THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

["There are few works, whether

for the matter or the

Autobiography of Wolfe Tone]

truly Irish mixture of daring in design

of

awe with which

quences,

is for

it is

manner, more interesting [than the

the character of the writer himself presenting the most

and light-heartedness

in execution

while the sense

impossible not to contemplate a mission pregnant with such conse-

ever relieved by those alternate flashes of

humour and sentiment with which

only a temperament so national could have enlivened or softened such details.

story, too, is full of

ominous warning

upon winds and waves may, even

by those moral

ties

rulers." Thomas

yet,

to Great Britain, as

showing how

fearfully

The whole
dependent

be her physical hold upon Ireland, unless timely secured

which good government can alone establish between a people and their

Moore, "

Life

and Death of Lord E.

Fitzgerald."]

from an aricn&ai portraix representing

mm lams volunteer uTrifbrm

The Autobiography
.

OF

Theobald Wolfe Tone

1763 1798

EDITED WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY

BARRY O'BRIEN

R.

AUTHOR OF " FIFTY YEARS OF CONCESSIONS TO IRELAND," " THOMAS DRUMMOND, LIFE AND
LETTERS," "IRISH WRONGS AND ENGLISH REMEDIES," &C.

VOLUME

T.

FISHER UNWIN
PATERNOSTER SQUARE
MDCCCXCIII

BOSTON COLLEGE LIBRARY

CHESTNUT

HILL, MASS.

64543

CONTENTS OF VOLUME

I.

PAGE

editor's note

vii

INTRODUCTION

ix

CHAPTER
BIRTH, FAMILY,

I.

AND EARLY LIFE

CHAPTER

II.

ENTERS POLITICS

23

CHAPTER

III.

THE UNITED IRISHMEN AND THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE

CHAPTER
VISIT

IV.

TO BELFAST INI792

92

CHAPTER

V.

AMONG THE PEEP-OF-DAY-BOYS

CHAPTER
IN

112
VI.

DUBLIN

122

CHAPTER
VISIT

50

VII.

TO CONNAUGHT

CHAPTER

36

42

VIII.

PREPARING FOR THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION

CONTENTS.

vi

CHAPTER

IX.
PACE

THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION

CHAPTER

76

88

XI.

THE FRANCHISE ACT

CHAPTER

58

X.

AFTER THE CONVENTION

CHAPTER

XII.

202

jackson's mission

CHAPTER

XIII.

TONE LEAVES IRELAND

211

CHAPTER

XIV.

ARRIVES IN FRANCE

224

CHAPTER

XV.

OPENS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER

.238

XVI.

CARNOT

CHAPTER

251

XVII.

GENERAL CLARKE

277

CHAPTER

XVIII.

MILITARY PLANS AND PROJECTS

299

ILLUSTRATIONS.
I.

Theobald Wolfe Tone. From an Original

senting him in his Volunteer Uniform

II.

Mrs. Tone and

Her

Sons,

Portrait repre.

Frontispiece

Theobald Wolfe and Matthew

facing p.

22

EDITOR'S NOTE.

In

1826 the "Life of Theobald Wolfe Tone, edited by

his son

William Theobald Wolfe Tone," was published in

The work

Washington.

autobiographical sketches

Convention of
writings

793

consisted (chiefly) of two short

;

of an account of the Catholic

of Tone's diaries, letters, and political

concluding with an account, by his son, of the

French expedition
family after

his

to Ireland,

death.

The

fate of

In the present edition

political writings are omitted.

or importance now.

and of the

They

letters,

are of

little

last

Tone's
Tone's
interest

and the account of

his

family after his death, are omitted to meet the exigencies

of space.

The

graphy of Theobald Wolfe Tone

for

The words

rest is preserved.
"

the words " Life of Theobald

title-page.

The

and arranged

"

Autobio-

have been substituted

Wolfe Tone

"

on the

narrative has been divided into chapters,

in chronological order, with dates

and head-

EDITOR'S NOTE.

viii

ings on each page

explanatory notes [in brackets] have

been added with an Introduction by the Editor.

The aim
the original

of the

work

Editor has been to preserve

essential to

show the character

man, and give a history of the events

so important a part.

in

all

of

of the

which he played

INTRODUCTION.
Theobald Wolfe Tone has a

He

history.

is

distinct

the Irish Separatist

par

place

in

excellence.

Irish
Irish-

who began as Constitutional agitators

and ended as rebels. Such men were among Tone's own
colleagues in the United Irish movement; and such men
gathered around Thomas Davis and Gavan Duffy half a
Irishmen there have also been who began
century later.
They are
as rebels and ended as Constitutional agitators.
But Tone began and ended as a
in our midst to-day.

men

there have been

His

rebel.

are the

disciples

founders

of the

Fenian

organisation.

Tone was

a formidable rebel.

bears testimony to the

"

fact.

competent authority

Wolfe Tone," says the Duke

of Wellington, " was a most extraordinary man, and his

history

is

the most curious history of those times.

With

a hundred guineas in his pocket, unknown and unrecom-

mended, he went to Paris

in

Government

He

Edward

Tone

"

For the

in Ireland.

Fitzgerald for a

order to overturn the British

asked

small

for

one.

a large force, Lord

They

listened

and the Bantry Bay expedition was the

failure of that expedition
ix

Tone was

to

result.

not respon-

INTR OD UCTION.

He

sible.

had organised victory

"

general contrived defeat.

fifteen

an incompetent French

The army was composed

of

thousand of the very best troops which France

possessed, with heavy trains of field artillery, and sufficient

spare muskets and powder to arm half the peasants in

The

Ireland.

mander] was second only

next officer in

"At any

Bay.

have

own

fallen.

bearing

[the

But on December

thirty-five

sail

opened Bantry

time during that day or the next had [he]

ventured to act on his

chosen his

The ship

the Irish coast.

Grouchy with

1796,

that

to

command was Grouchy."

Hoche never reached

21,

of Napoleon.

ComThe

Hoche

of General

reputation

own

responsibility,

he might have

point of landing, and Cork must inevitably

It

had no land defences, and on the side

of the sea no batteries which a couple of line-of-battle

ships

could

years

later,

But "then, as twenty

not have silenced."

on another occasion no

was the good genius of the

to cruise as he

was

British

less critical,

Grouchy

He

continued

Empire.

directed, standing off

and on upon that

uncertain coast" 2 until a storm arose and swept his

His incapacity

sea.

Ireland as

may

lost

Though

"
he,

Waterloo.

a great opportunity lost

Recalling these events, one

what Mr. Goldwin Smith has said of

well repeat

Tone.
men,

it

to grasp

his

name

is little

known among English-

brave, adventurous,

resource, buoyant under misfortune,

as fatal an

enemy

to

sanguine,
.

in

Dublin

Froude, " English in Ireland."

fertile

in

was near being

England as Hannibal was

Wolfe Tone was born

1

fleet to

in 1763.
2

to

Rome."

graduate

Ibid.

INTR OD UCTION.
member

of Trinity College and a

politics

in

Catholic

790-1.

xi

of the Bar, he entered

Emancipation and Parlia-

The

mentary Reform were the questions of the hour.

Catholic organisation had just fallen under the influence of

a great Catholic democratic leader John

secret political society, pledged to reform,

lished

in

Tone

Belfast.

791, he

and co-operated with them

Reformers.
rebel
"

To

in

majority of

But,

as

its

Visiting Belfast

secret political society

founding the United Irish

This movement was,

The

tutional.

in the beginning, Consti-

founders were Parliamentary

have

said,

Tone was always a

he has himself placed the fact beyond controversy.

subvert the tyranny of our execrable Government,"

he says,

"to break the connection with

never-failing source of our political evils,

independence of

my

country

England,

these were my objects.

of our past dissensions, and

to

the

and to assert the

unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish the

name

and a

flung himself into the Catholic

met the members of the

movement.

had been estab-

cause and joined the Ulster Reformers.

in

Keogh

substitute the

To

memory
common

of Irishmen in place of the denomination of Pro-

testant, Catholic,

Tone

and Dissenter

these were my means."

strove earnestly to bring the United Irishmen and

the Catholic

Committee

into touch.

He

succeeded.

In

1792 the Catholic leaders visited Belfast, and then and

there was

sealed

the bond of union between them and

their Ulster brethren.

In the

same year Tone became

the Catholic Committee.

assistant secretary to

Catholics and United Irishmen

INTRODUCTION.

xii

now worked

common

Eman-

were organised as they had never been

Catholics

Agents of the Committee were sent

organised before.

throughout the country.

Communications were opened

There was a con-

between Dublin and the provinces.

solidation of forces,

made

Catholic

cause.

and Parliamentary Reform was the cry of both.

cipation

The

together for a

and a concentration of aims which

"

the agitators formidable.

the Catholics," said Keogh.

had infused a

spirit

body, which gave

life

It

have made men of

was no

of independence

and energy

He

idle boast.

the

into

Catholic

move-

to the Catholic

The country was roused. The Ministers were

alarmed.
The union between Northern Presbyterians
ment.

and Southern Catholics sent a

thrill

through the Cabinet.

Troubles on the Continent increased.

England's

allies

were routed by the soldiers of France.

The

principles of the Revolution spread to Ulster.

Protestant Volunteers marched through the Protestant

cheering for the

capital,

French Republic, and bidding

The victory of Valmy gave

and many a southern heart.

defiance to England.

joy to

many

Belfast

northern

illuminated.

Tone

writes

Dublin

If the

Brunswick and

French had been beaten

Catholics were

Huzza

his

huzza

"
!

army are

France with Dumouriez pursuing him.

The Government

How

"

in his diary.

running out of

"

illuminated.

felt

that the

driving

in

it

was

all

United Irishmen and the

the direction

were they to be stopped

over with us."

By

which would break up the union of

of Separation.

policy of conciliation
their forces, satisfying

INTROD UCTION.
the one and

So thought

the other.

isolating

xiii

Pitt,

and

acting on the conviction, he resolved to grant the most

urgent demands of the

In 1793 they were

Catholics.

accordingly admitted to the Parliamentary Franchise.

moment Tone urged

the last

complete

the Committee to insist on

But Keogh refused

emancipation.

was within

his time for

? "

Keogh s

moderation.

chants

see

says

Tone

"

make bad

But Tone was not

satisfy him.

it,

was
"

sad

Sad,

and bide

believe

disgusted

he notes.

"

with

Mer-

revolutionists."

No

conciliated.

His goal was separation

checked for an instant

"

and he adds,

He

and be damned."

will,

would take

" Will the Catholics be satisfied

the rest.

with the Franchise

they

He

his reach.

move

to

The Fran-

from the line of battle originally drawn up.

chise

At

in his

onward

concession would
;

and he was not

In

course.

1794

he plunged more deeply into treason, and others followed

Measures were then taken

or anticipated his example.

for reorganising the

United

Irish

Society on a rebellious

basis.

But the work of revolution was checked by the

arrival

of

Lord Fitzwilliam

came with a message of

pate the

He

peace.

In February,

Catholics.

purpose was read a

December,

in

first

practically without opposition.

were raised to the highest

was sent

1795,

time in the

to emanci-

bill

for this

of the people

and then they were

pitch,

The King

revolted at

the notion of further concessions to the Catholics.

flinched.

Fitzwilliam

was

He

House of Commons

The hopes

dashed suddenly to the ground.

1794.

recalled.

The

Pitt

policy of con-

INTR OJD UCTION.

xiv

An

cession was abandoned.

commenced.

Fitzwilliam

era of terror and revolution

on

Ireland

left

the

25th

of

March, 1795, amid the sorrow and the blessings of a

On March

grateful people.

Camden, made

new

entry through

State

his

31st the

Viceroy, Lord
the streets

of

Dublin amid the angry growls of a sullen and despairing

The

multitude.

policy of concession

But the work of revolution was not

policy of coercion.

On

stopped.

On

tion.

the contrary,

Camden began

rdgime.

grew apace under the new

it

his reign

who had been

French Government on a

Irishmen, was put on his

was a

by a State prosecu-

the 23rd of April the Rev. William Jackson,

a Protestant clergyman,
the

was replaced by a

clear

case

him,

against

the

United

high treason.

There

mission
for

trial

to

and he anticipated the

sentence of the law, dying in the dock by his

On May

10th the United Irish Society

rebellious organisation.

been

in direct

1794 by

sent in

own hand.

became a

distinctly

Soon afterwards Tone, who had

communication with Jackson, and was under

the surveillance of the authorities, resolved to leave for

Before departing he explained his plans to the

America.

United

Irish

leaders,

Simms, McCracken, and

Russell, Neilson,
leader,

Russell.

on

my

John Keogh.
"

told

arrival

in

my

Philadelphia

him

to the Catholic

Dublin he saw

In

them that

Minister, to detail to
Ireland, to

Thomas Addis Emmet, Thomas

intention
to

Emmet and

was immediately

wait on the

fully the situation of affairs in

endeavour to obtain a recommendation

French Government

and

French

if

succeeded so

to the

far to leave

INTROD UCTION.

my

XV

family in America, and to set off instantly for Paris,

and apply,

in the

name

of

my

country, for the assistance of

France, to enable us to assert our independence."

few days

on the summit of McArt's Fort, near

later,

Simms, McCracken, and Russell

Belfast, he, Neilson,

a solemn obligation never to desist

"

took

our efforts until

in

we

had subverted the authority of England over our country

and asserted our independence."

On June 13th Tone sailed

He was true to the duty he
a short stay

in the

from Belfast

America.

had undertaken, and,

United States,

Arriving at Havre in January,

for

after

out for France.

set

796, he immediately placed

himself in communication with the French Government,

established

close

relations

General Clarke, and

De

with

Hoche, and

Carnot,

Croix,

la

finally

persuaded the

Directory to send an expedition to Ireland.

On December
forty-three

command
who now held
service,

1796, the expedition, consisting of

with an army of fifteen thousand

sail,

the

16,

of

Hoche and Grouchy,

left

Tone,

Brest.

the rank of Adjutant-General in the French

was on board the Indomptable.

ships were

men under

scattered.

The

Fraternity with

board, never reached Ireland.

December

Hoche on

But Grouchy with

five sail, including the Indomptable,

the evening of

In the night the

made Bantry Bay on

Tone urged him

21st.

thirty-

and on the coast

to land.

But he

hesitated, standing off

length,

the elements warred for England and swept the

French

fleet

" after

from the Irish shore.

having forced

my way

thus

" It is sad,"
far,

to

until,

at

says Tone,

be obliged to

INTRODUCTION.

xvi

turn back, but

withstanding

my

is

it

fate,

and

our blunders,

all

it

must submit.

is

the dreadful stormy

weather and easterly winds, which have been

furiously since

Well,

we made Bantry

blowing

Bay, that have ruined

us.

England has not had such an escape since the

Spanish

Armada, and

defeated

by the weather

and courage here

Buoyant
efforts.

Not-

He

expedition,

like

ours,

was

the elements fight against us,

of no avail."

is

under

that

Tone

misfortune,

not

did

relax

his

urged the French Government to despatch

He

another expedition.

was supported

in his appeal

by

delegates from Ireland, and backed by the great influence

Hoche.

of

Another expedition was

Dutch Republic

in

But the Dutch

by the English

whom Tone

union with France.

fleet,

fleet,

October u, 1797.

prepared by the

De

under

Winter, was destroyed

under Duncan,

at

Camperdown, on

month before the

had kindled a

He

to

filled

in

the brim

applied himself with fresh

vigour to persuade the French Government to

last

Hoche,

real interest for Ireland, died.

Tone's cup of disappointment was

but he did not despair.

battle,

make one
Meanwhile

attempt in the cause of Irish freedom.

events had been moving rapidly in Ireland.

The
" half

policy of coercion

hangings,"

had borne

indiscriminate

Martial law,

fruit.

torture,

and

oppression and cruelty had done their work.

Irish leaders

found their ranks

a desperate peasantry.

Catholic combined with

filled

wholesale

The United

by a harassed and

North joined hands with South

Protestant.

The

timid and the

INTRODUCTION.
very safety sought refuge

fearful for

dragooned into

were

people

xvii

The

in revolution.

" Every crime,

treason.

every cruelty, that could be committed by Cossacks or

Calmucks

has

been

transacted

So wrote

here."

Sir

Ralph Abercrombie when he took over the command of

the

troops

forced

early

in

Shortly

1798.

he was

afterwards

His humanity was too great a

to resign.

upon the endurance of the Ascendancy

strain

faction.

Grattan and the Constitutional party begged the Govern-

ment

at least to

But a

temper coercion with concession.

stern non possumus

was the only

"

reply.

We

have offered

you our measure," Grattan said to the Ministers

House

Commons

of

no hope

left

to

in

1797

"you

will reject

it.

dissuade, and

persuade, or

in the

Having

having

dis-

charged our duty, we shall trouble you no more, and from

this

day we

As

the

shall not attend the

doors of the constitution closed, the path of

revolution opened.

become a

House of Commons."

In 1796 the United Irish Society had

Before the spring of 1797

military organisation.

a supreme executive had been established in Dublin, and

Directories

Provincial
Leinster.

were

formed

in

Ulster

and

in

competent military chief had taken command.

Lord Edward Fitzgerald had joined the

ments were pushed forward

for

rebels.

an insurrection.

Arrange-

The

Ulster

Directory proposed the end of 1797 for the rising; the

Leinster Directory the beginning of

was fixed upon.

struck hard.
in Ireland

798

the last date

But the Government struck suddenly and

Before the end of March, 1798,

except Lord

Edward
1

all

Fitzgerald and

the leaders

McCracken

INTROD UCTION.

xviii

were seized and imprisoned. But Fitzgerald and McCracken

resolved

take

to

the

field.

May

23rd was

appointed for the commencement of

May

19th

Fitzgerald's

day

the

hostilities.

But on

was discovered,

place of hiding

and, after a desperate resistance, he was dragged to

surrounded by a troop of dragoons.

May

nevertheless, broke out on

The

jail,

insurrection,

24th.

Left without leaders, the insurgents fought wildly and

desperately, sometimes rushing into excesses, which were,

however, exceeded by the forces of the King.

The

rebels

overran the county of Kildare and the bordering parts of

They

Meath and Carlow.

lin,

seized

Dunboyne, Dunshaugh-

and Prosperous, and took possession of Rathangan,

Kildare,

Ballybore, and

made

stand at

assailants,
rallied

Naas and Carlow, drove back

their

The

rebels

hill

On

more routed and

of Tara, but were once

June

7th,

McCracken, with a strong

attacked the town of Antrim.

he was ultimately repulsed

days

But the troops

and reoccupied the captured towns.

on the

dispersed.

Narraghmore.

later arrested, tried

by

Successful in the

first

after a fierce battle,

court-martial,

force,

onset,

and some

and hanged.

But the rebels of county Wexford made the stoutest

of

all.

Taking the

field

on

May

fight

27th, they seized Oulart,

marched on Ferns, captured Enniscorthy, and occupied

Wexford

itself.

In a few days the whole county was in

their hands, with the exception of the fort of

and the town of

attacked.

The

New

Ross.

On

June 4th

battle raged for ten hours.

taken and re-taken

Duncannon

New

Ross was

The town was

but in the end the rebels were defeated

INTRO D UCTION.

and forced back on Gorey.

few days later they took the

Reinforcements

and advanced on Arklow.

offensive again,

were despatched from Dublin

Another

fierce battle,

Victory remained

was fought.

closing only with sunset,

was struck

doubtful, when, at 8 p.m., the rebel captain

down,

killed

On

to succour the garrison.

June 9th Arklow was attacked.

still

xix

by a cannon-ball.

Then

men, who had

his

throughout the day maintained the struggle with desperate

courage,

retreated

sullenly,

once more on

back

falling

Gorey.

Fresh troops now arrived from

England, and General

Lake,

who had succeeded Abercrombie

chief,

took the

in person.

field

army was attacked

in its last

The

and annihilated.

On

as commander-in-

June 21st the rebel

stronghold on Vinegar Hill,

insurgents, retreating through the

counties of Dublin and Wicklow, were hunted

"

merciless vengeance.

Lake

"

to Castlereagh

The carnage was

down with

dreadful," wrote

the determination of the troops to

destroy every one they think a rebel

Before the end of July the

fire

is

beyond description."

was put out

in

Wexford.

But before the end of August an attempt was made

rekindle

When

it

in the

to

West.

news of the insurrection reached France, the

Government, yielding

to

the importunities

solved to despatch another expedition

to

of Tone, reIreland.

The

plan was to send detachments from various French ports.

For

this

purpose

General

Rochelle, with 1,000

3,000

men

men

Humbert was quartered

at

General Hardy at Brest, with

General Kilmaine was held

in reserve,

with

INTR OD UCTION.

XX

At

9,000 men.

he

landed

left

from the

wallis,

strike at

once on his

Irish exile,

Bartholomew Teel-

on the 22nd of the same month.

in Killala

at Castlebar

Government grew

Rochelle towards the middle of August, and

Lake hastened

to this

the

Accompanied by Tone's brother Mat-

responsibility.

thew and another United

ing,

moment

and Humbert determined to

dilatory,

own

the last

to

meet him.

on August 22nd.

He

field.

General

pitched battle was fought

Lake was beaten and driven

retreated so rapidly, that the battle

as the "

day known

Races of Castlebar."

who had become Viceroy

Lake's help, and forced

muck on September

Humbert

8th.

in

Corn-

came quickly

June,

is

to

to surrender at Ballina-

Matthew Tone and Teeling

were arrested, and, despite the protestations of Humbert,

hurried to Dublin and hanged.

Yet another

effort

was

to

On

be made.

September 20th

the last French expedition sailed from Brest.

consisted

Hoche (74 guns), eight

Loire, Resohie, Bellone, Coquille, Embuscade, Im-

of a fleet of one
frigates

It

mortality,

sail

of the line the

Romaine, Semillantd, and

one

schooner

the

command of Admiral Bompard and of an

army of 3,000 men under General Hardy. Tone was on
board the Admiral's ship, the Hoche. As on the previous
Biche, under the

occasion, the ships were scattered on the

October 10th Bompard arrived

voyage

at the entrance of

but on

Lough

S willy with the Hoche, the Loire, the Resolue, and the
Biche.

He was

instantly signalled

from the shore.

At

daybreak next morning a British squadron, consisting of

six sail

of the

line,

one razee (60 guns), and two

frigates,

INTRO D UCTION.

xxi

command of Sir John Borlase Warren, hove in

Bompard signalled the French frigates and the

under the
sight.

schooner to

and cleared the Hoche

retreat,

boat from the Biche came alongside the Hoche for

The French

officers

to escape.

"The

shall

He

be prisoners of war

answered, " Shall

two

sail

the

it

is

my

razee

become of you

will

be said that

The

"We

hopeless," they said.

but what

battles of

stand by the ship."

last orders.

gathered around Tone, and urged him

contest

were fighting the

for action.

fled

country

when

the French

No

"
?

shall

British admiral having despatched

and a frigate to give chase

to the

Loire and the Resolue, bore down on the Hoche with the

The French

rest of the squadron.

but

Bompard

For

nailed his colours to the mast.

the Hoche stood the combined

Her masts were dismantled

At

length, with

fire

of the British ships.

the

yawning

wounded

and fought

of the conflict.

like a lion,

fast.

sails

Tone commanded

and

a bat-

exposing himself to every

The Hoche was towed

Lough

into

and the prisoners landed and marched

The

the

her batteries dismounted, and

in shreds,

every gun silenced, she struck.

tery,

filled

with five feet of

ribs,

water in the hold, her rudder carried away, her

cordage hanging

six hours

her rigging was swept away

the scuppers flowed with blood

cock-pit.

was surrounded

ship

peril

Swilly,

Letterkenny.

to

Earl of Cavan invited the French officers to break-

Tone was among

panion, Sir
do, Mr.

George

Tone ?"said

Tone greeted

An

the guests

Hill,

Hill.

old college

recognised him.
"

Hill cordially,

am

and

"

How

com-

do you

very happy to see you."

said, "

How

are you, Sir

INTR OD UCTION.

xxii

How

George?
police,

who

Lady

are

Tone was among

suspected that

lay in waiting in an adjoining room.

pointed to Tone, and said, " There

was

from the

called

Hill

the prisoners,

went

to them,

your man."

is

He knew

table.

The

and your family?"

Hill

Tone

that his hour

come, but he went cheerfully to his doom.

had

Entering the

next apartment, he was surrounded by police and soldiers,

and hurried

arrested, loaded with irons,

November

He

ioth he was put on his

said to his judges

"

On

to Dublin.

trial

before a court-martial.

mean

not to give you the

trouble of bringing judicial proof, to convict me, legally,

of having

Majesty

Britannic

my

acted in

earliest youth,

in
I

the

to

hostility

Ireland.

Government of

admit the

his

From

fact.

have regarded the connection between

Ireland and Great Britain as the curse of the Irish nation,

and

felt

convinced

that, whilst

My

never be free nor happy.

in this opinion

my

eyes.

mind has been confirmed

have drawn from every

In consequence,

the powers which

all

country could

by the experience of every succeeding year,

and the conclusions which

before

lasted, this

it

my

fact

determined to apply

individual efforts could move, in

order to separate the two countries."

He made
soldier.

but one request.

The

He

asked to be shot

2th of

Bench
"

request was refused, and he was ordered to

be hanged within forty-eight hours.

the

like

November Curran moved

On

the morning of

the Court of King's

for a writ of habeas corpus.

do not pretend," he

said,

guilty of the charges of which he

" that
is

Mr. Tone

accused.

is

not

presume

INTS. OD UC TION.
But

the officers were honourable men.

affidavit, as a

solemn

sion under his

fact,

that

xxiii

it is

stated in this

Mr. Tone had no commis-

Majesty, and therefore no court-martial

could have cognisance of any crime imputed to him whilst

the Court of King's

Bench

the

sat in

capacity of the

Great Criminal Court of the land.

In times

was raging, when man was opposed

to

courts-martial might be endured

is

with me, whilst

man

when war

in the field,

but every law authority

stand upon this sacred and immutable

principle of the Constitution, that martial law

and

civil

law

are incompatible, and that the former must cease with the

This

existence of the latter.

is not,

My

arguing this momentous question.

in

He

this court.

may be

is

corpus, to

client

must appear

He

cast for death this very day.

ordered for execution whilst

on the Court

however, the time for

to support the law,

address you.

and move

call

for a habeas

be directed to the Provost- Marshal of the barracks

of Dublin, and

Major Sandys,

to

bring up the body of

Tone."

Chief Justice.
Curran.

"

My

"

Have

a writ instantly prepared."

client

may

"Mr.

Sheriff,

die whilst

the writ

is

pre-

paring."

Chief Justice.

proceed to the barracks,

and acquaint the Provost-Marshal that a writ

to suspend

is

preparing

Mr. Tone's execution, and see that he be not

executed."

The

Sheriff hastened to the prison.

his return with feverish suspense.

"

My

lord,"

he

said, "

He

The Court

awaited

speedily reappeared.

have been to the barracks,

in

INTRODUCTION.

xxiv

The Provost-Marshal

pursuance of your order.

says he

Major Sandys says he must

must obey Major Sandys.

obey Lord Cornwallis."

"My

Curran.

Mr. Tone's father has just

lord,

re-

turned after serving the writ of habeas corpus, and General

Craig says he

will

Lord Chief
body of Tone

not obey

it."

Justice Kilwarden.

"

Mr.

Sheriff, take the

and

into custody, take the Provost- Marshal

Major Sandys

custody, and

into

show the order

of the

Court to General Craig."

The

Sheriff hastened once

He

returned quickly.

was

more

had been refused admittance, and

Tone had attempted

told that

in a precarious state.

He

the prison.

to

suicide

and that he lay

surgeon was called to corroborate

the Sheriff's statement.

Lord Chief

"

Justice.

Mr.

take an

Sheriff,

order to

suspend the execution."

At

Tone

the prison

evening of the

nth

of

lay on his pallet dying.

November, while the

On

soldiers

the

were

erecting the gallows before his window, he cut his throat

At

with a penknife, inflicting a deep wound.

four o'clock

next morning a surgeon came and closed the wound.

the carotid artery was not cut, he said that
recover.

am

an anatomist."
19th.

sorry," said

He

lingered

Tone, "that
till

As

Tone might

have been so bad

the morning of

November

Standing by his bedside, the surgeon whispered to

an attendant that

if

would

die instantly.

slight

movement,

he attempted to move or speak he

Tone overheard

said, "

him, and

making a

can yet find words to thank you,

INTRODUCTION.
sir

it

is

should

XXV

wish to live for

? "

back with these

Falling

So perished

expressions upon his lips he instantly expired.

So ended the

Wolfe Tone.

He

against himself.

He

rebellion of

has well been said that

It

carries

only

What

the most welcome news you can give me.

798.

Tone needs

be defended

to

truth, ridiculously

in

is,

outspoken.

He

frankness to an extravagant pitch.

confesses

his

faults

the judicious reader and the generous

But

them.

he exaggerates

not

need scarcely

critic

be told that the evidence of a man against himself

is

not

no other

always to be taken aupiedde la

lettre ;

evidence against Wolfe Tone.

Harsh use has been made

of his confessions by his enemies.

and there

is

But had he possessed

only a tithe of the hypocrisy and solemn self-love characteristic

of his censors, he might

now appear

hero sans reproche, as he certainly

wrote for his friends.

judge him.

He

He knew

was profoundly

is

a hero sans peur.

that they

He

would not mis-

indifferent to the appro-

bation of those "superior" persons

for the

before us as a

want of a better (or a worse)

who represent what

name is called " the

world."

Tone loved adventure and romance.

In early

life

he

sought an outlet for his restless energy in odd enterprises.

He

sometimes went to bed drunk and got up

swore
to

frightfully.

mix wine with

British history?

drinking,

we

These are
politics.

his faults.

But

is

It is

the thing

ill

a grave thing

unknown

In the days of the great General

are told,

was

" a sport,

and the

and he

first

in

Monk

of sports.

INTROD UCTION.

xxvi

good drinker was held

player at any fashionable

my

cuse

England

in

1665];

'

He

game

held now.

is

Monk

ought.'

attracted

the

'

Pray ex-

Ambassador

[French

have been writing

and drank more than

hard drinker.

esteem as a good

as high

Courtin

says

style,'

in

all

to

the night,

himself was

attention

Cominges

of

[another French Ambassador] by the unparalleled splen-

dour of his drinking

patches the Ambassador describes

the style of which

fete,

indeed.
Court.

'An amusing

The Earl

happened

of Oxford, one of the

England, Knight of the Garter and an

last
first

his

dis-

fashionable

little

now very

looks

affair

one of

In

capacities.

old-fashioned

week

in this

noblemen of

Horse

officer of the

Guards, asked to dinner General Monk, the High Chamberlain of the kingdom,
State.
quality.

and some few other Councillors of

They were joined by a number

The entertainment rose to such

of young

men

of

a pitch that every

person happened to become a party to quarrels, both as

offended and offender
other's hair

they came to blows and tore each

two of them drew

had a cooling

effect

away according

their swords,

food.

Each then went

on the company.

Those who followed the

as he pleased.

General wanted some more drink, and

They continued

there

till

which luckily

it

was given them.

evening, and therefore wanted

Having been warmed by

their

morning and

after-

dinner doings, each resolved to see his companion aground.

The

General,

who

is

obviously endowed with a strong

head, struck a master

stroke

goblet of the deepest.

Some swallowed

he presented

to

each a

the contents, and

INTROD UCTION.
some not

but

xxvii

peaceably remained where they were

all

the following morning, without speaking to each other,

till

though

Only the General went to

same room.

the

in

Parliament as usual, with his mind and thoughts nothing

There was much laughter

impaired.

own day

In Tone's

more of

his bottle or

But

the British statesman was not above

port.

exhuming the

sorry business

it is

at this.' "

foibles of the dead.

Let a man be broadly judged by the mark which he has

left

on the history of

The Duke

his time.

With a hundred guineas

measure.

recommended and without

persuaded the
15,000

men

to

in

French Government

" near

England as Hannibal was

to

full

beneath

all

Monk

sat

and

of fun

Rome."

frolic,

witty,

fatal

up drinking with brawlers.

Pitt,

Ireland.

hero of the

an enemy to
light-

earnest man.

But he brought

according to tradition, reeled even

Tone enjoyed a carouse with

for

twenty

his friend Russell,

but he almost wrested Ireland from England's grasp.

Duke

of Wellington

is

but

gay,

genial,

under the Speaker's eye, but he ruled England

years.

in

Tone was

lay the serious purpose of an

back the Stuarts.

un-

send an army of

The

being as

to

the true

pocket,

overthrow the British authority

was indeed

hearted,

his

is

he went to France and

friends,

This was an achievement of genius.

enterprise

Tone

of Wellington's measure of

assuredly right.

The

This was the work

of an " extraordinary man."

Tone was
1

Jusserand, "

not born

into

Irish

French Ambassador

politics

at the

like

Grattan,

Court of Charles II."

INTROD UCTION.

xxviii

O'Connell,

Davis.

He

was nearly

years of age

thirty

But when,

before Irish affairs occupied his thoughts.

at

length, he threw in his lot with his country, he bore himself

courageously and unselfishly,

acting throughout

with a

made

singleness of purpose and a steadiness of aim which

amends

He
blot

for the heedlessness of youth.

saw more

on the

clearly than

any one of

Irish Constitution.

Parliament, but a foreign

his time the great

There was an independent

Executive

and the Parliament

and the Executive were almost constantly

arbitrary

government.

Pym, "without parliamentary

plausible

way

to

servitude."

The

Parliament were fettered by the

No

Executive.

liberties

action

of the Irish

of the English

some good
But

after the revolution of 1782.

work was accomplished by the help of outside

which, for the time being,

awed

said

are but a fair and

doubt the Parliament did

work both before and

that

" Parliaments,"

liberties,

when

called a Parliament in Ireland," pleaded Strafford,

accused of

"

in conflict.

forces

the Executive into sub-

Trade (1779) and Legislative Independence

(1782) were won by the Volunteers, and the Franchise Act

mission. Free

(1793) was obtained by the rebellious combination of the

United Irishmen and the Catholic Committee.

When

the

strength of that combination was impaired by the concession

of

793,

and by the hopes raised by the promise of further

redress, the Executive once

The

recall

of

Lord

more gained the ascendancy.

Fitzwilliam,

and the abandonment

of the policy of conciliation and justice was

The remedy

for this condition of things,

Tone

the result.
saw,

was

in

INTRODUCTION.
the

destruction

could

between the two countries

straight

for

and creeds of Irishmen

He

lasted.

struggling

separation,

unite

to

connection

therefore

common

the

in

the

while

be destroyed

felt,

But the Executive

Executive.

of the

he

not,

xxix

all

went

classes

cause of Irish

independence.

The overthrow of established government is a serious

affair.
The man who attempts it must be judged not only
by the

To

character of his plans.

the

faintest

Bentham
the

but by the practical

intrinsic justice of his cause,

hope of success

has,

He

case.

laws depends on the

if

worse than a blunder.

the ethical aspect of

[Governments

utility

utility

on no other

rest

their so-called right to

of the laws they

make

;]

make

and

it is

not incumbent on every man, as well on the

of interest, to enter into measures of

score of duty as
resistance

"

says,

is

fairly stated

think,

foundation than their

allowable,

attempt an insurrection without

when, according to the best calculation he

is

able to make, the probable mischiefs of resistance (speaking

with respect to the community in general) appear less to

him than the probable mischiefs of submission."

on an

earlier period

"The

Irish

were not

Pope, to Spain,

to

of
to

Irish

history,

be blamed

if

Writing

Mr. Froude says,

they looked to the

France, to any friend

in

earth

or

heaven, to deliver them from a power which discharged

no single duty that

rulers

owe

to subjects."

These words

are applicable to the condition of Ireland in the eighteenth

century.

"

America has been

" because she has

lost,"

said

Lord Camden,

had bad governors, and Ireland

may

INTROD UCTION.

XXX

one day be
ment."

lost

for the very

same reason

What does Ireland want

" What would she have more

"

in 1794.

bad

govern-

? " said Pitt to

Grattan,

? "

that time

At

the Catholics, constituting the vast mass of the population,

were shut out from

country.

all

part in

the government of the

Catholic could not be governor, nor deputy-

governor, nor commander-in-chief of the forces.

were excluded from Parliament, from the

from the Privy Council, and

Counsel.

sunk

in the

sheriff,

nor sub-sheriff,

The

peasantry were

county.

lowest state of degradation, and the Protestant

Ascendancy

faction

was maintained

opinion by British bayonets.

felt

Judicial Bench,

from the rank of King's

Catholic could not be

nor lord-lieutenant of a

Enlightened Irish Protestants

an earnest attempt was made by the

to

end

popular

in defiance of

that this condition of things should cease,

Commons

Catholics

and

in

1795

House of

Irish

But the British Minister interposed,

it.

and upheld the infamous system of monopoly and exclusion

by which he hoped

" Rebellion

against

tyrants

and

to divide,
is

obedience to

first

instinct of

preservation

for

man's nature

English

rule

the

was

God," and

was obedience

rebellion against English rule in Ireland

the

enslave.

to

to

instinct of self-

killing

the

body and

the soul of the nation.

Was

there hope of success

That

is

the final question.

Mr. Froude and Mr. Goldwin Smith answer

affirmative.

There can be no doubt of the

Grouchy been equal

to the

the importunities of

Tone and landed

situation

it

fact.

the

in

Had

had he yielded to
at

Bantry Bay

in

INTR 0> UCTION.

xxxi

December, 1796, Ireland would have then been

lost to

Britain.

by the

intrinsic

character

of his

Tried, then,

the practical

merits of the cause and

plans,

Tone must stand

justified to posterity.

We

live in better times,

dawning on

us,

and brighter prospects

we should never

but

forget the

still

are

men who

" Rose in dark and evil days

To

And

pitiful

right their native land."

creature, indeed,

who

stitutional agitator

must be the

Irish

refuses to sing with the

Con-

Young

Ireland poet
" Who fears to speak of Ninety-Eight ?

Who
When

blushes at the

Who
He's

hangs his head

all

Who

patriot's fate,

for

shame ?

a knave, or half a slave,

slights his

But a true man,

Will

name ?

cowards mock the

fill

country thus

like you,

man,

your glass with us."

R. Barry O'Brien.
April, 1893.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

CHAPTER

I.

AND EARLY

BIRTH, FAMILY,

LIFE.

Paris, August

As

shall

which

is

embark

in a business,

which

may amuse my

they should hereafter

My

was born

1796.

within a few days, the event of

hour to

uncertain, I take the opportunity of a vacant

throw on paper a few memorandums

family,

7,

boys, for

relative to

whom

my

myself and

write them, in case

into their hands.

fall

in the city of Dublin,

on the 20th of June, 1763,

grandfather was a respectable farmer near Naas, in the county

of Kildare.

Being

killed

by a

fall

off a stack of his

own

corn, in

the year 1766, his property, being freehold leases, descended to

father, his eldest son,

as a coachmaker.

who

He

my

was, at that time, in successful business

set, in

consequence, the lands which came

thus into his possession to his youngest brother, which, eventually,

was the cause of much

between them, and ended

litigation

decree of the Court of Chancery, that utterly ruined

of that hereafter.

My

in the

anecdotes which she has told

*

vol.

West India

trade,

me of him, was a great

[French Expedition (under Hoche) to Bantry Bay, post.

1.

father

in a
;

but

mother, whose name was Lamport, was the

daughter of a captain of a vessel

many

my

who, by

original

Ed.]

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

she had a brother

who was an

[1763-

excellent seaman, and served as

lieutenant on board of the Buckingham,

first

commanded by Admiral

Tyrrel, a distinguished officer in the British service.

come to my history, I must

my
William, who was born in August,
1764, was intended for business, and was, in consequence, bound
apprentice, at the age of fourteen, to an eminent bookseller.
With
him he read over all the voyages he could find, with which, and
some military history, he heated an imagination naturally warm
was

their eldest son

say a few words of

and

but, before

much

enthusiastic, so

that, at the

London, and entered, as a volunteer,

service

but his

finding his

way

brothers.

first

age of sixteen, he ran off to

in the

East India Company's

essay was very unlucky

out to India, he was stopped

Helena, on which barren rock he remained

St.

years,

instead

of

at the Island

of

for,

in garrison for six

when, his time being expired, he returned to Europe.

It is

highly to his honour, that, though he entered into such execrable

society as the troops in the

to be,

and

at such

Company's

service

must be supposed

an early age, he passed through them without

being affected by the contagion of their manners or their principles.

He

even found means,

to cultivate his
prised, at our

mind

in that

degraded situation and remote spot,

to a certain degree, so that

meeting

in

London,

was much

after a separation of,

sur-

believe,

him with the manners of a gentleman, and a

eight years, to find

considerable acquaintance with the best parts of English literature:

he had a natural turn

I

have among

pretty,
lad,

my

for poetry,

which he had much improved, and

papers a volume of his poems,

and some of them elegant.

He was

all

of

them

a handsome, well-made

with a very good address, and extremely well received

among

women, whom he loved to excess. He was as brave as Caesar,

It was impossible for two men to entertain
a more sincere, and, I may say, enthusiastic, affection for each
other than he and I and, at this hour, there is scarcely anything
on earth I regret so much as our separation. Having remained in

the

and loved the army.

Europe

for three or four years,

alluded

to, utterly

my

father being, as I have above

ruined by a lawsuit with his brother Will took

the resolution to try his fortune once more in India, from which,

JET.

WILLIAM TONE.

i.]

my own

affairs

being nearly desperate,

did not attempt to dis-

In consequence, he re-entered the Company's service

suade him.

beginning of the year 1792, and arrived at Madras towards

in the

the end of the

address,

same

and the

With an advantageous figure, a good

have described, he recommended himself

year.

talents

so far to the colonel of the battalion in which he served, that he

gave him his discharge, with

a small

military

letters to his friends at Calcutta,

and

command, which defrayed the expense of

his

voyage, and procured him a gratification from the

50

sterling for his

good behaviour on

Company

The

his arrival.

of

he

service

performed was quelling, at some hazard, a dangerous mutiny which

arose

among

the black troops

who were under

had formed a scheme to run away with the

fortune to

whom

recommend himself

he had brought

letters,

his

command, and

He had

ship.

the good

so far to the persons at Calcutta to

that they introduced him, with strong

recommendations, to a Mr. Marigny, a French

officer,

command

then at Calcutta,

in

army of

the

the Nizam,

who was

purchasing military stores for that prince.

quence,

gave him a commission in

Marigny,

the Nizam's

promised him the command of a battalion of

in

in

conse-

service,

and

artillery (the service to

which he was attached), as soon as they should arrive

The

second

at the army.

&c, being purchased, Will marched with the first

division, of which he had the command, and arrived safely at the
Nizam's camp. After some time, Marigny followed him, but, by
stores,

an unforeseen accident,

all

my

brother's expectations were blown

up.

quarrel took place between

first

in

command,

in

which

my

engaged on the side of

Marigny was put in irons,

Marigny and the Frenchman

brother, with an honourable indis-

cretion,

his friend.

that

as

had not applied

The consequence was

would have been Will

also, if

for protection as a British subject to the

Resident at the Nizam's court.

he

English

This circumstance, together with

the breaking out of the war between England and France, utterly

put an end to

European

all

officers

in

prospects
the

of his advancement, as

all

the

Nizam's service were French, and he

determined, in consequence, to return to Calcutta.

On

his journey,

having travelled four hundred miles, and having yet two hundred

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

to travel, he alighted off his horse,

and went to shoot

or thick wood,

by the roadside

and horses

the hands of five ruffians

Da ggage

in

own

the foot
tion,

my

on

his return,

he immediately ran up and

shot one of

of his

them

in the belly

pistols,

made

in a jungle,

he found

his servant

who were plundering

fired

seized,

his

on them, by which he

another returned the

which they had

they then

[1763-

fire

with one

and shot him through

off with their booty, and, in this condi-

brother had to travel two hundred miles in that burning

climate, at

the commencement, too, of the rainy season, badly

wounded, and without resources

his courage, however,

and he arrived

constitution, supported him,

where he got speedily cured.

and a good

at length at Calcutta,

His friends there had not forgotten

him, and, after some time, an opportunity offering of Major Palmer

going up to Poonah as Resident at the court of the Peshwa of the

Mahrattas, they procured him strong recommendations to that
court,

and he

set off with

Major Palmer

with expectations of the

artillery.

