Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/413

 CAULFIELD. 402 his exertions with such effect, that, by the zealous aid of Lord Middletow, Lord Halifax, and Lord Egmont, and (notwithstanding the warm opposition which the object met in the privy-council, called on purpose to adjust the matter, yet who came to no decision) he yltimately, succeeded nd his majesty was graciously, pleased to forego the indecision of bis council, and to issue his orders for the nobility of Ireland to take their places in the ceremonial, immediately after those of England, respectively accord ing to rank. fo About this period the internal state of Ireland was fre- quently disturbed by the insurrections and tumults of the peasantry ; not from any motive connected with sedition against the government, but merely from the extreme dis- tresses and oppressions under which the common people laboured, from, a variety of causes. Amongst others, tbe severe pressure of the penal laws against catholics operat ing on four-iftbs of the whole population; the exaction of raclrents from the miserable occupants of the soil ; the severe, exactions of tythes for the maintenance of the high church clergy, pressing on dissenters as well as catho lics, to maintain a priesthood, from, whom they derived no instruction or advantage, besides being obliged to. main- tain their own clergy ; the heary tares imposed by grand juries for roads, and other county and baronial rales, which, added to the wretched state of agriculture and manufacr tures, the almost total depression of home trade, and the utter preclusion from foreign commerce, formed a constant and prolific source of irritation, to which, the only, legis- lative remedies applied were, severe laws, and sanguinary punishments In 1763, one of those insurrectionary tumults broke out in the north of Ireland, where, the population was chiefly composed of dissenters. The insurgents, assumed the appellation of oak-boys, wore oak-boughs, in, their hats threatening destruction to all abettors of the tythe system, the rack-rent landlords, and, promoters of road, assess ments. This, spirit, pervaded not, only, the county of