FROM H. J. M’C
On the evening of the 9th of June, 1797, Richardson, accompanied by a guard with drawn bayonets, and some person in coloured clothes, came into the room where we are at present confined: began to abuse us in a most opprobrious manner, without the least provocation on our part; calling us scoundrels, villains, murderers, &c. After a great deal of such abuse, which we took little notice of, he observed we all wore green stocks, which, with many imprecations, he threatened to cut off our necks, swearing at the same time that he would also cut our throats, and actually attempted to put his threats into execution, by drawing a knife from his pocket. [MS. defaced.] James Burnside, who was next —–, but was prevented by the people who were about —–. When he found he could not execute his threats, he left the room, swearing that he would bring Lord Carhampton, who would put his threats into execution before we would [the remainder not legible.]
Kilmainham, 9th June, 1797.
You wish to know how we are situated. Six of us – Alexander Gordon, John Gordon, J. Burnside, Thomas Dry, Robert Neilson, and I, are confined in one of the infirmaries, (the women’s) without being permitted the use of a yard, and receive no other support than gaol allowance, except what we furnish ourselves with. We contrive to live very comfortably. Cooking day about – some of us are very good at it, and others very middling. The day before yesterday, we saw from our windows too militia-men conducted to the park by all the military in this neighbourhood, and there shot for being United Irishmen. Last night the gaol was locked up by Antrim men, who were very much vexed at it: we knew them; they were the last recruits that came from Belfast. Since I came to this part of the house, William got permission to come to see me for a very few minutes.
H. J. M’C.