Such

is

command

at

high health and

in

least

the substance of the last letter which

from him.

Since that time

hope and

trust the best of

am

him

spirits,

of a battalion of
I

received

utterly ignorant of his fate. 1

he has a good constitution, un-

shaken courage, a fluent address, and

his variety of adventures

must, by this time, have sufficiently matured his mind, and given
him experience. I look, therefore, with confidence to our meeting
again,

my

and the hour of that meeting

will

be one of the happiest of

life.

[William Tone became a distinguished officer in the Mahratta service, and

killed in battle while fighting under Holkar, circa 1802.
He wrote a book
entitled, " Some Institutions of the Mahratta People," of which Mr. James
Grant Duff, in his " History of the Mahrattas," says " I have examined minutely
all which that intelligent gentleman [William Tone] wrote respecting the
Mahrattas. What he saw may be relied upon ; as to what he heard I am less
surprised that he should have fallen into error than that he should have
obtained information so nearly correct." Lewis Ferdinand Smith, in his book
on " Europeans in the Service of the Native Princes of India," describes Tone
an unfortunate
as a man " of undaunted valour and persevering enterprise
gentleman whose abilities and integrity were as great as his misfortunes had
1

was

been undeservingly severe." An account of William Tone will be found in

an interesting book, recently published, by Mr. Herbert Compton, " Military
Adventurers of Hindustan."

Ed.]

JET.

MATTHEW

i.]

My

second brother, Matthew, was of a temper very different

from that of William

spoke

TONE.

little,

with less of

fire,

but thought a great deal

he was much more solid

had not Will's

volubility,

display, with frequently

he

him

called

though he

but,

make

a great

substance, and though his

manner

and could

little

we

in the family

the Spectator, from his short face and his silence

not, like him,

was reserved and phlegmatic, so as to be frequently absent in

company, he had a rambling, enthusiastic spirit, stronger than any

He

of us.

loved travelling and adventures for their

own

sakes.

In consequence, before he was twenty-five, he had visited England

twice or three times, and had spent twelve months in America, and
as

much

in the

West

he mentioned to

me

Indies.

On

from

this last place,

his determination to pass over to France,

and

the service of the Republic, in which I

enter a volunteer in

encouraged and assisted him.

1794.

his return

This was in the month of August,

In consequence, he crossed over to Hamburg, whence he

passed to Dunkirk, and presenting himself as an Irishman desirous

of the honour of serving in the French armies, was immediately

There he remained until May,

when he was discharged by order of the committee of public
safety, and, going on to Havre de Grace, he took his passage to

thrown into prison on suspicion.

1795,

America, where he arrived in safety, for the second time, about

Christmas, at which time

my

passage to France

was actually

so that

New

at

we were together

York, waiting for

in

out knowing of each other, a circumstance which

exceedingly,

as, in

the present situation of

my

America, withI

regret

most

affairs, it is at least

we may never meet again but I am not of a very

desponding temper. The variety of adventures we have both gone
through, and the escapes we have had in circumstances of great
peril, have made me a kind of fatalist, and therefore I look with
confidence to the day, and, I hope, not a very remote one, when
the whole of my family shall be reunited and happy, by which time
possible that

think the spirit of adventure will, or at least ought to be, pretty

well laid in all of us.

My brother

of a poet, and has written

are not

ill

done.

He

is

some

Matthew,

a brave lad, and

like Will, is

something

the burlesque style, that

trifles, in

love

him most

sincerely.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

His age,

at the

know

write this,

Matthew

seven years.
capable, as

time

is

is

[1763-

about twenty-six or twenty-

a sincere and

ardent republican, and

think, of sacrificing everything to his principles.

not what effect his lying so long in a French prison

have had upon him, but,

change

do not deceive myself,

if I

He

in his sentiments.

more temperate

is

may

made no

has

it

in all respects

than William or myself, for we have both a strong attachment to

pleasures and amusements, and a dash of coxcombry, from which

he

is

totally free

and, perhaps, a

little,

at least, of the latter foible

would be of no prejudice to him, nor render him less agreeable. 1

My third brother, Arthur, is much younger than any of us, being
born about the year 1782
age.

If I can judge,

of course he

when he grows

exactly in mind and person.

possible (which

we have

all

He

attorney, for which

now

fourteen years of

will

resemble William

fine,

smart boy, as idle as

been, without exception), with very

lion.

wished, himself, having the true vagrant turn of the family, to

go to sea
fair

is

is

he

My father was bent on making

no boy on earth was ever so unfitted.

quick parts, and as stout as a

him an

He

up,

way

his father

to be lost,

was obstinate, so was he, and the boy was in a

when I prevailed, with some difficulty, on his

father to consent to his going at least

one voyage.

In consequence,

he sailed with a Captain Meyler to Portugal, being then about twelve

years of age. On his return, he liked the sea so well that he was

bound regularly apprentice to Captain Meyler, under whom he made

On his
a voyage to London and a second voyage to Portugal.
return from this last trip, in June, 1795, he found

my
I

me

at Belfast

on

departure for America, and he determined to accompany me.

was extremely happy to have him with

us,

and, in consequence,

he crossed the Atlantic with me, and remained until

coming

to France,

give notice to

my

in consequence,

when

resolved to dispatch

friends there of

what

him

decided on

to Ireland, to

was about.

put him,

on board the Susannah, Captain Baird, at Phila-

[Matthew Tone accompanied the French Expedition (under Humbert) to

Humbert landed, defeated the English General Lake at
Castlebar, but surrendered to Cornwallis at Ballinamuck, September 8th. After
the battle Matthew was taken prisoner, brought to Dublin, tried by court
Ed.]
martial, and hanged, September 29th.
1

Killala in 1798.

JET.

MARY TONE.

i.]

delphia,

on the ioth December, 1795, since which time, from

it has been impossible for me to have heard of him,

circumstances,

but
his

rely,

My
all

with confidence, that he has arrived

commission with

ability

whose name

sister,

is

and

Mary,

is

a fine young

the peculiarity of our disposition, with

own

sex.

and, as

If she

it is,

one more

safe,

all

woman

who

she has

the delicacy of her

were a man, she would be exactly

being brought up amongst boys, for

sister,

and discharged

discretion. 1

like

one of

us,

we never had but

died a child, she has contracted a masculine

habit of thinking, without, however, in any degree, derogating from

that feminine softness of

When

age.

hereafter, she

manner which

was driven

is

suited to her sex

into exile in America, as

determined to share

quence, she also, like the rest of

us,

my

has

I shall

and

relate

fortunes, and, in conse-

made her voyage

across the

Atlantic. 2

My
from
I

and mother were pretty much

father

this short sketch,

think

it

will

with what

like other

people

but,

have to add concerning myself,

appear that their children were not at

all

like other

people, but have had, every one of them, a wild spirit of adventure,

which, though sometimes found in an individual, rarely pervades

a whole family, including even the females.

For

my

brother

William has visited Europe, Asia, and Africa before he was thirty
years of age

Matthew has been

in

America

Indies once, not to mention several trips to

voyage and imprisonment

twenty-seven.

in

France, and

all

twice, in the

West

England, and
this before

his

he was

Arthur, at the age of fourteen, has been once in

[Arthur Tone returned to America about 1797. In 1798 he came back to

Europe, and entered the Dutch navy as a midshipman. He fell into the hands
of the English about the same time as Wolfe Tone was taken, but escaped by
the help of an Irish officer who found him weeping over an account of his
brother's death.
Promoted at the age of eighteen to the rank of lieutenant,
Arthur sailed for the East Indies about 1799. He was not heard of afterwards. Ed.]
3
[Mary Tone came from America to France with Tone's wife in 1796. In
1797 she married a Swiss merchant who settled in St. Domingo. There she
died.
According to one account she caught yellow fever while attending a sick
friend who had been deserted by her family and servants; according to another,
both she and her husband were killed by negroes during disturbances in the
island.
Ed.]
1

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

England, twice

and has twice crossed the Atlantic,

in Portugal,

My

going to and returning from America.

same ocean, and

the
I

hope

do not here speak of

eldest of

whom was

my

[i77i-75-

sister

Mary

crossed

soon do the same on her return.

will

wife and our

little

boys and

girl,

the

about eight, and the youngest two years old

when we sailed for America. And, by all I can see, it is by no

means certain that our voyages are yet entirely finished.
I come now to myself.
I was, as I have said, the eldest child
of

my

parents,

and a very great

favourite.

was

sent, at the

age

of eight or nine, to an excellent English school, kept by Sisson

man to whose kindness and affection

who took more than common pains

Darling, a

indebted, and
respect

him

yet.

which could induce

was very

me

idle,

and

it

was much

with me.

was only the fear of shame

Nevertheless, at the approach

to exertion.

of our public examinations, which were held quarterly, and at

our parents and friends attended,

which

all

some

time,

and generally with

success, as

used to labour for

have obtained six or

seven premiums in different branches at one examination, for

mathematics, arithmetic, reading, spelling, recitation, use of the

In two branches

globes, &c.

catechism, to which last

always

Having continued with Mr. Darling

pretty nearly exhausted

recommended strongly

me for
uncommon

and to prepare
fine boy,

that

it

of

was a thousand

to

failed,

writing and

the

could never bring myself to apply.

the

my

about three years, and

for

education, he

English

of

circle

father to put

me

to a Latin school,

the University, assuring him that

talents, particularly for the
pities to

throw

me away on

was a

mathematics

business, when,

by giving me a liberal education, there was a moral certainty

I should become a Fellow of Trinity College, which was a noble
independence, besides

the

glory

of

the

situation.

In

these

arguments he was supported by the parson of the parish, Dr.

Jameson, a worthy man, who used to examine
time

in the

loved

me

elements of Euclid.
passionately,

circumstances
authorities.

would
It

My

father,

me

who, to do him

and spared no expense on

afford,

was

easily

was determined that

from time to

me

persuaded

justice,

that his

by these

should be a Fellow of

MT.

AT SCHOOL.

8-12.]

Dublin College.

whom

was taken from Mr. Darling, from

parted with regret, and placed, about the age of twelve, under the

Wm.

care of the Rev.

my

from

As

late preceptor.

where we lived (Stafford

eye, I

my

and as

taste

about

but,

my

with an accident of a

wounded

this time,

downstairs,

fall

found

my

his recovery, his affairs so

street

father's

more

still

me

or not

meeting

father,

by which he was dreadfully

he narrowly escaped with

in the head, so that

my

whether unluckily for

must determine,

life

same

a year or two

for

began Greek, which

in all respects,

was under

began Latin with ardour, and continued

the future colour of

on

very different,

the school was in the

Street),

with great diligence, when

to

man

Craig, a

deranged in

found,

life,

he

respects, that

all

determined on quitting business and retiring to the country, a

resolution which
creditors,

paid for
for

my

he executed accordingly, settling with

and placing

my

me

with a friend near the school,

diet and lodging, besides allowing

In this manner

pocket.

master, before I was sixteen

remarkable

for

my

discretion,

The superintendence

then.

became,

and

it

may

of

my

as, at

me
may

this

a trifling
say,

time,

well be judged

sum

was

father being removed,

less so
I

began

me by

could very well do the business of the week in three days,

or even two,

necessary, and that, consequently, the other three

if

were lawful prize

in the

week, at

therefore resolved to appropriate three days

least, to

always keeping

my

amusements, and the others to school,

in the latter three the

day of

repetition,

which

included the business of the whole week, by which arrangement

kept

my

he

my own
am not

to calculate, that, according to the slow rate chalked out for

Craig,

his

all

whom

my class. I found no diffimy schoolfellows of the justice

rank with the other boys of

culty in convincing half a dozen of

of this distribution of our time, and

a regular system of what

is

by

this

means we established
and we contrived,

called mitching;

being some of the smartest boys at school, to get an ascendency

over the spirit of the master, so that

when we entered the

school

one of our days of relaxation, he did not choose

fingers with any one of us, nor did he once write to my

in a body, after

to burn his

father to inform

him of

my

proceedings, for which he most cer-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

10

was highly culpable.

tainly

[i775-8i.

must do myself and my schoolwe were abominably idle, we

fellows the justice to say, that, though

were not vicious

country,

attending

Dublin

our amusements consisted in walking to the

swimming

in
all

in the

parties

the sea, and, particularly, in

in

parades, field days, and reviews of the garrison of

Phoenix Park.

lament most exceedingly,

mention

me

independent of confirming

this particularly, because,

a rooted habit of idleness, which

in

trace to the splendid appearance of

the troops, and the

pomp and

parade of military show, the untam-

able desire which

ever since have had to

which has never once quit me, and which

desire

of various adventures,

the objects of
This,

in

my

after sixteen years

it

Being, at

be

will not

to appear lovely in

my

eyes,

me

my

considerably in

approaches to

adoration.

combined with the reasons above mentioned, decided me.

began to look on

classical learning as

Dublin College as a

creature living.

The hour when

which now approached,

disgust.

nonsense

establishment

pitiful

thought an ensign in a marching

very wisely thought that a red coat and cockade, with a pair

of gold epaulets, would aid

soldier,

at last at liberty to indulge.

woman began

thought incredible that

I

am

approaching to seventeen years of age,

this time,

and

become a

on a Fellowship
and, in short,

regiment was the happiest

was to enter the University,

looked forward to with horror and

absented myself more and more from school, to which

preferred attending the recruits on drill at the barracks.

at length

my

schoolmaster,

insufficient at the

who apprehended

So

that

should be found

examination for entering the college, and that

he, of consequence,

would come

in for his share of the disgrace,

thought proper to do what he should have done at least three years

before,

my

and wrote

father a full account of

This immediately produced a violent dispute

declared

my

passion

learned profession

for

but

utterly refused to give

I

my

the army, and

father

me any

was too proud

between

was as obstinate as

to do.

my

proceedings.
us.

utter dislike to a

assistance to forward

had no resource but to submit or to follow

example, which

my

my

I,

and as he

my

scheme,

brother William's

In consequence,

sat

TRINITY COIIEGE.

JET. 12-18.]

down

again, with a very

bad grace, to

at length, after labouring for

some

pull

11

my

up

time

lost

entered a pensioner of Trinity College, in February, 1781

Matthew Young, the most popular

in

mathematicians in Europe. 1

first

Logic courageously, but unluckily, at

happened to

Ledwich, who, instead of giving

answerer,

of injustice to alienate

my

with eagerness to
as a volunteer,

me

revenge

me

At

first

very

first

suffer

examination,

to another,

my

In this

studies.

my

army

as before,

manner we continued

for

above a

well be supposed, without

an inch from their determination.

At

length,

seeing the war in America drawing to a close, and being beset

my

whom

have already mentioned, and a Mr. G.

who surrounded me,

after

Brown, who had

J.

an interval of above a year.

University, that

is,

to

To

punish

at school

me

class, as

for

my studies,
my obstinacy,

it

is

called in the

recommence with the students who had

entered a year after me.

had done

now become

submitted a second time, and returned to

was obliged to submit to drop a

by

particularly Dr. Jameson,

been sub-master at Mr. Darling's academy, and was

a lawyer,

in

and

open a book that

college, nor

may

returned

father to equip

me

refused

some of

friends

me

and to

to join the British

He

raged.

twelvemonth, on very bad terms, as

either party relaxing

it

besought

me

would not go near the

was not a military one.

began to study

the premium, which, as best

once more from

still

being

did not stand in need of this piece

military plan

America, where the war

in

and to

tutor

my

undoubtedly merited, awarded

very indifferent judgments.

me

my

hands of an egregious dunce, one

into the

fall

and,

was the Rev.

the University, and one of

then not quite eighteen years of age

the

time, sorely against the grain, I

that

continued

I
is,

my

studies at college as

idled until the last

moment

of delay.

then laboured hard for about a fortnight before the public exami-

nations,

three
1

and

premiums

always secured good judgments, besides obtaining

in the three last years of

[Matthew Young was born

in the

county

my course.

Roscommon

in

During
1750.

my

Entering

was elected Fellow, and took orders in

He was an eminent mathematician, and wrote several scientific works.
1775.
In 1798 he was made Bishop of Clonfert by Lord Cornwallis.
He died at
Whitworth in Lancashire in 1800. Ed.]
Trinity College, Dublin, in 1766, he

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

12

[1782-86.

progress through the University, I was not without adventures.

Towards the latter end of the year 1782, I went out as second to
a young fellow of my acquaintance, of the name of Foster, who
fought with another lad, also of my acquaintance, named Anderson,
and had the misfortune to shoot him through the head. The
second to Anderson was William Armstrong, my most particular
friend, who is now a very respectable clergyman, and settled at
As Anderson's friends were outrageous against
Dungannon.
Foster and me, we were obliged at first to withdraw ourselves, but
after some time their passion abated, and I returned to college,

whence
ever.

this

adventure was near driving

Foster stood his

trial

me

a second time and for

and was acquitted

against

was no prosecution. In this unfortunate business the

was not more than twenty years of age.

At

the beginning of the year 1785, I

length, about

acquainted with

my

me

there

eldest of us

became

She was the daughter of William

wife.

Witherington, and lived, at that time, in Grafton Street, in the

house of her grandfather, a rich old clergyman of the name of

Fanning.

was then a scholar of the house

and every day,

commons,

after

with one or the other of

my

in the University,

used to walk under her windows

fellow students

soon grew pas-

sionately fond of her, and she also was struck with me, though
certainly

favour

other, a

my

so

it

much in my
we had ever spoken to each
had commenced between us. She was, at

appearance, neither then nor now, was

was, however, that, before

mutual affection

not sixteen years of age, and as

She had a brother some years older than

beautiful as an angel.

this time,

necessary for

my

admission to the family that

acquainted with him,

violin,

and

man, we grew intimate, the more so as

neglected no

fair

and as

it

should be

was
first

soon contrived to be introduced to him,

and as he played well on the

herself

means

to

it

was myself a musical

may

well be supposed

recommend myself

to

him and the

whom I soon grew a favourite. My affairs

prosperously my wife and I grew more passionately

rest of the family, with

now advanced

fond of each other

and, in a short time,

proposed to her to

marry me, without asking consent of any one, knowing well

it

MARRIAGE.

JET. 19-23.]

would be
as

expect

in vain to

made

it

she accepted the proposal as frankly

and one beautiful morning

it,

ran off together and were married.

Maynooth

my

for

forgiven on

sides,

all

for a

and

settled in

lodgings

very short time, as happy as possible, in the

Fellowship, which

determined

had taken

my

who every
The scheme of a

adored, and

heart.

now abandoned, and

never relished, was

when

that,

my

hour grew more and more upon

town to

of passion had

first falat

wife's grandfather.

was now,

possession of a beautiful creature that

month of July we

in the

carried her out of

a few days, and when the

we were

subsided,

near

13

it

was

degree of Bachelor of Arts,

should go to the Temple, study the law, and be called to the bar.

my studies in the University, and

premium two or three months after I was marIn February, 1786, I commenced Bachelor of Arts, and

continued, in consequence,

my

obtained
ried.

last

my

shortly after resigned

may

observe here, that

have been
idle,

much more

made some

successful

my

partly owing to

the distractions to which

but too

scholarship and quit the University.

my

scholarship, three premiums,

most admirable

life,

natural dispositions and

As

and should

had not been so inveterately

if I

passion for a military

much exposed me.

Society, a

figure as a scholar,

was, however,

it

and partly to

temperament
obtained a

and three medals from the Historical

institution, of

which

had the honour to

be Auditor, and also to close the session with a speech from the
chair, the highest
I

look back on

compliment which that society

my

college days with regret,

is

and

used to bestow.
preserve,

and

ever shall, a most sincere affection for the University of Dublin.

But to

return.

short period after

The

my

obliged to break off

tranquil

and happy

life

my

connection with

began to

treat us with all possible slight

removed,

in

consequence, to

my

father's,

spent, for

We

were

wife's family,

who

marriage, was too good to

all

and

last.

disrespect.

who then

We

resided near

Clane, in the county of Kildare, and whose circumstances could,

at that time,

but

ill

bear such an addition to his family.

It

is

doing him, however, but justice to mention, that he received and

treated us with the greatest affection

and kindness, and, as

far as

he

THEOBALD V/OLFE TONE.

i-4

was

endeavoured to make us forget the grievous mortifications

able,

we had undergone.
brought to bed of a

my

[1786-87.

my wife was

After an interval of a few months,

a circumstance which,

girl,

love for her a thousandfold

if

possible, increased

but our tranquillity was again

upon by a most terrible event. On the 16th October,

was broken open by a gang of robbers, to the
number of six, armed with pistols, and having their faces blacked.
Having tied the whole family, they proceeded to plunder and
broken

in

1786, the house

demolish every

article

they could

find,

even to the unprofitable

villainy of breaking the china, looking-glasses, &c.

whom

two hours, a maidservant,

made her

At

length, after

they had tied negligently, having

escape, they took the alarm,

and

fled

with precipitation,

leaving the house such a scene of horror and confusion as can

With regard

hardly be imagined.
conceive what

pened to be
the gang,

in

As

to myself,

it

impossible to

is

was early in the night I hapthe courtyard, where I was seized and tied by
suffered.

it

who then proceeded

to break into the house, leaving

a ruffian sentinel over me, with a case of pistols cocked in his

In this situation

hand.

tinctly the devastation

my

whole of

my

my

died within me.

was

was

It

seems

had so

totally absorbed the

but received no answer.

called,

horrible.

set

that, as

My

heart

still

no

myself to gnaw the cords with

a transport of agony and rage, for

heard calling on

lay murdered within,

I verily

when

I was
and anguish by my wife's
name at the end of the house.

terror

my

soon as the robbers

each other with some

back window

wife

proceeded to another and another, but

my whole family
my unspeakable

relieved from

which

tied, in

believed that

voice,

my

my own existence was then the least of

When the villains, including my sentry, ran off, I
my feet with some difficulty, and made my way

to a window, where

It

expected

can safely and with great truth declare,

mind, that

scrambled on

which

apprehensions for

concern.

answer.

lay for two hours, and could hear dis-

which was going on within.

death every instant, and

that

difficulty,

fled,

and made

those within had untied

their escape

through a

they had got a considerable distance from the house,

before, in their fright, they recollected me, of

whose

fate

they were

/ET. 23-24.]

AN AD VENTURE.

utterly ignorant, as I

was of

15

Under

theirs.

these circumstances,

my

wife had the courage to return alone, and, in the dark, to find

me

out, not

knowing but she might again

whom

from

villains,

hands of the

into the

fall

she had scarcely escaped, or that

be lying a lifeless carcase at the threshold.

might

can imagine no

but of what is not a woman capable for

him she truly loves ? She cut the cords which bound me, and at
length we joined the rest of the family at a little hamlet within
Of all
half a mile of the house, where they had fled for shelter.
greater effort of courage

the adventures wherein

have been hitherto engaged,

to think of

It

it.

un-

this,

makes me shudder even now

was some consolation that none of us sustained

doubtedly, was the most horrible.

It

any personal injury, except my father, whom one of the villains

scarred on the side of the head with a knife they respected the
women, whose danger made my only fear, and one of them had
:

even the humanity to carry our

little

daughter from her cradle

my

where she lay screaming, and to place her beside

the bed, whereon she was tied with

my

mother and

terrible scene, besides infinitely distressing us

sustained,

and which

my

wife on

by the heavy

father's circumstances could

very

destroyed, in a great degree, our domestic enjoyments.

continually with a

not
to

that

stir

bottom.

loss

we

ill

bear,

slept

my pillow, and a mouse could

and through the house from top

case of pistols at

was not on

If

This

sister.

my

feet

any one knocked

at the door after nightfall,

flew to our arms, and, in this manner,

garrison through the winter.

we kept a most

we

painful

should observe here, that two of

the ruffians being taken in an unsuccessful attempt, within a few

days

after

our robbery, were hanged, and that

my

father's

watch

was found on one of them.

At

length,

order,

my

when our

was, however, as
leaving

during

affairs

father supplied

much

me

were again reduced into some

with a small

as he could spare,

my wife and daughter with my

my absence, with great affection.

to Liverpool, wherein

London

in

we

ran

some

and

sum

I set off for

father,

little

of money, which

who

London,

treated them,

After a dangerous passage

risk of

being

lost, I

January, 1787, and immediately entered

arrived in

my name

as a

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i6

student at law on the books of the Middle

may

say was

had no great

profession, both in

month

first

and

disliked,

made

ever

to this

my

for

hour

and

principles

its

amenable to nobody
the

Temple

conduct

think

practice.

my

me

much

in

make

Court, on the

my

circumstances,

me

out.

difficult as

However, one way or another,

had chambers

floor),

first

to struggle with,

totally

indispensable

is

knowledge of a science so abstruse and

it

ever three

In addition to the reasons

life.

uneasiness of mind, disabled

that of the English code.

trived to

law

illiberal

was, likewise,

from that cool and systematic habit of study which

for attaining a

I
I

and, in consequence, after

have mentioned, the extreme uncertainty of

which kept

an

it

never opened a law book, nor was

times in Westminster Hall in

I

but this

in that profession.

affection for study in general, but that of the

particularly

the progress

all

[1787-88.

in the

and whatever

Temple

difficulties

(No.

con-

4,

Hare

had otherwise

contrived always to preserve the appearance of

a gentleman, and to maintain

my

rank with

my

fellow students,

if

myself a student. One resource I derived from the

exercise of my talents, such as they were.
I wrote several articles
can

for

call

Magazine,

European

the

My

publications.

mostly

critical

reviews of

however, they were in general as good as those of

critics

for

my

fame,

and, in two years,

I received, I

which was

writings,

my

suppose, about

main object

had then no great ambition to

new

reviews were but poor performances enough

conjunction with two of

my

a burlesque novel, which

friends,

we

attain

for,
it.

named Jebb and

called "

my

brother

50

sterling

as to literary
I

likewise, in

Radcliff,

wrote

Belmont Castle," and was

intended to ridicule the execrable trash of the Circulating Libraries.

It

by

was tolerably well done, particularly Radcliff's part, which was

yet so it was that we could not find a bookseller
far the best
;

who would

risk the printing

to several.

It

success,

though

authors,

and

At

the

situation

though we offered the copyright

gratis

Dublin, and had

some

was afterwards printed

I

their

Temple
and

it,

believe, after

all,

it

in

was most relished by the

immediate connections.
I

young men of
with the Hon. George

became intimate with

respectability,

particularly

several

FRIENDS IN LONDON

JET. 24-25.]

17

Knox, 1 son of Lord Northland, with whom I formed a friendship

He
of which I am as proud as of any circumstance in my life.
a

is

man

of inappreciable merit, and loved to a degree of en-

thusiasm by

all

who have

know

the happiness to

him.

scarcely

know any person whose esteem and approbation I covet so much

I had, long after the commencement of our acquaintance,
when I was in circumstances of peculiar and trying difficulty,
and deserted by many of my former friends, the unspeakable

and

Knox

consolation and support of finding George

and of preserving
that occasion

his

shall

delible impression

esteem unabated.

mention

in its place

of gratitude and

still

the same,

His steady friendship on

;

it

affection

made an

has

on

my

heart.

inI

renewed an old college acquaintance with John Hall,

who, by different accessions to his fortune, was now at the head of
likewise

He had

about ^14,000 sterling a year.

for

two

which

is

estates

first

his present

name.

He was

Parliament, and to his friendship

150

sterling,

difficulties.

at

changed

to that of Stevenson,

a time

when

Another old college

I
I

then a

his

and then

member

name
to

twice,

Wharton,

of the British

was indebted for the sum of

was under great pecuniary

friend I recall with sentiments

of sincere affection, Benjamin Phipps, of Cork.

He

kept a kind

of bachelor's house, with good wine, and an excellent collection

of books {not

mand

law

as at his.

which were as much at

books), all

With some

oddities,

which to

me

my

com-

only rendered

him more amusing, he had a great fund of information, particularly of political detail, and in his company I spent some of the
pleasantest hours which I passed in London.

At

length, after

than a year,

my

had been

Temple something better

who was returned a few months

at the

brother William,

[Afterwards a prominent member of the Irish House of Commons. Knox

was a staunch supporter of the Catholic claims. In 1793 he proposed that
Catholics should be admitted to Parliament, but the House of Commons
rejected the proposal by 163 to 69.
In 1795 he supported Grattan's Bill for
complete emancipation in a vigorous speech. "Take, then, your choice,"
he said " re-enact your penal laws risk a rebellion, a separation, or a Union,
or pass this Bill." The Bill was rejected by 155 to 84. A rebellion and
a Union both followed. Knox opposed the Union, sacrificing his post as a
Commissioner of Revenue (worth ^1,000 a year). Ed.]
1

vol.

1.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

iS

before from his

expedition to St. Helena, joined me, and

first

amity and affection

lived together in the greatest

my

months, being the remainder of

distance of time,
recollection

[1788.

now

eight years,

feel

my

happy hours we spent

of the

At

London.

stay in

we

about nine

for

this

heart swell at the

We

together.

were

often without a guinea, but that never affected our spirits for a

moment, and

ever

if

myself oppressed by some untoward

felt

had a never-failing resource and consolation in his

friendship, his courage, and the invincible gaiety of his disposition,
which nothing could ruffle. With the companionable qualities he

circumstance,

possessed,

is

it

no wonder that he recommended himself

Phipps, so that he was soon,

than even

now

They were

was.

inseparable.

It

with a kind of tender melancholy, which

many

to recall the

men

delightful days

Irish

war launched

Deptford,

at

besides

his

him
mind

we

favourite

my

fills

not unpleasing,

is

three have spent together,

and the walks we have taken, sometimes to a review

to see a ship of

to Ben.

believe, a greater favourite with

sometimes to
expedition

visit

with

sometimes
the India-

Phipps.

Will,

had an inexhaustible fund of pure

was pretty well myself, and Phipps, like the

natural gaiety,

humour

landlord of the " Hercules' Pillars," was an excellent third man.

In short,
this

we made

time that

was naturally
which

it

out together admirably.

As

foresaw by

should never be Lord Chancellor, and as

active,

my

mind

a scheme occurred to me, to the maturing of

devoted some time and study

this

was a proposal

to the

minister to establish a colony in one of Cook's newly-discovered

islands in the

South Sea on a military plan,

in that track, in order to

and to annoy her grievously

arranging this system, which
England,

for all

my

ideas ran

put a bridle on Spain in time of peace,

read every book

in that quarter in
I

think even

time of war.

now was

In

a good one for

could find relating to South America,

as Ulloa, Anson, Dampier, Woodes Rogers, Narborough, and

especially the Bucaniers, who were my heroes, and whom I proposed
to myself as the archetypes of the future colonists.

many

reading, writing,

and talking

Many and

my brother, Phipps, and I

of my project, in which, if it

a delightful evening did

spend

in

had been

JET.

A DESPERATE EXPEDIENT.

25.]

adopted,

it

19

was our firm resolution to have embarked. At length,

it into a regular shape, I drew up a memorial

when we had reduced

on the subject, which

my own

addressed to Mr.

hands to the porter

in

Pitt,

and delivered with

Downing Street. We waited, I will

when I addressed a letter to

not say patiently, for about ten days,

the minister, mentioning

my

memorial, and praying an answer, but

was as unsuccessful as the former. Mr. Pitt took

not the smallest notice of either memorial or letter, and all the
benefit we reaped from our scheme was the amusement it afforded
us during three months, wherein it was the subject of our constant
this application

speculation.

my
my

mind.

regret these delightful reveries which then occupied

It

my

was

In

quite obliterated.
if

first

essay in what

may

ever

this

may

time

yet enable

me

to

fulfil

was harassed and sore with

my

father, filled with

my own

exaggerated.

In a transport of rage,

my

my

It

affairs

was

were

moment when my mind

vexations

received a letter

complaints, and a description of the

ruin of his circumstances, which

Company's
wife and child

soldier in the India

not yet

is

that resolution.

had a very fortunate escape

exceedingly embarrassed, and just at a

from

as

made something like a vow, that,

would make Mr. Pitt sorry, and

had an opportunity,

perhaps fortune

about

my anger

and

call politics,

me

disappointment made such an impression on

afterwards found was

I

service

determined to
to quit

much

enlist as a

Europe

for ever,

mercy of her family, who

might, I hoped, be kinder to her when I was removed. My brother
combated this desperate resolution by every argument in his
power but, at length, when he saw me determined, he declared I
should not go alone, and that he would share my fate to the last

and

to leave

to the

extremity.
In this gloomy state of mind, deserted, as we thought,
by gods and men, we set out together for the India House, in

Leadenhall Street, to offer ourselves as volunteers

but on our

we were informed that the season was passed, that no

more ships would be sent out that year but that, if we returned
about the month of March following, we might be received. The
arrival there,

clerk, to

at

whom we addressed

ourselves,

seemed not a

little

surprised

two young fellows of our appearance presenting ourselves on

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

20

[1788-89.

such a business, for we were extremely well dressed, and Will,

was the spokesman

were we stopped, and

we were

believe

who

Thus

had an excellent address.

for us both,

the single instance, since

the beginning of the world, of two men, absolutely bent on ruining

who

themselves,

We

could not find the means.

returned to

my

chambers, and, desperate as were our fortunes, we could not help

laughing at the circumstance that

undone beings, should be shut against us

month of March
have gone off

the great gulf of

India,

instead of September,

Had

alone.

been the

it

we should most

all

infallibly

I should most probably at this

brown musket on the coast of Coromandel.
Providence, however, decreed it otherwise, and reserved me, as I
;

and, in that case,

hour, be carrying a

hope, for better things.

had been now two years

terms, that

common

is

to say,

As

hall.

Temple, and had kept eight

had dined three days

to law,

did of necromancy.

at the

It

knew exactly

in each

as

made

my wife's grandfather, to learn his intentions as

He exerted himself so effectually in our behalf that

to her fortune.

the old gentle-

immediate return.
with

set off,

my

In consequence,

packed up directly

We

brother, for Ireland.

landed at Dublin

the 23rd December, and on Christmas Day, 1788, arrived at

father's

my

my

consented to give ^500 immediately, and expressed a wish

my

and

as

application, through a friend,

to

for

it

became, however, necessary to think of

return, and, in consequence, I

man

term in the

much about

house at Blackhall, where

my

family in health, except

had the
wife,

my

satisfaction to find all

who was grown

delicate,

mind on the uncertainty of her

was now between two and three years

principally from the anxiety of her

situation.
old,

Our

little

girl

and was charming.

we came up
Street,

by

to Dublin,

my

After remaining a few days at Blackhall,

and were received as

wife's family.

Mr. Planning paid

sum he had promised, and my

wife

and

at

first,

me

in

Grafton

punctually the

both flattered ourselves

past animosities were forgotten, and that the reconciliation

that

all

was

as sincere

now took

on

their part as

it

most assuredly was on

lodgings in Clarendon Street, purchased

worth of law books, and determined,

in earnest, to

ours.

about ^100

begin and study

MT.

CALLED TO THE BAR.

25-26.]

I was doomed
commenced Bachelor of Laws

the profession to which

tion, I

called to the bar in

which

after

viously elected a

my

withstanding

and

was

my

member

of the Bar club.

if I

On

this circuit, not-

my

pretty nearly cleared

had continued

expenses

but,

whether

incorrigible habits of idleness, the sincere dislike

the profession, which the

little

insight I

to apply sedulously to the

might have risen to some eminence

law, but I

this resolu-

in

(the Leinster) circuit, having been pre-

first

ignorance,

cannot doubt,

pursuance of

February, 1789, and was

due form, in Trinity term following shortly

my

went

in

21

was beginning

it

had to

to get into

was a controlling destiny,

I know not, but so it was, that I soon got sick and weary of the
law.
I continued, however, for form's sake, to go to the courts,
and wear a foolish wig and gown, for a considerable time, and I
went the circuit, I believe, in all, three times
but, as I was,
modestly speaking, one of the most ignorant barristers in the Four
Courts, and as I took little, or, rather, no pains to conceal my conit

did not tend to remove, or whether

it

tempt and

dislike for the profession,

and especially as

had neither

the means nor the inclination to treat messieurs the attorneys, and
to

make them drink

(a sacrifice

of their respectability, which even

the most liberal-minded of the profession are obliged to make),

may

made, as

well be supposed,

no great exhibition

at the Irish

bar.
I

had not been long a Counsellor, when the coup de grdce was

given to

my

ruined him

who was

father's affairs
this

was

not thinking

it

thought

assist

obstinately refused to take

my

When, however, my

duty, as

it

in

father

During

any

part,

was

totally ruined,

my

inclination, to

was most certainly

him, even to distressing myself, a sacrifice which the great

pains and expense he had bestowed on

I,

his brother,

22nd regiment.

decent to interfere where the parties were both so

nearly allied to me.

it

Chancery, which totally

in

between him and

lieutenant of Grenadiers in the

the whole of this business

by a decree

in a lawsuit

my

education well merited.

consequence, strained every nerve to preserve a remnant of his

property, but his affairs were too desperate, and

poor to relieve him effectually, so

that, after

was myself too

one or two ineffectual

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

22

by which

efforts,

lost

considerably with reference to

without essentially serving him,

last

[1789-90.

we were obliged

my

to submit,

means,

and the

of his property, consisting of two houses, one in Stafford Street,

and one on Summerhill, were

who took advantage

Soon

after

of our necessities,

as

their value, to

is

men

always the case.

he had the good fortune to obtain a place under the

Paving Board, which he yet

retains,

though moderate, independence.

1

much under

sold,

and which secures him a decent,

[Tone's father died about 1805

his

mother about

1818.

Ed.]

CHAPTER
ENTERS

II.

POLITICS.

As

the law grew every day

my

want of success contributed, though

more and more

disgustful, to

in that respect I never

the injustice to accuse the world of insensibility to

knew

well

the fault was

more weary of a

my

determined to try

my

my

turned

friends

Whig Club 1 was

the

own, but being, as

profession for which

utterly disqualified me,

one or two of

my

which

my

my

had

merit, as

said,

more and

temper and habits so

attention to politics, and, as

had written pamphlets with

success, I

hand on a pamphlet. Just at this period

and the press groaned

instituted in Ireland,

with publications against them on the part of Government.

Two

or three defences had likewise appeared, but none of them extraordinary.

Under

these circumstances, though

entirely approving the

their principles

system of the

and motives,

constituted political

yet, seeing

out violating

thought

["

was very

far

much

from
less

at the time the best

afforded,

and agreeing

private opinions

went

could venture on their defence with-

my own consistency.
my first pamphlet,

few days finished

1

my own

Club, and

them

body which the country

with most of their positions, though

infinitely farther, I

Whig

therefore sat down,

which

I entitled "

and

in

A Review of

Lord Charlemont, Mr. Grattan, Mr. Ponsonby, and Mr. Forbes were the
Whig Club. It embraced various shades of politics, much

originators of the

diversity of talent, persons of great worth, great genius,

men

monarchy

and great

steady

abilities

supporters of settled government attached to the principles of the revolution of 1688 in England and
proud of that of 1782 in Ireland. The establishment of this body met with the
warm approbation of Mr. Burke." Grattan said the object of the club was " to
ardently attached to the

obtain an internal reform of Parliament, and to prevent the Union."

" Memoirs.")-Ed.]
23

(Grattan,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

24

To

the Last Session of Parliament

"

[1790.

speak candidly of

this per-

was barely above mediocrity, if it rose so high

nevertheless, as it was written evidently on honest principles, and

formance,

it

did not censure or flatter one party or the other, without assigning
sufficient reason,

it

had a certain degree of

The Northern

success.

Whig Club reprinted and distributed a large impression at their

own expense, with an introduction, highly complimentary to the
author, whom, at that time, they did not even know and a very
short time after, when it was known that the production was mine,
they did me the honour to elect me a member of their body,
which they notified to me by a very handsome letter signed by
their Secretary, Henry Joy, jun., of Belfast, and to which I returned
a suitable answer. But this was not all. The leaders of the Whig
;

Club, conceiving

my

talents,

such as they were, might be of service

much

to their cause, and, not expecting

lawyer,

who had

compliment

and

performance, and to thank

had shown.

ability I

make, sent a brother barrister to

his fortune to

me on my

from a young

intractability

me

for the zeal

was, in consequence, introduced to

George Ponsonby, 1 a distinguished member of the body, and who

might be considered as the leader of the
him, however,
civilities.

again

Ireland

Shortly

he told
;

that

Irish opposition

with

never had any communication further than ordinary

me

after,

the barrister above mentioned spoke to

me

the Ponsonbys were a most powerful family in

they were

much

my

pleased with

me

wished, in consequence, to attach

to

them

exertion,

that

and

should be

employed as counsel on a petition then pending before the House

of Commons, which would put an hundred guineas in my pocket,
and that I should have professional business put in my way, from
time to time, that should produce

he added, that they were then,

they would not be always

so,

it

me

at least as

was

and

true,

that,

much

per

annum

out of place, but that

on their return to

office,

1
[George Ponsonby was born in 1755. Called to the Irish Bar in 1780, he
He was
soon entered Parliament, joining Grattan and the popular party.
favourable to the Catholic claims and an uncompromising opponent of the
Union. He became Lord Chancellor of Ireland under the second Grenville
Administration, 1806-7 entered the Imperial Parliament (on leaving office),
and died in 1817. Ed.]
;

JET.

THE WHIG

27.]

their friends

sidered

when out of power would

no

acquainted

it

wife's fortune

my

con-

first

father.

we were

when

might come

better

on one of the

in

All this was highly flattering to me, the more so

inevitable expenses,

cate

that

plainly,

was highly probable

vacancies.

my

naturally be

than two-and-twenty seats in Parliament

less

and he insinuated, pretty

as

he likewise observed, that they had influence, direct or

indirect, over

first

CLUB.

was now nearly exhausted, partly by our

and partly by

did,

it

was

myself to any great man, or

my

true,

set of

unsuccessful efforts to extri-

not

much

men, but

relish the attaching

considered, as

advanced were such as

said before, that the principles they

have
could

conscientiously support, so far as they went, though mine went

much beyond them.

therefore thought there

the proposed connection, and

was certainly a

the prospect of a seat in Parliament, at which

to expand.

signified, in

was no dishonour

consequence,

my

dazzled with

little

my

in

ambition began

readiness to attach

myself to the Whigs, and

I was instantly retained in the petition

borough of Dungarvan, on the part of James Carrigee
Ponsonby, Esq.

for the

now looked upon myself

as a sort of political character,

and

began to suppose that the House of Commons, and not the bar,
was to be the scene of my future exertions but in this I reckoned
;

like a

sanguine young man.

Month

after

month

elapsed, without

any communication on the part of George Ponsonby, whom I

looked upon as most immediately my object. He always spoke to
me, when we met by chance, with great civility, but I observed
that he never mentioned one

word of

politics.

I,

therefore, at last

concluded that he had changed his mind, or that, on a nearer view,

he

'

ad found

my want of capacity

in short I

gave up

all

thoughts of

more about
Ponsonby or the Whigs, and I calculated, that as I had written a
pamphlet which they thought had served them, and as they had in
consequence employed me professionally in a business which produced me eighty guineas, accounts were balanced on both sides,
and all further connection was at an end. But my mind had now

the connection, and determined to trouble myself no

got a turn for politics.

thought

had

at last

found

my

element,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

26

and

plunged into

my

it

my

the situation of

views, and, as I

interests, I

thought

with eagerness.

native country

[1790.

closer examination into

had very considerably extended

was sincerely and honestly attached

to her

soon found reason not to regret that the Whigs had not

me an

object worthy of their cultivation.

made

speedily

what was to me a great discovery, though I might have found it in

Swift and Molyneux, that the influence of England was the radical
vice of our

be either

Government, and consequently that Ireland would never

prosperous, or happy, until she was independent, and

free,

independence was unattainable whilst the connection with

that

England

In forming this theory, which has ever since

existed.

unvaryingly directed
everything, and

am

my political
ready to

conduct, to which

sacrifice

my

life

if

have

sacrificed

was

necessary, I

exceedingly assisted by an old friend of mine, Sir Lawrence

Parsons, 1

whom

in the Irish

I look upon as one of the very very few honest men

House of Commons. It was he who first turned my

attention on this great question, but

my

master.

