Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/CA/1831/8

Memorandum providing eye-witness account entitled ‘Proceedings at a Meeting of the Inhabitants of the Manor of Grange Gorman’, held at the School Room, Phibsborough, Dublin, chaired by Mr McDonnell, with verbatim transcription of speeches outlining a number of resolutions relating to the repeal of the union. McDonnell remarked that recent proclamations by the Lord Lieutenant [under the Dangerous Assemblies (Ireland) Act, 1829] had created rather than supressed public assemblies, evident in the formation of the current meeting as well as the meeting of inhabitants of the parish of St Audeons held the previous day. In reference to his recent arrest under the act, [Daniel] O’Connell stated that his only crime was contriving not to commit a crime, and recounted his arrest in the presence of his wife: ‘for once in her life a tear occasioned by me stood upon her eye – Oh Lord – Anglesey I swear by that virtuous woman’s tear – do you know the value of a virtuous woman’s tear?... I swear by that tear… [Anglesey] will stand for impeachment for issuing that warrant’. He remarked further that his wife had made him who he was: ‘[she] has made me a Patriot for I do assure you that often and often when my heart flagged at the base ingratitude of the Catholic Aristocracy it required her still and cheering voice to tell me I must succeed’. He summarised the 4 recent proclamations made by the ‘hair-brained’ Lord Anglesey, which prohibited the display of orange and green flags and ribbons; the use of the catholic rent to aid the tenants of Ireland ‘ground down’ by absentee landlords, rack rents, tithes, cesses and ‘Grand Jury Jobbing’; political meetings held over breakfast [at Home’s Hotel, Dublin]; as well as all past, present and future ‘dangerous’ societies. He argued that these were illegal actions, and noted that no such proclamations had been issued in Newark in England when its people plotted to murder the Duke of Newcastle [Henry Pelham Fiennes Pelham Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle]. In reference to the meeting’s venue, he commented that the education of children, who possess ‘the natural instinct of Reason’, was vital in ‘putting an end to the contest between Catholic and Protestant… bringing all within one bound and teaching them that knowledge is rational power and that Education is the first branch of the Sacredness of holy Religion’. He mused that Ireland ‘was once the Repository of Learning – the Island of Saints’, and expressed a hope that such days would return to the country, and that a domestic parliament would sit in College Green, protecting catholics, protestants, Orangemen and presbyterians ‘equally and impartially’. He stated that the question of repeal was the ‘last trial’ of the Irish – ‘let us act as Christians... let there be no illegal meetings, no illegal oaths, no secret societies, no violence… this is but a small storm, let me steer the helm of Irish liberty and I promise you there is a beacon light before me’. Also speech by [Thomas] Steele, describing O’Connell as ‘something more than human’ and referring to his ‘transcendent superiority’. Also speech by Mr Stokes, who outlined his fear that Ireland was not yet ready to rule itself as its people remained deeply divided. O’Connell responded that the call for repeal had nothing to do with religious dissention, nor did the repeal of the union mean absolute separation from England. Contains unidentified handwritten annotations throughout the text, highlighting particular passages where individual words were omitted from transcription. [Appears as if page[s] of transcription of O’Connell’s speech are missing; pages consecutively numbered 46 and 47 do not appear to correlate].

19 Jan 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/885

Letter from Richard Murray, magistrate, Dungannon, [County Tyrone], to an unnamed recipient [but likely the Chief Secretary’s Office], reporting on an intended visit to the town of Marcus Costello for the purpose of holding a meeting in support of repeal of the union; remarking it was planned that Costello would come from the direction of Stewartstown clad in ‘orange and green ribbon’ and noting the strong resistance amongst local Protestants; also stressing the resolve of magistrates to keep the peace and requesting further directions from government. Also reply from [Dublin Castle] to Murray, outlining the opinion of the law officers of the crown on the proposed visit.

14 Jan 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1125

Copy of statement or speech by Joseph Stewart, President, Roscrea, [County Tipperary], promoting the subject of repeal of the union; making reference to obtaining ‘liberty’ through the instrumentality of Daniel O’Connell and claiming to ‘display the flag of Orange and Green to the terror of all Enemies to Irish Independence’; also signed by James Shefley, secretary; also with cover note from an unidentified writer, likely a local magistrate [?HH Briscoe].

29 Dec 1830-9 Jan 1831

1831

CSO/RP/1832/665

Letter from Joseph Hamilton, Annadale Cottage, Dublin, to Henry William Paget, Lord Lieutenant, enclosing his printed letter [extant] entitled ‘The School-master abroad. First Lesson’ and suggesting that government insert extracts from it into the Dublin newspapers which are unwilling to do so for free. Includes printed letter calling for the establishment of peace and overthrow of religious feuds and addressed to ‘All who value life, friends, or property “May Orange and Green no longer be seen, Distain’d with the blood of our Island’.

18 Feb 1832

1832