Seeing this, Captain
Sibthorpe ordered his dragoons to ride them down, and drive them off,
which they did. Some prisoners were taken, lame Pat Power, their leader,
being of the number. The prisoners having been secured, Mr. Howley, the
resident magistrate, addressed the people; he explained to them the
illegality and folly of their proceedings, and assured them he would
forward to the Government any document detailing what they considered as
their grievances, provided that it was couched in respectful language;
and further, that he would do all he could to have any reasonable
request of theirs complied with. Upon this they retired and drew up a
statement which they handed to him, and which he promised to send to the
Lord Lieutenant. So far so good. The day's proceedings might be fairly
supposed to have ended here--but no--what about the prisoners? The
people refused to go away without them. The magistrates would not
release them, but assured their comrades that their punishment should be
light. This did not satisfy them, and they commenced to use violent
language and to throw stones. Orders were given to clear the square,
which service was performed by the dragoons, who drove them into the
neighbouring streets; but as the stone-throwing was continued, the
police were sent to drive them away; failing to do this, the dragoons
were ordered to advance, whereupon, it is said, a shout was raised in
Irish by the people to "kill them," which was followed by a shower of
stones.
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