It is in fact to

prehensive view of

conduct might be
truth

and

him

in a crisis, I

justice of his theory.

politics of the

the actual

Whig Club

am

very soon ran

indebted for the

situation

ahead of

far

first

know not, but I

I now began to

look on the

with great contempt

my

was poor, as

independence, and could speak

responsible to

An

anybody but the

actually was, I

my

On

evil,

and

had preserved

sentiments without being

law.

occasion soon offered to give vent to

opinions.

little

their peddling

about petty grievances, instead of going to the root of the

I rejoiced that, if I

com-

what his
can answer for the

of Ireland

my

newly received

the appearance of a rupture with Spain, I wrote a

pamphlet to prove that Ireland was not bound by the declaration

of war, but might, and ought, as an independent nation, to stipulate
Lawrence Parsons (born in 1758) represented the King's County in the
He was an eloquent speaker, and a thoroughly independent
member. No one denounced more vigorously the recall of FitzWilliam, and
the consequent breach of faith with the Catholics in 1795 and no one was more
persistent in resisting the Union in 1 799-1 800. After the Union, Parsons sat in
the Imperial Parliament for the King's County until 1807, when, on the death
of his uncle, he became second Earl of Rosse, and died in 1841.
Ed.]
1

[Sir

Irish Parliament.

JET.

PAMPHLET ON SEPARATION.

27.]

for a

neutrality.

In examining this question,

advanced the

question of separation, with scarcely any reserve,

guise

27

much

less dis-

but the public mind was by no means so far advanced as

was, and

my

day

it

after

pamphlet made

appeared, as

listening after

my own

rious slave of the

stood perdu in the bookseller's shop,

reputation, Sir

House of Commons,

Henry Cavendish, a

Henry was succeeded by a

he ought

is serious,

noto-

and throwing

entered,

to be

my

Mr.
hanged"

unfortunate pamphlet on the counter in a rage, exclaimed

Byrne, if the author of that work

Sir

The

not the smallest impression.

"

an English Doctor of

bishop,

Divinity, with five or six thousand a year, laboriously earned in the

His lordship's anger was not much

church.

other personage.

"

Sir" said

less

than that of the

he, " if the principles contained in

work were to spread, do you know that you would

pay for your coals at the rate of five pounds a ton ? " Not-

that abominable

have

to

withstanding these criticisms, which

myself,

continue to think

rently, the publisher,

my

have

faithfully

quoted against

pamphlet a good one,

Mr. Byrne, was

but, appa-

of a different opinion, for I

have every reason to believe that he suppressed the whole impression,/^ which his own gods damn him.
Shortly after the premature end of

my

second pamphlet, which

have recorded, and which did not, however, change

its

merit, for Victrix causa Diis placuit, sed victa

to an

open rupture with

to enter in this subject.

my

wife's family.

One

It is

circumstance

is

my

opinion on

Catoni,

we came

my

intention

not

sufficient to

prove

was not of our seeking, viz., that we had everything

to lose and nothing to gain by a quarrel.
About this time it was that I formed an acquaintance with my
invaluable friend Russell, 1 a circumstance which I look upon as one

that the breach

[Thomas Russell was born

in the county Cork in 1767.

At the age of
he went to India as a volunteer with his brother, a captain in the 52nd
regiment. Returning to Ireland five years later, he himself became a captain
in the 64th.
He left the army in 1791, and was appointed Seneschal to the
Manor Court of Dungannon, and a Justice of the Peace for the county
Tyrone. Both offices were uncongenial, and he gave them up. He " could
not," he said, "reconcile it to his conscience to sit as a magistrate on a bench
where the practice prevailed of inquiring what a man's religion was before
1

fifteen

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

28

my

of the most fortunate of

brother.

He

life.

man whom

is

[1790.

love as a

will not here attempt a panegyric on his merits

sufficient to say, that, to

it

is

an excellent understanding, he joins the

purest principles and the best of hearts.

wish

had

ability to

delineate his character, with justice to his talents and his virtues.

He
is

knows how much

well

no

esteem and love him, and

sacrifice that friendship

cheerfulness

make

for

think there

we would not with

could exact that

each other, to the utmost hazard of

life

There cannot be imagined a more perfect harmony,

fortune.

say identity of sentiment, than exists between us

or

may

our regard for

each other has never suffered a moment's relaxation from the hour
of our

of our

first

acquaintance, and

lives.

am

sure

it

think the better of myself

man

the esteem of such a

him.

as Russell.

the enjoyment

ing feature, and,

wherewith

am

ever inclined to

possess in the affection of

treasure

Russell,

and

overpaid.

if I

acknowledge that

may

being the object of

my

him and
future

all

murmur

happy

my
my

at the difficulties

wife

and the friendship of

labours and sufferings are

truly say, that, even at this hour,

as to see

them

again, there

is

no action of

has not a remote reference to their opinion, which

When

think

have acted

well,

the important business wherein

"

My

which

think on the inestimable

separated from both of them, and uncertain whether

so

honour

life in

does not constitute a most distinguish-

have so long struggled,

continue to the end

for

love

frame no system of happiness for

of his society

will

and that

am

am

engaged,

when

may

my

am

ever be

life

which

equally prize.

likely to succeed in

say often to myself,

my friend Russell will be glad of this."

my history. My acquaintance with Russell

dearest love and

But to return

to

commenced by an argument in the gallery of the House of

Commons. He was, at that time, enamoured of the Whigs, but I
knew these gentlemen a little better than he, and indeed he did not
going into the crime with which a prisoner was accused." One of the founders
of the Society of United Irishmen, he was arrested by the Government in 1796
and kept in prison until 1802. Two months after his liberation he met Robert
Emmet in Paris, entered into his plans for an insurrection, and returned to Ireland to prepare for action. But he was again arrested, tried for high treason,
and hanged in October, 1803. Ed.]

THOMAS RUSSELL.

JET. 27.]

We

long remain under the delusion.

29

were struck with each other,

we agreed

notwithstanding the difference of our opinions, and

We

dine together the next day, in order to discuss the question.

day than the

liked each other better the second

first,

to

and every day

and confirmed our mutual esteem.

health continuing still delicate, she was ordered by her

since has increased

My

wife's

physician to bathe in the salt water.

hired, in consequence, a

box of a house on the sea side, at Irishtown, where we spent

the summer of 1790.
Russell and I were inseparable, and, as our
little

were mostly

discussions
exactly,

and

political,

we extended our

and

views,

each other

opinions to the propagation and establishment of which

ever since been devoted.

I recall

which

engaged

my

and

was delightful

It

we have
we

the delicious dinners, in the

Russell,

wife,

myself were

we

the afternoon walks, the discussions

stretched on the grass.

the

in

with transport the happy days

spent together during that period

preparation of

agreed

sentiments

our

fortified

had, as

Sometimes

all

we

lay

Russell's

venerable father, a veteran of near seventy, with the courage of a

hero, the serenity of a philosopher,
visit

our

little

on the old man, and he loved her

not attempt, because
regard

had

and the piety of a

mansion, and that day was a fete.

am

him, and

for

like

one of

visit us,

am

sure that, next to his

man

friend
all

for

Tom, but

the world.

He had

warm and

most companionable

affectionate

talents

in-

not the strength of character of

my

charms of conversation he excelled him and

Sometimes, too, my brother William used to join us

who had

in

that

lately

county.

convivial talents he possessed.

my brother,

ever

an

in

a week, from the county Kildare, where he resided with

Prosperous

and

sons,

for the

brother Matthew,
at

of a most

own

Russell's brother

His humour, which was pure and natural, flowed

exhaustible stream.

will

unable, to express the veneration and

heart, and, incontestably, of the

met.

used to

wife doted

his children.

scarcely below them, he loved and esteemed me.

John, too, used to

saint,

My

and

a happier society.

commenced
I

know

have already mentioned the

In short,

were assembled,

my

a cotton manufactory

it

is

when the two

Russells,

impossible to conceive of

not whether our wit was perfectly

3o

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1790.

was not

sterling, at least

nor does

classical or not,

it

signify.

If

passed current amongst ourselves.

it

of us destitute of the
three of us

it

If I

humour indigenous

can answer, they possessed

it

may judge, we were none

in

in

the soil of Ireland

an eminent degree

for

add

was the only one of the four who was not a poet, or at
so that every day produced a ballad, or
some poetical squib, which amused us after dinner, and, as our
to this, I

a maker of verses

least

conversation turned upon no ribaldry, or indecency,

sister

and

never

great,

who

sit

my

down every day

to the

wife and

The

These were delicious days.

the table.

left

monotony of

rich

a splendid

entertainment, can form no idea of the happiness of our frugal

meal, nor of the infinite pleasure
in the preparation

the soul of

courteous

all.

we found

and attendance.

taking each his part

was the centre and

know which

scarcely

manners, her

in

My wife

goodness

of

of us loved her best

humour, her never-failing cheerfulness, her affection

our children, rendered her the object of our

and

She loved Russell

delight.

more

interesting

individuals,

for

common
I

her

did.

me and

for

admiration
In short, a

connected

by purer

by a more ardent attachment and friendship

motives, and animated

for

of

society

as well as

incomparable

her

heart,

each other, cannot be imagined.

During the course of

this

summer

there were strong appearances

of a rupture between England and Spain, relative to Nootka

Sound.
colony
do,

we

had mentioned

in the

down

sat

to

my

Russell

project for a military

South Seas, and, as we had both nothing better to

to

look over

regarding that business.

selves than with

my

an expectation of

enlarged and corrected

papers and

memorandums

After some time, rather to amuse our-

my

its

coming

to anything,

original plan, and, having dressed

we

up a

handsome memorial on the subject, I sent it enclosed in a letter to

the Duke of Richmond, then Master of the Ordnance.
I thought
I should hear no more about it, but we were not a little surprised
when, a few days

after, I

received an answer from his Grace, in

which, after speaking with great civility of the merits of

he informed
if I

desired

me

it,

my

plan,

such business was out of his department, but that,

he would deliver

my

memorial, and recommend

it

to

MT.

MEMORIAL TO LORD G RENVILLE.

27.]

31

the notice of Lord Grenville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

whose business

properly was.

it

immediately wrote him an

my

answer of acknowledgment, entreating him to support

and, by the

same

Lord

post, I wrote also to

plan,

In a few

Grenville.

them both, informing me that the

memorial had been received by Lord Grenville, and should be
taken into speedy consideration, when, if any measures were to be
days

adopted

received answers from

in

consequence,

These

information.

might depend on receiving further

letters

we looked upon
done

possible that something might be

very unlikely

and so indeed

peace, called a convention,

England, on which

proved,

it

for,

as leaving

it

barely

the business, though

in

shortly after, a kind of

was agreed upon between Spain and

wrote once more to Lord Grenville, enclosing

a second memorial, in order to learn his determination, when

received a very civil answer, praising

me

&c, and informing

plan,

that existing circumstances had rendered

that time, to put

it

my

it

in execution,

Thus ended,

in recollection.

unnecessary, at

it

but that ministers would keep

for the

second time,

colonise in the South Seas, a measure which

still

my

attempt to

think might be

attended with the most beneficial consequences to England.

keep

all

the papers relating to this business, including the originals

letters, and I have likewise copied the whole of

them in a quarto book, to which I refer for further information. It
was singular enough, this correspondence, continued by two of the
King of England's cabinet ministers at St. James's, on the one part,

of the minister's

and Russell and myself, from

other.

If the

measure

my

little

box

at Irishtown,

determined on going out with the expedition,

of planning revolutions in our

own

in

which

both talents) on the coasts of Spanish America.

an additional proof of the romantic

my memoirs,

spirit I

as a trait in our family

had once before

is

in the

and, indeed,

my

one of ourselves.

much towards him. I

made, to make him, if I could,

minister's refusal did not sweeten us

renewed the vow

This adventure

have mentioned

friend Russell was, in that respect, completely

The

case, instead

we might be now,
which, I think, we have

country,

perhaps, carrying on a privateering war (for

beginning of

on the

proposed had been adopted, we were both

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

32

repent of
minister
to the

it,

which Russell most heartily concurred.

in

may

remind him of
but

have

"

Everything, however,

Islands, in 1790,

my own

But to

had

for

if I

is

for

all possible worlds."

of

ever find one,

will

country,

if

the best," as

If I

Pangloss

had gone to the

should not be to-day chef de brigade

French Republic, not

in the service of the

in

and

dare say he has utterly forgot the circumstance,

it.

says, " in this best

be

should be glad to have an opportunity to

his old correspondent,

not.

Sandwich

Perhaps the

yet have reason to wish he had let us go off quietly

South Seas.

not overlook

179

mention what

to

Shortly after this disappointment, Russell,

return.

may

our expedition thither succeeds.

two or three years revelled

in

who

the ease and dignity of an

Ensign's half pay, amounting to

28 sterling a year, which he had

earned before he was twenty-one, by broiling in the East Indies for
five years, was unexpectedly promoted by favour of the commanderin-chief
foot,

to an Ensigncy, on full pay, in the 64th

then quartered in the town of Belfast.

He

regiment of

put himself, in

consequence, in battle array, and prepared to join.

remember

the last day he dined with us in Irishtown, where he came, to use

his

own

in a

love to recall those scenes.

both sides

town

We

him

to

very fine suit of laced regimentals.

quotation, "all clinquant, all in gold I "

cook part of the dinner

he set off

for the winter,

as she manifested
eldest boy,

from which

parted with the sincerest regret on

and shortly

for Belfast,

my

wife's health

by being,

whom we

This winter

We

in

we returned

to

due time, brought to bed of our

my

for their talents

brother.

kind of

political club,

It consisted of

seven or eight

institute a

expected great things.

members, eminent

after

being perfectly re-established,

called William, after

endeavoured to

set

and patriotism, and who had

already more or less distinguished themselves by their literary

productions.

Dr.

Wm.

They were John

Drennan,

author

Stack, Fellow of Trinity College,

of

the

Orellana, Joseph Pollock, author of the

letters of

Owen Roe

celebrated
still

more

letters

signed

justly celebrated

O'Neil, Peter Burrowes, a barrister, a

man

of

a most powerful and comprehensive mind, William Johnson, a

lawyer, also of respectable talents, Whitley Stokes, a Fellow of

MT.

A POLITICAL CLUB.

27.]

Trinity College, 1 a
is

man

the extent and variety of whose knowledge

only to be exceeded by the number and intensity of his virtues,

Russell, a corresponding

member, and myself.

opinions, at that time, agreed in

may have

since

most

and as

differed,

As

our political

essential points,

however they

club most certainly

this little

comprised a great proportion of information,

it

33

and

talents,

integrity,

might naturally be expected that some distinguished publications

should be the result

well together

suppers

yet,

know

not

how

it

was,

we

did not draw

our meetings degenerated into downright ordinary

we became a mere

oyster club, and, at length, a misunder-

standing, or, rather, a rooted dislike to each other, which manifested

[Of these men, the most remarkable were Drennan, Burrowes, and Stokes.
1754, died 1820), the son of a Presbyterian minister, and a
medical doctor, was one of the founders of the United Irish Society, and the
"penman" of the organisation. In 1794 he was tried for seditious libel,
defended by Curran, and acquitted. Among his stirring lyrics the best known
are "Erin to her own Tune," beginning with the words, "When Erin first
rose ;" "Wake of William Orr" (a United Irishman hanged in 1797) " Wail
Moore, in the Irish melody beginning with
of the Women after the Battle."
1

Drennan (born

the lines

" Dear harp of

The
appends
song,
'

'

my

this note referring to

When

Erin

The dark chain

originated, the

country, in darkness

cold chain of silence

first

had hung

Drennan

rose,' there is, if I

of silence

was thrown

phrase, 'Emerald

found thee,

o'er

me

long,"

" In that rebellious but beautiful

recollect right, the following line,
In this song Drennan
Drennan returned from

o'er the deep.'

Isle.'

In

1800

Dublin (where he resided since 1789) to his native town, Belfast. In 1808
he founded the Belfast Magazine, one of the ablest periodicals of its day."
Peter Burrowes (born 1753, died 1841) was an eminent barrister and a distinguished member of the Irish House of Commons, a staunch supporter
of the Catholic claims, and an unflinching enemy of the Union. "When I
take into account," he said, in opposing that measure, " the hostile feelings
generated by this foul attempt, by bribery, by treason, and by force, to
plunder a nation of its liberties in the hour of its distress, I do not hesitate
to pronounce that every sentiment of affection for Great Britain will perish
if

this

measure pass, and that instead of uniting the nations,

commencement of an era of inextinguishable animosity."

Robert Emmet's council in 1803.
Whitley Stokes (born

it

will

He was

be the
one of

1763, died 1845),

a physician and a distinguished Fellow of Trinity College, was a United Irishman up to 1792, but not afterwards. He was, however, suspected of revolutionary designs in 1797-8, and was deprived of his position at Trinity College for
three years. Restored afterwards, he became Lecturer on Natural History and

a Regius Professor of Physics.

VOL.

1.

Ed.]

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

34
itself

[1790.

between Drennan and Pollock (who were completely Caesar

and Pompey with regard

to literary empire), joined to the retreat

of John Stack to his living in the North, and the

little

good we saw

resulting from our association, induced us to drop off one

and

months

thus, after three or four

departed this

leaving behind

life,

dozen essays on different

subjects,

puny
all,

offspring of about a

may be

as

supposed,

but not one of any distinguished excellence.

tolerable,
satisfied

it

by one,

of sickly existence, our club

am

any one of the members, by devoting a week of his time

work of ten times

to a well-chosen subject, would have produced a

more value than the whole club were able

labours during

its

existence.

show from

to

This experiment

their joint

satisfied

me

that

men of genius, to be of use, must not be collected in numbers.

They do not work well in the aggregate, and, indeed, even in ordinary
conversations,

The

discourse.

have observed

to have assisted

that

too

many

wits

spoil

the

dullest entertainment at which I ever remember

was one formed expressly to bring together near

twenty persons, every one more or

less distinguished for splendid

We sat, and prosed together

by a rapid circulation of the
but it would not do, every man

talents, or great convivial qualities.

great solemnity, endeavouring,

in

bottle, to

was clad
secure

it

animate the discourse

in
is

a suit of intellectual armour, in which he found himself

true,

but

ill

moment when we were

robes de chambre

and

at his ease,

and we

all

rejoiced at the

home and get into our

Any two of the men present would

permitted to run

slippers.

have been the delight and entertainment of a well-chosen society,

but
1

all

together was, as

Wolsey

Note by Tone's Son. About

says, " too

this

much

honour."

time, whilst his

ideas on the evils

resulting from the Connection with Britain were fermenting in his

and

mind

(see the

pamphlet on the
Spanish war), my father wrote a letter to his friend Russell, where he expanded
upon them, and concluded, " Such and such men (mentioning his friends and
associates in the Club) think with me." This very innocent paper produced,
about two years afterwards, in 1793, a most ridiculous alarm and disturbance.
It would not have been noticed, at the time it was written, more than those
pamphlets which were published but then, when the political fever raged at
the highest, and when it was already forgotten by himself and his friends, it fell,
by some chance or indiscretion, into the hands of the Government. The

four essays addressed to the Club, in the Appendix,

his

THOMAS ADDIS EMMET.

JET. 27.]

35

In recording the names of the members of the Club,

have

find I

man whom, as well for his talents

much as any, far more than most of
them, I mean Thomas Addis Emmet, a barrister. 1 He is a man
completely after my own heart
of a great and comprehensive

strangely omitted the

as his principles,

name

of a

esteem as

mind

of the warmest and sincerest affection for his friends

and steady adherence to

of a firm

has sacrificed much, as

his

principles, to

know, and would,

am

and

which he

sure, if necessary,

gentlemen mentioned, many of whom had since espoused the part of the
administration, were all summoned before the Secret Committee. For that
most illegal tribunal, the Star Chamber of Ireland, assumed the power of
examining any suspected individuals on the opinions, as well as the actions, of
themselves and of others putting them on their oath, to answer all their
questions, and imprisoning them arbitrarily. On this occasion these gentlemen
were charged with being privy not only to a theoretical disquisition, but to a
deep conspiracy against the Government, as far back as the year 1791. It is,
however, remarkable that my father was not called before them. Perhaps he
;

was deemed

incorrigible.

is alluded to in several parts of his subsequent memoirs, in

Curran's Life by his son, and in several of Lord Clare's speeches to Parliament.
His Lordship never lost an opportunity of alluding to that dangerous production,
which disclosed the long meditation of those traitorous and rebellious designs,

This

and

it

letter

was

laid before the British

Parliament and Privy Council.

[Thomas Addis Emmet (born in the

Cork in 1764) was one of the most

Having joined the medical profession, after a distinguished career at Trinity College, he ultimately (on the
advice of Sir James Mackintosh, with whom he formed a fast friendship while
studying medicine in Edinburgh) became a member of the Irish bar (1790).
In 1795 he defended some prisoners charged with administering the United
Irish oath, and, to strengthen his argument in support of his clients' innocence,
took the oath himself in open court. In 1797 he was placed on the directory
of the organisation, and in 1798 (before the rising) was arrested with his colleagues. When the insurrection was crushed, Emmet and the other prisoners,
1

gifted

men

in the

city of

United Irish organisation.

agreed to give evidence (without implicating

comrades) before a Secret Committee of the House of Commons touching
the history of the United Irish movement on condition that they were permitted
to leave the country and that the public executions on account of the rebellion
should be stopped. The evidence was given, but, as Emmet alleged, the
Government broke faith with the prisoners. Emmet was kept in prison until
1802.
In 1803 he urged Buonaparte to invade Ireland.
In 1804 (when all his
hopes for Ireland were blasted) he left France for America, where fame and
fortune attended him.
Rising rapidly to distinction as a member of the New
York bar, he won golden opinions of all around him, and died in 1827 honoured by
his profession and esteemed by a wide circle of admirers and of friends.
Ed.]
in order to save further bloodshed,

their

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

36
sacrifice his

life.

classing the

men

[1790.

His opinions and mine square exactly.

most esteem,

In

would place him beside Russell,

them both, the

most ardent feelings of my heart coincide exactly with the most
severe decision of my judgment.
There are men whom I regard
as much as it is possible.
I am sure, for example, if there be on
head of the

at the

list

because, with regard to

such a thing as sincere friendship,

earth

feel

Whitley

for

it

Knox, and for Peter Burrowes. They are men

whose talents I admire, whose virtues I reverence, and whose
persons I love but the regard which I feel for them, sincere and
affectionate as it is, is certainly not of the same species with that
which I entertain for Russell and Emmet. Between us there has
Stokes, for George

commencement
sentiment, a harmony of

been, from the very

of our acquaintance, a coinci-

dence of

feelings

all

on points which we

conscientiously consider as of the last importance, which binds

We

us in the closest ties to each other.

have unvaryingly been

devoted to the pursuit of the same object, by the same means

have had a fellowship

our hopes, our

fears,

been the same.

principles of the
at if

in

our labours

When

all this

men taken

is

considered, and the talents and

into the account,

Emmet

ever an opportunity offers, as

as the

it

be wondered

will not

of

first

my

circumstances at

friends.

whom I do most

Burrowes and Knox,

my

If

seem

present

likely to bring forward, I think their country will ratify

to

we

our wishes, our friends, and our enemies, have

esteem Russell and

With regard

a society in our dangers

choice.

sincerely

and

affectionately love, their political opinions differ fundamentally from

mine

and, perhaps,

it

is

for the credit of us all three, that, with

such an irreconcilable difference of sentiment,

we have

preserved a mutual regard and esteem for each other

am

sure, I feel

perhaps, no two

more

solicitous.

friendship
to

all

it

all

along

at least, I

particularly honourable to myself, for there are,

men
Nor

in the

shall I

world about whose good opinion

experienced from them both, when

human appearance,

am

soon forget the steady and unvarying

utterly desperate,

at least as little reason to desert me,

red spots of the plague out on

me

my

situation was,

and when

shunned me, as

others, with
if I

had the

but of that hereafter.

With

MT.

WHITLEY STOKES.

27.]

37

regard to Whitley Stokes, his political opinions approach nearer to

mine than those of either Knox or Burrowes. I mention this, for,

days of unbounded discussion, politics unfortunately enter

in these

We, however,

into everything, even into our private friendships.

on many material points, and we

differ

honour to Stokes's

on principles which do

differ

With an acute

heart.

feeling of the degradation

of his country, and a just and generous indignation against her

humanity of

oppressors, the tenderness and

his disposition

is

such,

that he recoils from any measures to be attempted for her emancipa-

which

tion

may

terminate in blood

virtue to imitate him.

must

in this respect I

extravagant anxiety for the lives of others,

which
his

satisfied his conscience,

own

life

nature, but

lie

sure in any cause

an enthusiast

is

in his

would highly that would he holily" and

afraid that in the present state of affairs that

I

am

no man would be more prodigal of

than Whitley Stokes, for he

" wliat

have not the

observe, that, with this perhaps

With a most

love Stokes most sincerely.

am

a thing impossible.

is

excellent and highly

cultivated mind, he possesses the distinguishing characteristic of

the best and most feeling heart, and

self-love of

any of the

friends

am

whose names

sure
I

will

it

not hurt the

have recorded, when

upon Whitley Stokes

full
as the very best man I have ever known.
Now that I am upon this
subject, I must observe that, in the choice of my friends, I have
say that, in the

been,

all

my

force of the phrase, I look

life,

extremely fortunate

of the infinite value of their esteem, and

being able to say that

from

whom

hope

am duly

sensible

take the greatest pride in

have preserved that esteem even of those

most materially

differed

on points

importance, and on occasions of peculiar difficulty

of

the last

and

this too

without any sacrifice of consistency or principle on either side

circumstance which, however, redounds

than to mine.
digression,

But, to return to

on which, however,

from the inestimable friends

my

soul to dwell

upon

affection I feel for them.

or

if

we

do,

how many

my

still

more

history,

from

this

dwell with affection, exiled as

have mentioned,

their merits,

it is

to their credit

long
I

am

a consolation to

and the sincere and animated

God knows whether we shall ever meet,

may survive the contest in which we

of us

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

3S
are,

to

by

appearance, about to embark.

all

fall,

me

leave behind

If

[1790.

my lot, for one,

of my regard for

be

it

testimony

this small

them, written under circumstances which,

may

think,

warrant

its

sincerity.

The French Revolution had now been above a twelvemonth in its

at its commencement, as the first emotions are generally
honest, every one was in its favour
but, after some time, the

progress

probable consequences to monarchy and aristocracy began to be

foreseen,
their

peared
called

and the partisans of both

admiration
;

"

and

at

rise to

famous invective ap-

due season produced Paine's

this in

Rights of Man."

which gave

to retrench considerably in

length, Mr. Burke's

it,

reply,

which he

This controversy, and the gigantic event

changed

in

an instant the

politics of Ireland.

Two years before, the nation was in lethargy. The puny efforts of
the Whig Club, miserable and defective as their system was, were
the only appearance of anything like exertion, and he was looked

on as extravagant who thought of a parliamentary reform, against

which, by the by,

mentioned

all

parties equally set their face.

that, in those

by

unsuccessful blow at the supremacy of England,

on the expected rupture with Spain

mentioned that

found nobody

have already

days of apathy and depression,

and

my

made an
pamphlet

have also

who ventured

attempt, or paid the least attention to the doctrine

to
I

fairly

my

second

endeavoured

But the rapid succession of events, and, above

the explosion which had taken place in France, and blown

to disseminate.
all,

into the elements a despotism rooted for fourteen centuries,

thoroughly aroused

all

had

Europe, and the eyes of every man,

in

every quarter, were turned anxiously on the French National

In England, Burke had the triumph completely to

Assembly.

by an eloquent publication, which

flattered so many of their prejudices, and animated by their unconquerable hatred of France, which no change of circumstances

decide the public

could

fascinated

the whole English nation,

alter,

from their

first

efforts of the

may

be

said, retracted

decision in favour of the glorious

and successful

French people

it

they sickened at the prospect of the

approaching liberty and happiness of that mighty nation

they

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION.

jet. 27.]

calculated, as merchants, the probable effects

regenerated France might have on their

when they saw the combination

39

which the energy of

commerce

they rejoiced

of despots formed to restore the

dismember the monarchy

ancient system, and perhaps to

and

they waited with impatience for an occasion, which, happily for

mankind, they soon found, when they might, with some appearance of decency, engage

person in the infamous contest.

in

But matters were very

different in Ireland,

an oppressed, insulted,

As we well knew, experimentally, what it

we sympathised most sincerely with the French

and plundered nation.

was

to be enslaved,

the utmost

people, and watched their progress to freedom with

anxiety

we had

England, a prejudice rooted

not, like

As

nature against France.

in

our very

the Revolution advanced, and as events

expanded themselves, the public

spirit of Ireland rose

acceleration.

The

fears

the same, or a

still

higher proportion.

with a rapid

and animosities of the aristocracy rose

In a

little

in

time the French

Revolution became the test of every man's political creed, and the
nation was fairly divided into two great parties, the Aristocrats

and the Democrats (epithets borrowed from France), who have

ever since been measuring each other's strength, and carrying on a

kind of smothered war, which the course of events,

probable,

may

soon

call into

is

it

highly

energy and action.

believe, to say that I was a Democrat from

commencement, and, as all the retainers of Government,
including the sages and judges of the law, were, of course, on the
other side, this gave the coup de grdce to any expectations, if any
It is needless, I

the very

such

had, of

notorious
and,

succeeding at the bar, for

had

but, in fact, I

may

my

for

soon became pretty

some time renounced

always disliked, and which the political prostitution of

(though otherwise

had taught

me

men

members

its

therefore seldom

went near

adopt any one of the means, and, least of

the study of the law, which are successfully employed

young men whose object

As

hope,

which

of high honour and of great personal worth)

sincerely to despise.

the Four Courts, nor did

all,

all

say, all desire, of succeeding in a profession

it is

by those

to rise in their profession.

came, about this period, rather more forward than

had

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

4o

hitherto done,

is

it

necessary for understanding

[1790-91.

my

a rapid survey of the state of parties in Ireland

history to take

that

is

to say, of

the members of the established religion, the Dissenters and the

Catholics.

The

first

whom,

party,

for

sake, I call the Pro-

distinction's

though not above the tenth of the population, were

testants,

in

possession of the whole of the government, and of five-sixths of

they were, and had been, for

enjoyment of the church, the law, the

the landed property of the nation

above a century,

in the quiet

revenue, the army, the navy, the magistracy, the corporations

word, of the whole patronage of Ireland.

title

was founded

in

in the land,

who

England,

profited

of their

fears,

and, as the price of her

protection, exacted the implicit surrender of the

in

of Ireland.

commerce and

Different events, particularly the revolution

America, had enabled and emboldened the other two

whom

am

were,

security

persons and estates but in a close connection with

their

liberties

it

they saw no

in a

whose

properties

massacre and plunder, and being, as

but a colony of foreign usurpers

for

With

parties, of

about to speak, to hurry the Protestants into measures

highly disagreeable to England and beneficial to their country,

but in which, from accidental circumstances, they durst not refuse

to concur.

The

spirit

of the corps, however, remained unchanged,

as they have manifested on every occasion since, which chance has

This party, therefore, so powerful by their property and

offered.

influence,

were implicitly devoted to England, which they esteemed

necessary for the security of their existence

consequence, the sentiments and the

cabinet

they adopted,

language of the

in

British

they dreaded and abhorred the principles of the French

Revolution, and were, in one word, an aristocracy, in the fullest and

most odious extent of the term.

The
as

Dissenters,

numerous

who formed

as the

first.

the second party, were at least twice

Like them, they were a colony of

foreigners in their origin, but, being mostly

engaged

manufactures, with few overgrown landed proprietors

they did not, like them,

was

feel that

in trade

and

among them,

a slavish dependence on England

essential to their very existence.

Strong

in

their

numbers

THE STATE OF PARTIES IN IRELAND.

JET. 27-28.]

and

their courage, they felt that they

selves,

41

were able to defend them-

and they soon ceased to consider themselves as any other

than Irishmen.

It

was the Dissenters who composed the flower

army of

of the famous volunteer

1782, 1 which extorted from the

English minister the restoration of what

constitution of Ireland

tinued the

demand

it

affected to be called the

is

was they who

first

promoted and con-

of a parliamentary reform, in which, however,

they were baffled by the superior address and chicanery of the

aristocracy

and

was they,

it

finally,

who were

the

to stand

first

forward, in the most decided and unqualified manner, in support

of the principles of the French Revolution.

The

Catholics,

who composed

They embraced

the third party, were above two-

and formed, perhaps, a

thirds of the nation,

still

greater proportion.

the entire peasantry of three provinces, they con-

stituted a considerable portion of the mercantile interest, but,

from

the tyranny of the penal laws enacted at different periods against

them, they possessed but a very small proportion of the landed

property, perhaps not a fiftieth part of the whole.

It is

not

my

intention here to give a detail of that execrable and infamous code,

framed with the

art

and the malice of demons, to plunder and de-

grade and brutalise the Catholics.

no

injustice,

no disgrace, no

gious, civil or military, that

1

Suffice

it

to say, that there

was

disqualification, moral, political, or reli-

was not heaped upon them.

It is

with

American War, when Ireland was denuded

There was no invasion,
and the Volunteers turned their arms against England, demanding free trade
and legislative independence. Both concessions were granted, 1779-1782.
Thomas Davis has described the work of these "citizen soldiers" in stirring

[Formed

in 1778 (during the

of troops) to protect the island from foreign invasion.

lines

"

When

Grattan rose, none dared oppose

The claim he made for freedom

They knew our swords, to back his words,
Were ready, did he need them.
:

Remember

still,

How vain were

How vain were
Of the

Irish

through good and

ill,

prayers and tears

words, till flashed the swords

Volunteers."Ed.]

BOSTON COLLEGE L1BKAKY

CHESTNUT

HILL, MASS.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

42
difficulty that

detail

but

restrain

is

it

myself from entering

the less necessary, as

publications of the day. 1

it is

[1790-91.

into-

the abominable

to be found in so

This horrible system, pursued

for

many

above a

century with unrelenting acrimony and perseverance, had wrought

full

its

effect,

and had,

in

fact,

reduced the great body of the

Catholic peasantry of Ireland to a situation, morally and physically

speaking, below that of the beasts of the

field.

The

spirit

of their

few remaining gentry was broken, and their minds degraded

was only

it

members
1

and

merchants and traders, and a few

of the medical profession,

[No one has summarised

Lecky
"

in the class of their

who had smuggled an educa-

the provisions of the penal code so well as Mr.

To sum up

briefly their provisions, they

excluded the Catholics from the

Parliament, from the magistracy, from the corporations, from the university,
from the bench and from the bar, from the right of voting at parliamentary
elections or at vestries, of acting as constables, as sheriffs, or as jurymen, of

army or navy, of becoming solicitors, or even holding the position

gamekeeper or watchman. They prohibited them from becoming schoolmasters, ushers, or private tutors, or from sending their children abroad to
receive the Catholic education they were refused at home. They offered an
annuity to every priest who would forsake his creed, pronounced a sentence of
exile against the whole hierarchy, and restricted the right of celebrating the
mass to registered priests, whose number, according to the first intention of the
Legislature, was not to be renewed. The Catholics could not buy land, or

serving in the
of

inherit or receive
for

more than

it

as a gift from Protestants, or hold

life

annuities, or leases

thirty-one years, or any lease on such terms that the profits of

the land exceeded

one-third of the rent.

Catholic, except in the linen

have no more than two apprentices.

He could not have a
horse of the value of more than ,5, and any Protestant on giving him 5
might take his horse.
He was compelled to pay double to the militia. In
case of war with a Catholic Power, he was obliged to reimburse the damage
done by the enemy's privateers. To convert a Protestant to Catholicism was
a capital offence. No Catholic might marry a Protestant. Into his own
A
family circle the elements of dissension were ingeniously introduced.
It was
Catholic landowner might not bequeath his land as he pleased.

trade, could

divided equally

among

his children, unless the eldest son

became a

Protestant,

which case the parent became simply a life tenant, and lost all power either
of selling or mortgaging it.
If a Catholic's wife abandoned her husband's
religion, she was immediately free from his control, and the Chancellor could
assign her a certain proportion of her husband's property.
If his child,
however young, professed itself a Protestant, he was taken from his father's
No
care, and the Chancellor could assign it a portion of its father's property.
Catholic could be guardian either to his own children or to those of another."
Macmillaiis Magazine^ January, 1873. Ed.]
in

ENGLISH POLICY.

JET. 27-28.]

43

tion in spite of the penal code, that anything like political sensation

Such was pretty nearly the

existed.
parties

certainly

the

the eyes of any friend to liberty and his country.

itself to

and freedom

as the luminary of truth

to

situation of the three great

commencement of the French Revolution, and

a much more gloomy prospect could not well present

at

in

meridian splendour, the public mind

its

portionably illuminated
Belfast be

said,

it

But,

France advanced rapidly

in

Ireland was pro-

and to the honour of the Dissenters of

they were the

to reduce to practice their

first

newly-received principles, and to show, by being just, that they

were deserving to be

The dominion

of

free.

England

Ireland

in

had been begun and

continued in the disunion of the great sects which divided the

latter country.

In effectuating this disunion, the Protestant party

were the willing instruments, as they saw clearly that

if

ever the

Dissenters and Catholics were to discover their true interests, and,

forgetting their former ruinous dissensions, were to unite cordially,

and make common cause, the downfall of English supremacy, and,

own unjust monopoly, would be the necessary

of course, of their

and immediate consequence.

They

therefore laboured continually,

and, for a long time, successfully, to keep the other two sects
asunder, and the English

Government had even the address

to

persuade the Catholics that the non-execution of the penal laws,

which were,
rigour,

in

fact,

was owing

to

too atrocious to be enforced in their

their

clemency

full

and

that the Protestants

Dissenters, but especially the latter, were the enemies,

and them-

selves, in effect, the protectors of the Catholic people.

Under

this

arrangement the machine of government moved forward on carpet

ground, but the time was, at length,
iniquity

to

was to tumble

in the dust,

come when

this

system of

and the day of truth and reason

commence.

So

far

back as the year 1783, the Volunteers of Belfast had

instructed their deputies to the convention, held in Dublin, for the

purpose of framing a plan of parliamentary reform, to support the

equal admission of the Catholics to the rights of freemen.
instance of liberality, they were then almost alone

for

it

In this
is

their

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

44
fate in political
It

was

wisdom ever

sufficient,

[1790-91.

to be in advance of their countrymen.

who imme-

however, to alarm the Government,

diately procured from

Lord Kenmare,

at that time

esteemed the

leader of the Catholics, a solemn disavowal, in the

body, of any wish to be restored to their long

name

lost rights.

as the Catholics were at that period, this last insult

of the

Prostrate

was too much

they instantly assembled their General Committee, 1 and disavowed

Lord Kenmare and

his disavowal, observing at the

they were not framed so differently from

love with their

own

degradation.

all

other

The majority

same time

men

that

as to be in

of the volunteer

convention, however, resolved to consider the infamous declaration

of Lord

Kenmare

as the voice of the Catholics of Ireland, and, in

consequence, the emancipation of that body

plan of reform.

The consequence

immediately ensued

made no

part of their

natural to such folly and injustice

the Government, seeing the convention,

by

own act, separate themselves from the great mass of the

who could alone give them effective force, held them at

their

people,

defiance,
ciples,

and that formidable assembly, which, under better

might have held the

fate of Ireland in their hands,

prin-

was

broken up with disgrace and ignominy, a memorable warning that

those

who know not

to render their just rights to others will be

found incapable of firmly adhering to their own.

1
[The Catholic Committee was formed between 1756-60 by Dr. Curry (author
of the " Civil Wars in Ireland"), Charles O'Conor, of Ballenagar (author of

"Dissertations on Irish History"), and Mr. Wyse, a country gentleman of

culture and good sense. The Catholic aristocracy, as a body, timidly held aloof
from the organisation, " scorning all connection with its members, laughing
contemptuously at its labours, and interposing every obstacle to prevent, to
discourage, to neutralise its success" (Wyse, " Catholic Association "). From the
aristocracy, Curry, O'Conor, and Wyse turned to the Catholic merchantsof Dublin
who supported the movement heartily. But the Committee effected nothing, and
melted gradually away in 1763. About 1773 it was reformed under the leadership of Lord Kenmare.
But the co-operation of the aristocracy was worse
than their neutrality or opposition. Kenmare proved an incompetent leader,
and by his slavish submission to the Government brought about disunion
But, in 1790, a great democratic leader came to the front,
aristocracy were pushed to the background, and, under the direction

and anarchy.
the

of John Keogh, the Catholic

country.

Ed.]

Committee soon became a

real

power

in the

JOHN KEOGH.

JET. 27-28.]

The General Committee

45

of the Catholics, of which

made

above, and which, since the year 1792, has

feature in the politics of Ireland,

have spoken

a distinguished

was a body composed of

their

country gentlemen, and of a certain number of

bishops, their

merchants and traders,

all

resident in Dublin, but

named by

Catholics in the different towns corporate to represent them.

original object of this institution

the

The

was to obtain the repeal of a

and oppressive tax called quarterage, which was levied on

partial

the Catholics only, and the Government, which found the committee at

first

some occasions, connived

So degraded was the Catholic mind at the

a convenient instrument on

at their existence.

period of the formation of their committee, about 1760, and long

after, that

they were happy to be allowed to go up to the Castle

with an abominable slavish address to each successive Viceroy,

of which, moreover, until the accession of the
1782, so

little

Duke

notice was taken that his Grace

condescended to give them an answer

of Portland, in

was the

first

who

and, indeed, for above

twenty years, the sole business of the General Committee was to

prepare and deliver in those records of their depression.

which an honest indignation had called forth

effort

The

at the time

of the volunteer convention in 1783 seemed to have exhausted

their

strength,

Under

this

and they sunk back into

their primitive nullity

appearance of apathy, however, a new

spirit

was

gradually arising in the body, owing, principally, to the exertions

and the example of one man, John Keogh, 1 to whose services

his

[John Keogh was born in Dublin in 1740. The younger Grattan describes
him thus : "He was the ablest man of the Catholic body he had a powerful
understanding, and few men of that class were superior in intellect, or even
equal to him. His mind was strong and his head was clear he possessed
judgment and discretion, and had the art to unite and bring men forward on a
hazardous enterprise, and at a critical moment. He did more for the Roman
Catholics than any other individual of that body.
He had the merit of raising
a party, and bringing out the Catholic people. Before his time they were
nothing their bishops were servile, and Dr. Troy, Archbishop of Dublin, though
an excellent man, was under the influence of the Castle. ... At the onset of his
life Keogh had been in business, and began as an humble tradesman.
He
contrived to get into the Catholic Committee, and instantly formed a plan to
destroy the aristocratic part and introduce the democratic.
He wrote, he
published, he harangued, and strove to kindle some spirit among the people "
1

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

46
country, and

In

fact,

more

especially the Catholics, are singularly indebted.

the downfall of feudal tyranny was acted in

The

theatre of the General Committee.

and of

their

by

little

on the

influence of their clergy

barons was gradually undermined, and the third

commercial

estate, the

preparing,

interest, rising in

wealth and power, was

degrees, to throw off the yoke, in the imposing, or,

at least, the continuing of

which the leaders of the body

the prelates and aristocracy, to their disgrace be

ready to concur.
to

[1790-91.

Already had those

two signal defeats

spoken

mean

were

leaders, acting in obedience

the orders of the Government, which held

suffered one or

it

in the

them

in

fetters,

committee, owing prin-

the parties
cipally to the talents and address of John Keogh
began to be defined, and a sturdy democracy of new men, with
;

bolder views and stronger

talents,

soon

superseded the timid

counsels and slavish measures of the ancient aristocracy.

thing seemed tending to a better order of things

Catholics,

and an occasion soon offered

new leaders into action.

The Dissenters of the
Belfast, are,

north,

lightened Republicans.

and more especially of the town of

religion, and from the superior

They had

of parliamentary reform, and

(Grattan, " Memoirs").
I

the

to call the energy of their

from the genius of their

diffusion of political information

but, as

Every-

among

among them,

sincere

and en-

ever been foremost in the pursuit

have already mentioned the early

Keogh has been

think, with insufficient proof.

was not a decided revolutionist himself.

called a revolutionist pure

and simple,

He

co-operated with revolutionists, but

Indeed, nothing shows how great were

more than his capacity of working with men of various

and tendencies. He was the friend of Burke as well as the companion of Wolfe Tone the adviser of the Catholic bishops as well as the confidant
In fact, he combined almost all the forces favourable
of the United Irishmen.
to the Catholic cause, and by this combination secured the admission of the
his qualities as a leader
political views

Catholics to the parliamentary franchise in 1793.

