Wesley Corpus

Mr. George Robert F d, at his first settling near Castle bar, about the year 1776, made himself very popular; but, mean time his pride was excessive; affirming that, being the head of the Desmond family, he was the premier Nobleman of Ireland. Therefore he expected that all the country should submit to him: Hencehefell into disputes with his father; and by turns with his brother; and kept his neighbours in perpetual alarm. In 1779, when volunteering began, he raised a Company, which was wholly subject to him. Soon after he engaged Patrick Randal M“Donald, a relation, as a Captain in his Company; but not long after, a dispute arose between them, relative to the driving of some cattle. Mr. M'D., being informed that Mr. F. intended violence to him, placed some men near his own house; and ordered them, if he approached the house, to fire. Mr. F. approaching, one of them did fire; which killed his horse, and wounded him in the knee and leg. On this he prosecuted Mr. M“D. at the following Assizes; but, after a full hearing, he was acquitted. Another matter of contention soon ensued: Mr. M'D., being an Attorney, was employed against Mr. F., and carried the suit. This inflamed Mr. F. beyond measure, of which Mr. M'D. was frequently informed. This continued, however, to the close of the year 1785; when Mr. M'D., being at Castlebar one night, o 456 REv. J. wesley’s [May, 1789. a blunderbuss, charged with eight or nine bullets and slugs, was discharged through the window of the room where he used to sit. Immediately after Christmas, the witness, Mr. R. G., was sitting in Mr. M.'s cellar, bottling some wine, when he heard a very uncommon sound of a musket, and a loud shriek following it. Going out, the first thing he saw was Mr. M'D., wounded in the leg. On his cry, three men ran out of the little house of Mr. F., whence the gun had been fired from a hole through the wall, which had been made on purpose. He then took a lodging in Castlebar; but on the 20th of February, 1786, accompanied by Mr. G., Mr. H., and M., went to his house in the country. They had been but a while there, when they found it surrounded by many armed men; on which Mr.