevent them as much as possible from uniting their forces. Let whatever moment you cannot devote to fighting for your country be passed in learning to fight for it, or preparing the means of war, for war, war alone, must occupy every mind and every hand till its long oppressed soil be purged of all its enemies.

"Vengeance, Irishmen! Vengeance on your oppressors! Remember what thousands of your dearest friends have perished by their merciless orders. Remember their burnings, their rackings, their torturings, their military massacre and their legal murders. Remember ORR!"