On the failure, in 1795, of all
obtain further relaxation of the penal code, Keogh

constitutional efforts to

was more than tempted to throw in his lot with Tone, but he drew back in time,
and took no active part in the revolutionary movement which followed. After
the Union he still continued to labour in the Catholic interest, but gave way
gradually to one who was destined to carry out his policy with complete triumph.
He died in 1817, and was succeeded, as popular tribune, by the greatest of all
Irish Constitutional leaders, O'Connell.

Ed.]

DISSENTERS AND CATHOLICS.

JET. 27-28.]

wisdom and
cipation

town of Belfast

virtue of the

in

47

proposing the eman-

The

of the Catholics, so far back as the year 1783.

French Revolution had awakened

parties in the nation

all

from the

stupor in which they lay plunged, from the time of the dispersion
of the ever memorable Volunteer Convention, and the citizens of
Belfast were the

first

and

to raise their heads from the abyss,

look the situation of their country steadily

at a glance their true object,

in

and the only means

to

They saw

the face.

to obtain

it

conscious that the force of the existing Government was such as

to require the united efforts of the
it,

and, long convinced in their

whole

Irish people to subvert

own minds

that to be free

it

was

necessary to be just, they cast their eyes once more on the long
neglected Catholics, and profiting of past errors, for which, however,

they had not to accuse themselves, they determined to begin

on a new system, and to

and

raise the structure of the liberty

independence of their country, on the broad basis of equal rights to

the whole people.

The

Catholics,

on

their part,

were rapidly advancing

in political

Every month, every day, as the revolution

in France went prosperously forward, added to their courage and
their force, and the hour seemed at last arrived, when, after a dreary
oppression of above one hundred years, they were once more to
spirit

and information.

appear on the
brilliant

They saw

political theatre of their country.

the

prospect of success which events in France opened to their

view, and they determined to avail themselves with promptitude of

that opportunity, which never returns to those
this the active

who omit

members of the General Committee

on foot an immediate application to Parliament, praying

The

peal of the penal laws.

arose in their

own body

to call themselves),

and

first difficulty

it.

For

resolved to set
for

a re-

they had to surmount

their peers, their gentry (as they affected

their prelates, either

by Government, gave the measure

length, after a long contest, in

all

seduced or intimidated

possible opposition

and, at

which both parties strained every

nerve and produced the whole of their strength, the question was

decided on a division in the committee by a majority of at least

six to

one

in favour of the

intended application.

The triumph of

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

48

young democracy was complete

the

but,

[Wri-

though the aristocracy

By

were defeated, they were not yet entirely broken down.

the

Government they had the meanness to secede from

the General Committee, to disavow their acts, and even to publish
in the papers that they did not wish to embarrass the Government
by advancing their claims of emancipation. It is difficult to coninstigation of

ceive such a degree of political degradation

tyranny of an execrable system produce

gentlemen, individually of high

and

spirit,

in

even sanctioned this

Such an

natures.

pitiful desertion

effect

time

Sixty-eight

were found, who, publicly,

body, deserted their party and their

in a

but what will not the

own

just claims,

by the authority of

and

their sig-

had the operation of the penal laws on

the minds of the Catholics of Ireland, as proud a race as any in

Europe

all

am

some degree anticipating matters, and, indeed, instead

relating to myself, I find myself embarking
in a kind of history of my own times ; let me return and condense
as much as I can.
The first attempts of the Catholic Committee
failed totally endeavouring to accommodate all parties, they framed
a petition so humble that it ventured to ask for nothing, and even
But

of a few

in

memorandums

they could not find a single

this petition

to present

of so

mass of the
defeat,

little

Irish

member

of the Legislature

consequence, in the year 1790, was the great

people

they went on, and

in

Not disheartened, however, by this

the interval between that and the

approaching session, they were preparing measures

application.

for a

second

In order to add a greater weight and consequence to

their intended petition, they

only son of the celebrated

brought over to Ireland Richard Burke, 1

Edmund, and appointed him their agent

This young man came

to conduct their application to Parliament.

over with considerable advantages, and especially with the

his father's

["

of

name, who, the Catholics concluded, and very reasonably,

would, for his sake,

1

Mat

if

not for theirs, assist his son with his advice

Mr. Richard Burke had acted as agent

to the Catholic

Committee during

His father's name and advice, and the

.
the year 1791 and to July, 1792.
influence he had in England, were the son's best recommendations.
He had
been spoiled by Mr. Burke, who greatly overrated his abilities ; for he was vain
and conceited, and wanted temper and modesty." (Grattan, " Memoirs.") Ed.]
.

RICHARD BURKE.

JET. 27-28.]

and

directions.

their expectations in the event

proved abor-

Richard Burke, with a considerable portion of talents from

tive.

nature,

care

But

49

by

and cultivated, as
his father,

who

may be

well supposed, with the utmost

idolised him,

ment, in temper, and especially

in

was utterly

the art of

deficient in judg-

managing

parties.

In

three or four months' time, during which he remained in Ireland,

he contrived to embroil himself, and,

mittee, with

all

in

a certain degree, the com-

parties in Parliament, the Opposition as well as the

Government, and,

finally,

desiring to drive

his

employers into

measures of which they disapproved, and thinking himself strong

enough

to

go on without the assistance of the men who introduced,

and, as long as their duty would permit, supported him, in which

he miserably deceived himself, he ended

his short and turbulent

by breaking with the General Committee. That body, howtreated him respectfully to the last, and, on his departure, they

career
ever,

sent a deputation to thank

with the

vol

1.

sum

him

for his exertions,

of two thousand guineas.

and presented him

CHAPTER

III.

THE UNITED IRISHMEN AND THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE.

much about this time that my connection with the
body commenced in the manner which I am about to

It was pretty
Catholic

cannot pretend to

relate.

entirely

from

memory

all

strict

my

accuracy as to dates, for

write

papers being in America.

Russell had, on his arrival to join his regiment at Belfast, found

much

the people so

to his taste,

confidence, and

and

had rendered him-

in return

them, that he was speedily admitted into their

self so agreeable to

became a member of

several of their clubs.

was an unusual circumstance, as British officers, it may

supposed, were no great favourites with the Republicans of

The

know

tion in

and the Belfast Volunteers, on some public occasion,

not precisely what, wished to

its

favour.

For

this

him such a declaration

did.

as

come forward with a declarawho by this time was

purpose Russell,

entirely in their confidence, wrote to

to

Belfast.

Catholic question was, at this period, beginning to attract the

public notice
I

This

well be

me

to

draw up and transmit

thought proper, which

meeting of the corps was held

accordingly

an

in consequence, but

opposition unexpectedly arising to that part of the declarations

which alluded directly to the Catholic claims, that passage was, for
the sake of unanimity, withdrawn for the present, and the declarations then passed unanimously.

Russell wrote

me an

account of

all

and it immediately set me on thinking more seriously than I

had yet done upon the state of Ireland. I soon formed my theory,
this,

and on that theory

To

have unvaryingly acted ever

since.

subvert the tyranny of our execrable Government, to break

the connection with England, the never-failing source of

political evils,

and to assert the independence of

50

all

our

my country these

JET.

PAMPHLET ON THE CATHOLIC QUESTION.

28.]

51

my objects. To unite the whole people of Ireland, to abolish

memory of all past dissensions, and to substitute the common
name of Irishman in place of the denominations of Protestant,
were

the

Catholic and Dissenter

great objects,

these were my means.

reviewed the three great

To

effectuate these

The

sects.

despaired of from the outset for obvious reasons.

Protestants

Already

in pos-

by an unjust monopoly of the whole power and patronage of

the country, it was not to be supposed they would ever concur in
measures the certain tendency of which must be to lessen their

session

influence as a party,

the Catholics

how much

thought

unnecessary to address myself, because,

it

make

that as no change could

their political situation

reckoned upon their support to a certainty

already begun
oppressions

to manifest a strong sense of

and, finally,

To

soever the nation might gain.

well

knew

that,

besides,
their

however

worse,

they had

wrongs and
it

might be

disguised or suppressed, there existed in the breast of every Irish

an inextirpable abhorrence of the English name and

Catholic

power.

There remained only the Dissenters,

patriotic

and enlightened

showed me that
minds.

sat

whom

knew

to be

however, the recent events at Belfast had

all

prejudice was not yet entirely removed from their

down

accordingly, and wrote a pamphlet addressed to

the Dissenters, and which

entitled, "

An Argument on behalf of the

them
that they and the Catholics had but one common interest and one
common enemy that the depression and slavery of Ireland was
Catholics of Ireland," the object of which was to convince

produced and perpetuated by the divisions existing between them,

and

that, consequently, to assert the

and

their

own

individual liberties,

independence of their country,

it

was necessary

to forget

all

former feuds, to consolidate the entire strength of the whole nation,

and to form

for the future

but one people.

These principles

sup-

ported by the best arguments which suggested themselves to me,

and particularly by demonstrating that the cause of the

former
1

783,

efforts,

failure of

aM

and more especially of the Volunteer Convention

in

was the unjust neglect of the claims of

brethren.

This pamphlet, which appeared

in

their

Catholic

September, 1791,

under the signature of a Northern Whig, had a considerable degree

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

52

The

of success.

[1791.

whom I was

Catholics {with not one of

at the time

acquainted} were pleased with the efforts of a Volunteer in their

cause,

and distributed

whom

it

The people

in all quarters.

had spoken with the respect and admiration

for them,

and to

whom I was

also perfectly

of Belfast, of
sincerely felt

unknown, printed a very

large edition which they dispersed through the whole North of Ireland,

and

by

my

arguments.

my own performances so much

that I am somewhat vain on that topic
mediate cause of my being made known
speak of

may

be, perhaps,

life.

is

fact

but, as

of the

like vanity to
is, I

believe

was the im-

it

to the Catholic body, I

upon a circumstance which I

that reason as one of the most fortunate of

excused
for

It

and the

must ever look on

my

many

have the great satisfaction to believe that

Dissenters were converted

for dwelling

As my pamphlet

spread more and more,

amongst the Catholics extended accordingly.

My

my

acquaintance

first

friend in the

body was John Keogh, and through him I became acquainted with
all the leaders, as Richard McCormick, John Sweetman, Edward
Byrne,

Thomas

Braughall, 1

in short, the

whole sub-committee, and

most of the active members of the General Committee.

It

was a

kind of fashion this winter (1791) among the Catholics to give

splendid dinners to their political friends, in and out of Parlia-

was always a guest of course. I was invited to a grand

dinner given to Richard Burke on his leaving Dublin, together with
William Todd Jones, who had distinguished himself by a most
ment, and

excellent pamphlet in favour of the Catholic cause, as well as to

several entertainments given

by clubs and

began to grow into something

associations

like reputation,

was, in a manner, a requisite at

all

and

in short,

my company

the entertainments of that

winter.

[Byrne was chairman, and McCormick secretary of the Catholic Committee.

Sweetman was a United Irishman. Braughall and McCormick probably (some
1

would say positively) bejonged also to the society they were certainly trusted
by its leading men. Sweetman and Braughall were arrested in 1798. Braughall
was liberated on giving bail, "himself in ^1,000 and two sureties in ^500."
Sweetman was kept in custody until 1802, and then liberated on condition of
He was ultimately allowed to return to Ireland. A reward of
living abroad.
^300 was offered in 1798 for the arrest of McCormick (with others), but he
;

escaped.

Ed.]

BECOMES A VOLUNTEER.

yT. 28.]

But

was not

this

all.

The Volunteers

53

of Belfast, of the

green company, were pleased, in consequence of

elect

me an honorary member

were very delicate

in

bestowing, as

in

their approbation.

believe

who was

was the only person,

was also invited to spend a few days

first

club of United

Irishmen, and to cultivate a personal acquaintance with those

whom, though

highly esteemed,

knew

as yet but

In consequence, about the beginning of October,

my
in

friend Russell,

who

had,

Dublin, on his private

by

The

since,

from time to time, continued, as

To

circumstances of sufficient importance occurred.

most

It

is

army, and was

incidents of that journey,

far the

commenced, and have ever

refer.

went down with

this time, quit the

affairs.

men

by reputation.

most agreeable and interesting one I had

recorded in a kind of diary, a practice which I then

which was by
ever made,

or

ever honoured with that

order to assist in framing the

Belfast, in

first

pamphlet, to

of their corps, a favour which they

except the great Henry Flood,

mark of

my

sufficient here to say, that

flattering kind,

and that

my

reception was of the

men

found the

that diary I

of the most dis-

tinguished public virtue in the nation the most estimable in

domestic relations of

life

all

the

had the good fortune to render myself

agreeable to them, and a friendship was then formed between us

which
to

think

name

observing

will

it

not be easy to shake.

individuals, yet

how

It is

a kind of injustice

cannot refuse myself the pleasure of

peculiarly fortunate

esteem myself

in

having

formed connections with Samuel Neilson, Robert Simms, William

Simms, William

Sinclair,

Thomas Macabe

1
:

may

as well stop

1
[Samuel Neilson (the son of a Dissenting clergyman) was born in
county Down in 1761. Having made a competence in trade, he retired from
business and entered politics, a supporter of the Catholic claims, an advocate
of Parliamentary reform.
With him probably originated the idea of the
United Irish Society. He also founded the Northern Star, the first organ

of the society in the press.

Though

subjected to frequent

Government prosewhen

cutions, Neilson conducted the paper successfully until September, 1796,

and he himself arrested. The

suppressed in May, 1797.
Neilson was kept in prison
until February, 1798.
Then liberated, he worked with Lord

the office was "attacked and ransacked,"

paper was
(without

Edward
May.

finally

trial)

But he was again arrested in

he defied the authorities. Addressing the
scorn your power, and despise that authority which it shall

Fitzgerald in preparing for insurrection.

Brought
court, he said, "

to trial in irons,
I

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

54

here

for, in

in fact,

enumerating

making out a

list

for their virtue, talent,

our club, of which

my

most particular

of the

men

[1791.

friends, I find

and patriotism.

To

At

am,

formed

wrote the declaration, and certainly the

for-

in the politics of

length, after a stay of about three weeks,

my

look back upon as perhaps the pleasantest in

I

We

proceed.

mation of that club commenced a new epoch

Ireland.

of Belfast most distinguished

life,

which

Russell and

returned to Dublin, with instructions to cultivate the leaders in

the popular interest, being Protestants, and,

the capital, a club

of United

Irishmen.

if

possible, to form, in

Neither Russell nor

myself were known to one of those leaders

however, we soon

contrived to get acquainted with James Napper Tandy, 1

who was

the principal of them, and, through him, with several others, so

that, in

little

time,

we

succeeded, and a club was accordingly

formed, of which the Honourable Simon Butler

was the

first

my pride to have opposed. Why am I kept with these weighty irons

on me, so heavy that three ordinary men could scarcely carry them ? " He was
not tried, being one of the prisoners who entered into the honourable compact
with the Government already mentioned (ante, p. 35). But he was kept in
prison until 1802. Writing, after his liberation, to Hamilton Rowan, he says
"Neither the eight years' hardship I have endured, the total destruction of my
property, the forlorn state of my wife and children, the momentary failure of
our national exertions, have abated my ardour in the cause of my country, and
of general liberty." Neilson finally went to America, where he died in 1803.
The Simmses, Sinclair, and Macabe all took an active part in forming the United
Irish Society. The Simmses were part proprietors of the Northern Star.
Ed.]
1
James Napper Tandy was born in Dublin in 1740. At first a Volunteer,
afterwards a United Irishman, he took an active part in public affairs from
1779 t0 l 79&- Suspected of treasonable practices, he fled to America in 1793.
In September, 1798, he left for France, there raised a small force of Irish
refugees, proceeded to Ireland, and landed on the island of Arran, near Donegal.
But hearing of Humbert's defeat (ante, p. 6), he immediately sailed for Norway
thence attempting to return to France was arrested at Hamburg and handed over
ever be

to the English authorities in 1799.

Tried for participating

in the insurrectionary

movement, he was acquitted on a point of law. Tried again in 1801 for

his attempted invasion, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death.
But he
was pardoned, partly under pressure from Buonaparte, who claimed him as a
French general, and partly on the intercession of Lord Cornwallis, who urged
" the incapacity of this old man to do further mischief, the mode by which he
came into our hands, his long subsequent confinement, and lastly, the streams
of blood which have flowed in this island for these last three years." But Tandy
had to leave Ireland. He died in France in 1803.
2
In 1793 Butler was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and to a fine of

MT.

NAPPER TANDY.

28.]

Tandy

chairman, and

the

The

secretary.

first

55

declaration of their brethren of Belfast, with

diately

opened a correspondence.

man who

knew

well

occasion,

Dublin, with

Tandy,

among

whom

they imme-

near twenty years

was

sacrificed.

decidedly

in

coming forward on

this

of

the city

corporations of

the

he had enjoyed the most unbounded influence

for

and, in fact, in the event, his popularity

That did not prevent, however,

his taking his part

he had the firmness to forego the gratification of his

good of

private feelings for the

to

whom

but justice to an honest

he was putting to the most extreme

that

hazard his popularity

was

is

has been persecuted for his firm adherence to his prin-

to observe here, that

ciples,

It

club adopted the

a very sincere Republican,

show him the

The

is, Tandy
much argument

truth

did not require

it

by any means

impossibility of attaining a Republic

short of the united powers

renounced the

his country.

and

of the whole people

lesser object for the greater,

influence which he possessed (and

he therefore

and gave up the certain

had well earned)

in the city, for

the contingency of that influence which he might have (and well

deserves to have) in the nation.

For

my own

part, I think

it

right

to mention, that, at this time, the establishment of a Republic

was

my speculations. My object was to

my country under any form of govern-

not the immediate object of

secure the independence of

ment, to which
in

my

left

was

nature, that

it

by a hatred of England, so deeply rooted

led

was rather an

instinct than a principle.

to others, better qualified for the inquiry, the investigation

merits

of

the different forms of government, and

myself with labouring on

perfect coincidence as to

my own

its

before

mention.
I

lost all

But

to return.

contented

system, which was luckily in

operation with that of those

viewed the question on a broader and juster scale than

time

and

The

men who
did at the

club was scarcely formed

pretensions to anything like influence in their

^500 for presiding at a United Irish meeting where certain proceedings of the
House of Lords (the inquiry into Defenderism) were declared to be illegal. On his
release, he sent a challenge to Lord Clare, who had used offensive language in
But both Clare's "friend," Colonel Murray, and
Hamilton Rowan, agreed that Clare, "as Chancellor," could
In the same year the Catholic Committee voted Butler ^500 for his

passing sentence on him.

Butler's "friend,"

not

fight.

services in the Catholic cause.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

56

measures, a circumstance which at

first

[i79i-

me

mortified

not a

little,

and

more weight in their councils, I might have

prevented, as on some occasions I laboured unsuccessfully to

perhaps, had

retained

prevent, their running into indiscretions, which gave their enemies

but too great advantages over them.

So

the event.

was, however, that

it

the club, which, however,

numbers

increasing in

ticularly, flocked in

members of
and public

in

and

easy to be wise after

had the satisfaction

consequence.

The

in

daily

see

to

Catholics, par-

crowds, as well as some of the Protestant

corporations most distinguished for their liberality

spirit

on former occasions

society the justice to say, that

political

It is

soon sunk into obscurity

and, indeed,

believe there

body which included amongst

portion of

sincere uncorrupted

repectable

proportion

of

its

patriotism,

talents.

Their

must do the

never existed a

members a
as

well

greater
a

as

publications,

very

mostly

by Dr. Drennan, and many of them admirably well

began
to draw the public attention, especially as they were
done,
written

evidently the production of a society utterly disclaiming

views or motives, and acting on a broad original

those

who

slaves

what

is

called opposition than for the

of the Treasury bench, who want at

At
1

party

more than those who were

of the Government
a system in which I

heartily concurred, having long entertained a

for

all

not sparing

called themselves patriots

the habitual

tempt

scale,

more

serious con-

common

prostitutes

least the vice of hypocrisy.

length the Solicitor-General, 1 in speaking of the society, having

[Toler, afterwards the notorious Lord Norbury (b. 1740, d. 1831). Toler's
" I have seen papers signed by Tobias McKenna, with Simon

words were

Napper Tandy lending his countenance; I should have

thought they could have put a better face upon it. But, sir, such fellows are
too despicable for notice ; therefore I shall not drag them from their obscurity."
(Tandy had a very odd cast of countenance hence the words in italics had a
personal sting.) In 1800 Toler was made Chief Justice of the Common Pleas,
and Baron Norbury. He is probably best known as the judge who tried Robert
Emmet (hanged for high treason in 1803). Many stories are told suggestive of
Norbury's severity on the bench. " Is that hung beef, Mr. Curran?" he once
said to the great advocate at dinner. " No, but if your lordship tries it, it will
be hung," was the ready reply. Norbury retired from the bench in 1827. He
had fallen asleep while trying a murder case. O'Connell seized the opportunity
to force his resignation by having Parliament petitioned for his removal.
Ed.]
Butler in the chair, and

JET.

HAMILTON RO WAN.

28.]

made use
offensive,

of expressions in the

Butler was satisfied

and, after several messages, which

the Solicitor-General

at

breach of privilege, and

He was

into custody.

from

House of Commons extremely

an explanation was demanded of him by Simon Butler,

chairman, and Tandy, secretary.

not

57

whom

it is

not

my

affair to detail,

length complained to the

Tandy was
in

Tandy was

ordered, in the

House of a
instance,

first

consequence arrested by a messenger,

he found means to make his escape, and immediately

was issued, offering a reward for taking him. The

now
society
was in a difficult situation, and I thought myself called
upon to make an effort, at all hazards to myself, to prevent its
a proclamation

falling

by any improper timidity

in fact

committed with the House of

privilege,

and having

sible to recede

these

fairly

We were

in the public opinion.

engaged

Commons on
in

the question of

the contest,

it

was impos-

without a total forfeiture of character.

circumstances

cast

my

eyes

on Archibald

Under

Hamilton

Rowan, 1 a distinguished member of the society, whose many

virtues, public and private, had set his name above the reach
of even the malevolence of party, whose situation in life was of
the most respectable rank, if ranks be indeed respectable, and,
[Archibald Hamilton Rowan (son of an Ulster landed proprietor) was born
London in 175 1. He was educated at Westminster, and later on entered
Cambridge University.
After some years of travel he settled down in
Ireland in 1784. Joined the Volunteers, the Whig Club, and finally the United
Irishmen. At first an advanced constitutional reformer, he glided into treason.
Tried in 1794 for seditious libel, he was defended by Curran, in a memorable
speech, found guilty, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment and to a fine of
Knowing that, apart from the accusation of seditious libel, there was
,500.
1

in

further incriminating evidence of a treasonable nature against him,

he escaped
from prison, by the connivance of his jailer, and got out of the country by
the help of Sweetman. Two brothers, named Sheridan, agreed to man a
"little fishing wherry" belonging to Sweetman, and to land Rowan in France.
At the moment of departure one of the Sheridans pulled out of his pocket a
Government proclamation offering ; 1,000 reward for the arrest of the fugitive.
" It is Mr. Hamilton Rowan we are to take to France," he said. " Yes,"
answered Sweetman, " here he is." " Never mind," was the reply, " by
we will land him safe " And they did. In 1795 Rowan went to America, where
he remained for five years. In 1803 he was allowed to return to England, and
in 1806 to Ireland, where he died in 1834.
(" Autobiography of Hamilton
Rowan," ed. Drummond.) Ed.]
!

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

5S

above

[1791-92.

whose personal courage was not to be shaken, a

all,

cumstance,

in the actual situation of affairs, of the last

To Rowan,

therefore, I applied

cir-

importance.

showed him that the current of

public opinion was rather setting against us in this business, and
that it was necessary that some of us should step forward and
expose ourselves, at

all risks,

offered, if

show the House of Commons, and

to be intimidated or put down

to

we were not

the nation at large, that

so easily.

he would take the

chair, that I

the society's permission, act as secretary, and that

would, with

we would

give

our signatures to such publications as circumstances might render

Rowan

necessary.

instantly agreed, and, accordingly,

night of meeting, he was chosen chairman, and

the absence of

Tandy

on the next

pro-secretary, in

and the society having agreed to the

worded in a manner very offen-

resolutions proposed, which were

House of Commons, and, in fact,

amounted to a challenge of their authority, we inserted them in
all the newspapers, and printed 5,000 copies, with our names
sive to

the dignity of

the

affixed.

The
step,

least

that

Rowan and

expected

which under the circumstances, was,

consequence of

in

must

this

say, rather a bold

was to be committed to Newgate for a breach of privilege,

and perhaps exposed to personal discussions with some of the
one,

members

of the

agreed, that,

if

House of Commons

any

disrespectful

for

he proposed, and

language was applied to either

of us in any debate which might arise on the business,

we would

attack the person, whoever he might be, immediately, and oblige

him

either to recant his

words or give

battle.

All our determina-

however, came to nothing.

The House of Commons, either

content with their victory over Tandy, who was obliged to conceal
himself for some time, or not thinking Rowan and myself objects

tion,

sufficiently

important to attract their notice, or perhaps, which

rather believed, not wishing just then to embroil themselves with a

man of Rowan's firmness and courage, not to speak of his great

and justly merited popularity, took no notice whatsoever of our
resolutions, and, in this

and,

may

manner, he and

had the good

say, the merit, to rescue the society

fortune,

from a situation of

TANDY AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

yET. 28-29.]

59

considerable difficulty without any actual suffering, though certainly

some personal hazard on our

with

We

part.

had likewise the

satisfaction to see the society, instead of losing ground, rise rapidly

by their firmness on the occasion. Shortly

after, on the last day of the sessions, Tandy appeared in public,
and was taken into custody, the whole society attending him in a
body to the House of Commons. He was ordered by the Speaker
to be committed to Newgate, whither he was conveyed, the society
in the public opinion

attending him as before, and the Parliament being prorogued in

was

half an hour after, he

triumph to

his

own

house.

liberated immediately,

On

of course, and were in the gallery of the

we were not

sure but

we might be

Club uniforms, which were rather gaudy,

it

in

attended

House of Commons. As
we took pains

attacked ourselves,

and to wear our Whig

to place ourselves in a conspicuous situation,

whom

and escorted

Rowan and

this occasion

in order to signify to all

might concern, that there we were.

good many of the

members, we observed remarked us, but no further notice was

the whole business
our names were never mentioned
taken
;

passed over quietly, and

only

office

resumed

my

resigned

pro-secretaryship, being the

ever held in the society, into the hands of Tandy,

his functions.

This was

in spring,

1792

who

should observe,

day after the publication above mentioned, when I attended

near the House of Commons in expectation of being called before
them to answer for what I had done, and had requested my friend,

that the

Sir

Lawrence Parsons, to give me notice, in order that I might

House took fire by accident, and was burned to

present myself, the

the ground.

The Society

of United Irishmen

beginning to attract the public

has been said that the United Irish Society was, in its inception, a
Some of its founders, however, were rebels from
the outset, though others' were not.
But the "test" adopted at a meeting in
Dublin in November, 1791, was certainly constitutional. " I, A. B., in the
presence of God, do pledge myself to my country that I will use all my abilities
and influence in the attainment of an adequate and impartial representation
of the Irish nation in Parliament, and as a means of absolute and immediate
necessity in the attainment of this chief good of Ireland, I will endeavour, as
much as lies in my ability, to forward a brotherhood of affection, an identity of
interests, a communion of rights, and a union of power among Irishmen of all
1

[It

constitutional organisation.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

6o

[1792.

notice considerably, in consequence of the events which

mentioned, and

it

known

being pretty generally

that

have

was prin-

was one day surprised by a

visit from the barrister, who had about two years before spoken to
me on the part of the Whig leaders, a business of which I had long
cipally instrumental in its formation, I

since discharged

new

line

upon

my

was adopting

in

that the principles

it

and

adopted,

He

memory.

now

consequently

prise at

my

whom,

held would never be generally

had not kept

consequence,

civility

on

my

had

lately done.

all

Whigs, with

however

I
I

had written

consequently,

in

did not like

answered him

Catholic cause,

the

they had, on

was neither inclined

reflection,

fault of mine.

men-

that, as to

had not

did not conscientiously believe, and,

to repent nor retract.

supposed connection with the Whigs,

had not sought them

took

as to the principles he

part, that,

advanced a syllable which

no

faith with the

had not adopted them without examination

the pamphlet

my

sur-

had connected myself, and

the latter part of his discourse at

tioned,

me

to

testified

ought to have consulted before

so decided a line of conduct as

with great

without

myself

devoting

he also

he professed to understand
in

might rely

conduct, and insinuated pretty directly, though with

great civility, that

whom

he was sorry to see the

the more so as

was

advancing any beneficial purpose

me

told

politics,

on the contrary, they had sought

not thought

me worth

As

reminded him that

me

cultivating, that

observed, also, that Mr. George

to
I
if

was

Ponsonby,

which every reform in Parliament must be partial,

not national, inadequate to the wants, delusive to the wishes, and insufficient
The resolutions passed at
for the freedom and happiness of this country."
Belfast in October, 1791, were also constitutional, with, however, an antiEnglish tone. 1. "That the weight of English influence in the government
religious persuasions, without

of this country

is

so great as to require a cordial union

of Ireland, to maintain that balance which

of our liberties,
constitutional

is

among

all

the people

essential to the preservation

and the extension of our commerce." 2. " That the sole

this influence can be opposed is by a complete

mode by which

and radical reform of the representation of the people in Parliament." 3.

" That no reform is [just] which does not include Irishmen of every religious
persuasion."
It may, at least, be said that from 1791 to 1794-5 the society
afterwards it became avowedly rebellious, post.
was avowedly constitutional
;

Ed.]

JET.

GEORGE PONSONBY.

29.]

whom I looked upon as principal

to me above a dozen times in my

61

had never spoken

and then merely on ordinary

in the business,
life,

that I was too proud to be treated in that manner, and, if

was supposed capable to render service to the party, it would only
be by confiding in, and communicating with me, that I could be
really serviceable, and on that footing only would I consent to be
topics

Ponsonby would think that rather a

was my determination, the more as I knew
he was rather a proud man. Finally, I observed, he had my permission to report all this, and that I looked on myself as under no

treated

that probably Mr.

lofty declaration, but

tie

of obligation whatsoever

employed
guineas

my

party

money

that

had consequently been

me

which produced

that

my

as fully earned

eighty

what
it.

that

had done

My

had

at present

known, and

principles were

was determined to abide by

me

had written a pamphlet, un-

looked on myself as sufficiently rewarded, but

disposed to retract them

to see

that

in a business, professionally,

that

also considered the

taken

favour of the party

solicited, in

all

it

I was not at
had done, and I

friend then said

he was sorry

so obstinate in what he must consider an indiscreet line

of conduct, and protesting that his principal object was to serve

me,

in

which

believed him, he took his leave, and this put an end

completely to the idea of a connection with the Whigs.

rather haughtily in this affair, because

spoke

was somewhat provoked

at the insinuation of duplicity, and, besides, I

wished to have a

blow at Mr. George Ponsonby, who seemed desirous to retain

as a kind of pamphleteer in his service, at the

same time

industriously avoided anything like communication

me

that he

with me, a

was neither so weak nor so mean as to suffer

myself to be reduced and as I well knew he was one of the
proudest men in Ireland, I took care to speak on a footing of the

situation to

which

most independent

equality.

time dismissed

idea of

all

After this discussion,

having his
I

the business as
full

for the

second

Ponsonby and the Whigs, but

reason, a long time after, to believe that he

forgotten

did,

revenge of me, as

I had good
had not so readily

and indeed he was very near

I

have already observed that the

shall
first

mention

in its place.

attempts of the Catholic

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

62

Committee,

after the secession

unsuccessful.

Parliament

In

who

[1792.

of their aristocracy, were totally

1790 they could not even find a member of

would condescend to present their petition. In

1791 Richard Burke, their then agent, had prepared, on their behalf,

a very well-written philippic, but which certainly was no petition,

which, after considerable

difficulties,

resulting in a great degree

want of temper and discretion, after being offered to and

accepted by different members, was at length finally refused, a
circumstance which, by disgusting him extremely with all parties,
from

his

determined him to quit Ireland.

believe,

another petition

After his departure

was prepared and presented by

1
.

but no

The committee in
general, and its more active and ostensible members in particular,
were vilified and abused in the grossest manner they were called
unfortunate paper was ever so maltreated.

a rabble of obscure porter-drinking mechanics, without property,

pretensions, or influence,

who met

in holes

and corners, and fancied

themselves the representatives of the Catholic body,

and despised them

who disavowed

the independence and respectability of the

sixty-eight renegadoes

who had

their

hands so infamously

to their act of apostacy

were extolled to the

skies, while the lowest

set

and most clumsy personalities were heaped upon the leaders of the
committee, particularly Edward Byrne and John Keogh,

who had

the honour to be selected from their brethren, and exposed as butts

for the small wit of the prostitutes of the

the petition of the Catholics, three

special

of

Government. 2

Finally,

millions of people, was,

by

motion of David Latouche, taken off the table of the Hous e

Commons, where

it

had been suffered to

Never was an address to a

rejected.

pitifully used.

The people

lie for

legislative

three days, and

body more un-

of Belfast, rapidly advancing in the

[Mr. Egan, in 1792. Ed.]

[Speaking of those times, Grattan said " I could hardly obtain a hearing.
As for Denis Browne (who always supported the Catholics), he could not be
heard at all they would not listen to him. I spoke against the sense, Browne
against the noise of the House, and he was abused, insulted, and covered with
reproaches " (Grattan, " Memoirs "). Byrne was a wealthy merchant. In the
course of this debate Colonel (afterwards General Lord) Hutchinson reminded
the House that he paid ,100,000 a year to the revenue. Ed.]
'

MT.

CATHOLIC PETITION REJECTED.

29.]

wisdom and

career of

had presented a petition in behalf

pointed than that which they presented

liberality,

much more

of the Catholics

63

for themselves, for their petition

was extremely guarded, asking

only the right of elective franchise, and equal admission to grand

juries,

to

whereas that of Belfast prayed for their entire admission

the rights of citizens.

all

of the

same member, taken

This petition was

off the table

and

also,

on motion

and the two

rejected,

papers sent forth together to wander as they might.

There seems from

watched over the

this

affairs

time out a special providence to have

of Ireland, and to have turned to her

and advantage the deepest

profit

of her enemies.

laid

and most

Every measure adopted, and

to thwart the expectations of the Catholics,

of union

spirit

artful

schemes

skilfully adopted,

and to crush the

rising

between them and the Dissenters, has, without

exception, only tended to confirm and fortify both, and the fact
I

am

about to mention, for one,

The

this assertion.

the

is

a striking proof of the truth of

principal charge in the general outcry raised in

House of Commons

against the General

Committee was, that

they were a self-appointed body, not nominated by the Catholics

of the nation, and consequently not authorised to speak on their
behalf.

This argument, which

in fact

was the

phantly dwelt upon by the enemies of the Catholics

end
if

it

was trium-

truth,

would have, perhaps, been more fortunate

but in the

for their wishes

they had not laid such stress upon this circumstance, and drawn

the line of separation so strongly between the General Committee

and the body

For the Catholics throughout Ireland, who

at large.

had hitherto been indolent spectators of the business, seeing their

brethren of Dublin, and especially the General Committee, insulted
and abused for their exertions in pursuit of that liberty, which
if attained must be a common blessing to all, came forward as one

man from

every quarter of the nation with addresses and resolutions,

adopting the measures of the General Committee as their own,

declaring that

body the only organ competent

to speak for the

Catholics of Ireland, and condemning, in terms of the most

disapprobation and
apostates,

who were

contempt, the
so

conduct of the

marked

sixty-eight

triumphantly held up by the hirelings

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

64

of

Government

The

as the respectable part of the Catholic

question was

back

in

[1792.

now

disgrace and

The

fairly decided.

obscurity, leaving

community.

aristocracy shrunk

the field

open to the

democracy, and that body neither wanted talents nor

profit

by the advantages of their present

The

spirit to

situation.

Catholics of Dublin were at this period, to the Catholics

of Ireland, what Paris, at the

commencement of

the

French

Their sentiment was that

Revolution, was to the Departments.

of the nation, and whatever political measure they adopted was

sure to be obeyed.

however, there was wanting a personal

Still,

communication between the General Committee and their con-

had now
grown to considerable magnitude, so much indeed as to absorb all
other political discussion, it became the first care of the leaders

stituents in the country, and, as the Catholic question

of the committee to frame a plan of organisation for that purpose.

It is to the sagacity of

that his country

is

Myles Keon of Keonbrook, County Leitrim,

indebted for the system on which the General

Committee was to be framed anew,

it

impossible to bring

it

or not the organ of the Catholic

to the committee, as then

county and great

represented,

who

will.

constituted,

city, actual residents

His plan was to associate

two members from each
of the place which they

were, however, only to

members, who, as

summoned upon

be

common

extraordinary occasions, leaving the

to the original

manner that should render

in a

again in doubt whether that body were

routine of business

have already related, were

The committee, as thus

half town and half country members

residents of Dublin.

constituted,

consist of

for the

and
in

latter

all

would

and the elections

he proposed should be held by means of primary

electoral assemblies, held, the first in each parish, the second

each county and great town.

He

likewise proposed that the

town members should he held to correspond regularly with their

country associates, these with their immediate electors, and these
again with the primary assemblies. A more simple and, at the
same time, more comprehensive organisation could not be devised.

By this means

the General Committee

became the centre of a

embracing the whole nation, and pushing

its

circle

rays instantaneously

JET.

AGENT TO THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE.

29.]

65

The plan was laid in

Committee by Myles Keon, and, after
mature discussion, the first part relating to the association and
election of the country members was adopted with some slight
variation
the latter part, relating to the constant communication
to the remotest parts of the circumference.

writing before the General

with the mass of the people, was thought under the circumstances
to be too hardy,

and was accordingly dropped sub

silentio.

was that the leaders of the committee cast

their eyes upon me to fill the station left vacant by Richard Burke.
It was accordingly proposed by my friend John Keogh to appoint
me their agent, with the title of assistant-secretary, and a salary

About

of

200

time

this

it

sterling a year during

my

continuance in the service of

This proposal was adopted unanimously.

the committee.

Keogh and John Sweetman were ordered

proposal in writing, to which

on

to wait

me

John

with the

acceded immediately by a respectful

was that very day introduced in form to the subcommittee, and entered upon the functions of my new office.
I
was now placed in a very honourable, but a very arduous
situation.
The committee having taken so decided a step as to
answer, and

propose a general election of members to represent the Catholic

body throughout

Ireland,

exposed to attacks of
disappointed

all

was well aware that they would be

possible kinds, and they were not

they were prepared, however, to repel them, and

the literary part of the warfare

reviewing the conduct of

my

of course to

fell

my

share.

predecessor, Richard Burke,

was an overweening opinion of

and judgment, and a desire, which he had not

that the rock on which he split

own

talents

enough

his
art

to conceal, of guiding at his pleasure the

measures of the

my

conduct with the

committee.

therefore determined to

greatest caution in that respect.

opinion unless

it

was called

myself with giving

the two

men

capacities,

my

for in the

1.

seldom or never offered

my

sub-committee, but contented

most esteemed, and who had,

the greatest

My

mittee.

model

sentiments, without reserve, in private, to

influence

Keogh and Richard McCormick,

vol.

In

saw

mean John
Com-

secretary to the General

discretion in this respect

6

in their respective

on that body

was not unobserved, and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

66

very soon acquired, and

may

[1792.

say without vanity,

deserved

The

the entire confidence and good opinion of the Catholics.

fact

was devoted most sincerely to their cause, and being now

retained in their service, I would have sacrificed everything to
I

is,

ensure their success, and they

upon me

as a faithful

knew

am

it.

to be intimidated

me

nor corrupted, and in that respect they rendered

My

circumstances were, at the time of

my

But though

family totally unprovided

have deserted

my

for,

of the

Government

offered

me

if

it

my

In these sentiments

and confirmed by the incomparable

spirit

patient suffering under adversity, for

we had

and were now well accustomed to

Women

to render justice.

mercenary, and especially

to

make

On

had bolder and juster views.

I

consulted her

we had no

would not

office,

and

was encouraged
wife, to

whose

often been reduced,

am

know

not

sorry to say

it,

how
are

they have children, they are ready

sacrifices to their establishment.

all

my

of

difficulties,

in general, I
if

was

whole patronage

for the

were consolidated into one

as the reward.

office

had now an increasing

can safely say that

duty to the Catholics

but justice.

appointment, extremely

embarrassed, and of course the salary annexed to

a considerable object with me.

they looked

satisfied

and zealous advocate, neither

But

my

dearest love

every occasion of

secrets,

my

life

one from the other, and

unvaryingly found her think and act with energy and courage,

combined with the greatest prudence and

I

succeed in

life,

shall consider

return.

it

as

Another

the papers

due

rule

to her counsels

which

had occasion to

adopted

write, to

for myself, but for the Catholic body,

wedded

to

discretion.

If ever

or arrive at anything like station or eminence,

my own

and her example.

for

my

remember

conduct was,
I

But to
in all

was not speaking

and consequently to be never

compositions, but to receive the objections of

every one with respect, and to change without reluctance whatever

the committee thought

my own

fit

to alter, even in cases

judgment was otherwise.

am

And

where perhaps

trifling as this

circumstance

recommended me considerably to the

may
committee, who had been on former occasions more than once
embarrassed by the self-love of Richard Burke, and, indeed, even
seem,

sure

it

JET.

REORGANISATION OF CATHOLIC COMMITTEE.

29.]

own body, men of

of some of their

some excellent papers on

written

stand criticism as

considerable talents,

who had

who

did not

their behalf, but

The

did without wincing.

67

fact

is,

was so

entirely devoted to their cause, that the idea of literary reputation

as to myself never occurred to me, not that

am

at all insensible

on that score, but the feeling was totally absorbed in superior

considerations; and

think

committee, whether ever

a

moment

my

up

set

duty,

am

in their counsels,

seemed too eager

parties that from the

neither

the sub-

to

me

for

sure that by

my

discretion

on the

my

secured the esteem of the committee, and consequently

an influence

had

appeal

safely

have mentioned, which, indeed, was no more than

may

vanity or self-love against their interests

or even their pleasure.

points

on any occasion they found

my

to

first

which

assume

moment

it

I
;

should justly have forfeited

and

it is

to the credit of both

of our connection to the

last,

and anxiety to serve them, nor the kindness and

zeal

favour with which they received

my

efforts,

were ever

for a single

moment suspended.
Almost the

had to transact was to conduct a

correspondence with Richard Burke, who was very desirous to
business

first

return to Ireland once more, and to resume his former station,

which the committee were determined he should not

a matter of

some

difficulty to refuse

must say he pressed us rather

with as

much

address as

we

however,

could, and, after

the business was desperate, and gave

This (1792) was a memorable year

of the plan for the

new organising of

an instant alarm to

all

it

in Ireland.

we

parried

two or three long

civil,

The

the supporters of the British

was made to prevent the

members

for

was

he found

publication

Government

election of the country

sufficiently evident that, if the representatives

of three millions of oppressed people were once suffered to meet,

would not afterwards be

just

demands.

him

the General Committee gave

effort
it

was

up accordingly.

and every
;

It

without offending him, and

forcibly

which the answers were very concise and

letters, to

do.

safe, or

it

indeed possible, to refuse their

Accordingly, at the ensuing assizes, the grand

juries, universally,

throughout Ireland, published the most furious,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

68

may say
whom they
I

charged with

little

was too successful

likewise,

particularly the bishops,

the plan and

against

frantic, resolutions

gaining over the Catholic clergy,

who gave

the measure at

satisfied of the justice of their cause,

and of

of

purpose their
I

brethren

their
first

step

throughout

the

was an admirable

not daunted

own

their

and,

spirit in the

For

nation.

By

one.

courage,

this

their order

state of the case, with the plan for the organisa-

drew up a

committee annexed, which was

tion of the

very serious

first

they laboured, and with success, to inspire the same

breasts

authors,

its

Government,

short of high treason.

in

The committee, however, was

opposition.

