Special commissions were sent down from Dublin; additional police force, detachments of military; long correspondences took place between the magistracy and the government--but all in vain.

The disturbances continued; and at last to such a height had they risen, that the country was put under martial law; and even this was ultimately found perfectly insufficient to repel what now daily threatened to become an open rebellion rather than mere agrarian disturbance.

It was at this precise moment, when all resources seemed to be fast exhausting themselves, that certain information reached the Castle, of the most important nature.

The individual who obtained and transmitted it, had perilled his life in so doing--but the result was a great one--no less than the capital conviction and execution of seven of the most influential amongst the disaffected peasantry.

Confidence was at once shaken in the secrecy of their associates; distrust and suspicion followed.