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CSO/RP/CA/1831/19

Memorandum providing eye-witness account entitled 'Proceedings at a Meeting of the Glovers, Skinners, Parchment-makers and Spanish Leather finishers', held at the Shakespeare Gallery, Exchequer Street, Dublin, chaired by Cornelius Dungan, with verbatim transcription of speeches outlining a number of resolutions relating to the impact of the union on the leather trade, and calling for repeal. He outlined that at the time of the union, there were 116 leather skinners in Dublin who ‘lived in comfort and affluence’, where now there were less than 12; while the number of leather breeches makers had been reduced from 115 to 4 or 5. He moved that the assembly petition parliament for repeal through Daniel O’Connell, in order to halt the reduction of Ireland ‘to a miserable province and [the conversion of] the mansions of its Nobility… into an Asylum for our unfortunate and starving artizans’. Thomas Hughes commented that never before in the annals of history had a country given her legislature to another, except Ireland. He noted that since 1806 when leather tradesmen could earn between £3 and £4 a week, the industry was in decline, with the majority of its workforce subject to either emigration, ‘walking the streets of Dublin… [or] dragging out a wretched existence’. Also refers to the ‘serious injury’ of French imports to Irish manufacture, and the lack of restrictive legislation in this regard. Resolved to express the gratitude of the attendees to O’Connell. Lengthy speech by [Dominick] Ronayne concerning the achievements of O’Connell; the recent case brought against O’Connell and others in the King’s Bench; and his belief that repeal was imminent, as ‘the wishes of an united people will speak irresistibly to our Rulers and that they will see the necessity of yielding to public opinion’. Also speech by [John] Lawless concerning the growing ‘principle of Reform’ in England, the success of which he argued was wholly dependent on the repeal of the union with Ireland.

6 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/CA/1831/20

Memorandum providing eye-witness account entitled 'Proceedings at a Meeting of the Mechanics and Trades Society of the City of Dublin held in Mr Sheil's great room at the back of the Crown & Anchor Tavern Lower Abbey Street', Dublin, chaired by R Pemberton, with verbatim transcription of speeches. Sheil noted that this was to be considered a ‘meeting’ of mechanics, and not a ‘society’. Meeting called to discuss a number of resolutions relating to a petition on the subject of ‘corporation abuses’ such as the exclusion of members on the basis of ‘creed sect or party’, as well as its ‘monopoly’ in the Dublin area – Pemberton commented that until these issues were addressed, ‘neither reform nor repeal will do us any good’. Lengthy speeches made by a number of contributors concerning the current state of Ireland; [Patrick] Costello outlined the financial drain of the union on Ireland, and commented that current events suggested that Ireland was inevitably building towards a civil war, when the administration would suppress any ‘wretched creatures that rise up to ask for Bread… and perhaps commence a massacre similar to that of 1798’; Mr Cleave noted that ‘castle reporters’ who recorded the meetings’ proceedings had an important function, giving the government an opportunity to know what its people ‘said and did’; and William [Richard] Mahon announced that he was contesting the upcoming election in County Clare in light of the recent rejection of his brother [James O’Gorman Mahon]. Noted that a resolution to express the gratitude of the assembly to Daniel O’Connell was met with ‘very high eulogiums’ of his character.

8 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/CA/1831/21

Memorandum providing eye-witness account entitled ‘Proceedings at a Meeting of the Linen and Cotton Corduroy dyers dressers & Finishers', held at the School Room, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin, chaired by William Kenny, with verbatim transcriptions of speeches outlining a number of resolutions relating to the impact of the union on the linen and cotton trades, and calling for repeal. Refers to the increasing ‘Poverty, wretchedness & degradation of our Country which are chiefly owing to that harmful and suicidical [sic] measure the legislative union with Great Britain’. Mr Linsay referred to the grievances caused by the subletting act and the ‘disfranchisement’ of the forty shilling freeholders, whose misfortunes had in turn affected the industry as they were the principal consumers of corduroy; he remarked that all tradesmen were currently ‘smarting’, and would ‘die under the severity’ if the union was not repealed. Mr McGorley observed that if previous trade agreements which had seen Irish manufacturers and tradesmen prosper had not been destroyed by the union, ‘instead of having Millions of poor half slaved half fed and spirit broken people which she now has [Ireland] would have additional Millions of a happy people who would be the best support of the Throne and the Chiefest bulwark of England’. Mr Nolan commented that, although he was not a member of the industry, ‘the first Breeches I wore were Corduroy’, and stated that if his children should want the same, he would be sure to purchase them from an Irish manufacturer – to which the assembly replied ‘that is all we want’. Noted that where the industry in Dublin city once employed over 800 men, it was now reduced to a workforce of less than 50; the unemployed, if not emigrants to England or America, were left destitute. Resolved to express the gratitude of the attendees to Daniel O’Connell, and to send a petition for repeal to both the earl of Shrewsbury [John Talbot, 16th earl of Shrewsbury] in the House of Lords, and O’Connell in the House of Commons.

20 Mar 1831

1831

CSO/RP/CA/1831/22

Memorandum providing eye-witness account entitled 'Proceedings at the Dinner of Saint Patrick's Orphan Society', held at Morrison's Great Room, Dublin, chaired by [Daniel] O’Connell, with verbatim transcription of speeches and a note by the authors that they observed approximately 100 attendees including [John] Redmond, [Richard] Barrett, [Edward] Dwyer and [Patrick] Lavelle. In a lengthy speech, O’Connell commented that ‘the prosperity of the people mainly depends upon the health and happiness of our excellent King’; in contrast to the disinterested and ignoble George IV, he declared his anticipation of the ‘great charter of Reform’ recently conceded by the new king [William IV]. O’Connell reiterated that an argument for repeal was not an argument for separation from England, but rather repeal was vital in order to continue the connection between the two countries. Referring to the grievances suffered in Ireland since the union, he asked ‘why do not our rulers read our history… [or] look at the political thermometer’? He professed that neither the King nor the Lord Lieutenant knew the Irish people, as it was clear to him that it was through discussion alone that they were pacified, and not the suppression of discussion which had led to civil unrest and agrarian violence in January 1822. He argued that the current state of ‘inanition’ in Ireland could not continue; it was the first duty of the government to ‘stand between famine and the people’; and that the administration needed to acknowledge that ‘all the old material of mismanagement fills the castle and surrounds the Vice Regal Throne’, apparently in reference to the records of the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary. Also speeches by Barrett and Lavelle concerning the present state of Ireland. Refers to upcoming election in County Clare, which was contested by O’Connell’s son, Maurice. Contains note stating that a lengthy speech by Mr Barnes, President of St Patrick’s Orphan Society, was not included in the transcription. Various toasts include those to Lord John Russell [1st earl of Russell] ‘and the cause of Parliamentary Reform’; the repeal of the union; the freedom of the press; and O’Connell, ‘the peerless and Patriotic Member for Waterford’.

7 Apr 1831

1831