[1792.

laid

Simon

before

Butler and Beresford Burton, two lawyers of great eminence, and,

what was of consequence

committee had

here, King's counsel, to

know whether

any respect contravened the law of the

in

the

land, or

whether, by carrying the proposed plan into execution, the parties

concerned would subject themselves to pain or penalty.

answers of both the lawyers were completely

we

instantly printed

handbills, letters,

and

them
all

in

The

our favour, and

them

the papers, and dispersed

possible shapes.

as to the legality of the measure.

in

This blow was decisive

For the bishops, whose opposi-

gave us great trouble, four or

tion

in

five

different

missions were

undertaken by different members of the sub-committee into the

own expense, in order to hold conferences with

with much difficulty, they succeeded so far as to

provinces, at their

them,

in

which,

secure the co-operation of some, and the neutrality of the rest of

the prelates.

On

these missions the most active

John Keogh and Thomas

Braughall, neither of

members were

whom

spared

purse nor person where the interests of the Catholic body were
concerned.

accompanied Mr. Braughall

in his visit to

where he went to meet the gentry of that province

As it was late in
who drove us, having

of Ballinasloe.
postillion

some

the evening

when we

given warning,

Connaught,

at the great fair

left

am

town, the

satisfied, to

was stopped by four or five fellows at

the gate of the Phcenix Park. We had two cases of pistols in the
carriage, and we agreed not to be robbed.
Braughall, who was at
this

footpads, the carriage

time about sixty-five years of age, and lame from a

fall

off his

/ET.

THOMAS BRAUGHALL.

29.]

69

horse some years before, was as cool and intrepid as

be.

He

glasses,

took the command, and by

and

to

man

down

let

could
the

all

come on, if they were so

we were ready Braughall desiring me at the same
This rather
fire till I could touch the scoundrels.

called out to the fellows to

inclined, for that

time not

his orders

embarrassed them, and they did not venture to approach the

carriage, but held a council of

presented one of

my

war

at the horses' heads.

pistols at the postillion,

then

swearing horribly that

would put him instantly to death if he did not drive over them,
and I made him feel the muzzle of the pistol against the back of
his head
the fellows on this took to their heels and ran off, and
I

we proceeded on our journey without further interruption. When

we arrived at the inn, Braughall, whose goodness of heart is equal
to his courage, and no man is braver, began by abusing the
postillion for his treachery, and ended by giving him half a crown.
I

wanted

and

this

to break the rascal's bones, but

he would not

All parties were

now

session of Parliament.

fully

employed preparing

manifestoes and resolutions.

little

look

for the

The Government, through

corporations and grand juries, opened a heavy

suffer

me,

was the end of our adventure.

At

first

we were

fire

us,

and seeing nobody drop with

upon us of

young

like

stunned with the noise, but after a few rounds

about

ensuing

the organ of the

all

soldiers,

we began
this

to

furious

cannonade, we took courage and determined to return the fire. In

consequence, wherever there was a meeting of the Protestant
ascendency, which was the

title

assumed by that party (and a very

impudent one

it was), we took care it should be followed by a

meeting of the Catholics, who spoke as loud, and louder than their

adversaries, and, as

no great

we had

we found
quarter.
The

the right clearly on our side,

difficulty in silencing the

Catholics likewise took care, at the

enemy on
same time

this

that they branded

their enemies, to

mark

daily increasing,

and especially to the people of

their gratitude to their friends,

who were

Belfast,

between

whom and the Catholics the union was now completely established.
Among the various attacks made on us this summer, the most
remarkable for their virulence were those of the Grand Jury of

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1792.

Louth, headed by the Speaker of the House of

Limerick,

at

Commons

which the Lord Chancellor assisted

corporation of the city of Dublin

which

furious manifesto, threatening us, in so

tance by

force.

Catholics

of Dublin

In

last

many

1
;

of

and of the

published a most

words, with a resis-

consequence, a meeting was held of the

at

large,

which was attended

by

several

thousands, where the manifesto of the corporation was read and

most ably commented upon by John Keogh, Dr. Ryan, Dr.

MacNeven, and several others, 2 and a counter-manifesto being proposed, which was written by my friend Emmet, and incomparably
well done,

it

was

carried unanimously,

and published

papers, together with the speeches above mentioned

in

all

the

and both the

speeches and the manifesto had such an infinite superiority over

those of the corporation, which were also published and diligently
circulated

by the Government, that

it

put an end, effectually, to

this warfare of resolutions.

The people

of Belfast were not idle on their part

neither pains nor expense to propagate the

new

they spared

doctrine of the

union of Irishmen through the whole North of Ireland, and they

had the

satisfaction to see their proselytes rapidly

directions.

twelve of the most active and intelligent

250

extending

in all

In order more effectually to spread their principles,

each, in order to set on foot a paper,

among them

subscribed

whose object should be

Though an opponent of the Catholic claims,

remembered as a steady enemy of the Union. " I declare
from my soul," he said, " that if England were to give us all her revenues, I
could not barter for them the free constitution of my country." After the Union
he entered the Imperial Parliament, and accepted the post of Chancellor of the
1

[John Foster

Foster

is still

(b.

1740, d. 1828).

fondly

Exchequer for Ireland. In 1821 he was made Baron Oriel.]

* [John Fitzgibbon, Lord Clare (b.
1749, d. 1802). Called to the Bar in 1772,
Fitzgibbon soon rose to eminence in his profession. In 1780 he entered Parliament. He then wrote " I have always been of opinion that the claims of the
British Parliament to make laws for this country is a daring usurpation on the
rights of a free people, and have uniformly asserted the opinion in public and
private."
His subsequent career is well known. The enemy of the Catholics,
the enemy of the Irish Parliament, he was honoured, though not trusted, by the
British Government.
In 1789 he became Lord Chancellor and Baron Fitzgibbon. In 1795 ne was made Earl of Clare. No man was more able or
more unscrupulous in supporting the Union. Ed.]
:

THE NORTHERN
11

JET.

29.]

STAR."

7i

to give a fair statement of all that passed in France, whither every

one turned

their eyes

Irishmen of

of the Catholics

consequence of
of England.

to inculcate the necessity of union

religious persuasions

all

and, finally, as the necessary, though not avowed,

all this,

This

to erect Ireland into a republic, independent

paper, which they called, very appositely,

the Northern Star, was conducted by

who was unanimously chosen

into abler hands.
it

It

rose, instantly,

The

sive sale.

amongst

to support the emancipation

on

is,

its

editor,

in truth,

my

and

it

friend

Samuel Neilson,

could not be delivered

a most incomparable paper, and

appearance, with a most rapid and exten-

Catholics everywhere through Ireland

(I

mean

the

leading Catholics) were, of course, subscribers, and the Northern

Star was one great means of effectually accomplishing the union

of the two great sects, by the simple process of making their

mutual sentiments better known to each other.

was determined by the people of Belfast to commemorate

It

this

year the anniversary of the taking of the Bastile with great

purpose they planned a review of the Volun-

ceremony.

For

teers of the

town and neighbourhood, to be followed by a grand

this

procession, with emblematical devices, &c.

to

avail

They

also determined

themselves of this opportunity to bring forward the

Catholic question in force, and, in consequence, they resolved to

publish two addresses, one to the people of France, and one to the

people of Ireland.
prepare

They gave

the former, and the latter

executed his task admirably, and

Drennan to
Drennan
lot.

instructions to Dr.

fell

to

made my

my

address, for

my

part,

good as I knew how. We were invited to assist at the ceremony, and a great number of the leading members of the Catholic
committee determined to avail themselves of this opportunity to

as

show

their zeal for the success of the cause of liberty in France,

as well as their respect

and gratitude to

their friends in Belfast.

In consequence, a grand assembly took place on the 14th of July.

After the review, the Volunteers and inhabitants, to the

about 6,000, assembled

in the

French people unanimously.

followed, and, as

it

was

number of

Linen Hall, and voted the address to the

The address

directly

to the people of Ireland

and unequivocally

in favour of the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

7 2

Catholic claims,

we expected some

relieved from our

unanimously

[1792.

opposition, but

we were soon

anxiety, for the address passed, I

a few ventured to oppose

it

may

say,

indirectly, but their

arguments were exposed and overset by the friends to Catholic

emancipation, amongst the foremost of

whom we had

the satisfac-

tion to see several dissenting clergymen of great popularity in that

Wm.

country, as Sinclair Kilburne,

Dixon, and T. Birch.

William Sinclair who moved the two addresses.

necessary for
material

is

me

to detail

my

recorded in

what passed

diary.

It

is

It

at this period, as

Suffice

it

was

the less

every

to say, that the hospi-

shown by the people of Belfast to the Catholics on this

occasion, and the personal acquaintance which the parties formed,
riveted the bonds of their recent union, and produced in the
sequel the most beneficial and powerful effects.
tality

APPENDIX TO CHAPTER

III.

Extracts from Tone's Diaries for the Years

[Tone,

in his diaries, calls his friends

names may be given

1789, 1790, 1791.

mock names."

The key

to these

Ed.]

here.

Mr. Hutton, or John Hutton Tone.

P. P. Clerk of the Parish Russell.
Blefescu The City of Belfast.

by "

The
The
The
The

Mr. Macabe.
Keeper Whitley Stokes.
Tribune J. Napper Tandy.
Vintner Mr. Edward Byrne.
Gog]ohn Keogh.

The Draper Wm. Sinclair.

The Jacobin Samuel Neilson.
The Tanner Robert Simms.
The HypocriteDr. McDonnell. 1

Irish Slave

Magog R. McCormick.

1789.

June 2

st.

tiality will

decisions.

Fitzgibbon's want of temper and undoubted par-

let in his

resentments and his affections to bias his

But Lord Earlsfort

is

an ignorant man, and a stupid

man, and a corrupt man.

1

distinguished Belfast Dissenter.

[John Scott (b. 1739, d. 1798). Called to the Bar in 1765, made Chief Justice
of the King's Bench and Baron Earlsfort in 1784 created Earl of Clonmel in
Scott rose from the ranks of the people, and in early life took his stand
1793.
But he was won over to the Government by
in politics on the national side.
Lord Townshend (Lord Lieutenant 1767-72). " My Lord," he said, " you have
spoiled a good patriot." Ed.]
2

iET.

POLITICAL SENTIMENT IN IRELAND.

29.]

73

Mem.
cellor,

The committee for drawing up the address to the Chanbeing headed by Egan 1 and Tom Fitzgerald, were said by

Curran to be more
for

like a

committee

for

drawing a waggon, than

drawing up an address.

When

Mem.

the Chief Baron, 2 at the time of the King's illness,

went over to London,

Barrett

companions were Curran, Egan, and R.

his

on which Fitzgibbon remarked, that he travelled

like a

mountebank, with a monkey, a bear, and a sleight-of-hand man.

1790.

June

My

20th.

idea of political sentiment in Ireland

is,

that,

the middling ranks, and, indeed, in the spirit of the people,

in

it, but stifled and suppressed, as much as

by the expensive depravity and corruption of those who,
from rank and circumstances, constitute the legislature. Whatever
has been done, has been by the people, strictly speaking, who have
not often been wanting to themselves, when informed of their

there

is

a great fund of

possible,

by such men as Swift, Flood, Grattan, &c.

Michael Smith went six years round before he made
Downes, in the year 1783, received his first brief
half a guinea.
by
the joint influence and procurement of Dudley
in a record,
Hussey, Dennis George, and Michael Smith but they engaged
him in every cause on that circuit, and he had merit to sustain the
interests

Mem.

recommendation.
1
[John Egan (b. about 1750, d. 1810), a barrister, a member of Parliament,
and a noted duellist. He is the subject of many stories, which are ben trovate
if not vere.
He and Curran had a hostile meeting. Egan said Curran had an
unfair advantage he was little of stature Egan was big. " I'll tell you what, Mr.
Egan," said Curran, " I wish to take no advantage of you whatever. Let my
size be chalked out on your side, and I am quite content that every shot which
hits outside the mark should go for nothing."
Egan was made chairman of
Kilmainham in 1799. He was threatened with the loss of his office if he voted
:

against the Union. He did vote against the Union.

"
said, " and damn Kilmainham
Ed.]
!

" Ireland for ever," he

Barry Yelverton, Lord Avonmore (b. 1736, d. 1805). He took a foremost

place in the struggle for Legislative Independence in 1782, but went over to
the Government on the question of the Union.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

74

Mem.

Wolfe

1 is

[1792.

the Chancellor's private tutor in legal matters.

Fitzgibbon has read Coke and Littleton under his papa

very intelligent clerk to note his briefs
cases

and he has some

and there

is

Mem.

he has a

he has Boyd to hunt his

talents, great readiness,

and assurance

Fitzgibbon.

Erskine, who, in England,

is

not looked upon as a very

sound lawyer, knows more law than the twelve Judges of Ireland,
plus the Chancellor.

August

Wogan

4tA.

of county

Kildare,

Browne, Esq., foreman of the grand jury

sent

down

this

evening to the bar-room

a newspaper of the 3rd, containing the resolutions of the

Whig

Club, in answer to a printed speech, purporting to be that of the

Chancellor, on the election of

Alderman James. 2

It

was enclosed

[John Wolfe (b. 1739, d. 1803), afterwards Lord Kilwarden and Chief Justice
Bench a good judge, and a humane man. He was killed while
driving through the streets of Dublin during Robert Emmet's insurrection ( 1 803),
by a ruffian whose brother (it is said) he had sentenced to death some time
previously. While dying from his wound he overheard Major Swan say, "I
will hang all the prisoners (arrested on suspicion of the murder) to-morrow."
" What are you going to do, Swan ? " he asked.
" Hang these rebels, my lord."
" Murder must be punished," said Kilwarden, " but let no man suffer for my
death but on a fair trial and by the laws of his country." Ed.]
2
["Alderman James had been appointed Commissioner of the Police. He set
up as candidate for the office of Lord Mayor under the patronage of the Government, and was chosen by the Aldermen, but rejected by the Commons, who
selected Alderman Howison, a popular individual.
In such a case the custom
was that the aldermen should send down the name of another candidate. This
they declined to do, and insisted that Alderman James was elected. The ap1

of the King's

probation of the Privy Council being necessary to confirm the election of the
Lord Mayor, both parties appealed to that body on behalf of their respective

The case was argued before them [George Ponsonby and Curran
appearing for Howison].
The Chancellor decided in favour of Alderman
James, declaring that the case must come before the King's Bench, and by
the time that the Commons had amused themselves there for three or four
years it was probable they would be tired of it, and wish themselves out of the
dispute.
The conduct of the Chancellor and Privy Council met with general
That the Whig Club
disapprobation.' The resolution of the Whig Club ran
cannot possibly have witnessed what has lately passed respecting the election
of a Lord Mayor without expressing the deepest concern, and declaring that
they will, both individually and as a body, co-operate with their fellow-citizens in
every legal and constitutional measure which may tend to vindicate the laws,
and to support the rights of this metropolis'" (Grattan, " Memoirs"). Ultimately
a new election took place, and Howison was chosen Lord Mayor 1790-91. Ed.]
candidates.

'

'

yT.

THE LEINSTER BAR.

29.]

in the following letter

"

Mr.

Wogan Browne

ments to the gentlemen of the Bar

paper, which he has just
return

it

now

received

Whig Club, principles similar to

men must look up to talents
undenied

their

this day's

he requests they

own

as honest

the support of

for

when they

times

rights, in

presents his compli-

he encloses them

will

will find in the vindication of the

and hopes they

to him,

75

and blunt
most

their

are so shamefully invaded."

This bold and manly epistle struck the Bar of a heap.

The

father, a

supporter of opposition in Parliament, was here

only

solicitous

how he

should escape giving an answer, which, indeed,

every man, save one or two, seemed desirous to shift on his

Burn and Burrowes were decided to meet the letter

Brownrigg and Lespinasse for taking no further notice
than acknowledging the receipt the first, on the principle of preserving the harmony of the Bar the latter, for some time, could

neighbour.
boldly

assign no reason for his opinion, other than that he did not

who

Mr. Browne was

but, at length,

when

know

pressed, he said, with

equal candour and liberality, " that he did not like to receive any-

The

thing from a reformed Papist."

for

something

in reply

general sense seeming to be

which should be perfectly

out of patience, and proposed,

adopted, a resolution to the following purport

Bar, in

common

with the

societies, felt the

Whig

Club, and

grew

insipid, I

confess without hope of

its

being

That the Leinster

many

other respectable

warmest indignation and abhorrence of the

late

unconstitutional proceedings of the Privy Council, in the election

of

Alderman James

of the

capital,

proceedings no

less

formidable to the liberties

than alarming to every city in the kingdom, as

forming part of a system, evidently subversive of their franchises,

whether established by custom, charter, or the statute'law of the land.

This resolution the majority seemed determined to conceive that
I

was not serious

of support,

in

yet

did not press

was.
it.

posed, of which the following,

"

The

However, being utterly hopeless

Two

or three civil notes were pro-

by Rochford, may serve

Leinster Bar present their compliments to

Browne, and are thankful to him

for his obliging

as a sample.

Mr.

Wogan

communication

of this day's paper, which they have the honour of returning."

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1792.

However, the sense of shame in the majority was too high to

admit so milky a composition, and, at length, after much irregular

was adopted as an answer, on

scuffling, the following

which

premised by stating that

as being too feeble

"

The

it

had not

my

my own

proposal,

approbation,

Leinster Bar return their thanks to Mr.

Wogan Browne for his early communication of the resolutions of

the Whig Club.
However, individually, a majority of the gentlemen present may approve of the spirit of these resolutions, yet, as
many respectable members are absent, the Bar, as a body, do not
themselves authorised to give any further opinion

feel

on the

subject of Mr. Browne's letter."

The words

"

majority of gentlemen present

"

being objected to

by Mr. Moore, produced a division to ascertain the point, when

nine were for continuing and five were for expunging them.
N.B.
Such is the public spirit and virtue of the Leinster Bar.

1791.

July

14.1/1.

sent

down

to

Belfast, resolutions suited to this

day, and reduced to three heads.

1st,

That English influence in

2nd, That the

Ireland was the great grievance of the country.

effectual way to oppose it was by a reform in Parliament.

That no reform could be just or efficacious which did not
include the Catholics, which last opinion, however, in concession to
prejudices, was rather insinuated than asserted.

most
3rd,

was

am,

this

Catholic
really,

day, July 17, 1791, informed that the last question

my

If so,

lost.
;

seeing

that

most anxious

become a red-hot
in the party, apparently, and perhaps
reform, it is rather a monopoly than an

present impression

for

extension of liberty, which

is

is

to

their object, contrary to all justice

and expediency.
October

nth.

to Digges, but
firing

Arrived at Belfast

late,

no material conversation.

and was

introduced

Bonfires, illuminations,

twenty-one guns, Volunteers, &c.

October 12th.

Introduced to McTier and Sinclair.

between Russell, McTier, Macabe, and me.

Mode

A meeting

of doing busi-

JET.

BELFAST POLITICS.

29.]

77

by a Secret Committee, 1 who are not known or suspected of

co-operating, but who, in fact, direct the movements of Belfast.
Much conversation about the Catholics, and their committee, &c,
ness

know wonderfully

of which they

little

Settled to dine

at Blefescu.

with the Secret Committee at Drew's, on Saturday, when the resolutions,

&c, of the United Irish will be submitted. Sent them

down to new model the former copy. Very curious to

and

sat

how

the thermometer of Blefescu has risen, as to politics.

in the

copy, which were three months

first

hazardous to propose, are

now found

and approved the

resolutions, as

a mighty pretty history of the

own

of general politics and wine.

Down

McDonnell.
Neilson

Went

to

Northern

into

Much

good

elections.

Home

Koran of

Blefescu.

The Reeve of the

shire

bed.

humour.

Rose.

Dr.

Breakfast.

conversation regarding Digges.

Went

H. Joy's, to thank him for his proposing

Whig

Club.

He

invited

by advice of Digges.

Digges, P.

to

meet

at

the

me

for

Drank

nothing.

Went,
early,

Breakfasted with Digges at his lodgings.

Met

Gordon and

P. P.

and went to bed.

14th.

Capt. Seward,

me
and

Came home

at nine, to the card club, with

fatigued,

F.,

Made further alterations in the

Went to Gordon's. Very re-

spectable people, and a large company.

to

great deal

read over the resolutions with him, which he approved.

resolutions,

October

him

jesting in bed, at the expense of P. P.

Friday next, which we accepted.

much

and dined.

Paine's book, the

and Antrim

Much good

October i^th.

read

Catholic Committee, and his

to Sinclair,

P. P. very drunk.

Laughed myself

in

Russell gave

and meet Digges, which we acceded

Went

with great affability.

a semi- Whig.

came

Sinclair

out,

Christened Russell P. P. Clerk of this Parish.

negotiations.

Sinclair asked us to dine

History of the

Those taken

new modelled.

Roman

see

Passages

ago esteemed too

too tame.

and replaced by other and better ones.

off,

who

carried out Mr. Pearce to America.

Pearce

[Before Tone's arrival in Belfast a political club, composed of Volunteers,

and directed by a Secret Committee, was in existence. Among the members of
the club were Neilson, Russell, the Simmses, Sinclair, McTier, Macabe, Digges,
and Bryson. Ed.]

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

78

now

living in President

and me

P. P.

Met McTier, and showed him

ings.

Met Macabe, who

Washington's house.

He showed

going to England.

[1792.

the resolutions, as amended.

who

Curious discourse with a hair-dresser, one Taylor,

children christened

by the

priest,

though he

merely with a wish to blend the

who is an
Walked all

Visited Jordan,

sects.

Four o'clock

sights.

meet the Secret Committee, who

Neilson, McLeary, Macabe,

Tennant, Campbell, Mcllvaine,

P.

1st,
P.,

went

Wm.

to dinner to

Sinclair,

McTier,

and Simms 2nd,

Haslitt,

consist of

Simms

has two

himself a Dissenter,

is

extraordinary young man, and lives in a baby-house.

about the town, seeing

is

certain curious draw-

and myself.

P.

and

P.

made our declarations of secrecy, and proceeded to business. P. P.

made a long speech, stating the present state and politics of the
Catholic Committee, of which the people of Blefescu know almost
nothing.
They appeared much surprised and pleased at the information.
Read the card of the Catholics and Stokes' letter. The
Committee agree that the North
that

not yet ripe to follow them, but

is

Time and

no party could be raised directly to oppose them.

what

discussion the only things wanting to forward

Agreed

rapidly.

the resolutions

to

is

advancing

Resolved to

unanimously.

transmit a copy to Tandy, and request his and his fellow citizens'
co-operation, from which great benefit
cause,

by

reflecting

Settled the

mode

printing

and

expected to result to the

back credit on the United Irishmen of Blefescu.

of carrying the business through the club at large,

McTier

on Tuesday next.
the resolutions

is

Simms

P. P.

and

to be in the chair

to second
I

him

Sinclair to

move

move

their

Neilson to

to state the sentiments of the people of

Copies to be transmitted, with

Dublin.

the usual

against newspaper publication, to Waterford, Leitrim,

and McCormick,
or myself, to

mittee

all

in Dublin.

civil

Tandy, enclosing the

letter to

Roscommon,

be written by

The

resolutions.

steady, sensible, clear men, and, as

injunction

Secret

P. P.

Com-

judge, extremely

Macabe asked us for Monday,

Tuesday, both which we did most graciously accept.

well adapted for serious business.

Neilson for

Home

at ten.

faculties

P.

P.

in

the blue devils

glad he had any to lose.

thinks

he

is

losing his

JET.

IDLE MOMENTS.

29.]

October
P. P.

i$t/i.

on the

Digges came

79

in to supper.

state of his nerves,

to which he agreed, and, as the

had been lecturing

and the necessity of early hours

of

fruits

first

my

advice and his

reformation, sat up with Digges until three o'clock in the morning,

being four hours after

had gone to bed.

October 16th, Sunday.

Church

vile

sorrow and distress of mind

is

P.

The

P.

ladies,

all,

own good

P. in great

P.

in the

Mall with

speer P. P.

opinion.

who

is

Put the

to Digges, relative to the possibility of Ireland's

His opinion decidedly

existence, independent of England.

independence.

that.

Walked

one and

exceedingly fallen thereon, in his

plump question

all

resolved to leave off smuggling,

injurious to the fair trader.

Digges and

Caiaphas) against

(called

smuggling, &c, and about loyalty, and

which

and Macabe.

Breakfast, Digges, Jordan,

sermon from Bristowe

England would not

risk

for

a contest, the immediate

consequence of which would be the destruction of her funds.

Ireland supplies her with what, in case of a war, she could not
possibly do without, as

most probably

assist,

seamen and

provisions.

France would

from the pride of giving freedom to one

kingdom more. So would all the enemies of England. Nothing

to be done until the religious sects here are united, and England
engaged in a foreign war. If Ireland were free, and well governed,
being that she is unencumbered with debt, she would in arts, commerce, and manufactures spring up like an air balloon, and leave
England behind her at an immense distance.
There is no computing the rapidity with which she would rise. Digges promised
to detail all this, and much more, on paper.
Home. Dinner at
William Sinclair's, to meet Dr. Haliday, who could not come, being
suddenly called out to attend a sick bishop.

Much

about Foster's treatment of Macabe and Pearce.

wrath with Foster, of

loom now

in

whom

conversation

Sinclair in high

he told scurrilous anecdotes.

The

America, and a capital of 500,000 dollars subscribed

workmen the great want in

loom goes precisely to obviate. America
and unnoticed, in manufactures instance, in

to carry on the manufacture of linen

America, which

this

improving, silently

coarse linens, from I4d. to 8d., of which, seven years since, there

;;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

So

[1792.

was a large export from Ireland, but which they now are able to
supply themselves.

by the

Danger, therefore,

manner
protege,

of Pearce's

aid

may

various and inexhaustible invention, that they

proceed

in like

Washington has adopted Pearce as

in other fabrics.

and declares him

be the

to

first

man

America.

in

his

Great

and John Foster, who can afford to fling

away what America and Gen. Washington are glad to pick up.
superiority of Ireland

One and all of us damn

a large packet

Home.

the Government.

by the

mail, which

we

Find

P. P. sober.

open

rip

and

haste,

in

find

2,000 prospectuses of the United Irishmen, instead of the pamphlet.

Sat

down

and wrote a

in a pet,

a rage, cursed, stormed.

many

of anger in

shapes

and went to sleep

me now

owes

payment

hint,

on

that

had, and found

enforces the folly

not quite honest

P. P.

his observing
for

how cheap
some

very expensive

it

Left the inn

and makes no movement towards

and that he had not changed a guinea

him

got up in

Seneca," "Boethius
;

more and more enraged.

Dr. McDonnell's.

at

"

other good books

several shillings,

gave him a

Chambers

very wise, quotes

P. P.

many

de Consolatione," and

tart letter to

days,

hope

Belfast was,

by assuring

may

this

do.

Bed.
October
P. P.,

and

yth.

Breakfast, McDonnell, Mc Aughtrey, Bryson, Digges,

Went

I.

anxiety as to

him now two

my

to the inn

shillings

is

P. P.

paid the

bill,

completely removed

or three, but shall not inquire.

by which
believe

my
owe

P. P. received a letter

from C. O'Connor, an Irish Papist ; very good sense

in

it

for all

read it to all persons when and where it did behove him.

Walked out with Digges and P. P. to Macabe's, to dinner the old
nothing new under the sun. Came into town early went to
set
the theatre saw a man in a white sheet on the stage, who called
that

himself a Carmelite.
face,

turned round in a

N.B.

P. P.

whispered to me, with a very significant

not to be too sure he was a Carmelite.

little

time with

doubts to P.

Puzzled at this
P.

P. P. asleep.

gentleman, indeed a nobleman, on the stage, in a white

wig, vastly like a gentleman

walking the streets

Query,

my

Was

in

whom

a brown wig

he a lord or not

P.

had seen

in the

morning,

one Mr. Atkins, a player.

P. incapable of resolving

my

/ET.

A MEETING OF UNITED IRISHMEN.

29.]

Came home

doubts.

appearing

Saw

before the play was half over

so miserable, that

all

the parties

could foresee no end to their woes.

man

a fine waistcoat on the

81

that said he was a Carmelite,

through a tear in the sheet which he had wrapped about him

after

afraid

right

caution.

his

in

that he

all

was no Carmelite, and that P. P. was

Home whisky punch with P. P. Bed
;

early.

Breakfast

October iStk

on

Went

us.

McDonnell, McAughtrey, Digges, called

United Irishmen, McTier

issue

at eight, to the

members
six new

twenty-eight

members

William Sinclair moved the resolutions, which

Bryson very

were adopted unanimously.

the chair

in

the club consists of thirty- six original

ones proposed.

and

Went,

Dined with Neilson.

the warping machine.

present

Improvements on

to see the factory for sail-duck.

civil

resolved to print

an adequate number, but not to publish

newspapers.

in

copy enclosed in a letter from the secretary to be sent to

Tandy, Richard McCormick, and Dr. McKenna.

members are
and R. Simms, secretary. Read

correspondence struck
Neilson,

the

Sinclair,

N.

committee of

McTier, Haslitt,

C. O'Connor's letter with

Campbell made a

great pleasure and satisfaction.

J.

flighty objection

to one paragraph, relating to a renunciation of certain tenets falsely

attributed to the

case

Roman

Catholics

his objection overruled.

on the

answered with great ability by

Campbell angry because he was wrong, as

Bryson.

Roman

state of the

citizens of

and

P. P.

Catholics,

made

is

several orations

and the readiness of the

Dublin to co-operate with the United Irishmen.

intelligence received with great applause.

Broke up

came home

P. P.

P. P.

resolved to go to the coterie

changed

tion in the lobby,

his

and

chamber-maid assisted
something very

mind

again,

plump.

like

P.

vol.

pleasant, but

and proposed

frightened
1.

at
;

The

eleven

went with

mind, after a quarter of an hour's fluctua-

an ill-humour.

P. P. severe

dressed

calling a council of waiters, at

At

submitted.

taxed

told P. P.

Went
7

which the

wrong ; came back again

in

the door P. P. changed his

to return to the coterie

thereupon

of which was giving advice

P.

always the

me
I

with

refused

many

faults,

him
one

would do so no more.

to bed

with a resolution

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

82

[1792.

him in my turn next morning. Could not sleep a

room got up and turned her out fell asleep at last.
October igt/t.
Breakfast
McAughtrey, Digges, and Bryson.

to attack

cat in the

Digges took

him

told

me

thoroughly

in earnest.

opinion of the United Irishmen.

men

thought them

my

out to ask

He

said he thought so too.

asked him

whether they any way resembled the Committees of America

He

1775, and afterwards.

said, " Precisely."

who seemed

of spirit and decision,

in

In Digges' opinion,

one Southern, when moved, equals twenty Northerns, but very hard
to

move them.

Digges, Secretary to the

He

Maryland, for some years.

and me.

Baltimore Committee, in

appears to take very kindly to P. P.

Went, at one, to the Select

men.

Agreed on the mode

Five hundred of

of corresponding with the Volunteers of Dublin.

the resolutions of the United Irishmen to be printed on

for distribution.

Sinclair's

idea that the citizens should every-

where precede the Volunteers

in

Dined

Went

at Getty's

the old

paper

little

set.

adopting

similar

resolutions.

at eight to the Select

men.

Conversation as to the communication between the Belfast and

Dublin Volunteers.
for

any strong and

Agreed that the North was not yet prepared

on the Armagh Grand Jury. The

direct attack

Dublin people should not go further

fast

men go

in their declaration, as otherwise

be in a dilemma between doing too

that

all

in their

answer than the Belthey of Belfast would

much and

too

Agreed

little.

communications, now, and for some time to come, should be

through the medium rather of clubs than Volunteers, inasmuch as

there are

now many

existing corps

who might be

influenced to

oppose our present measures regarding the Catholics, but

it

would

be impossible to raise a club differing in principles from the United

Irish

besides,

when the

clubs are

Armagh

follow of course.

formed, the Volunteers will

not ripe for a deputation of

Catholics from Dublin, but every exertion to be

them, by

letters,

newspapers, &c.

Wm.

made

Roman

to prepare

Sinclair to write, as Presi-

dent of the Volunteer Committee of Correspondence, an

official

Tandy, with an account of their proceedings, &c, which is

to be accompanied by a letter from P. P. or me, containing such
letter to

An

officer in the Belfast Volunteers.

JET.

PEEP-OF-DAY-BOYS

29.]

facts as

may

AND DEFENDERS.

not be proper to mention in

official

83

correspondence.

P. P. in the rain, very like King Lear

came home in the character of the banished Kent
Mem. P. P. got up very early in the morning, this day, and wrote
three letters before I was up on which proof of the amendment of
his life I remitted the attack which I had intended to make upon

Home

at 10

in the

storm

a rainy night.

him.

called

nobody sad rainy day

Digges came in and stayed

Breakfast,

October 20th.

and sat awhile.

McAughtrey
Wrote
dinner.

out queries for him, which he answered, relative to emigration.

Conversation
business.

till

10 at night

Went

to

bed

ill

extremely amusing, but no material

with a sore throat

very

bad

all

night.

October 2\st.

Did not get up

Breakfast in bed, Digges, McAughtrey, and P.P.

till

one

surprise, fossilising in

o'clock.

Tom

Cleghorn, to

McDonnell's dining-room.

in a chaise to Joy's, with

after dinner

Met

Digges and

on the Catholic question.

P. P.

my

Dressed

An

amazing

great

went
battle

For the Peep-of-day-boys,

1
[" About the year 1785 the North was again disquieted by tumults arising
from religious and political animosity, and not from any local grievance. The
Protestant party began by visiting the houses of Catholics, in order to search
for arms, and from the time when these visits were made they derived their
name of Peep or Break-of-day-boys. They did not, however, confine themselves
simply to searching for arms, but attacked the houses and chapels of the
Catholics, sometimes burning the building, and sometimes destroying all the

and property contained in it. The Catholics, on the other hand,

organised themselves under the name of Defenders, and during a series of
years many violent conflicts took place between the two parties, who were

furniture

sometimes engaged to the extent even of thousands of armed men.

The
combats of these factions began in the county of Armagh, whence they spread to
the neighbouring districts. The Peep-of-day-boys in 1795, or soon afterwards,
changed their appellation, and were called Orange Boys or Orangemen. The
Defenders having originally been (as their name purported) a defensive soon
became an aggressive body they extended their ramifications to counties
where there were no strong bodies of Protestants to alarm them, and in many
cases they became mere gangs of robbers, breaking into and plundering
houses, and committing other outrages. The Secret Committee of the Lords
in 1793 reported that the Defenders at that time were all, as far as the Com;

'

mittee could discover, of the Roman Catholic persuasion

in general poor,
ignorant labouring men, sworn to secrecy, and impressed with an opinion that
they were assisting the Catholic cause in other respects they did not appear
;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

84

MM.

Joy, Williamson, and A. Stewart

[1792.

for the Defenders, P. P.

The Defenders victorious after a hard

and myself.

All the

battle.

arguments on the other side commonplace, vague, and indefinite

(vide

my pamphlet,

clever

in

which I call

my

adversary Goose).

Williamson afraid of a bug-a-boo.

artful questions.

and troublesome

Stewart

antagonist.

very

Joy an

artful

half-way between

both

The Peep-of-day-boys ashamed

parties.

P. P.

Williamson into a palpable absurdity by a string of

led

of their

own

positions.

Agree to the

justice of liberating the Catholics, but boggle at the

expediency.

Damned

Williamson.

The

nonsense.

chaise

eloquent

P. P.

ready to fight

Digges of opinion that P. P. and

victorious.

Mem.

All arguments over a bottle foolish.

went to bed

early.

P. P. at

awoke me.

P. P. perfectly polite

October 22nd.

Breakfast,

with P. P. and Jordan

one of

my

pamphlets

the card club

went

nobody

came home

Jordan a very clever young man.

gave

Bruce, Dr. Haliday,

Haliday pleasant.

me

Home

early

he was a Carmelite, walking the

by the arm

the

that he was

woman

it

to

and

P.

Got

Sinclair,

dinner

Waddel Cunningham,

letters.

P. in

at

&c.

bed before

man who said on the stage

streets with a woman holding him
the

made my

Read O'Connor's

October 23rd, Sunday.

Long account

no

William

Dressed

painted up to the eyes

no Carmelite

triumphed thereon.

Mem. Met

for the first time.

Home

at two,

to sleep at last.

another to Jordan, another to McAughtrey.

Mr. Ferguson's

were

my sore throat gone. Walked

from Simms

convinced, at

last,

apologies to P. P.,

who

letter to Sinclair.

Breakfast with Digges

Neilson came

in.

of the proceedings of the delegates at Belfast on the

question between Flood and Grattan.

when convention was

sitting.

Spirit of Belfast in 1783,

Artillery prepared with round

and

have any distinct particular object in view, but they talked of being relieved
from hearth-money, tithes, county-cesses, and of lowering their rents.' At length
the Defenders were partially dissolved, and partly absorbed into the body of
United Irishmen, till they were finally lost in the more important movements,
which gave rise to the rebellion of 1798, since which time their society has been
revived under the name of Ribbonmen" (Sir G. Comewall Lewis, " Irish Disturbances "). Ed.]

to

Argument

in

behalf of the Catholics.

(Tone's son.)

/ET.

THE WASHINGTON CLUB.

29.]

85

grape shot, vast quantities of ball cartridges, and at least

men ready to march from

dred

The same

spirit

Belfast,

almost universal

five

hun-

which they expected hourly.

in the

North,

balked by the

all

cowardice or wisdom of the representatives of Ireland

conven-

in

Dinner at A. Stewart's, with a parcel of squires of county

Down. Fox hunting, hare hunting, buck hunting, and farming.

tion.

No

bugs

A farm
rent

northern potatoes

in the

at a

Went

probable enough.

known by name,

not even

&c.

smart rent always better cultivated than one at a low

Washington Club.

at nine to the

Boyd
Argument between Bunting and Boyd, of Ballicastle.
Persuaded myself and P. P. that we were hungry. Went
Drunk. Very illto the Donegal Arms and supped on lobsters.
natured to P. P. P. P. patient. Mem.
To do so no more. Went
pleasant.

Gulled P.

to bed.

Wm.

Sinclair's,

me

nursed
Sinclair

P.

with nonsense.

Wakened very

October 24th.

per engagement

to see his

who

was mad.

said he

Rose

first

eat.

Mrs. Sinclair

Rode out with

noble concern

improvements laughed

The

Breakfast at

at nine.

could not

bleach-green.

Sinclair's

with French drams, &c.

machinery.

potash

Fell asleep.

sick.

man who

at

by

P.

P.
;

and

extensive

his neighbours,

introduced American

followed only by three or four, but creeping on.

The

rest

Almost all the work now done by machinery done

thirty years ago by hand, and all improvement regularly resisted
by the people. Mr. Sinclair, sen., often obliged to hire one and
sometimes two companies of the garrison, to execute what is now
done by one mill. Great command of water, which is omnipotent
in the linen.
Three falls of twenty-one feet each in ten acres, and
ten more in the glen if necessary.
A most romantic and beautiful
use barilla.

country.

Saw from

ford Loch,

&c, &c.

the top of one mountain

and the Loch of

Sinclair a

man

dotes of the linen trade.

years ago application

yard

resisted

Loch Neagh, StrangCave Hill, Mourne,

Belfast, with the

of very superior understanding.

Anec-

Nearly independent of England.

Seven

made

by England

to Parliament for a

bounty of I4d. per

carried at last.

Before the bounty,

not more than thirty or forty pieces shipped direct for the
Indies from Belfast

now, always

fifty,

sixty,

West

and seventy boxes

in

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

86

England threatened then

every ship.

foreign linens, but did not venture

foreign linens for quality

[1792.

and cheapness, as appears by the Amerisupplied

is

England were disposed she might, for a

check the trade of Ireland in linens but she would soon give

by

If

Ireland.

own

sake, because she could not be supplied

up that system
elsewhere so good and cheap.
for her

spite,

any

Ireland able to beat

can market, which gives no preference by duties, and

entirely

time,

duty on

to take off the

it.

by some

German

linens preferred, out of

families in England, particularly

by the royal

All the King's and Queen's linen, German, and, of course,

family.

all

their

made up linens after the Gerretainers.

man mode, and sent it to the house in London which served the
King, &c. worn for two years, and much admired ten per cent,
cheaper, and twenty per cent, better than the German linen. Great
orders for Irish German linen, which he refused to execute. All
God save
but the royal family content to take it as mere Irish.
great George, our King ! Home, after a delightful ride, quite well.
Admirable essay from Digges. Went to dinner at Simms' old
Select men in the evening.
tactics after dinner.
Read a
set
Sinclair, for

experiment,

letter,

Gave a

&c, from Tandy.

Home

resolutions.

Went

October 2$th.
the town.

Joy's

for

McTier's

fees to the

P. P. at

home

Walked out about

Northern

Whig

in the horrors

Club, and

thinks him-

smoke the true cause, but no matter.

Waddel Cunningham, Holmes, Dr. Bruce,

self sick generally

furious battle,

of names to send copies of the

Digges to breakfast

my

paid

signed the declaration.

at

list

at ten.

Dinner
&c.

which lasted two hours, on the Catholic question

as usual, neither party convinced.

Seized with the liberality of

people agreeing in the principle, but doubting as to the expediency.

Bruce an intolerant high

times unfairly

mixing things

priest

argued sometimes strongly, some-

embarrassed the question by distinctions, and

the

Roman

His ideas

Catholics.

inasmuch as the
an

inquisition.

We

in their nature separate.

to state his definite objection to the

Roman
2nd.

last,

immediate emancipation of

are, 1st.

Catholics would,

Danger

brought him, at

to property

Danger
if

to true religion,

emancipated, establish

by reviving the Court of

JET.

ON THE CATHOLIC

DISCUSSION

29.]

QUESTION.

Claims, and admitting any evidence to substantiate Catholic

3rd.

87

titles.

Danger, generally, of throwing the power into their hands,

which would make

government, incapable of enjoy-

this a Catholic

Many

ing or extending liberty.

other wild notions, which he

afterwards gave up, but these three he repeated again and again as

Almost

his creed.

who made

all

the

company of

his opinion, excepting P. P.,

desperate battle, McTier, Getty, and

me

against us,

Bruce, Cunningham, Grey, Holmes, Bunting, H. Joy.

dubitante and

protesting their liberality and good wishes

cozteri, all

Roman

to the

Damned

Catholics.

thirty-nine out of forty Protestants

came

question

Roman

Ferguson

stuff.

Bruce declared that

would be found, whenever the

forward, to be adverse to the liberation

of the

was the case when Lord Charlemont put in

and seemed pleased with the idea. It may be he was
but God is above all. Sad nonsense about scavengers beCatholics, as

his veto,
right,

coming members of Parliament, and great asperity against the newfangled doctrine of the Rights of Man.
Broke up rather ill

More and more convinced of the

disposed towards each other.

Went

absurdity of arguing over wine.

Balloted in five men, amongst
rejected one.

Went

Home

Bed.

at two.

October 26th.

I.

Sec.

Dinner

and Jordan. Chat. Jordan enWalked out

saw the glass-house,
;

at Sinclair's

McTier, McAughtrey,

Bruce's theory again discussed.

convention

were Maclaine and Getty

Breakfast, Digges

Catholic question.
at

United Irish Club.

Jordan pleasant, as usual.

to the coterie.

raged at Bruce's theory.

foundry,

whom

to the

Sinclair

much

P. P.

and

surprised at

it.

Assertion of Bruce relative to their behaviour

denied by P.

P.,

who

threatens to write a book.

Promised to send Sinclair the debates of the convention, with

McTier asked what could we do against England. Sinclair

He and P. P. agree that the army in Ireland would be annihot.
hilated, and could not be replaced.
Sinclair defies the power of
notes.

England

as to our trade

admits that she could check

it

for a time,

it would spring up with inconceivable

unencumbered with debt. (Singular that

but that, after the revolution,

rapidity, Ireland being

his opinion agrees with Digges,

even

in the

very words.)

My own

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

88

mind

quite

looked
"

made

The

to,

first

as well as that of Ireland

this country,

P. P. pretty well on,

early.

who says,
down go her

also Mr. Digges,

by England against

shot fired

Home

stocks."

Sinclair bleaches annually 10,000 pieces of

up.

opinion that the weakness of England should be

P. P. of

linen.

1792.

but not quite gone.

Bed.
October 27th. Rise for the purpose of packing. Assisted by Digges,

and very much impeded by

and

is,

McDonnell stay with

having

hearts,

P. P.,

who

besides, for certain reasons,

At one

us.

taken

first

has not yet slept off his wine,

much

o'clock, leave Belfast with

everybody

of

leave

McDonnell sees us four miles on the road.

Hie finis longce chartaque, viceque, as the

hath

Jordan and

puzzled.

on

the

Divine

Flaccus

are reduced to the rank of private indi-

Sic transit gloria mundi.

viduals

P. P.

November

J.

HUTTON.

Eighteen present, Tandy,

Dinner at Doyle's.

Jth.

and

Jones, Drennan, Pollock, McKenna, MacNeven, McCormick,

and Mr. Hutton, &c.

certainly with us

Read

road.

it.

The poor ambassadors

is

heavy

All quiet at
also, the

the declaration

information

says that Grattan

of Leinster almost as certain.

Society for constitutional

of the Catholic

much admired, and

very

broach opinions

Tandy

first.

Duke

P. P.,

justly.

Jones begins to

thinks the question involved and complicated

by mixing the question of reform with the Catholic

get the last first, and the other will follow of course.
Jones opposed by Mr. Hutton, on the ground that the mere right
of the Catholics is not supported by sufficient strength to induce
the Protestants to come forward, and therefore a common interest
must call forth common exertions. If a compact be once estabunnecessarily
business

lished

between the

question comes

parties,

first

it

is

of

little

import which part of the

but absolutely necessary to hold out, on the

one hand, reform to the Protestants, and, on the other, emancipation

to the Catholics,

by which the views and

separably consolidated and blended.

interests of both are in-

Mr. Hutton very ingenious

JET.

LETTERS TO MRS. TONE.

29.]

89

and persuasive on the occasion, and uses sundry other good arguments. Followed by Neilson, on the ground of past experience,
that nothing can be

done by disunited

and no secure bond

parties,

common interest instances the convention, and concludes with many compliments to Mr. Hutton.
Neilson followed
by Owen Roe (Pollock), who agrees in all that is laid down, and
of union but

further states that

it is

nonsense to pretend to obviate opposition

on the part of Government, by holding forth the Catholic question,

and keeping back that of reform

because they

The

see their inseparable connection.

immediately

will

business

wound up by

Tandy, who coincides completely with Mr. Hutton, Neilson, and

Owen

Roe, to the great mortification of Jones,

but exclaim,

who had

"

Three millions three millions

!

said nothing.

"

who can do nothing

Angry with P. P.,

angry thereupon, but cooled by a

P. P.

by
MacNeven,
on Wednes-

bucketful of good advice, which was thrown upon his wrath

Neilson. All the Catholics with us to a man, except Dr.

who has some

doubts. Mr. Hutton agrees to breakfast,

Many

day, with said Doctor.

of Major and

on both

Good

sides.

Secretary Hobart being handcuffed in

Go

watch-house.

civilities

an ale-house with Neilson,

to

P. P.,

men. One, just come from England, says Dr. Priestley

St.

story

Ann's

and Belfast
delighted

is

with the idea of union, and has begged six copies of a celebrated

pamphlet (the N. Whig).

Home

at half-past eleven

Left P. P. getting very drunk, after

all

Mem.

bed.

Bad

his fine resolutions.

bad!

[Letters to Mrs. Tone.]

[Dublin, about

Dear Love, I

going on here swimmingly.

men

tlie

Summer of

have nothing more to say, than that

We have got

up a club of United

in Dublin, similar to that in Belfast,

resolutions, with a short preface.

We

1791 .]

affairs are

have pretty well secured

Connaught, and are fighting out the other two provinces.

wonderful with what
conducted.

Irish-

who have adopted our

zeal, spirit, activity,

and secrecy

all

all

It is

things are

have dined with divers Papists, and, in particular,

with Lord Dunsany,

who

lately

reformed, but

is

still

a good

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

9o

He begged

Catholic in his heart.

and

the honour of

My

on him to-morrow.

I shall call

book

[1792.

my

acquaintance,

running like wild-

is

The castle has got hold of the story, but very imperfectly.
All they know is that the disorder broke out in Belfast, and was
carried there by one Toole, or Toomey, or some such name, a
fire.

lawyer.

suppose they

Toomey,

or

or whatever his

George Ponsonby
tive,

is,

and so much

will

endeavour to find out

name

for politics.

He

your own health

how

is

for that little

stay in town

is

is

and

your head.

in

civil

and atten-

am

Willy

sorry, that

growing

is

beg you may wean him

old enough now, and

precious your health

My

learn,

too strong for you, and therefore

immediately.

Mr. Toole,

is.

on a sudden, grown vastly

you have got a return of the pain

this

you must not

injure

monkey, especially when you know

to me.

of such infinite consequence that

am

sure

you would not wish me to quit whilst things are in their present
train.
If you can get Mary down I shall be very happy I leave
it to you, as I am with my head, hands, and heart so full of busi;

ness, that

have scarcely time to subscribe myself, yours, &c,

T.

Belfast, October

My
to let

dearest Life and Soul,

you know that I was alive and

news, as

journalise everything,

from reading

my

by the name of

P.

P.,

20, 1791.

I did

well.

not

tell

you any

and promise myself great pleasure

I

have christened Russell

Clerk of this Parish, and he makes a very

my

memoirs.

was, the joke will be lost on you.

;

T.

wrote a few posts since, just

papers over with you.

conspicuous figure in

civil

W.

If

have dined out every day since

more engagements than

away on Sunday, but I

you do not know who

I find

came

can possibly

P. P.

the people here extremely

fulfil.

fear I shall not

here,
I

and have now

did hope to get

be able to move before

You cannot conceive how much this short absence has

You think it is better for us to be always
but I am sure, from my own experience, you are wrong;

Thursday.

endeared you to me.

together,
for

cannot leave you now, though but for one week, that

do not

LETTERS TO MRS. TONE.

JET.

29.]

feel

my

more

heart cling to you and our dear

to say, but to desire

wish, however,

love to

little

ones.

had one

letter

have said of me,

from you.

to anything your wise

neither desire to know, nor

sufficient, generally, "

/ had a friend."

have no

you need not

W. Tone.

T.

Dear Matty, As

P.S.

of you, and am, dearest

all

If you have not written before this

love, ever yours.

write

my

91

am

do

husband may
care.

It is

composing

at present

a pretty moral treatise on temperance, and will dedicate

-

myself, for

Pray give

God

"

P.S.

don't

my

you

likely to profit so

Yours

till

in

a thousand times wittier than Swift's, as in justice

it

is

God

Stella.

He

is

assure you

my journal, which

is

amiable than

it.

P. P.

have much trouble to manage him.

written for the

to

and infant progeny.

death,

be much amused by his exploits

it

much by

has been scribbling his bit of nonsense.

P. P.

will

is

love to your virgin daughter

bless everybody."

great fool, and

that

know who

it

ought, for

amusement of one a thousand times more

I

conclude in the words of

my

friend P. P.,

bless everybody.

P.S. P. P. calls me "his friend Mr. John Hutton," but God

knows the heart. He is writing a journal, but mine is worth fifty
of

it.

CHAPTER
VISIT TO

IV.

BELFAST IN

1792.

[BEFORE resuming Tone's story of his life (which in the pages

immediately following deals with the struggle of the Catholics for
the parliamentary franchise)

it

may be

what relaxations had been made

in the

well to say, in a few words,

penal code up to this time.

In 1774 Catholics were allowed to take the oath of allegiance

subject to making the declaration prescribed by law. 1
In 1778
Catholics were permitted to hold landed property on lease of 999
years.

In 1782

the acts against celebrating or hearing mass,

subjecting priests to the necessity of registration,

for bishops

making

it

penal

or regular clergy to live in the country, enabling

Protestants to appropriate the horse of a Catholic on offering the

owner 5, and empowering grand juries to levy on Catholics
damages for any loss inflicted by the privateers of an enemy, were
repealed.
Catholics were allowed to hold land in the same way
as Protestants (unless the land

was

in

a parliamentary borough),

and to keep schools on obtaining licence from the ordinary of the

diocese. 2

In 1792

Catholics

were admitted to the outer bar,

allowed to be attorneys, to intermarry with Protestants, to keep

1

all

[*'

The

Catholics

who

subscribed

this

declaration

solemnly renounced

allegiance to the Stuarts, repudiated the opinion that heretics might be

lawfully murdered, that faith

cated sovereigns

need not be kept with them, and that excommunior murdered, and denied that the Pope had,

may be deposed

any temporal or civil jurisdiction, power, superiority, or preeminence directly or indirectly' within the realm" (Lecky, " History of Ireland
Ed.]
in the Eighteenth Century," vol. ii. p. 196).
2
[Almost all good legislation for Ireland has been disfigured by fretful and
These concessions of 1782 were encumbered with
worthless "guarantees."
or ought to have,

'

restrictions, " re-affirming the provisions against proselytism, against perversion

to

Catholicism, against Catholics assuming ecclesiastical

92

titles

or rank, or

MT.

29.]

NEW POLICY.

93

schools without the consent of the ordinary of the diocese, to send

their children

abroad to be educated, and to have any number of

apprentices in trade.
these concessions the Catholic aristocracy would probably

With

But the democratic members

by Keogh, were resolved to give

have been content for a long while.

of the Catholic Committee, led
the

Government no breathing

relief

time, but to push forward for further

They now claimed admission

with vigour and persistence.

to the parliamentary franchise.

had been the practice of the

It

aristocracy to approach Parliament with bated breath

ing humbleness

and whisper-

come as suppliants craving a boon, as

Keogh took a different line. He came

to

asking for mercy.

front boldly, insisting

on rights wrongfully withheld, and showing

a determination to secure them in defiance of the minister,

He

spite of the law.

the

first

to the

Irish Catholic

slaves
to the

did not supplicate

who

he demanded.

if

not in

He was

applied himself resolutely and fearlessly

work of combining the unenfranchised Catholic masses, and

of overawing Parliament by making their voices heard within and

without
full

In

its walls.

Tone he found an

of energy and of resource.

There

intrepid ally
is

Catholic agitator and the

together to unite

common good
efforts

Tone

Irishmen of

of their

tells

all

common

a colleague

not a more interesting

chapter in Irish history than the one which relates

stitutional

how

the con-

Protestant rebel laboured

religious

country.

persuasions for the

What came

of their

us in the pages of his diaries with characteristic

brightness and zest.

ED.]
1792.

July

/\.th.

Waited on Mr.

F. 1

by

his desire,

who

told

me

that

Mr. Conolly was just returned from England, and that he was
wearing vestments outside the precincts of their chapels, against chapels having

and against priests officiating anywhere except in their

accustomed places of worship " (Lecky, ibid. vol. ii. p. 312). Ed.]
[Probably John Forbes, M.P., one of the founders of the Whig Club, an
intimate friend of Grattan, and a supporter of the Catholic claims.Ed.]
steeples or bells,

'

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

94

much

[1792.

had expected, but some of Fitzgibbon's people had been endeavouring to frighten him with
Catholic insurrections, &c. That he was decidedly against the
better affected than they

conduct of the House of Commons,

because,

were

if

right,

the

petition,

the principles on which they justified that

measure

they should not have granted the Catholics anything,

not even Sir Hercules Langrishe's

Conolly

rejecting

in

was a man who liked

Mr. F. then said that Mr.

Bill. 1

attentions,

and therefore he would

some Kildare gentlemen (I menhim with the declaration,3 and any

other papers; to prefer their earnest desire for the approbation and
support of so very respectable a character, and express their
apprehensions, lest pains might be taken to prejudice his mind
that, therefore, they took the first opportunity, after
against them
his return to the kingdom, to wait on him with a fair statement of
that if any part of the declaration
their conduct and sentiments

advise Byrne and Keogh, and

tioned Fitzgerald) to wait on

made

(particularly with regard to property) could be

were willing to adopt

it

stronger, they

and, finally, to profess their unalterable

attachment to the peace and good order and tranquillity of the

country, on which Mr. Conolly very

much

relies.

On

leaving

met Mr. Grattan, who concurred exactly with him. It

was agreed that Messrs. Byrne, Keogh, and Fitzgerald should go
Mr. F.

I.

to Castleton.
1

[The

Hercules Langrishe (author of" Barataria," a

period) was one of the
most brilliant members of the Irish Parliament. " The brightness of his mind
and the flashes of his wit," says the younger Grattan, "cast a lustre on all he
touched." Some of his witticisms are worth recording. " On one occasion,
when riding with the Lord Lieutenant in the Phoenix Park, his Excellency
complained of his predecessors, and asked why they had left the place in such
Langrishe replied, They were too much occupied
a wet and swampy state.
in draining the rest of the kingdom.'
On another occasion, being asked
where could be found the best history of Ireland, he answered, ' In the continuation of Rafiin'" (author of "History of England to the Revolution,
with continuation by Tindal "). Grattan, " Memoirs."
Langrishe died in
fictitious

Bill of 1792, ante, p. 92. Sir

work dealing with the public characters of the

'

81
2
3

1.

Ed.]

[An influential member of the Irish Parliament.

[On the subject of the Catholic claims. Ed.]

Ed.]

;;

JET.

LEAVES DUBLIN.

29.]

95

Journal of the Proceedings of Mr.

John Hutton on his second embassy to Belfast ; also his dealings
with the Catholics, including his combinations with sundry

&c, of 1792.

Notes, letters,

dissenting Republicans,

and

a general system of

his plan for

Irish Jacobins.

Monday, July
College Lions

Man-of-War
posed piquet
is

9th.

Set

Belfast (Whitley

for

missed poor

agreed to

for a

man

game

at Banbridge; the

Stokes)

played very
until

fair

55,

at

dull.

the

Pro-

doubt that the Keeper

Dundalk

scored ten there

Ditto at Loughbrickland

leading a pig in a string.

Keeper

Breakfast

The Keeper

P. P. sadly.

Nothing material

a blackleg.

with the Keeper of the

out posting

Mr. Hutton 95.

Sleep at

Banbridge.
Set off early

10th.

game.

The

Keeper

we come to the bridge

Very pretty amusement for a
On an average,
Lord O Lord

see a cat before

mortified.

statesman and a philosopher.

about a cat and one-seventh of a cat per mile on the great northern

Make no

road.

journey.

other remark of any importance or use on the

Arrive

company is
Unpack in a

at

at Belfast at
exercise,

hurry,

one o'clock

and dine

and dress

in

learn that the

first

upon Waddel Cunningham.

regimentals

run off to the

field

Meet everybody.
Cunningham
very civil dine in the tent, at the right hand of the Captain.
After dinner the whole company turn out and dance on the field
vastly French ; march into town in the evening, " all with magnanimity and benevolence!' Sup with Neilson and the old set
very much tired after my journey. Bed at one o'clock.
and leave the Keeper to

fag.

Rise with great headache

wth.
Sinclair

White, 1 with

whom

learn

next morning at breakfast,

unfortunate Keeper,
find

stupid as a mill-horse call on

Agree to meet him and Dr.
I am appointed committeeman, the
and settle it finally. Call on the
have not seen Lord knows when
;

read over the address.

whom

on very well without me.

that he gets
1

Bring him to the

[A leading United Irishman. Ed.]

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

96

Hypocrite and introduce him

asks us to dine next day

one

at

poor enough

the Hypocrite as gentle as ever

All go to the Harper's

agree thereto.

ten performers

seven execrable, three

No new

good, one of them, Fanning, far the best.

covery

believe

company

all

musical dis-

The

the good Irish airs are already written.

See the Blue

tired.

[1792.

Company

march out

to exercise

Meet the Irish Slave, who is rejoiced to see

me. Dine with Neilson and the old set the Keeper comes late
conversation flat enough.
More and more miss poor P. P. Bring
the Keeper to the coterie.
See an apparition of Jordan, who is in
London find, on speaking Latin to the said apparition, that it is

very

fine front rank.

Sup

Jordan himself; heartily glad to see him.

again at Neilson
post

no

P. P.

the old

Sad

sad

alterations.

Return to

lounge to the Harper's

letter

sup

out to the Draper at Lilliput.

do

at the coterie;

All this day dull as a

late.

Rise again with headache, resulting from late hours.

\2th.

many

Bed

set.

Go

Meet Dr. White; settle the address;

town again do not know what to
meet Vesey Knox, who shows me a
;

from John, 2 with an account of their victory over the bloody

Dinner at the Hypocrite's, Joy, Williamson, Bryson,3

Williamson re-

tyrant.

A. Stewart, Renny Maxwell, the Keeper, &c.

members the
Socratic.

tossing he got from P. P. last October

Williamson

clever,

and says he

Arms

Go
;

off at

fifteen

present

from the committee

assigning any reason.

The coming down

1

calls P. P.

more a

rather

the

friend

one of the time-to-time

nine to meet the delegates at the Donegal

to the Catholics than he was; believe he

party.

is

McTier

in

is

the chair.

Waddel Cunningham
Neilson at him.

At

Read
opposes
last

the address
it,

out

it

without

comes.

of Mr. Hutton has given great alarm, especially

[Of Volunteers. Ed.]

[Knox, an officer in the British service, afterwards Brigadier-general. He
commanded in Ireland in 1797. The "bloody tyrant" possibly refers to
Tippoo Sahib, who was defeated at Seringapatam, May 15, 1791, and Feb. 6,
ED.]
1792.
3 [Minister of the Second
Presbyterian Congregation, Belfast. " In consequence of some dissatisfaction on the part of some members of the congregation," he resigned in 1791 (Benn, "History of Belfast").
Ed.]
4
Captain of Belfast Volunteers and member of the Irish House of Commons.
2

JET.

ARRIVES IN BELFAST.

29.]

97

him some man from the college, whom no

all laugh
Cunningham goes off in a
The address read, paragraph by paragraph, and approved

as he has brought with

The company

one knows.
pet.

unanimously,

except that part which relates to the Catholics,

which had H. Joy's single negative. Address to the National

Assembly read and approved in like manner. Broke up. Home.

Damned bad hours

Go to the Donegal Arms.
very
odd.
the
mail
Saw
them take places for
Catholics
by
No
Will they come or not ? No letters. The Jacobin
last night.

Bed

as usual at half-past one.

Rise again with a headache.

13^/2.

party up here; Lafayette down; think they are

not half so pleasant this time as the

better

Weather bad.

Digges.

wrong.

Belfast

good or

Grievous want of P.

everything else worse.

Keeper not equal to him.

Keeper drunk last night.

all

Politics just as

last.

By-the-bye, the Hypocrite

Fine doings.

P.

the

made

the

Miss that unfortunate

Afraid for to-morrow every

way

gene-

Hear that the Tribune, with his suite, is

go to the Donegal Arms and say O to him {vide " Robinarrived
son Crusoe"). The Harpers again. Strum strum and be hanged.
Hear that several Catholics have been seen run to try find
Magog, Weldon, and others, to a large amount. The hair of Dr.
low

rally in

spirits.

Haliday's

wig miraculously grows grey with fear of the Catholics.

Several comets appear

in

about to show them the

insurance office

down, take out

them

at the

the market-place.

See a figure

lions.

the Catholics mistake

their beads,

and say

it

for

Walk the Catholics

of Commerce at the
an image, and kneel

their prayers before

it

Exchange, and go to dinner with Simms.

Go

leave

The

old

meet the Jacobins. The

time-to-time people say with great gravity that Mr. Hutton is
Drink nothing.

set.

come

man

at seven to

to force seditious papers

of great consequence, as

down

it

their throats.

seems.

Mr. Hutton a

The Keeper, who

is

in the

day out picking up clay, &c, the better

to conceal his designs, but Waddel and Joy too knowing to be had
in that manner.
Mr. Hutton almost angry at all this nonsense,
and very sorry that any man, woman, or child in Belfast should
plot,

a cunning hand

[A leading Belfast

vol.

1.

all

citizen,

and secretary of the Northern Whig Club.

8

Ed.]

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

98

[1792.

Expect a sharp opposition to-morrow. Some

Antrim
of the country corps no better than Peep-of-day-boys.
folks, good
Down, bad. Dress, and go to Gautherot's benefit
called out.
Gog, but no McDonnell not like his namesake, who
"
was
worthy to be a rebel? Good news from Munster
Gog
such trash.

listen to

preaching for three days to six bishops,

the returns

so

will

Williamson very pleasant

me

wants

go there

to

Ca

go on

are at last converted

Lord Moira, 1 and

stories of

Mrs. O'Hara Caroline of Litchfield,

calls

Mr. Hutton envious, and endeavours to outshine, but

&c.

Return to the concert.

ira !

good

tells

who

can't.

upon A. Stewart, whom he attacks upon the

Catholic question, and mauls without remorse.
Stewart very
shallow.
The Draper tells Mr. Hutton that great exertions are
Goes

and

off,

making

falls

to impress people with the idea that

something down their throats.

rate

thinks

ground

will

it

Stuff, stuff!

be a work of time, &c, but

still

All this not very encouraging.

daily.

my

the most amiable temper.

Get

morrow.

Want

Generally sulky.

humour

just in a

he is going to ram
The Draper mode-

belt,

&c,
letter

it

The Keeper

cannot be helped.

with the Hypocrite and others

Bed.

himself again.

plot

Dull as a post,

a plot

will

make

a beast of

the door being half open, he went in and found,

to his utter astonishment, delegates

Waddel haranguing

from the country corps, with

against the Catholics, and talking of

sedition intended to be broached the next day.

apparition of Neilson.

this

reads the papers

14-th
1

the

some

Waddel taken

all

Neilson abuses him and

company breaks up without coming

to

any

but Neilson expects hot work in the morning.

determination,

Waddel

the

in

Passing by a room in the inn, he heard Cunningham's

voice very loud

aback by

my

Neilson comes to

bedside at one o'clock, with orders to prepare for battle

morning.

dines this day in the country

suppose he
!

him

about the Catholic

committee, signed X. Y., for the Northern Star.

but

not

in

for the review to-

P. P. in order to advise

Write a

to give advice.

the cause gains

Come home

Sleep at

last,

about two.

July, era of the French Revolution !

Knocked up

[Afterwards Governor- General of India and Marquis of Hastings.

early
Ed.]

by

MT.

BREAKFAST WITH THE CATHOLICS.

29.]

Neilson

get on

McKenna

lics.

my

and make a

regimentals, and go breakfast with the Catho-

Drums

arrived.

all

particulars

companies

own

of their
potato

by

filled

field,

little

of war held in a

Crawford,

and

first

We

their wits.

last.

undone

are

be defeated

shall

corps decidedly against us, from the report of

fthe old story); better to adopt

parties

all

danger

very absurd

seditious paper

something moderate, that

disunion

of

the country folks afraid

the country

all

some

of credit

risk

should even succeed by a small majority, which

can be hoped

of

McKenna, and Mr. Hutton all fools

Crawford and Tandy frightened out of

Rev. Mr. Craig, Dr.

except the

include

Some
who come in

George, Dr.

brother

Blue

Present, the Draper in

adjacent to the review ground.

the chair, the Tribune, his

Lisburn

A council

officers.

tolerably well.

squads of six or eight men,

motion, without

the

Green company 102

The review

Ride the Draper's mare.

90.

all

700 men,
First and second Belfast com-

tolerable appearance.

panies far the best in

and

beating, colours flying,

Brigade formed, and march off by ten

honours of war.

99

takes upon him the

da

man

is

shall
if

we

the best that

McKenna

capo, &c.

of influence

says the

Catholics are timid, and a repulse here would be fatal, and success

of

little

consequence, as a declaration in favour of the Catholics

was now
Hutton

up by some strong

useless, unless followed

at last breaks silence

contradicts

step.

Mr.

McKenna plump,

as to

the use of a declaration, in which the Draper concurs

examines

the question in three lights, as being carried by a small majority, or

lost,

defeat.

it is still

selves

in

we succeed by a

case, if

first

success and a majority, which

In the second,

and not be

is

In the

or not proposed.

majority,

if it

be

lost, let it

go

let

is

us

know the worst,

afraid to look the question in the face, nor delude our-

and the Catholics with the idea of support, where no support

to be found.

As

to the third idea, which

seemed

to prevail

the council, of not proposing the address, that was, of

measures, the worst

and many more

the worst defeat

lies

small

better than a

it

it

carried in

it

all

was cowardly and

for those

if

it

most

possible

the evils of the other two,

foolish,

men who had

about the address, would,

all

more ruinous than

already spread so

was now kept back,

many

utter a

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

IOO

thousand more, and say

it

[1792.

was so infamous that no man could be

found hardy enough to propose

it

to the

meeting

that, in the

Catholic question, not to advance was to recede, and

strong measures of the last nine months,

would, at
Finally,

once, utterly destroy

was more consonant

it

we were now

if,

after the

to blink

it, it

hopes or prospect of union.

all

and decision of the

to the spirit

come fairly forward and let us see our friends

and our enemies. Unanimity was a good thing in itself, but much
more essentially so, as it was a means of promoting good principles
Draper's character, to

if,

it

however, the principle must be renounced, to procure unanimity,

was not worth buying

Mr. Hutton, likewise, said

at that price.

that he did not see the question in so desperate a light

hope

it

might be

by a

carried, even

whether carried or not, he entreated the Draper to move

and leave the event to Providence.

The Draper

agrees

he would

large majority, but, at

all

events,

it

boldly,

the other

members shrug up their shoulders, depart, and the council breaks

The Draper and Mr. Hutton walk about the field, every man

up.

discouraging them, but

all

Both

won't do.

that

satisfied

half

measures are no measures, and determined to hazard the event,

The Draper,

the worst come.

let

Mr. Hutton

a fine resolute fellow.

spirit, and decision of his own character,

when contrasted with the caution and moderation of the
Lisburn men, and the bladdering stuff of McKenna. Moderation
March into town at three. Meet Haslitt and Neilson
nonsense
take the word " Catholic " out, and put in the word " Irishmen " of

says nothing of the energy,

especially

every religious denomination.

Hall, astonishing

full.

Procession.

Meeting

the debate goes on five minutes, satisfied that

we have

the Lisburn men, and our good advisers in the field

More and more

Carry
are

satisfied that their

the question with

at the

Question moved by the Draper.

about

moderation

is

hollow

All hollow.

mistaken.

nonsense and

five dissenting voices,

Joy and Waddel Cunningham.

it

all

Linen
Before

stuff.

among whom
Could

have

The business now fairly settled in Belfast and

neighbourhood.
Huzza Huzza
Dinner at the Donegal
the
Arms. Everybody as happy as a king, but Waddel, who looks like
Huzza
God bless everybody
Stanislas
the Devil himself
carried anything.

MT.

"COUNCIL of war:'

29.]

Washington

George

Augustus,

101

Beau-jour.

Who

have

would

Generally drunk. Broke my

it this morning ?
Huzza
thumping the table.
Home, God knows how or when.
Huzza
God bless everybody again, generally. Bed, with three

thought

glass

Sleep at

times three.

Rise and breakfast with the Hypocrite and the

Sunday.

i$th,

Keeper,

who

last.

are both outrageously rejoiced at the events of yester-

After breakfast take a long walk with Gog,

day.

Lynch has been ripping up the

and thinks that

it

would be better

That

fere in their business.

whom

he hates worse than

/ don't

unlikely, but

He

Book.)

old business of

is

likewise tells

wise

me

Gog

to express

Tommy and Harry,

me

that

McKenna,
Not

all this.

in the Spelling

of an odd manoeuvre of the Tribune

to get

something of a wish that their

introduced so as to risk disturbing the

words to

tells

appointment,

thinks that

the bottom of

and McKenna, endeavouring yesterday

lics

my

a Protestant were not to inter-

hell, is at

{See

care.

if

who

him and the Cathoshould not be

affairs

harmony

of the meeting,

and the Catholics did very

properly refuse to do, saying they could not dictate to any men
but their wish was, that the question should be fairly tried, and if
or

that effect, which he

it

was

lost,

let

be

it

council of war, which

rity,

Precisely Mr.

lost.

Hutton's idea at the

more and more proves the great

spirit,

integ-

Gog
McKenna

and understanding of that truly respectable gentleman.

takes great pains to turn Mr. Hutton's

mind against

very unnecessary, for Mr. Hutton sees the characters of both the
parties already,

and

will

not

much believe what either says of the

Gog jealous of everybody, even of

other, without collateral proof.

Magog.

Leave him and go to dinner at Lilliput with the Draper.

all upon banking.
Blindman's-buff in the evening.

Conversation

Break
rain

my

knee against a chair

coming home

The Keeper,
16th.
all

at

one

like a jackanapes.

in the

of the company.

morning, as usual.

in the

Fine doings.

Bed.

Rise and go to breakfast with Will

the Catholics from Dublin there.

Gog, Robert Simms, and Mr. Hutton.

organising the Catholic body.

Drowned

Simms

at the

Grove

Council of war in the garden,

Gog expounds

the plan of

Mr. Hutton takes the opportunity

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

102

by

to press an idea started

sing, in a similar

[1792.

months back,

P. P. several

manner, the Dissenting

for organi-

All agree that

interest.

that could be accomplished, the business would be done.

How ? Simms

satisfied that

men through

the thinking

we have already a

great majority of

North with us

the

if

Query,

says, however,

Government attack the Catholic Committee under the new

system in two months the North will not be ready to support them.
Mr. Hutton explains that we are not ready to call on any one yet
for more than good wishes, and asks Simms, who is indeed a
Tanner, and shall for the future be so called, what he thinks of the
next 14th of July. The Tanner looks extremely wise and significant.
Gog, Mr. Hutton, and he worship each other, and sign an
that

if

with their blood ; flourish their hands three times in a most

article

graceful manner (see Goldsmith's

march

(Do.)

Arms, and meet

Citizen of the World,")

Ho, but they are

off into town.

creatures.

"

Lounge

Go to the Donegal
McKenna comes in, and

near dinner.

till

the Catholics.

all

and

indeed most agreeable

confesses that his behaviour at the council of war on the 14th was
indefensible,

and that he

is

Frivolous in the extreme.

sorry, &c.

Mr. Hutton takes the opportunity to state his reasons for relating
the conversation in the

he had not acted

him, and

McKenna

field,

and appeals

to Mr.

declares his satisfaction and conviction that

Mr. Hutton would be incapable of acting otherwise.

ings

make long

stairs

friends.

and meet a

and breaks

Chequered
Delightful

no England.

fair

Gog and

All the Belfast

The

head of the

men

table,

Short reckon-

Mr. Hutton go down-

laud

it.

State the

A crowd

new

comes

McTier in the chair.

a Dissenter and a Catholic.

Dinner

off the discourse.

at the
!

All

certain set of the Belfast men.

plan of organisation.
in

Lube whether

Mr. Lube compliments

and honourable?

fair

four flags, America, France, Poland, Ireland, but

Bravo

The Draper and

Beau-jour !

sit

together

at the foot of the table.

Conversation regarding McKenna,

has acted very strangely.

When

he said

in the council of

who

war that

was useless, unless

with
something
up
stronger, he
Belfast was
impressed the Draper with an idea that he meant violent measures
he,

as a Catholic, thought that a declaration

prepared to follow

it

JET.

LETTER IN THE "NORTHERN

29.]

The Draper,

immediately.

103

him not calculate on

same time, that

therefore, bid

immediate support from the North, but

STAR."

said, at the

the progress of the cause was rapid, and must, finally, succeed.

McKenna
them

when arguing with the

then,

express

to

their

wish

not

Catholics,

embarrass

to

induce

to

the

question

with their claims, mentioned, as an argument, that the Draper had

him

told

them

struck

By

decided character.
it

reckon upon any support from the

in the field not to

This

North.

this

of a heap, knowing the Draper's

all

appears that, by his nonsense, to

it

no worse, he led the Draper into giving an opinion,

call

subject to

condition,

and then quoted that opinion, without mentioning the

condition

both

by which he had like to throw a damp on the spirits of

which might have had ugly consequences. All this
Mr. Hutton explains the whole to the Draper, and puts

parties,

very odd.

him up

to the real character of

to be undeceived, as he

had

said,

Huzza

McKenna.

supposing him to be a

More

Go upstairs

toasts

The Draper very

glad

had been a good deal struck with what he

man

of weight in his

Three times

God

three.

own

party.

bless everybody.

them the discourse with the

Draper, which at once explains what had staggered them relative
Neilson joins us, and we all
to expecting no support from Belfast.
swear an alliance. McKenna properly abused by all parties. Home.
Bed. Determine to set off to-morrow and see P. P.
Go to sleep
thinking of my journey. Keeper gone to Scotland.
Waked by Neilson, to see Gog, and other Catholics,
xjth.
with the Catholics.

before they set

Go

off.

Tell

approved

of.

Much

to the inn.

My

Peep-of-day-boys and Defenders.

gentlemen of the neighbourhood,

He

done to restore peace.

my
it

parties request

expiration to

me

to

go

vain for soldiers

anything can be

offers, in that case, to

go himself, and

too.

Dungannon
to complain.

Hope

and meet some of the

in order to try if

all

Vexed
blown

must go cannot possibly help

Rathfriland.

Northern Star

Proposed by Neilson that the Catholics should go by

Rathfriland, where the disturbances are,

all

conversation about the

letter in the

it.

Agree

our journey

to the very soul at having

up.

Rot

Poor

P. P.

sink damn
Well, but

it

it

'tis

in

to set off in half an hour to

may do some

good, as the restora-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

tion of tranquillity

[1792.

Console myself

to us of the last importance.

is

with this hope for the disappointment of not seeing P.

damnably for all that. Set

Neilson and his wife. Stop
Mr. Henderson's

magazines.

off,

up

at Hillsborough,

but vexed

temper with

and drink tea

see his son, the author of "Colin Mountain,"

and

Bed

late, as usual.

Rise,

i8//z.

Rathfriland.

and

at
in

the

arrive at ten at a Mr. Lowry's, near Rath-

Received with great politeness and hospitality.

friland.

Sit

Set

P.,

off in a very middling

set off

Supper.

Sad sad
with Neilson and young Lowry,

at half-past one.

to

Down-

In about an hour the Catholics arrive from

Meet Mr. Tighe, the Parson, Sam. Barber, the Dissenting

and about eighteen gentlemen of
the neighbourhood. Agreed on all hands that the Protestants
patrick.

Minister, Mr. Derry, the Priest,

were the aggressors.

Several have been

killed

on both

Great offence taken at the Catholics marching about

array,

and

certainly

shots at unseasonable

firing

wrong

in

that,

majority think that

would soon die away.

if

and must,

its

Rowan

nature
tells

The

sides.

military

Catholics

The

possible be stopped.

if

that were accomplished, the disturbances

Some

bigots think that their arms should

God

be taken from the Catholics.

in

times.

in

impossible.

forbid

magistrate

one or two swinging

besides, the thing

present

First, that information

lies.

is

Captain
has

been lodged with the Commissioners of the Revenue that a ship

laden with arms was expected in a bay at the back of Mourne, and

was

to be escorted

by a French

intended for the Catholics.

frigate

and that these arms were

Also, that orders had been sent to

every port in the kingdom, to seize and detain

until further orders.

Mr. Hutton breaks out

French sending over a ship load of arms,

all

all

arms imported,

in a rage.

As

to the

the world knows that,

for arms themselves,

moment, they are in the last distress

and buying them from England at any price. As to the other
story, of the orders being sent to the ports, it was exactly like one
of the tricks of our infamous Government, who are notoriously
at this

spreading the vilest calumnies and falsehoods, to exasperate the

two sects against each other, that they may with the greater ease
and security plunder both. The magistrate in a huff, and also

JET.

RATHFRILAND.

29.]

105

Parson Tighe, brother to Edward Tighe, the Hack. Mr. Hutton

changes the discourse back to the business of the meeting. Proposes that the Catholics shall agree to desist from parading in
bodies and

firing,

maintain the peace of the country against

without distinction of party or religion.

by Neilson,

they will

shall declare that

and the Dissenters

who

all

shall transgress,

An amendment
made by

that this declaration should be

proposed

the volunteers.

idea unanimously approved, and three officers then present,

The

Captain A. Lowry, Captain Cowen, and Captain Barber, engage

for their respective

Fitzsimons,

much blamed

moved. They,

A refractory priest, of the name of

companies.
;

him

the Catholics engage to have

likewise, propose to

have a pastoral

letter

re-

from their

bishop, and a circular one from the committee, to be read in every

chapel,

recommending peace and good

satisfied

He

was examined within these ten days

ject of the riots

much

to

order.

All present highly

who

looks glum.

at the Castle,

on the sub-

with each other, except the magistrate,

blame

suppose he

miles to Rathfriland.

and keep

it.

admission of

lied like the

in this business.

The

No

Earl Annesley

Devil.

magistrate nearer than seven

Catholics always ready to

make peace

Their adversaries uniformly the aggressors,

all

by the

Cannot, on the whole, learn that they do

present.

anything worse than meet in large bodies, and

fire

powder

foolish

They break open no houses, nor ever

The Protestants, however, extremely alarmed at

certainly, but not wicked.

begin an attack.
their meetings,

The

which therefore must,

if

possible, be suppressed.

Catholic clergy have almost totally lost their influence, since

the people have got arms, so fatal to superstition and priestcraft

even the smallest degree of

The

liberty.

is

Catholics and Mr. Hutton

coming
down on the occasion. All part on excellent terms. Mr. Hutton
meditates attempting an excursion to Dungannon. Finds, on calreceive the thanks of the meeting for their public spirit in

culation, that P. P. would,

time he could reach there.

off with the Catholics for

verts a bishop at

Dundalk.

Gog

most probably, be

in Belfast

Gives up his scheme

Newry, on

Newry, another

insufferably vain,

in

a pet, and sets

his

way

at

Downpatrick.

and

about the

to Dublin.

Gog

con-

Arrive

at

fishing for compliments, of

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

io6

which Mr. Hutton

who

Hutton,

Nothing too

thick.

gross.

Bad

between one and two.

and

lays

it

on

then praises Mr.

Bed, as usual,

great deal of wine.

Bad

Bad

return pretty

in

Set off early, and ride twelve miles on a lame hack

igl/i.

pleasant and respectable.

Newry

Gog

at first is rather sparing.

relents thereupon,

[1792.

Get on

to

Drogheda, and

stage just setting off for Dublin.

Leave Gog converting

another bishop (the Catholic Primate), and drive off in the stage

no adventures

arrive in

town

"

at six in the evening.

Hie

finis

Hor.

longae chartaeque, viaeque."

Addenda.

the

find

Mr. Hutton, on several occasions, pressed his friends

the Jacobins to try and extend their clubs through the North.

The Draper highly approves the plan, also Haslitt, also the Tanner
his brother.
The Irish Slave swears he will begin his operations immediately, as we have talked enough, and it is time to

and

begin to

N.B.

The
woods.

in the

Mr. Hutton to write a scurrilous

act.

said Slave, to

John

meeting on the 14th

Fine

Assembly when passing the

the tears stood in his eyes

the

German meetings

like the old

way with

effect of the

address.

unanimous aye of the

Mr. Hutton affected so that

sentimental and pretty.

Rode

Dublin, July 21st.

the

for

All the people sitting, and the armed warriors in a

ring standing round.

all

letter

Foster.

Gog to Grattan entertained

who is become most odious to

out with

Burke, 1

stories of

Burke certainly scheming with the Catholics, either to get

more money, or raise his value in England with the Minister, got

Gog.

2,000 guineas for his expedition here last winter

in the Catholics, for

He

foolish generosity

he contrived to embroil them with everybody.

wants now to come over here, where he can be of no possible

use,

and leave England, where, by the bye, he

We

puppy, or worse.

state of things in the

North and

Talk of next winter.

blow

at the Catholics

arrive at Grattan's,

He

in

of just as
tell

him

little.

of the

the South, which he approves.

apprehends Government

by committing

is

and

their chairman.

[Richard. Ed.]

will

make

Mr. Hutton

JET.

VISIT TO GRATTAN.

29.]

of opinion that the whole body should rise and go with him in that

Grattan advises to

event.

him

let

and immediately elect

and so on, but never

go,

If he be committed, elect another,

another.

House of Commons give words, let the General

Committee do the same, and, if they be firm, the House will submit,
If the

to recede.

because the one

an emanation from the people, the other

is

not.

Mr. Hutton asks for a committee to inquire, next session, into the

and the causes of the riots there. Grattan

would do mischief, because the committee being, to a
under the influence of the Castle, would misstate and

state of the North,

thinks

it

certainty,

garble facts, and draw conclusions which even these facts could

not warrant.

admits

ment

Mr. Hutton says that

but says the reason

is

very hard, which Grattan

obvious, that

is

we have no

Parlia-

Mr. Hutton reads him

Grattan seems angry.

in Ireland.

the intended address to the Defenders, in which he suggests

alterations, but very

and depart, having

much approves

it

Say

generally.

to

some
him

promised to dine with him at Tinnehinch

first

on Saturday next.
22nd.

Meet the Sub-committee

the address, which

read

is

approved, with a clause promising protection from the General

Committee
as

it

to

all

peaceable Catholics.

Think

gives such a hold of the bas peuple, of

this

a capital stroke,

whom

there are in this

Meet Gog in the evening, who is in a

peck of troubles. Expects Burke over in Cork every day, notwithstanding all that has been done to prevent his coming. Burke
pretends that he is come on his private affairs. Private fiddlesticks !
Gog in a rage determined to thwart him on all occasions, and
put him down with the Catholics, which he most richly deserves
for the great impropriety of his conduct in never communicating
country above 3,000,000.

a syllable of information whilst acting

though perpetually applied to

now coming

over

(if

every one concerned.

fellow

that ever

as

agent

for that purpose,

and

England,

also for his

he does come) against the inclination of

Burke by

knew.

far the

Gog wants

most impudent, opiniatre

to have a

him to their houses. Believe, if he comes, he

Does he want another 2,000 guineas ?
invite

in

Robin not to
will

be rumped.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

108

Wrote an X. Y.

2yrd.

for the

[1792.

Northern Star ; also a copy of

a circular letter from the General Committee in answer to those

conveying returns, recommending the permanency of the parocommunication, and the formation

chial electors, as a channel of

of committees of correspondence through each county, to consist

Also a sketch of

of at least one gentleman for each barony.

a letter to Colonel Barry, on

Dined with

Tom

cing letter from

the present state of this country.

Braughall and Gog.

Burke,

Revolution, on which he

filled
is

as

meet no

the Catholics will

Read a very long pran-

with nonsense about the French

mad

(who seemed to be bullied by ministry here)

tion to Parliament

And
fere

it

on

the
it

in

if

Catholics and the

is,

that

England

next applica-

in their

own

force.

she will not inter-

neither will she interfere against

their behalf,

fight

issue

they must, therefore, rely on their

seems pretty evident that England,

that

The

as his father.

support from ministry

them

Protestant ascendency are

out, propriis aribns {a la bonne heure).

It

so

left

to

should seem

Government here have gone so far as to menace stopping the

mutiny bills and supplies, if they are not allowed the sole
management of the Catholic affairs. What will be the issue of all

that

this?

In committee.

24th.

Read over Burke's

receive orders to prepare an answer thereto,

the

Hon. Mr. Browne.

Gave the address

letter

and

again,

and

also a letter to

to the Defenders to

Dined with
Warren home early. Wrote the letter to Burke, giving him
his conge, regretting that ministry in England had, by adopting
a determined neutrality, rendered further application to them
useless, and of course deprived the Catholics of the powerful aid
Byrne, with orders to print 1,000 on large paper.
;

of his talents, and giving

him a remote prospect

again be employed on some future emergency.

indefinite

not a bad

Wrote

also

home.

This day

to Mr.

letter.

Browne.

my

How

will

the

that he might
civil

and

Catholics like

it ?

All very

Spent a very pleasant evening at

appointment as Secretary to the sub-com-

mittee, until the rising of Parliament,

was confirmed unanimously

by the General Committee, with a stipend

for that

time of 200.

JET.

LETTER TO RICHARD BURKE.

29.]

by Mr.

Letter to Burke read, and objected to

Sub-committee.

25//Z.

thereupon, and

versation

Mr. Browne agreed

made.

alterations

Gog

the sub-committee cowardly.

to

Long conThe majority of

Fitzgerald, as being too pointed a dismissal.

stout,

Dined

to.

but overruled.

at Warren's,

Letter

and met Arch-

Pleasant evening.

dekin.

Rode out

26th.

to Grattan's, and dined there

Gog and

with

new; but the old ground beaten over again.

Talking of the late Chief Baron Burgh, 1 Grattan said that he
he stopped to pick them
fell in love with daisies on his march

Hardy.

Little

up,

and

twist

them

so entered the
Pretty

dancer.

of battle, half a hero and

field

Great deal of wine

Pleasant breakfast.

know

tan eager to
trade, &c.

half an

opera

Captain Fitzgerald, Grattan's brother-in-law,

a fine young fellow.

27th.

which he flung about him, and

into a garland,

Grattan keeps us to sup.

Tell Grattan about Digges.

Grat-

Promise to send him Digges'

him.

Ride into town with Gog.

No

letter on
Dine with Warren and

Wish to introduce Archdekin to Grattan on the subject of India, &c, &c.

Sub-committee.
Writing letters. Hear that
281k, 29th, loth.
Neilson is come to town. Dine with him at Braughall's. Nothing
Archdekin again.

new.

Introduced

31st.

in

form to the General Committee.

Circular letter for the

[Walter Hussey Burgh

members

conversation.

(b.

House

returns

about 1742,

d.

Commons.

1783)

ready for signing.

The

was one of the most eloquent

Though Prime Sergeant

in 1779, he
supported Grattan in his efforts to obtain Free Frade. It was during the debates
on this question that he delivered a speech which electrified the House, and
placed him in the first rank as an orator. Replying to some one who had said
that Ireland was in a state of peace, and referring to the Volunteer force, he
it is not peace, but smothered war.
said, " Talk not to me of peace
England
has sown her laws like dragons' teeth, and they have sprung up in armed men."
Mr. Froude has graphically described the scene that followed. " Never yet

of the Irish

of

had Grattan so moved the

words.

From

Irish

House

of

Commons

as

the floor the applause rose to the gallery.

it

was moved

From

at these

the gallery

it

crowd at the door. From the door it rung through the

As the tumult calmed down, Hussey Burgh rose again, and amidst a
city.
renewed burst of cheers declared that he resigned the office he held under the
Crown." On the establishment of Legislative Independence, Burgh (1782)
became Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Ed.]

was thundered

to the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

no
Vintner comes

Cowardly

the horrors.

a long debate,

refuses

sign.
in

Dine again with Warren and Archdekin.

Sick

all

fellow

worth

is

at nine o'clock.

Merry

1st.

fishing nets,

He

knot.

be the first

which executes

of August]

Breakfast in col-

it

completely with the fisherman's

sent a sample to the Society for Encouraging the Arts

London, which had offered sixty guineas premium

an invention.

Several

others

it,

that he

did refuse him.

his net

it

was an Irishman,

and Pearce.

This

Volunteers do there

is
?

for

us.

Puts

me

time to pre-

mind of Macabe

in

the JBroughsham review

No

in

which reason only they

Boswell gives us a yard of

liberal.

which he wove before

such

would, in consequence, have

was luckily discovered,

Wise and

for

put in their claim, but his was

He

the only one which answered.

got the reward, only

vent

to

Gog

Boswell shows us a loom of his invention, for weaving

lege.

in

The

200,000.

Bed

this day.

August

and, after

in,

rascally

[1792.

returns from

What

will

the

Wexford What is the mean:

Sub-committee. All abuse the Vintner for hanging

Old cowardly slave
Mr. Everhard, of Sligo, comes in
gives a most melancholy account of the depression and insults
under which the Catholics of that town labour every Protestant
rascal breaks their heads and windows for his amusement, and
no grand jury will find their bills, nor petit jury convict them.
The Catholic spirit quite broken. They do not even beat one
another.
Sad sad
Busy all day folding papers, &c, for the
Munster bishops.
Damn all bishops Gog not quite well on
that point.
Thinks them a good thing. Nonsense.
Dine at
1
home with Neilson and McCracken. Very pleasant. Rights of
ing of that

back.

man.
1

French Revolution.

No

bishops,

&c, &c, &c.

[Henry Joy McCracken, one of the United Irish leaders, was born in
Like so many United Irishmen he was engaged in business,

Belfast in 1767.

He threw himself
at first in the linen trade, aftewards a cotton manufacturer.
In 1796 he was arrested, but
heart and soul into the revolutionary movement.
subsequently released on the recognisances of his cousin, Mr. (afterwards Chief
Baron) Joy. In 1798 McCracken took the field, and attacked the town of
Antrim. Successful in the first onset, and driving a troop of dragoons before him,
he was ultimately repulsed and routed. Escaping from the field he was arrested,
tried by court-martial, and sentenced to death. His sister has given a touching

JET.

HENR Y JOY McCRA CKEN.

29.]

iii

August 2nd. Breakfast with Drennan and Neilson. Sub-comMore papers. Gog not at all equal in steadiness to

mittee.

Magog not a grain of a

Magog, and as vain as the devil.
all the others so so enough.
Meet J. BramPapist, nor Warren
Dine at Sweetman's with a
ston just setting off for England.
;

long

set.

delegates.

Half the county

All well.

Down

have returned their

Bravo

Sub-committee.
Folding circular letters, &c.
August $rd.
Wexford returns at last. Rent-roll of their delegates, .15,000
Bravo
This makes eight counties.
per annum.
!

description of the last scene

tion

" At

p.m. he was ordered to the place of execu-

the old market-house, the ground of which had been given to the town by

took his arm, and we walked together to the place

it was the general's orders I should leave him,
which I peremptorily refused. Harry begged I would go. Clasping my hands
round him (I did not weep till then), I said I could bear anything but leaving
him. Three times he kissed me, and intreated I would go. ... I suffered
myself to be led away. ... I was told afterwards that poor Harry stood where
I left him, at the place of execution, and watched me until I was out of sight
that he then attempted to speak to the people, but that the noise of the trampling of the horses was so great that it was impossible he should be heard
that
he then resigned himself to his fate, and the multitude who were present at
that moment uttered cries which seemed more like one loud and long-continued
shriek than the expression of grief or terror on similar occasions.
He was
his great-great-grandfather.

of execution, where

was

told

buried in the old churchyard where St. George's Church

to the corner of the school-house, where the door is."

now stands, and close

More than forty years

" Notwithstanding the grief that overcame every feeling

and still lingers in my breast, connecting every passing event with
the remembrance of former circumstances which recall some act or thought of
his, I never once wished that my beloved brother had taken any other part
than that which he did take." Ed.]

afterwards she wrote

for a time,

CHAPTER
AMONG THE

V.

PEEP-OF-DAY-BOYS.

Journal of the proceedings of John Hutton, Esq., on his third journey

to the North of Ireland, including his artful negotiations with
the Peep-of-day-boys,

entry into,

valorous

Rathfriland

anecdotes.

Vive

Gog

with

Peep-of-day-boys,

Go and

who

Gog's,

insists

The

Go

8th.

rage.

1st

t/ie first

Bed

call

down and

as

pleased as

bishops,

and

is

to

Walk

gth.

Promise to dine

her.

month kept here with

Oldbridge Town there was a

in

See the Derry Grand Jury

of the county Wexford.

re-

In a horrible

write a paper for the Northern Star, signed

Punch

amongst a parcel of

meet us

of last

Show Vindex

Vindex, abusing the resolutions, &c.

is

the

Pleasant journey.

at eight o'clock.

to the Coffee House.

and the

Sit

July

Sick.

battle.'"

solutions,

"
:

among

Settle with Neilson to

on our lodging with

additional solemnity

expedition

drink tea with Mrs. Austin, an aunt of

with Mr. Bird to-morrow.

grievous

my

and Neilson.

Arrive in Drogheda, and dine.

at Rathfriland.

out of the city of

le Roi.

Set out posting on

1792.

7,

the realm ; also, his

interspersed with sundry delectable adventures

and entertaining
August

and sundry Peers of

and famous retreat

dine

tells

me

to

plan

Bird's,

Puppy.

the evening.

out with Gog, and

come home and

Go

with them.

girls all

to Gog,

who

he has succeeded with the

and stay

Home

counter-resolutions

Gog

late.

for

them in his
pocket to the Primate. Bird and Hamill propose to them to
offer a coalition to the Protestant ascendency, and that instead
of orange cockades, all parties should unite and wear green ones
Derry

write them.

112

takes

JET.

DINNER WITH CATHOLIC BISHOPS.

29.]

on the next

first

They seem

to think

ever.

A good

of July.

scheme, though

it

my

own.

try,

how-

is

Let them

could not be done.

it

113

Dinner with Dr. Reilly, the Primate, Plunket, Bishop

ot

Meath, Reilly, Bishop of Clogher, Cruise, Bishop of Ardagh

McMillan, Bishop of Down, Coyle, Bishop of Raphoe, M'Davit,

Bishop of Derry, and Lennon, Bishop of Dromore,

pleasant, sensible men.

be a credit to any

The matter

the

far

first

North now

More and more admire

men of such man-

settled.

glad to find the Catholic prelates

ners and understanding

beau-jour

All very

civil

to me,

complimentary about Vindex, and refuse to drink Lord

borough.

Bon.

Home

Newry.

Go

young man.

some one

Hills-

Lynch, of Galway

Introduced to Mr. O'Hanlon, Jun.

a clevei

early to bed.

Breakfast at O'Hanlon's.

nth.

opinion that

and

Bed.

early.

Travel with a third man, a Mr.

\oth.

Stupid.

very

all

think he would

All well on the Catholic question.

situation.

as to the

Dr. Plunket

Dr. Plunket

we ought not

word so

to write us

we might be

Hear that Mr. Barber is of

and has desired

to go to Rathfriland,
to Dublin.

surmised that his

It is

by some of the bigots in that

town. Cannot help it what must be, must be, and we must go
to Rathfriland.
Buy powder and ball, and load our pistols, for
reason

is,

lest

insulted

My

fear of accidents.

Swan, who
on

his

name

balls too little

damn

a bloody Peep-of-day-boy

is
:

it

Afraid of Capt.

endeavour to make a pun

something about goose, but

it

"

won't do.

When

as

I sat in Babylon." Hear just now that if we go to Rathfriland

we shall be houghed " pleasant, but wrong." What is to be done ?
This information we have from Mr. O'Neil, of Cabra cowardly
:

enough, but dare say he heard

Bannvale, on our

way

puny

lest

Set off for Mr. O'Neil, of

Arrive at length at that

for Rathfriland.

flourishing seat of liberality

Rathfriland,

it.

and public

that thy girls

wWi

virtue.

spits,

and

"

/ fear

thee,

boys with stones,

me." Stop at Murphy's Inn, six in number,

Get paper, and begin to write to Dr. Tighe, Mr.
Barber, and Mr. A. Lowry.
Stop short by the intelligence
that the Landlord will give us no accommodations
Hey hey

in

all

battle slay

valiant.

vol.

1.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

H4
The

fellow absolutely refuses.

and

will give us neither,

Well, Mr.

now

at

He

goes

Murphy

past four

has cold beef and lamb chops,

Damned

but turns off on his heel.

The dog

is

Agree

to

Send

off.

He

[1792-

a Quaker.

send

What

is

Mr. O'Neil

Barber.

for

two miles

also for Mr. Linsey, about

Mr. Hutton offers to ride to Linen Hall for young Lowry.

Damn

horse wants a shoe.

of a piece.

all

country,

money

it

Well.

Too

late

now

off.

His

to get a
is

out

striking proof of the state of politics in this

when a Landlord

to Catholics.

will

not give accommodation for

Mr. Linsey has got a sore leg and cannot

Get a Mr. Murphy

come.

Mr. O'Neil returns with news that Barber

messenger.

fine.

to be done,

Landlord, and a decent

man

brother to our hospitable

at last,

explain the motives of our coming

and remind him of the conversation of 18th July last.

seems very much ashamed of the behaviour of his brother,

to him,

He

some

and, in

degree, apprehensive of our meeting

which, however, he hopes

us determined to

make

may

not happen.

some

All stout.

smoke

the boors of Rathfriland

insult

Some
for

it,

of
if

attack us,
who
from
Newry armed, merely to assist us in case of necessity manly
and decided
The gentlemen of the town have learned, as we
presume, that we are prepared, and therefore make no attempt

they

particularly

McNally,

has

ridden
;

to

us, as they had lamented they did not do on our last

Leave Rathfriland in great force, the cavalry in the front.

duck

visit.

See about 150 Peep-of-day-boys exercising within a quarter of a

mile of the town. Suppose if we had attempted to lie in the
town,

we should have had a

battle.

Arrive at Mr. O'Neil's and

Old gentry, and very hospitable and

dine.

exceedingly hurt

at

being

refused

kind.

dinner

in

Mr. O'Neil
Rathfriland,

within sight of which he and his ancestors have lived for a cen-

Horrible thing, these religious discords, which are cer-

tury.

Get

tainly fomented

by the

great

from O'Neil, and arrive at Newry about

difficulty

aristocrats of this country.

off with
ten.

Five
Dismount with our four cases of pistols, very stout.
Generally glad
Huzza
pound for a Peep-of-day-boy ^ Huzza
Mug porter to a large amount.
that we are come back safe.
"

God

bless everybody.

Bed.

FEUDS IN NEWRY.

JET. 29.]

This

\2th.

"5

Waited on by
go to Dundalk and conduct

the Prince of Wales's birthday.

is

sundry Defenders to know

if I

will

That may not be. Ask me whom I

them Chamberlaine, Saurin, and Jebb.
See Vindex in print incorrect enough made out a quotation on
Captain Swan " If he had been saucy, we would have made him
next

their defence

would recommend

assizes.
tell

much like a black swan." Hit

we were going into Rathfriland, when I was
Was I in a fright ? The truth is, I was not, and yet
a jot sorry when it was bedtime, and all well, " All

a rare bird on the earth, and very

this off yesterday, as

in a fright.
I

was not

fair," as

Mr. Breslaw hath

it.

Dine

ride to Rosstrevor along shore.

Sit

up very

late

and

Sad

talk treason.

Breakfast at Mr. Fagan's

i$th.

Advise them

Newry.

porter with

them on our

After dinner

Mourne, the

sea, &c.

several

Catholics; feuds in

and unanimity.

return, whither

How

Marquis of Downshire.

go lucky.

to peace

all

at O'Hanlon's.

Beautiful

Agree

we mean

will his lordship receive

to drink

to

go

us

to the

Happy

and arrive at Hillsborough. Find that Lord

Lord Annesley's, and will not be at home for
two or three days. Agree to push on for Belfast, where we arrive
and sup with Neilson and Simms. Neilson brings us home to
lodge.
Bed late.
Set

Hillsborough

\\th.

is

Walk

off,

at

out and see McCracken's

new

Hibernia has an English crown on her shield.

Dine

ship, the Hibernia.

We

all

roar at him.

The county Down

at Neilson, with the old set.

getting

day on the Catholic question. Two of the new

companies, commanded by Captains Cowan and Douglas, applied
to be admitted in the Union regiment, commanded by Col. Sharman, and were refused, merely on the ground of their holding
better every

Peep-of-day-boy principles.

upon

Bon.

Gog and Mr. Hutton

called

an account of the present state of Catholics. Mr.

Hutton makes a long and accurate statement, which meets the
to give

unanimous approbation of all present.

with wine and patriotism. All stout
Slave

also the

find soldiers,

if

Tanner

also Mr.

The Belfast men get warm

Gog valiant also the Irish
Hutton. The Catholics offer to
;

Belfast will provide officers.

All

fair.

Lurgan

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

n6

[1792.

come out of all this. Agree to

when we are all cool. Huzza
Generally drunk. Vive la nation I Damn the Empress of Russia!
Success to the Polish arms, with three times three.
Huzzah
Generally very drunk.
Bed.
God knows how. To dine tomorrow with the Tanner. Huzzah
Huz
green as usual.

Something

will

talk the matter over to-morrow,

Waken

i$th.

drunk.

Breakfast with Neilson, the Jacobin, &c.

Grand Jury of Derry, signed a Derry

Farmer also a paragraph to the same purpose also another on
the report of the submission of the Poles (very bad news if it be
true).
Also another on the Derry Grand Jury. See Sinclair, and
tell him of our expedition to Rathfriland.
The Draper in a rage.
More Volunteer companies springing up like mushrooms, nobody
knows why. All the Antrim corps well. Please God, we shall
furnish them with something to think of.
This country will never
be well until the Catholics are educated at home, and their clergy
elective.
Now a good time, because France will not receive their
students, and the Catholics are afraid of the revolution, &c.
Write a

letter

on

the

Dinner
Bay,

at the Tanner's

tells

us that he

is

all

well.

The

just returned

Rev. T. Birch, of Botany

from a meeting of eighteen

Dissenting clergymen from different parts of Ulster, and had the

pleasure to find

them

all well disposed to Catholic liberty

no doubt but the cause

hood, which

is

is

spreading most rapidly.

very populous, completely converted

tempts made to prejudice

his

flock against

took on the 14th July, failed plump.

He

him

as all

he has

some

for the part

offered, in

a very

congregation, to argue the point after meeting, with any

differed

His neighbourat-

he
full

man who

from him, and was answered that there was no occasion,

were

satisfied.

Catholic clergymen

He
are

thinks,

what

bad friends to

Saintfield preached against

fear

is

liberty.

true, that

The

the

priest of

United Irishmen, and exhorted

his

people not to join such clubs, on which he was immediately rebuked

in the

chapel by one of his congregation.

All this very good.

It

cannot be that the rabble of Rathfriland should stop the growing

Home. Bed early.

The Tanner called on me to recommend two

liberty of Ireland.
i6tk.

things

LORD DOWNSHIRE.

JET. 29.]

117

by the Derry Grand Jury,

and
no longer necessary
secondly, that the new committee should not meet so early as
October, because the longer it is delayed, the more numerous
to publish the plan alluded

first,

which we agree, as secrecy

to

to

is

our friends in the North will be, as every day produces converts,

and

therefore,

should
are

Government should attack the committee, we

To

have a stronger support.

sure

until

if

Government

Parliament

able to

is

will

we answer

this

that

we

not venture on any strong measure

back them, and

to

sitting

will

it

have the country members assembled

for

be advis-

some

little

any can arise, that they may know

each other, and be accustomed to stand fire.
The Tanner acquiesces in this reasoning
very glad to see him so anxious
about us, and so eager to procure us proper support.
Digges
time before the danger,

if

used to praise him and Getty

and him the two men

also the Hypocrite thinks

Macabe

most to be depended upon.

Write
Set off for Hillsborough, accompanied by the Jacobin.
to Lord Downshire, and request permission to wait upon him
in Belfast

he asks us to dinner, which we decline

he then appoints seven

when we wait on him and Lord HillsVery long conversation on the subject of our mission.
Lord Downshire's faculties quite gone.
Lord Hillsborough's
enough
sharp
a high aristocrat.
Angry at the committee's
interference.
No notion of any mode of settling the disturbances but by a strong hand.
Talks of more regiments of
o'clock in the evening,

borough.

light horse,

Papists,

great

and

calls

the committee and the Defenders

and country Papists

mischief,

"

men who formed

the Defenders, and,

will

may be good

abuses the

the meeting at Rathfriland on the 18th July

says there are four thousand

he

Dublin

down has done

says our going

though our motives

"

if

they will pile them up

ensure their protection

stand of arms in the hands of

in

one

place,

inveighs bitterly against

the

communications between the Catholics through the country, and

against

seditious

publications,

Paine

says

laws

that

six

the

Protestants

have

have

which
been

been

he

explains

equally

hanged

for

to

signify

administered,

for

Peep-of-day-boy

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

n8

[1792.

practices, and two of them on the spot where the burglary

was committed. {This a lie.) In short, that he will see the

laws

execute

themselves,

without

whole, his lordship was just

our

On

interference.

and no more.

civil,

the

Fine fencing

between his lordship and Mr. Hutton, who defends the Catholics
with great address and ability

on

the

State their case,

make

a cut or two at the Protestant ascendency about Rath-

friland.

Admit

the 4,000 stand of arms, but

have, in

no one

instance, been used offensively.

at

new

the

the officers,

may

corps

we

Pin his lordship to the confession that the

in

in

bodies,

any

begun the

case,

admit

is

it

they have always dispersed without

declare our convictions

they had

equal

that,

much

hinch

if

Introduced

to

doing mischief.
Catholics

Finally,

could see that

Part from their lordships, neither of

pleased with the other.

late.

the

As

attack.

improper, but state that

with the Protestants, peace would

protection

be immediately restored.
us

they
little

the raising of which, and the spirit of

to

have never,

meeting

that

Strike a

state

insinuate almost the whole of the present alarm

be attributed.

Catholics
their

times

hits his lordship several

The ambassadors both bluff and respectful.

and that they did not come until called upon

riposte.

to

Set

and

off,

M'Clokey,

arrive at Ballina-

That

man.

proper

neighbourhood almost totally converted, though very bad some

little

their

time back.

principles,

new

converted

corps raised there on Peep-of-day-boy

by M'Clokey, who,

All well.

lieutenant.

The

return,

in

Catholics

on such good terms that the Catholics lend them

to learn their exercise,
parties

now

in

months, or

chosen

their

arms

and walk to see them parade, and both

who were before

high affection with each other,

All this done in about two

ready to cut each other's throats.

What might

is

and they are now

less,

not

and by the exertions

be

done by the

of

one

aristocrats

obscure man.
of

the county

Down if they were actuated by the same spirit ? Damn them

Mug a quantity of mulled wine. Generally drunk. Union of
Irishmen with three times three, &c.
17th.

Rise as sick as a dog.

Bed

Walk

late.

out to Montalto and

MT.

LORD MOIRA.

29.]

Lord

meet

with

Breakfast

Moira.

119

his

expedition, and ask

much

with
so

civility

Lords

as

introduce Gog, which he grants

leave to

lordship

his

well

who

the

more

adverse.

He

disposed, and

Annesley

and

Hillsborough

Abb6

the

lordship,

Apprise them of our

Berwick, and Williamson, of Lisburn.

are

by all accounts a mere brute,

and has a trick of knocking down the Catholics on the roads,
scoundrel
or wherever he meets them for his amusement
Why do they not knock him down again and be hanged ?
abuses Lord

Annesley,

is

Gog up and

Bring

and promise

lordship,

him

introduce

invited to dinner with his

Walk

accordingly.

with Gog, the

off

Abbe, and Williamson, to see Mr. Sharman find him at the

Spa, and state our case generally.
Mr. Sharman extremely
;

friendly,

and condemns the conduct of the

He

dependents.

something

and

address

approves extremely of the

their

to

the

we show him all this very well great laughAbb6 on our return. The Abb has "a species of

Defenders, which
ing with the

aristocrats

like

Williamson a sharp dog

rationality?

has been

tampering with the Union regiment to get addresses counter

the

to

proceedings

Belfast

on

the

14th

companies, and failed in every one

different

Tried

July.
;

three

obliged to give

Mr. Hutton
justice.
him know it; flatters
him between jest and earnest, but it won't do the fellow is
not to be depended upon. Dinner spoiled by the unexpected
it

up, yet he prates

half angry

about liberality and

with him, but does not

let

of General

arrival

to

England

Mr. Hutton and

and
road

travel in the
;

and Colonel Marsh, on

Gog

rise

early

Abb

the

and depart

dark to Banbridge

their

way

quite out of spirits.

;

leave Ballinahinch

unpleasant enough

bad

sleep at Banbridge.

iStk.

others

Patterson

stupid as the devil

Arrive at
tell

Newry about

eight.

them of our journey

publish the address to the Defenders.

Lord Moira,

Col.

the

all

agree

that

we should

Write to Lord Downshire,

Sharman, Bishop McMullen, Bishop Lennon,

and enclose copies of the address.

distribute

Meet O'Hanlon and some

address

through

Pat O'Hanlon engages to

Mourne,

and

all

other parts

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

120

[1792.

Propose to
the county Down.
upon to stay and endeavour to
reconcile the Catholics of Newry, who have been bickering
agree accordingly. Meet the contending parties in the evening
at the inn.
Gog makes a very lucid statement of the Catholic
affairs
never heard him half so well
preaches up peace and
union, and advises them to direct their animosities against the
common enemy, the monopolists of the country. The whole
company agree to bury all past feuds in oblivion
rise and
shake hands mutually. The chairman, by order of the meeting
invites Gog and Mr. Hutton, who has played Ripieno all the

where the disturbances

set

off for

Dublin

in

are,

prevailed

evening, to dine with the Catholics of

memorate the
though

it

restored

which

Good

Beau-jour I

benevolence"

Gog

peace to the town.

thing to

original

The

Irishmen.

proposal

Sunday.

members

Go

much

to

vins,

all

mass

all this

line

stand by the nation.

Our

they take.

Gog and

very good.

enough

foolish

T/ie

God send they may

upon the

affairs

present sign

proposes a society of United

relished

king of France dethroned ! !

What
for now the people have fair play.

trumpery.

have

hands in a most graceful manner and

Mr. Hutton entre deux

depart."

igth,

tlieir

to

mag-

proposes, and the Catholics

a paper, signifying their resolution to form a club, &c.

Mr. Hutton "flourish

agree

advancement of Catholic

agree, to form a society for the

Gog and Mr. Hutton admitted

day, to com-

they

Sit late, " all with

breaks in on their system.

and

nanimity

Newry next

harmony,

of

restoration

too

much

Very glad of it,

will the army do ?

Everything depends

success depends on things which

Ride to Rosstrevor
some of us are such fools as not to see.
dinner
more
in
love
with
it
thirty people, many
more and
of them Protestants, invited on the occasion. Dr. Moody, the
bravo
all very good
toasts
Dissenting minister, says grace
;

excellent.

universal approbation

rapidly the Catholic

is

United Irishmen mentioned again, and the idea meets

;

hope

mind

is

one of the worst spots

it

may do

rising,

in

Ireland

Dundalk, and arrive about twelve.

wonderful to see

how

even in this Tory town, which

;

sit

till

nine

set off for

RETURN TO DUBLIN.

JET. 29.]

Off very

20th.

early,

and breakfast

in

121

Drogheda

peopie together, and put them up to everything

off for

Dublin, and arrive at six in the evening

and has done

the

infinite

good.

completely in

We

the right.
in

all

get the

stout.

Set

a good deal

This has been, on the whole, a most excellent journey,

fatigued.

North

county

which never
differences

have

Down

existed

we have

We

have put our adversaries

the wrong, and

we have

there

before

generally

course

contributed to

materially
;

of

created
;

encouraged

heartened our enemies, and puzzled Lord

peace

restore

a spirit

we have

in the

ourselves in

in

Newry

reconciled

our

friends,

Hillsborough.

very good.
Hie finis longae chartaeque viasque. Hor.
Here our long journey and my paper ends.

Francis.

their
dis-

All

CHAPTER

VI.

IN DUBLIN.
Dublin, 2^rd August, 1792.

Letter from Dr.

Sub-committee.

Esmonde, of Kildare. Mr. Conolly friendly in a great degree,

Write an X.
and entirely condemns the Deny resolutions.
Y. containing an impartial account of our late journey, and
reception in the North
send it to Joy, for his paper, and
write to Neilson to copy it, by which means we have the advantage of a double circulation. Will Joy be honest enough to
;

print

it ?

24th.

Write a

letter to

O'Hanlon,

in

Newry, desiring him to

county

collect facts relative to the disturbances in

and United

hints about the Catholic Society

good

county Limerick

of

Newry

in

reply to a set of resolutions from

certainly

prepared by the

Chancellor

behind them
the Vintner,

all

who

the Catholics approve of

has recovered his spirits and

the

and particularly

it,

is

the

much

very pert and saucy, and the manifesto not

resolutions

partly

Irish,

and

Write a flourishing manifesto, on the part of the

letter.

General Committee,

is

Down

quite stout, which

owing to his being marked by name in the Chancellor's

Agreed that Gog and Mr. Hutton shall wait upon

resolutions.

show him the manifesto, and

Grattan, and

also state to

him the

transactions in the North.

25th.
ford,

find

Drive down to find Grattan

him

at last at Broome's, of

Wexhome

Devereux, of county

accompanying me, Gog being hipped.

Grattan not at

Killmacud, and

settle to call

on

him next day.

27th,

Sunday.

and Hardy

Tinnehinch.

Grattan thinks

it

Read the manifesto

to Grattan

too controversial and recommends

122

JET.

CATHOLIC MANIFESTO.

29.]

moderation

in language,

and firmness

123

The

action.

in

manifesto

taken to pieces, and at least three-fourths struck out

many-

passages supplied by Grattan himself, Mr. Hutton taking them

down from

his dictation

The

Mr. Hutton.

grand juries have spoken

until all the

Hutton

no man bears

criticism half so well as

manifesto, as amended, not to be published

Grattan desires Mr.

out.

to take great pains in incorporating the

may

original matter, so that the joining

new with

the

Con-

not be perceived.

the conduct of the Catholic committee, on the

sultation, as to

Mr. Hutton throws out the idea of the

subject of their petition.

committee adjourning before the meeting of Parliament, which

Hutton had mentioned

spirit

Hutchinson

is

to Col. Hutchinson, who, in the true

it

gallant, but scarcely wise,

when they

1st,

though

The reasons which determine

make the new committeemen

a very clever man.

the question now, are

stout

it

of a soldier, rejected

is

Some months ago Mr.

eagerly adopted by the two members.

It will

find themselves out of danger.

2nd,

When

the

&c, is prepared they can be of more use in the country

than in town as mediums of information to the people. 3rd, It
will remove the Chancellor's imputation of a Popish Congress
petition,

sitting

in

the capital to overawe Parliament, and so put

friends to the cause in the

and of course cripple

their

now

friends

all

that

approaching,

it

is

him

tells

reasonable.

season

that, as the

the wish of himself and his

communication between them and the Catholics

should be through him, Mr. Hutton

personal

All very

adversaries.

Grattan takes Mr. Hutton aside, and

for action is

the

House of Commons on strong ground,

communication,

Government

agitators, inflaming the public

as,

if

they were to hold

would

say

they

were

mind, and that, instead of their

being the organ of the Catholic sentiments, the Catholics were

only instruments in their hands

that the grievances

Catholics would thereby be said not to be

felt,

of

Grattan and his friends, to answer the purposes of a faction

which would
barrass and

entail

all

a kind of responsibility on them, and em-

weaken them much

Mr. Hutton very

the

but suggested by

much

in the operations of

pleased with this

next winter.

and the more, as the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

124

absolutely refused to communicate

party had

predecessor, Burke,

medium than
Gog struck

the matter gently to Gog.

as the devil

says he sees the cause

going to give them up

him

satisfy

Hutton

no such

poor

the long run.

in

operate fairly

must do

but the fact

mind

Little

coute que

which he has plenty, has

not serve

is

Mr.

of mind to co-

Has

himself.

all,

sufficient

a dirty personal jealousy,

own

fame,

is

bottom of

at the

Mr. Hutton will do what

jealous

right,

is

Finds himself more and more necessary to the

cotlte.

Catholics,

paltry

and now Burke, both with

they might interfere with his

break

Argue with him, and

thing.

seem to do

or

all,

appearance of reason

all.

of a heap

first,

Bravo

himself.
all

Gog
All this may
Gog has not strength

worked out McKenna

lest

great

his

desperate, and that Grattan

is

tolerably, but his vanity, of

got a mortal blow

with

and now refuse to communicate with the

Catholics through any other

is

[1792.

which

is

best chance

his

down

against him, he must go

No

for soldiers to complain?

Mr. Hutton advises

Gog

but

Gog

if

like the others

"

'

his

sets

face

Tis but in vain

party will bear a minute inspection.

to keep this arrangement a secret from

Catholics, merely to let him down easy.

Cunning
Mr.
Hutton now established as the medium of communication between

the

How

the Catholics and their friends in Parliament.

remain so

Proud ground

question as but a

one or two of them.

it

however,

I will

2Sth August.

go on

so

The

God send

but

Grattan again.

Repeats

to-night.

The

Czar. 1

He

his desire of

under pecuniary obligations to Gog.

any

rate have

2Qt/i,

30th,

committee.

cautions

me

See that he

The Vintner

Peter Burrowes.

we

shall

doubt

of reform.

communi-

He

sails for

not to lay myself

is

no necessity for money just now.

Nothing but ordinary business
31st.

Burke expected.

Right

for one,

I,

their cause is just, independent

cating with the Catholics through Mr. Hutton only.

England

he

devil a bit, except

says, if they get franchise

they will do for reform.

all

it

Gog

will

Grattan considers the Catholic

means of advancing the general good

But do the Catholics consider

see

long

right,

and

at

at the sub-

quite stout.

THE LAST OF RICHARD BURKE.

JET. 29.]

Dress myself

1st September, 1792.

go to dine
fool for

my

some

wick, or

Suppose they take me

pains.

Burke

Fancy

Agree that Gog

Catholics

go into a

shall

full

he

is

puffing

as a

spy

for

over, trusting to the

have the

will not

thinks

the Catholics with Ministers in

dismissed by

civilly

powers of

spirit to

Gog

Rather think he has been

Dundas.

own weight among

his

England, and finding himself

Burke, a sad

upon these people.

fellow, forcing himself

coming over

angry.

all

exposition with Burke

of the grounds of the displeasure of the Catholics.

impudent

of Bruns-

be mortifying enough.

his reception will

$th.

and

and a great

Duke
Puppy

The

come.

is

as I pass,

this,

for the

foreign officer of distinction.

^rd September.

me

pleased as Punch at

uniform, and

in the Belfast

All the soldiers salute

at Dixon's.

the sentries carry their arms

125

letter,

he

is

come

his effrontery, that the Catholics

maintain their

letter face to face.

They

Fancy

seem exasperated
is beyond
Edmund Burke has Gog's
Sad dog
all I have ever known.
boys now on a visit at Beaconsfield, and writes him a letter in
their praise.
The scheme of this obvious enough. He wants to

he

the wrong.

find himself in

will

against him, and he richly deserves

all

His impudence

it.

enlist

Gog, on behalf of his son, but

Sad

thing clear enough.

2,000 guineas for his son,

money

fool in

matters.

by the

if

he can

The

pitiful artifice of

it

Gog

won't do.

Edmund

Flattering

that sublime or beautiful?

judge,

sad

dirty

Gog

sees the

wants to get another

work

Edmund no

to carry his point.

Is

Catholics will not be had, as

the father, or the

determined impu-

dence of the son.

Gog

6tk.

conge.

has had his interview with Burke, and given him his

Burke

as

mad

as the devil, but can't help himself.

He

Wait on Simon Butler with queries, for

letter signed E. Byrne.
Plump in our
favour.
Wait on Mr. Smith, who declines, and pleads privilege of
Parliament.
Not quite fair. Burston. He reads the queries

deserves

it all

his opinion

gives

and more.

on the circular

a general opinion

in

our favour as to the principle, and

promises to consider the question as to the

to

him and

Butler.

mode

ten guineas

Propose to disperse one hundred copies of the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

126

[1792.

the Common Council, who are to meet on

Agreed to. Meet the Tribune and put him up to
topics and arguments for that occasion.
Find that the Union
Club, of Newry, have printed our answer to an address. Silly
circular letter

Tuesday

enough
Well

among

next.

they should have warned

it is

no worse.

"

'

they meant to

us

publish.

Tis but in vain for soldiers to complain."

Breakfast with the Vintner and ride out with him to

7th.

Burston, about the opinion, which he promises in less than a week.

The Vintner

a very sensible man.

Excellent conversation.

Sub-

Agree that Gog, McDonnell and T. Braughall shall

call on Conolly on Sunday next, and that Mr. Hutton shall go
down to-morrow to county Kildare, to secure Wogan Browne to
introduce them. Dine with Gog. Rambling conversation about a
noble marquis, the Knoxes, &c, change of ministry, &c, &c. Gog
committee.

very obscure, but think

jaunt to see

Knox.

my

friend

Foolish enough, as

the meantime, and

see light through

P. P.,

if it

it

strikes

May

it.

and converse with

my

end

friend

in

George

me, but can do no harm

in

only produces a journey to the North, no

bad thing. The noble general expected in a day or two. Mr.

Hutton sets off to-morrow, being Saturday, September 8th.
8t/i.
County Kildare. Find my little boy grown a fine fellow.

Dine

at Rathcoffy

Wogan Browne

archery

ride late

and sleep

at Clane.
gth,

Drive

Sunday.

in

Browne's carriage to Celbridge, and meet

the Catholic Commissioners to the South

Duke

find

of Leinster

conversation

set off to Carton,

Gog

agree to

very bad and diffuse

T.

on the

call first

Conolly there

much

B. 1 very well

more in three words than all the other

Mr. Hutton almost silent Gog seeming deter-

McDonnell excellent
commissioners

and

says

mined to shine the Duke very friendly, and declares his approbation of the whole of the Catholic proceedings, and more especially
;

of the plan.

Conolly a strange rambling fool

talked for near an

hour, without the least connection, about a Union, the Regency,

Mr. Fox, the Whig Club, the Catholics, a pension

a Union,

Da

capo,

&c, &c, &c.

1

bill,

a place

The Duke took much

[Braughall. Ed.]

bill,

pains to

MT.

THE DUKE OF LEINSTER.

29.]

and keep him right

set

Conolly

has ten times the understanding of

we convinced him

the result was that

nothing violent or

He condemned
own county
ment were

127

that

we intended

and then he declared himself

hostile,

satisfied.

the grand juries extremely, and particularly his

of Derry

told us, as a great discovery, that Govern-

bottom of

at the

Lord help him

all this.

Shocking

an ass should have influence anywhere

to think that such

we may count upon him next

The Duke hollow with us. Bon ! Conolly offers to go

sary to us, however

his

whole fortune on the good behaviour of the Catholics

the

Duke

asks us to dine, also Conolly

thanks, and

go

off to dine at Castle

neces-

think

session.

security
all fair

many

refuse both with

Browne with Rowan, &c.

Rowan a fine fellow, and Wogan Browne just as good.

" The spirit of the French mob to the people of Ireland."

Beau-jour.

Drink

Stout

All very pleasant and well

lolk and

Dublin

12th.

fear

he

will

Rathcoffy

II//?.

the boat

in

sleep at Rathcoffy.

archery
;

eating and drinking.

Captain Tone very

not live through the winter

sorry for

ill

him

(my

uncle),

a gallant

officer.

Ride out with the Vintner to Burston

\2,tk.

plump with us

all

fair

well done, Burston

for his opinion

Sub-committee

agree to publish the opinions in the papers, and also as a circular

Simon Butler asks me

letter.

from Cork

Common

Council of Dublin

to pick a hole or
in the

the

see

two

to dine,

and meet Burke

boobies

them.

in

Please

God we

Butler's

"all fair, as

go away early

of the
will try

Mr. Breslaw

liath it."

man

not

Dinner

at

correct the press in the Hibernian Journal.

Write to Dr. Toole about Capt. Tone

14th.

returns

Vindex has produced an imitator

Northern Star, a Mr. Crito, a good kind of a

equal to the other

Protestant ascendency resolutions

write to Deve-

reux and advise him to have the opinions reprinted, either in the
Wexford paper or in handbills, to distribute previous to the county
meeting.
Meet the Abbe he tells me a friend of his (Lord Raw;

don)

is

expected to-night

morning.

man

settle that

he

The Abbe seems very eager

against false representations.

shall call

to

on

me to-morrow

preoccupy that gentle-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

128

The Abbe

i$tk.

that his

coming

is

calls to tell

me

fixed, but the

[1792.

that his friend has turned back

Damn

time uncertain.

it

Write

a letter to the Corporation of Dublin on their resolutions against

the Catholics, signed a Protestant Freeman.

stupid

Write a

day.

all this

Dull enough

very

from

letter soliciting contributions

Irish Catholics, resident in foreign parts.

i6tk.

Tom Warren

Ride out with

wet to the skin

broach a

proposal to him of a general emigration to America, in case

in

He

our present schemes.

approves of

fail

and thinks we

highly,

it

we

should get Catholics enough to join us, and a vast property.

choice plan

P. P.

and

Whitley Stokes Principal of

Warren and Mr. Hutton get drunk

his brother

a College to be founded, &c.

God bless

talking of their plan.

lytk.

Gog's

out orders,

Gog

man

everybody.

has been dunning

me

for

being out on his mission.

The

rebuke, but do not pay him.

mob have broken open

20,

Give the

devil to

pay

the prisons, and massacred

believe with-

man

in

all

a short

The

Paris.

the prisoners,

Montmorin, the Princess Lamballe, &c, with circumstances of

great barbarity, but robbed no one, and were stopped from break-

Temple by a blue ribbon

ing into the

stretched across the street,

reminding them that their magistrates were responsible

King's safety.
Irish

mob would have

mob

murders, but respects property

Frenchman

for the

Strange mixture of cruelty and sentiment

more manly.

would have stood

plundered, but shed no blood.

;

which

is

best

Our mob, very shabby

as the Parisians did

Sergeant's Guard would drive the

mob

An

Parisian

lean to the

fellows.

Never

on the 10th of August.

of Dublin.

Pay Gog, and resolve to have no more to do with him in

money way. Receive a choice letter from the Colonel (Barry)
in answer to one of mine written some time back.
Hope to bring
the Noble General (Lord Rawdon) round of the very last importi%th.

the

He

ance to Ireland to get him.

one of the greatest men

McDonnell
igth.

Europe.

if

he chooses, as

Dine

in

I think,

be

the country with

pleasant

The Galway

able to bring

in

may,

Bishop, Egan, flinching.

him round.

Hope Gog may be

JET.

LETTER TO " HIBERNIAN JOURNAL."

29.]

send
for

Write an X.

Sick.

20th.

Y.,

Down

abusing the

grand jury, and

to Neilson. Middling. Write a squib against

it

one of the Dublin papers, signed

129

all

the foremen

No Grand Juryman

"

;"

poor

Gog mysteriously on the subject of Lord Rawdon.

God Almighty send we may be able to arrange that business.

enough. Write to

September

Burston angry that his opinion was published,

21st.

and confesses that

is

it

Shabby

Chancellor.

without his knowledge.

name

bring his

because he does not wish to offend the

Agree to publish that

Understand

in question.

this

from the consciousness of some peccadilloes

which he

apprehension arises

way of

in the

trade,

apprehensive the Castle papers will lay hold on, and

is

abuse him.

Little

In great favour with the Vintner on

enough.

God knows why, has been

account of "Vindex," which, he says,

Receive a

the saving of him.

from the Rev. Mr. Fleming,

letter

whom

Vicar to Dr. Plunket, Bishop of Meath,

and admired so much.

To

was inserted

it

The Vintner dreads anything which may

met

at Drogheda,

Plunket doing his business like a man.

send Fleming thirty sheets of parchment, thirty declarations,

sixty plans, and one hundred and eighty opinions, for the counties

Meath and Westmeath.

Ca ira !
those counties.

Bravo

of

Sunday, 2%rd.
deserved.

began to be

Write a second Protestant Freeman.

has turned out better than

it

We

expected, or than in

the better of me,

a pamphlet which

wrote

Very curious

lished.

last winter,

to see

what pains

which are now received as axioms.

apprehend

am

2\th.

Send

sundry

letters,

first

Read over

but which never was pubI

took to prove

Called

at

fifty

things

Moira House

out of favour there for holding democratic prin-

Cannot be helped.

ciples.

The

my own mind
my vanity gets

do not own them, nor will I, unless

own any newspaper thing hereafter.

afraid of

"

Tis but

off the parchments,

in vain," &c.

&c, to Mr. Fleming.

Very fond of

Write

/
had dined. Stayed at home all the evening like a virtuous man.
Wrote a letter for the Hibernian Journal, signed Senex. Choice
good

think

one to

Saucy enough.
vol.

1.

also
Call

P. P.

a squib at the Post

them dunces.
10

"

P. P. after dinner.

Assembly, signed Q.
my Pamphlet, where

Vide

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

/

my

call

adversary Goose"

Abb

This morning introduced to an

Earl of Granard.

aristocrat, the

[1792.

a good fellow, toujours gai

Seems a pleasant man. The

Lord Moira afraid of the

Fancy I am out there, though the Abb will not tell me

However (sings), " 'Tis but in vain for soldiers to complain."

Papists.
so.

That

the six-and-fiftieth time

is

quite fresh yet

wears like steel

have quoted that

learned

it

and

line,

from P.

it

is

P. as well as

sundry other good things.

"

What

tant

Pleased as Punch with Senex and Q.

world say to my paradoxes ? " The Protes-

will the learned

Freeman

in to-day's paper,

but

of a letter from Devereux, and send

Determine to

my

it

in

it.

to the Hibernian Journal.

to-morrow and see the Translator.

set off

Cruel

consequence
Sleep

in

clothes at an inn near the canal, to be off early.

26th, 27th, 28I/1.

spirits,

At

London, as an author,

for

and

as possible,

his

Translator in very bad

Advise him to send

and try

his fortune for a

which

seems to approve of the

resolution

The

Ballybrittas.

and with great reason.

to a boarding school,

He

hear nobody praise

Write an account of the Wexford meeting

2$tA.

his daughters

few months

in

think him very well qualified.

bad a

situation

temper badly adapted to recover them.

Wants

and energy

much

too

His

plan.

affairs in as

of the milk of

human

kindness.

Poor fellow
Dublin.

29//^

Gog

Journal I

well in Munster.

Pretty good

None

of

my

Go

late

compositions in the Hibernian

to Mt.

Jerome

Write resolutions

for the

returned.

and breakfast.

All

Limerick Catholics.

have brought on the Catholics to complain of being

taxed without being represented, and bound by laws to which they

do not consent a great stride ! Gog's mode of considering the

question a good one.
His way of putting it is, that for want of
;

the protection of the elective franchise, the poorer Catholics are

turned out of their

make room

little

farms, at the expiration of their leases, to

for Protestant freeholders,

who can

assist their land-

good mode, but makes the question a

mere matter of convenience. My mode puts it on the broad basis
of right lucky that both are very compatible, and strongly suplords

by

their votes.

[Keogh's residence.

Ed.]

^ET.

AN INGENIOUS PLAN.

29.]

port each other.

about an expiratioti to Dungannon.

that

Much

In high favour with Gog.

Gog's plan

conversation
as follows

is

should go to George Knox, and suggest to him, that

if

Lord Abercorn would take up the cause of the Catholics, and

assume the Lieutenancy of Ireland, he might make terms with
Lord Shannon and his friends, and, if possible, with the Ponsonbys,
keeping the negotiation
party.

That the

make them
ment

a profound

from the Beresford

secret

such a situation as must

affairs of Ireland are in

a considerable object of anxiety to the British Govern-

our present

that

administration,

and particularly

gibbon, are making things worse by their violence

fore the English Minister will naturally fall in with the

measures which

may

will

keep

this

That the Beresford party are

weight personally, but are sup-

little

ported by the patronage of Government, which,

would

removed, they

if

once with the unanimous consent of the nation.

at

fall

men and
we

country quiet, and, consequently,

reckon on his concurrence.

very odious here and have

Fitz-

that there-

That Lord Abercorn should, having previously made his terms, by

direct bribery, with Lord Shannon, and being also sure of the
support of the whole of the Catholics, and at least a part of the
Protestants, propose to the Beresford party to grant the elective
franchise,

&c, to the Catholics, which they would,

certainty, refuse to

do

that he should then at once turn out the

whole party, which would sink

and having

little

directly,

personal weight, and

hands

at once,

being odious to the nation,

it

new

that, as

to

Lord Aber-

would make him the most popular Lord Lieutenant that

ever was in Ireland, and secure

that, as to the

arrive at
will

their places with

that this vast patronage

would enable hfm to make such

terms as would carry everything easily

corn,

up

fill

men, Lord Shannon, the Knoxes, &c.

falling into his

to a moral

Knoxes,

it

him the strongest government

for them to

would make a short cut

power and honours, which, on the present system, they

but slowly,

if

ever, arrive

at

that

the

mode

itself is

an

honourable one, being the granting, or rather restoring, their just

Such

rights to three

millions of people, &c.

Gog's system,

which he seems very sanguine.

in

is

the outline of

What do

think

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

132

of

go to Dungannon,

If I

it ?

George Knox

as strongly to

sorry to succeed.

my

I feel

power to procure

me

appears to

[1792.

certainly put

I will

as fairly and

it

as I can, but I confess

myself bound

should be

duty to do everything

in

liberty to the Catholics of Ireland

a bad scheme.

In the

place,

first

it

and

indefinite time,

is

so far at once knocking up

all

but this
at

is

giving up the question of reform, or at least postponing

that

in

it

once

an

for

we have

done, for this last twelvemonth, towards effecting an union between

Not

the Dissenters and the Catholics.

would have any right to complain,

that

Catholics are not to renounce

that one town.

body of the

In the next place,

Government

At present

come.
tions,

at

actually,

by,

is

it

is,

would strengthen the hands of

country for a considerable time to

in this

(1792) England, except in commercial regula-

defiance,

by

on the contrary, administration rather holds

and, in

the

present

Catholic

bullying, prevented their interference

a circumstance in favour of Gog's plan

example of the great change intended, future

would be more shy of opposing, much
the English Minister.
gratitude,

less of

In the third place,

it

question,
;

has

which, by the

whereas, with the

Irish administrations

attempting to bully,

would

naturally,

from

throw the whole Catholic interest into the support of a

Government
ably

by the

but the fact

where she buys us with our own money, has not a great deal

of influence here

them

separate measures for the sake of

all

believe if they were properly supported

Dissenters, they would keep faith

they are not.

the English

to

which they would owe so much, and,

satisfied, that

the crown, as

truly the oligarchy, has already

our system

which power

exercise for any

likely, at least for

to

think the former

support of Catholic emancipation, save only in Belfast ; and the

in

in

they have not come forward

for

it

much

is

improperly

am

said,

unalter-

but more

too great a portion of power

have never hitherto known them to

good purpose, and which they would be less

a considerable time (if my judgment be right),

use for that end, inasmuch as

conceive English influence

would be considerably increased. These objections occur to me

on the moment, but I must consider the question much more
maturely.

One

conversation with

Knox

will

do more than twenty

PRO AND

JET. 29.]

Admitting

soliloquies.

ticable, query, is

all

my

CON.

i33

objections, if the

scheme be prac-

not the emancipating three millions of Catholics a

great accession of strength, and even of liberty, to Ireland

and

though the immediate consequence would be an improper

besides,

increase of strength to a vile Government, yet this could not con-

The

any great length of time.

tinue for

Catholics having enjoyed

a qualified degree of freedom for a few years, would come to think

and especially from the information which would

naturally accompany the prosperity consequent on their emancipation.
Gratitude soon wears out, and when they were more

like other people,

advanced

in prosperity,

they would, besides being more capable of

Government much more

judging, actually feel the evils of a bad

which looks

like a

paradox, but

is

very

Mr. E. Byrne,

true.

besides being a better judge, actually feels the extended mischief

much more than one

of our vile system

What

idea.

carry

to be

is

"6 times

done on the whole?

how are we ruined?"

7,

of his porters.

12

Apply

this

and

is 72,

believe if the Catholics were

emancipated, no matter on what compact with Government, in a

little

At any rate they

children by such compact {vide Thomas Paine).
mazes, and perplexed with errors."
I abhor all

time they would become like other people.

cannot bind their

" I

am puzzled

in

a bad Government

capitulating with

if

it

could

be

helped.

Natural enough that the Catholics should seek for and be glad to
accept of liberty from any quarter.
in

Oh,

why

Then, indeed, something might be done.

equality

ber

are not those fellows

the North sufficiently enlightened to join

The

when

Catholics would,

Leinster was included

He

good

stipulating for

good way

them

off,

is

learn.

What

if

us

and
remem-

liberty,

yet

thought they were incurable Tories, and that

Live and

to a

Reform,

think, join

eighteen months since.

enemy

heartily with

the

is

not

Duke

a friend to the Catholics,

of

and no

Suppose Grattan and Forbes secured by

bills ?
Reform seems a
this would be gaining ground in the mean-

place.

one or two of their popular

and

all

would be making something like a people of which something might be made. If these men come in, we should have a
time.

It

tolerably honest,

believe, but certainly a

very strong Government.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

134

What would become

am

lost in sensations

all this ?

Is

it

[1792.

of Mr. Hutton in that case? and P. P.

What

of troubled emotions?

castle-building or not

"/

Knox say to
am to-night,

will

fine fellow I

not worth a groat, and planning the subversion of Ministers.

Lord

Oh, Lord

will

loth September, Sunday.

October

1,

" 'Tis

go to bed.

but in vain" &c, &c.

Blank.

This day eighteen counties have completed the

1792.

return of their delegates to the General Committee,

are in progress, besides
tions of the

All that
written

is

by

Oh,

all

the great towns.

Roscommon and
good

in

that able

and nine more

Correct the resolu-

Middling enough.

Leitrim Catholics.

them, borrowed from the Sligo resolutions,

and steady

friend to the interests of Ireland,

Mr. John Hutton.

Dine with Gog. Talk over the plan of my Dungannon

Find I have reported his ideas faithfully in my Gurnal

2nd.

expiration.

of the 29th

ult.

Write a long

letter to

important information on Catholic

approves thereof.

read

Lord Rawdon

I fear, after all,

sense to see what a great

Colonel Barry,

affairs

game he might play

rather dangle at the tail of an

walk home elevated with

Call at Moira House,

$rd.

Introduced to

received.

letter to Col. Barry.

the

Duke
he

Keep on
4t/i.

will infallibly

his flanks,

and see everybody.

think, he

Most graciously

takes charge of

my

Frivolous

Hear

Fine doings twice running.

in pieces.

Hope

be beaten.

Never

and harass

Sick as a dog.

Has had

bless everybody

Lady Granard, who

would

that

of Brunswick has defeated the French under Dumourier,

and cut the whole army

fights,

God

who

with Gog, and

Dinner, and a great deal of wine.

Generally drunk.

day.

liquor.

He

here.

Mug

with

not have the

will

English party, when,

might be everything but King of Ireland.

filled

to Gog,

it

it is

his convoys,

Rode out

to

fight

Gog.

lie.

If

Dumourier

an invading enemy.

&c, &c.
"

Smoke

the rhyme."

a letter from Myles Keon, requiring somebody of the

committee to go to Ballinasloe to meet the Catholic gentry of

Mayo and Galway. Denis Browne 1 playing tricks in the former
county.
1

Recommends

[A member of the

the Catholic claims.

Irish

Ed.]

a separate petition, and condemns the plan.

House of Commons, and a moderate supporter of

mt.

He

DENIS BROWNE.

29.]

is

damned kind

Catholics, that he

Castle.

The

do.

might make a

Member

To

whither.

return to

Agreed

Mayo.

and Randal McDonnell,

if

won't

it

man who was

They have

of Parliament.

Wonderful improvement

Burke has disappeared these some days, and

shall go,

But

Last winter they used to

speaking contemptuously of him, a

for

that now.

all

sale of 3,000,000 of clients at the

smoke him.

Catholics here

brother to a Lord, and a

over

he could, to act the patron to the

if

blockhead, without parts or principles!

me

stare at

Wishes,

i35

is

gone no one knows

Tom Warren

that

we can

got

in their sentiments.

and

get him, to Ballinasloe

to-morrow, to convert the Catholic gentry of that county and of

Gog

Galway.

we

matter,

is

wet

afraid of

Call on McDonnell, but

This jaunt knocks up one

find him.

to Rathcoffy, where there

invited Mrs.

Tone and me

had planned

for

" 'Tis

but in vain," &c.

Saturday
has

public busiSettle with

"

town to-morrow at twelve.

This is the first time
Hutton has been trusted on a separate negotiation." How

to leave

that Mr.

he acquit himself?

will

No

meet Simon Butler and other Sans

to

ness must take place of pleasure and vain delight.

Warren

do not

Rowan

are to be great doings.

Cannot be helped.

Culottes.

Is that the real truth

sheets.

go without him.

will

praising Mr.

Hutton

Gog

has had a letter from the Jacobin,

to the skies.

Thereby hangs a

between the Jacobin and Mr. Hutton, to raise the

in the eyes of the Catholics.

Poor Gog

latter

A plot

gentleman

All fair.
Lord Aber-

the snare.

falls in

Tea with Hamilton Rowan, who shows me a

tale.

letter to

corn, containing three-fourths of the plan as detailed in this Gurnal.

Very odd

that

munication.

God

in

$th.

for

N.B.

who

is

to Ballinasloe, being detained

just ready to lie in.

Louth.

Ballinasloe.

For

Hope

lie.

Down and

go to

should coincide so exactly without com-

confirmation of the defeat of Dumourier.

Very sick
a
Tom Warren cannot go

it is

his wife,

Gog and he

No

Must

All

Tom

Braughall,

go.

Well, load

fair
all

by

Write resolutions

of a sudden, offers to

my

pistols,

and pack

up.

the miraculous events in that journey, see book

wherein they are fully detailed, being "moving accidents by flood

and field ; how we were taken by the insolent foe, a?id sold to
slavery,

and our redemption

thence" &c, &c.

!!

CHAPTER
VISIT TO

VII.

CONNAUGHT.

Journal of the proceedings of Mr. John Hutton, in his peregrination

to convert the natives of Connaught, and more especially of Gal-

way and Mayo,

October

5,

to the true political faith.

Left Dublin at eight in the evening in

Friday, 1792.

a post-chaise, with Mr. Braughall,

commonly

called in this journal

Loaded with good advice by Gog in the morning, who has

given me a broad hint to puff him in Connaught. An adventure
Stopped by three foot-pads near the park gate, who threaten to

T. B.

exterminate the post-boy

also

if

he attempts to move

T. B. valiant,

Mr. Hutton uses menacing language to the said

Mr. Hutton.

foot-pads, and orders the post-boy, in an imperious tone of voice,

to drive on.

The

Voleurs, after about three minutes' consideration,

give up the point, and the carriage prdceeds.

sisted,

we should have

Hutton
foot

in a fuss

very odd

shot

Mr.

in a quarter of

an hour after than during

generally stout, and would have fought, but had

rather let

alone

The

had per-

but his fear always comes on after the danger ;

the dialogue

seemed to be

If they

of them, being well armed.

emotion was to jump out and combat on

his first

much more embarrassed

it

some

glad

soldiers.

chaise breaks

we

did not

kill

any of the

Drive on to Kinnegad

down

at three in the

villains,

who

another adventure

morning

out in the mud, and hold up the chaise with

my

obliged to get

body, whilst the

all grease and puddle

melancholy
boy puts on the wheel
Arrive at Kinnegad at past four bad hours
6th.
Set off at eight sick for want of sleep meet Dr. French,
Catholic bishop of Elphin, at Athlone seems a spirited fellow, and
;

136

;;

MT.

BALLINASLOE.

29.]

much

T. B. no great things in a post-chaise

the gentleman.

arrive late at Ballinasloe,

Mr. Larking, the parish

and get beds with great

Mr. Hutton

wine poisonous

falls

civil

asleep in company.

bed execrable generally badly

Meet

difficulty.

a sad, vulgar booby, but very

priest,

to the best of his knowledge.

Victuals bad

137

off

wish the gentleman over

fall

asleep in spite of ten thousand noises

my

head would leave off the bagpipes, and the gentlemen who are

drinking in the next room would leave off singing, and the two

gentlemen who are

in

snoring

All quiet at

yth,

sad, sad.

gentlemen,

Mayo

the

to

in the closet

last,

would leave

and be hanged

off

Find Mr. Larking has been so diligent that he has

Sunday.

got nobody

bed together

meet us

whom

dunce

Send out ourselves

who engage

T. B. knows, and

one or two

for

some of

to get us

Breakfast

people, after twelve o'clock prayers.

the

waiter brings us beefsteaks, fried with a great quantity of onions

nice feeding, but not to

Catholics;

how

will

it

my

Asked

taste.

"Tit

turn out?

but in vain"

sundry

to dine with
Sec.

Walk

out and meet Mr. Peter Lynch, and find him cool, or rather adverse.

Denis Browne has been tampering with him

Mayo

He

and convert him.

cool also

engages to get a meeting of the

gentry to-morrow at three o'clock. Bon

General O'Donnel

politics. James Plunket

bravo
He engages
go among the Mayo people this evening, and bring them to-

he knows nothing of
to

he seems disin-

Meet Mr. Patrick Lynch,

clined to give us a meeting.

talk with him,

morrow

he also engages to convert Peter Lynch, who,

it

seems,

man amongst the Catholics. He says the parochial

of Mayo are already chosen. Dinner with the Catholics
a great

ten thousand devils

Dismal

a crib about five feet square

Breakfast,

8tk.

Dreary

damn

Go and

onions.

see the fair

great

The

greatest cattle fair in Europe, except one in

tells

me.

Glad that

have seen

the whole, disappointed, as every

gantly.

smart

it

electors
;

dull as

at nine o'clock, in

these bagpipes.

more beefsteak and

Fragrant and pretty.

Bed

is

Go

gentle gales.

show of bullocks.
Hungary, as T. B.

as matter of curiosity, but,

man

will

on
be who expects extrava-

About 70,000 sheep sold. This is a thin fair of cattle, but

James Plunket seems to have found the Mayonians

prices.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i38

slack

cannot be helped

" 'tis

[1792.

Go

but in vain" &c.

at three to

meet the gentlemen of Galway and Mayo find a very respectable

number assembled. Sir Thomas French takes the chair a fine
young fellow, and of consequence among the Catholics de son
pays. Bon ! Braughall makes a very long, rambling, diffuse, bad
;

statement of the proceedings of the General Committee, and of the

not much
Followed by Mr. Hutton
That gentleman no great orator at a set speech, though

objects of our mission.

better.

he converses well enough.

What

the reason

is

not only modest, but sheepish, which

fact,

had probably better

education, and,

talents,

beyond

all

However,

it

practice

passed, but

No

able gentleman.

Because he

more knowledge of the

Gog,

satisfied that truly

continual

rid of that vicious

modesty,

gentleman.

Sir

rambling

digressive,

in his

all

to nothing, which

Thomas French

is

subject

much study and

speaking without

must try and mend, and get

Mr. Hutton

in

he made but a poor exhibi-

all,

by no means

which obscures the great splendour and brilliancy of

talents.

is,

Mr. Hutton

a shame.

and, to a moral certainty, better

question,

than any of his hearers, yet, after

tion.

is

style,

his natural

would have beat

a great shame to the latter

states

two objections, one

to that

part of the circular letter which states that Lord Fingal approves

the plan, inasmuch as he has been well assured, on good authority

(the Bellews (Rascals)

and Donellan of Bally Donellan, as we supfrom misconception,

pose), that such assertion arises

wilful

misstatement

if

not from

the other, that the committee had assumed to

new system, a power of expelling such members

as might prove refractory. These objections, stated by Sir Thomas
French with great perspicuity and candour, we replied to, the first
by stating the facts as they are by mentioning the admission of

themselves, in the

William Bellew before

all

the bishops on the

nth

of September

last
by the letters of MM. Keon, Hay, and Devereux and, finally,
by the testimony of Mr. James Plunket, then present, all supporting the veracity of the General Committee in their statement, and,
of course, discrediting the accusations thrown out by the Bellew
party against us. To the second point we show, by reference to
the plan, that the Committee has no such power of expulsion, but
;

A SATISFACTORY MEETING.

29.]

power of revoking

that the constituents have a

Sir

Thomas and

all

*39
their delegation.

the gentlemen satisfied on both points, and fix

upon Saturday, the 20th next, and Glentane for the time and place
of choosing their delegates, of which Sir T. French will now be
one, a great point gained.

No Mayo men

present, but Mr.

James

Mr. Patrick Lynch, who engaged to meet

Lynch, of Cullen.

us,

stays away, out of complaisance to his kinsman, Mr. Peter Lynch,

who

whom

and from

rich,

is

We

he has expectations.

apply to

Mr. James Lynch, who tells us the races at Castlebar begin on

Saturday next, where all the Catholic gentry of Mayo will meet,

and he has no doubt will elect delegates. He seems very indignant

at the idea of Mr. Denis Browne, or Mr. Peter Lynch, or any one
man directing the whole county. A good spirit which we endeavour
to aggravate.

The meeting breaks

up,

parties well pleased.

all

Galway is now finally settled, and Mayo in a fair way. They are
the two great Catholic counties in Ireland, and the cream and

They have

flower of the Catholic gentry.

been, hitherto, rather

adverse to the General Committee, from the bad spirit of

disunion

but

we

trust

Galway, and are pretty

Ca

Chesterfield's Letters,

Madame De

kicking him

in

and read

he advises his son to

been married a year and

his blood, the rascal

do not pretend to more

crib,

wish

was

virtue than other people,

read this infamous letter I thought the character of Valmont,

was a monstrous fiction, but I see now

Lord Chesterfield had the inclination, though perhaps not the
liaisons dangereuses,

talent, to

P. P.,

be as great a scoundrel.

and perhaps of

read these

and

Damn

my

great resource against

have no notion of such cold-blooded villainy on deliberation.

Les

that

my

Blot, because she has

loves her husband.

Till

Retire early to

which has been

His lordship a damned scoundrel

ennui.

attack

but

we have now fairly beat the Castle out of

confident we have done the same in Mayo.

Dinner very bad.

ira.

aris-

done the cause so much mischief by producing

tocracy, which has

it is

my

memorandums.

time for

his principles.

me
will

All this

is

for the edification of

son, if he ever lives to be old

He

is

now about

enough

to

a twelvemonth old,

to begin to think of forming his

mind and

never advise him to debauch his friend's

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

140

only because she

wife,

base

my

I lose

is

temper at

mention

Base

such a fool as to love her husband.

precious

paternal

advice

particularly, because the fact

it

natural that one would wish

could not be

it

true.

It is

com-

is

so un-

is

something

Sykes and Mrs. Parslow, another scoundrel.

like the case of

have preached enough, and

will

It is the thirtieth of the letters,

it.

second volume, wherein this

municated.

[1792.

go to

Indeed

sleep.

preached more than enough, but what can

do better

have

in

this

vile inn ?

James Plunket

gth.

will

go to the meeting

and

at Castlebar,

take Lord Dillon in his way, with a view of converting his lord-

by exposing the game which Denis Browne is playing,

endeavouring to become the Padrone of the Mayo Catholics, and
ship,

establish

thereby a strong interest in the county, which might

enable him hereafter to hold Lord Dillon at defiance.

but

wears a face

it

from Mayo.

different people

window
will

bill

Galway.

will attend the races

two

world come to

A guinea
Oh

nights.

official to

for

Lord

It

is,

All will not do.

//

brings

damned

and eight Galway bucks.

us none

from

No

civil,

and hope sincerely

Well

letters

from

Dublin to change
this

five

in fair time.

Dinner with James Plunket

place.

All

but intolerably

capping, wagers, horse-racing, swapping.

before,

What

faut payer.

Mr. Hutton extremely sick of Ballinasloe

to be sure, a

without
!

Oh, Miss Culahaun, Miss Culahaun,

our present intentions, we shall set off for Athlone at

evening.

the sub-

my crib,
Oh Lord

'Tis but in vain for soldiers to complain"

If this mail

have returns

shall

T. B. writes a hundred letters to

monstrous

your conscience

is

(sings),

Plunket

Mr. Hutton not one, save one

or fireplace, for

this

where

rate,

doubt but that we

little

la bonne heure

Our

committee.

At any

and has very

closely,

Capot me,

never

dull.

Handi-

Never saw such a scene

may

again.

No

chaise for

Dublin.
\oth.

No

chaise yet.

Our

conscientious landlady, Miss Cula-

haun, asks twelve shillings for a buggy to Athlone.

flint

Fear we must take

it

after

all,

Jew

skin-

but determine to wait

till

Walk about

the

twelve o'clock, and try for a place in the mail.

HOME

JET. 29.]

town as a crutch to poor T.

of T. B. to^read
in

the

and

all

same way.

set

morning.

off.

No

B.,

manner of

The

AGAIN.
who

is

handbills.

141

lame.

mail arrives empty.

adventures.

Strange curiosity

Mr. Hutton something

Take our

places

Arrive in Dublin at nine in the

CHAPTER

VIII.

PREPARING FOR THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION.

n,

The

Dumourier a great lie. Huzza!

army dying of the flux and running
Huzza
If the
out of France, with Dumourier pursuing him.
French had been beaten, it was all over with us. All safe now
Huzza
for this campaign.
Nothing done. More good news from France.
I2lh, i$tk.
Custine has taken 3,000 Germans and Spires huzza.
much better than
14^. Dine with Magog a good fellow
Gog. Gog a Papist. " Wine does wonders." Propose to revive
Volunteers in this city. Magog thinks we may have 1,000 CathoAgreed that he shall begin to
lics by the 17th March next.
October

huzza

1792.

Brunswick and

story of

his

canvass for recruits immediately, and continue through the winter.

If

he succeeds, he

will resign his office of

Secretary to the Catholic

Committee, and commence a mere Volunteer.

looks well.

Satisfied that volunteering will

salvation of Ireland.

Bravo

All this

be once more the

good thing to have 1,500 men

Green uniforms, &c.

Choice letters from Connaught.
i$th.

in Dublin.

All well there.

Galway

and Mayo secure. A letter from P. P. He is envious of the

Dumourier, and determined to go to France, and outdo
Wants my advice, as he has made up
that illustrious Democrat.
laurels of

and also to know if I can do anything by way of

P. P. a gallant fellow, and quite right.
letters of recommendation.
If Mr. Hutton were a single man, he would go and supersede
To try Kirwan for a letter to Condorcet also
Kellerman.
his

mind

Wogan

Browne, Hamilton Rowan, and Ed. Byrne, the Vintner,

for letters to Paris.

Poor

P.

P.

142

fine fellow.

"

/ have drank

sr.

ADDIS EMMET.

29.]

me

medicines ; the rogue hath given

Sorry

spirit.

Writes the best stuff of any

P.,

make me

Read

Sub-Committee.

15///.

man

All his

in the world.

the grand juries.

reply to

the

Agreed

alterations suggested.

to call an aggregate meeting

of the Catholics of Dublin, proposed and pressed by Gog,

wants to shine.

All

fair

All say

sub-committee.

the

Emmet

Emmet,

deserves their admiration.

introduced

and

to him,

the best of

who

Gog's vanity

serve the cause.

It will

sometimes, as in the present instance, of use.

to

love

good.

letters

Many

P.

medicines to

but entirely approve his plan, and his

him."

for

i43

he

richly

the friends

all

Worth

to Catholic emancipation, always excepting Mr. Hutton.

two of Stokes, and ten of Burrowes, and an hundred of Drennan.

Dinner

M'Daniel's, the

at

Sundry good

Irishmen.

printer.

choice

set,

God

Mr. Hutton gris.

toasts.

United

all

bless

everybody.
Dr. Bellew, Catholic bishop of Killala, wants subscrip-

16th.

seminary

tions to found a Catholic

suggests that

educate

all

it

in

would be advisable

extend the plan, and

the Catholic clergy at home, an object which has long

No

been a favourite with that gentleman.

Protestants would

purpose

Mr. Hutton

Connaught.
to

subscribe

so wise and

for

the university, United Irishmen,

&c

doubt but many

so benevolent

Agreed that T.

Braughall and Mr. Hutton shall wait on Kirwan, the philosopher,

to talk over this plan.

execute
scale.

this

itself

good system were devised,

If a

Gog and Mr. Hutton have been

kind already in their

last

seen in the journal of it

be adverse

would

it

that of the Catholic bishops a poor one, on a pitiful

talking over something of

expedition to the North

Gog

as

may

be

then afraid that the clergy would

Mr. Hutton of opinion that the breaking up of the

seminaries in France would oblige

them

to consent,

that light, as in ten thousand others, the Revolution

service to Ireland.

Gog

shied

Catholic bishops and priests

out of policy, but there

Magog and Warren have

is

it

and that

was of

little

infinite

has a sneaking kindness for

pretends to Mr. Hutton that

a

superstition at

it is

all

the bottom.

not a grain of this nonsense.

in

This

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

44

[1792.

business appears to me of infinite importance, for a

thousand reasons, which I shall detail hereafter. Hope we may-

education

make

get Kirwan to
letter

whether they

He

His impudence

commits a rape upon

beyond what

is

He

imagined, and his vanity greater.

strange

be agent to the Catholics,

will

or not, and absolutely

will

the committee.

a sketch of the proposed plan.

from Burke, at Cork.

could have

has the modesty to say

that the existence of Ireland depends on his enjoying the confidence

many

of the Catholics, and

The
is

and angry

Catholics, astonished

Gog

lence, resolved that

other sallies equally extraordinary.

at all this persevering inso-

shall write to him,

not the agent of the Catholics, and that,

committee

and
if

will publish to that effect in the papers.

again expressing

my

summate beyond

him

tell

he desires
I

belief.

He

will

not

desist

it,

the

cannot help

admiration of his effrontery, which

all

that he

until

is

con-

he

will

compel the committee absolutely to advertise him, with a "warning

He is, to be sure, a sad dog.
that no one shall trust him, as," &c.

Vide this journal of August 3rd,

18th.

no talk

5th, and 6th.

Spend the evening with Kirwan. Very pleasant, but
Hear that DD. Troy and Reilly,
of our education plan.

the Catholic archbishop of Dublin and Catholic primate, refuse to

concur in a general system

Nothing done.

20th.

Introduced to Captain

reads his
of,

Damn them

igth.

Sweetman, of Wexford.
He
speech to the sub-committee
unanimously approved
;

and requested

to be printed.

ever heard, and

harangues

English.

Sweetman has been a

filled

Brigade, Walsh's regiment, and

in

one of the best popular

It is

with choice animosity against the

Catholic,

and served

now a

Protestant,

in

the Irish

and captain
and freeholder of county Wexford. Has

in the British service,

been

ignorant bigots.

is

America, the East Indies,

Sec.

Dine with the Vintner, and a large company.

21st, Sunday.
Extremely pleasant. The Vintner hates this Government most
His daughters pleasant women. Mrs. Atkinson there.
cordially.
Mr. Hutton a puppy!
egregious

coxcomb

Stays

interesting,
late.

&c.

Mr. Hutton an

JET.

CONSULTATION WITH GEORGE KNOX.

29.]

and

come

heir

to town.

early.

At work with Emmet, on

2$rd.

Gog

My son

Dined with McDonnell.

22nd.

Home

145

the reply to the grand juries.

sick these three or four days,

with this Catholic and that Catholic

Nothing but dine

set.

Had

ship he

came

of pities

in

Stokes returned

a narrow escape of being drowned, the

being wrecked on the northern coast.

had been

if it

hearts that

Mr. Hutton

very idle work.

meditates leaving off the use of wine altogether.

from Scotland.

Dine

and no business done.

with Sweetman at the Green, and a long

million

Stokes one of the best heads and

so.

whom

know, and a man

regard as

much

any

as

other living.

Two

them very bad,

reflecting on the French.
This Lynch's nonsense. Cannot he
Breakfast with George
let the French alone, and be damned ?
Knox. Very long conversation on the subject of our proposal
for a new ministry {vide this journal of September 27th).
Knox
See the Galway resolutions.

2%th.

of

seems a good deal struck with the proposition.

Gog

Enters into

Finally settled that Mr. Hutton shall

the articles minutely.

Knox,

that he has conversed with

all
tell

Knox, cannot

that he,

immediately say anything definite on a subject of such magnitude,

but

in

Gog nor

the meantime

communicating the idea

in

his party shall lose nothing

Dine with

to him.

my

the evening in complete armour to Gog, and

my

of

Insists

conversation

on

my

calling

despatch Lord

to

on

Gog

Knox.

with

Knox

in the

Abercorn to

Pitt.

To which Gog
disgusted

it

may

submits.

and
are

tells
all

vol.

laity to

morning, and sending him

Foolish enough

of Gog.

Mr. Hutton shies the

Gog

"'Tis but in vain" &c.

has been

endow

it,

The bishop wants

to get

and to exclude them from

Damned

kind

Gog

revolts

like

money

all

share

a fury,

Mr. Hutton he begins to see they (the Catholic bishops)

scoundrels.
1.

result

with Dr. Bellew, Catholic bishop of Killala, on the

the management.

in

him the

by
out

be submitted entirely to his discretion

subject of a national college.

from the

tell

Walk

extravagantly delighted.

Proposes to obtain an audience of Knox.

same, and desires

father.

All fair.

Two
II

or three things like this

may

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

146

Gog

cure

of

deacons {vide

his

sneaking kindness for bishops,

King's (God bless him

the

is

priests,

and

Sleep at Gog's.

this journal of 17th inst).

This

2$th.

[1792.

How

accession.

!)

many more accessions shall we have ? Breakfast with George

Knox. Walk round the Green and talk over our scheme. Knox
appears to think seriously of
success thereof

it,

but says, as the truth

very uncertain, as depending on so

is

is,

that the

many

events,

any one of which failing would destroy the whole. Mr. Hutton
presses all the arguments again, and dwells particularly on the
strength of the Government, which would be formed in such event,
viz., Lord Shannon and the Ponsonbys purchased by dint of

The Duke of
cum suis.

money.
to

come

who might be

their

would,

presumed, be glad

it is

men

secured by agreeing to two or three popular

bills,

bills,

&c, which would give

Mat

to adminis-

without depriving them of any degree of essential power.

this

(In

who

Grattan, and the two or three honest

as the place, pension

tration,

Leinster,

in,

assertion

own

Knox

to

family interest, and the natural influence of the Castle,

would form a very powerful Government.

opposition

This, added

completely concurs.)

The

Beresfords,

&c, who,

in

What would

be the

losing

offices,

their

would lose everything, for they are most odious to the people,

and have no natural weight

Who
of

would

listen to

Government

tolerated, if

and,

and the bigoted Protestant

Marcus Beresford talking of the corruption

Absurd

The new

administration

would be

not supported, by the North, for the sake of Grattan,

coming

in

on popular grounds, and with two or three

which are favourites, though,

might be puffed so as to

we should have them

in fact,

satisfy

to a

me

them

man on

they signify nothing.

;

Knox

Abercorn.

That shows he has taken

tells

broached to him yesterday.

and as

bills

This

for the Catholics,

the ground of the elective

franchise.

he has written to the Marquis of

He

it

up, for

refuses to see

the footing of his interest.

Absurd

it

was

only

Gog, and asks,

Gog damned
me to press
Knox ambitious

Could Gog expect that he would open himself to him ?

Always teases
vain and absurd on some points.

Knox on

squire-

Ridiculous to talk of such an opposition

archy of Ireland.

JET.

CATHOLIC DISCONTENT.

29.]

147

and proud, but not interested, as Ijudge. What will all this come
Mr. Hutton is decidedly of opinion that the Government of
Ireland must either alter their whole system, or be subverted by

to ?

force, of

The

which God knows the event.

Catholics

totally changed,

and so thoroughly roused, &c.

agree that there

is

and that

arise,

forming a gradual mass of

this

may

out,

discontent

by the gross petulance and

This

here.

is

no short day, break

content, which will, at

accelerated

he

no immediate danger of violence on the part

of the people, but that there

a war should

are so

Knox and

dis-

and especially

indiscretion of

if

and

inflamed

is

Government
by such

probably be discussed without breaking,

an arrangement as we meditate.

Sub-committee.

Emmet

reads

an address, as from the Catholics of Dublin, in reply to that of the

Corporation. Very good. This turns the scale in favour of the
meeting of the Catholics, and

Gog

opportunity of making a speech.

now be

Hurry durry

Write an opinion

(See Venice Preserved?)

Down,

will
"

gratified with
!

Nicky nacky

for the

as from the sub-committee, exhorting

them

an
"
!

Catholics of
to thank the

people of Belfast, &c.

261/1.

Denis Browne has been playing the rascal

Mayo.

in

Procured a meeting on the 16th, and knocked up our plan by

securing the measure of a separate petition

Damn him

Yet he

from that county.

The

talks of his love for the cause, &c.

More and more losing

of Lords and Members of Parliament.

Catholics here in a horrible rage.

respect for the brothers

Randal McDonnell has had a

2yth.

Mayo

of the

we may

possible that

letter

Catholics at the late meeting,

their

from the Secretary

by which

it

yet have delegates from that county.

appears

Write

a letter from the sub-committee, exhorting them to that measure.

Good

letter

settle

everything for the aggregate meeting of the Catholics of

Dublin.

Meet the parochial delegates

Mr. Hutton reads the Citizen

in the evening,

Emmet's

meets the unanimous approbation of the meeting.

It is

and

paper, which

No wonder

a most excellent paper, and better than Mr. Hutton's in-

tended reply to the grand

very best strokes in

my

The dog has taken some of the

tragedy, and put them into his own comedy."
juries.

"

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

148
28th.

[1792.

The town has been filled these three or four days with
some seditious paper said to be circulated among the
of the garrison.
I do not believe it.
One officer, Colonel

reports of
soldiers

of the Royal Irish Artillery,

said to have been so wise as to

is

draw up the regiment on the parade, and harangue them, exhorting them to obedience, and warning them against " The
Rights of Man," &c. Dunce
Blockhead
Could not take a
!

readier

way

guard.

Another report

to create the mischief against which he wished to

are to be ordered to

hope

is,

that the artillery and

all

the cavalry

England and replaced by English troops. I

These reports, however, show the agitation

this is a lie too.

of the public mind.

Advertisements are

29th.

this

day handed about, ordering a

German

general illumination on account of the expulsion of the

armies from France.

tion

good, but

is

it

know what to
may be made a handle
I

don't

think.

The

for rioting,

illumina-

and

if so,

very mischievous, for Government would rejoice at anything which

would give them an excuse to

people.

The

Tandy.

We

"

know

shall

God send we may

Write a

Whig

let

the dragoons loose on the

illumination set on foot

all

about

it

all be the better

by Oliver Bond and James

to-morrow.

for

it this

In the meantime,

day three months."

Draper, with resolutions for the Northern

letter to the

Club, at their next

meeting, in favour of the Catholics.

Suppose he

will

not be able to carry them, but good to

resolutions

for

the meeting on

Wednesday

try.

Write

next, thanking the

people of Belfast, Cork, &c.

The illumination has gone off quietly, notwithstanding

Lord Mayor issued a proclamation forbidding it, and threatenvery hard, &c. The horse and foot were out in great force. It

2,0th.

the
ing

should seem, by their being called out so frequently, that Govern-

ment

are determined to accustom the people to see

streets.

time,

Emmet and

and make

to be called "
settle the

corrections.

The

Pismire."

said

in the

N.B. The said Emmet henceforward

5. Committee a very meeting to

plan for to-morrow.

take the chair

them

read over the Catholic address for the last

full

Agreed that D. T. O'Brien

O'Brien refuses

cowardly

The

shall

chair

JET.

IMPORTANT CATHOLIC MEETING.

29.]

offered to J. Ball

he refuses also

Belfast people say

cowardly

they saw this

if

149

What would

the

Fixed that old Bernard

O'Neil shall be in the chair, and that Simon Maguire shall be

D. T. O'Brien objects

Mr. Hutton reads the address.

secretary.

to the resolution thanking the Volunteers of Ulster, because

look like cultivating the friendship of

we had

R. McDonnell wishes

him.

Well done

moned

to

the meeting to-morrow,

This meeting

fair.

100,000 of them

Gog

Butler,

home
The

at

do good.

will

to thank.

Divers Protestants sum-

All embrace and depart.

Pismire, Mr. Hutton, &c.

may

it

Nobody seconds

armed men.

all

Rowan, Tandy, the

day rehearsing. All

Pismire has written the

Hutton the resolutions, and settled the plan of operabut the world knows nothing of that.
It will look well in

address, Mr.
tions

the columns of the Dublin Evening Post, and encourage

Catholics

kingdom

the

in

infinitely better

the

besides,

all

the

publications will

be

than those of the Corporation, to which they are

Bravo

intended to be an answer.

N.B.

All

the good publica-

on the Catholic side, almost, are written by Protestants. Mr.

Hutton chooses, for reasons which he does not wish to explain, to

tions

insert

here the names of

the

present

sub-committee of the

Catholics of Ireland.

Thomas

Martin F. Lynch,

Fitzgerald,

John Keogh,

Richard McCormick,

Thomas Braughall,
Edward Byrne,

Hugh

Dennis Thomas O'Brien,

Thomas Warren,

Randal McDonnell,
Thomas Ryan, M.D.,
October list.

Hamill,

John Sweetman, Secretary.

The grand

day.

A full

and respectable meeting,

640 summonses taken at the door, besides many who came in without any. Dr. Ryan's speech the best.
Gog mortified thereat
consults Mr. Hutton whether he shall venture to speak after the

Fishing

Doctor.

means, and throws

All

fair

Mr.
in

Hutton advises him to speak by

sundry compliments, whereat

Gog's speech rambling and confused, but

Dine and crack nuts

at

my

father's.

full

Gog

all

rises.

of matter

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

November

Dinner

1st.

at Warren's.

[1792.

long set of the chief

All very pleasant and good.

United Irishmen.

Hutton

Mr.

endeavours, being entre deux vins, to delude the gentlemen present

company on good

into forming a volunteer

A. H.

military.
little

mad on

Rowan

the subject of volunteering

Army, damn me!"

tinet "

warm

Mr. Hutton grows

on looking down to the

principles, civil

would be a great Mar-

Talk a great deal of

with the subject

table, to see

tactics

and

much

very

phenomena

sun

two glasses before him

in optics equally curious.

in a rapid rotation

every one else

finds,

various

Mr. Hutton, like the

perfectly sober, but

getting very drunk

is

room, but finds

of the system, fixed, but everything about him

in the centre

moving

treason.

surprised,

on looking at Hamilton Rowan, that he has got four eyes

other

and

Mr. Hutton a

Magog.

rises thereat, also

impossible to

it

perceives

that

essays to walk across the

move

rectilineally,

proceeding

entirely from his having taken a sprig of watercresses with his

"

bread at dinner.

toasts.
it

is

is, it

doings

with

a symptom.
doings

fine

Sick as

2nd.

my

bread.

Has

there.

God

Sundry excellent
coming into fashion trifling as
All embrace and depart at twelve. Fine
everybody."

bless

round of citizens

that

Demogorgon
Dinner

at

purpose to leave off watercresses

John Sweetman's.

Capt.

Sweetman

a great deal of the old school of popery in politics

about him.

Mr. Hutton and he argue for three hours, by Shrews-

bury clock.

Mr. Hutton victorious in the opinion of himself and

present, save his adversary.

all

Go

ird.

out

to

Gog

Huzza

Bed

to prepare

his

early.

Correct

speech.

it

Dine with Gog, who fishes for compliments with the

civilities to Mr. Hutton on his excellent pamphlet, &c.

abundantly.
old bait

Mr. Hutton

who
Dr.

rises

receives

Ryan

is

Vain as the

it

and throws a bucket

with great

full

affability.

a schoolboy to him, which

devil.

Gog goes

of flattery in Gog's face,

Mr. Hutton

Gog

tells

him

that

believes religiously.

into a critical investigation of the

merits of both speeches, and modestly insinuates the superiority

of his own, to all which Mr. Hutton agrees. All

comes into town and writes twelve letters to

fair

Mr. Hutton

different persons,

JET.

A PROTESTANT DEFEAT

29.]

enclosing copies of the proceedings of the 31st;

well written,

all

Mr. Hutton would make a good private

Apropos
On the 31st, Mr. Hutton being at breakfast
with the Honourable George Knox, and talking with great asperity
and vehemence, according to his custom, against the folly and
wickedness of the Government, the following dialogue ensued

and done very speedily.

secretary.

Mr. Hutton. I wish to God, Knox, you were secretary

Knox. I wish I was will you be my private secretary
Mr. Hutton. That I will, most willingly.
Knox. Very well, remember.
Mr. Hutton. Remember. Exit Mr. Hutton.
;

here.
?

November 4th, Sunday.

Dine at McDonnell's with United
Tandy tells me the Volunteers refused to parade round
King William's statue, this being the birthday of that monarch
A few of
they have also abolished orange cockades.
Bravo
them met to-day as at an ordinary parade, and wore national
Irishmen.

This

(green) cockades.

sentiments,
is

the

when

"

is

a striking proof of the change of men's

Our Glorious

Deliverer

"

is

so neglected.

This

time the day has passd uncommemorated since the

first

Huzza

in-

Union and the people for ever

Another thing Sail and Potter, two of the most violent champions
of Protestant ascendancy in the corporation of Dublin, and most
stitution of Volunteers.

late manifesto of

active in carrying the

Catholics, have

brought
played

in
it

is

is

election

that

in

to the Cyclops of his corporation.

in in his

room

is

body against the

notwithstanding

a copy of the said manifesto

man who comes

This

their

lost

gilt

Mr.

frame, and dis-

What

is

more, the

a United Irishman, one Binns.

a very remarkable circumstance, for the Smith's corporation

one of the most bigoted

in the city.
Mr. Hutton exercised his
week by voting for common councilmen among the
Mr. Hutton a free Sadler, and invited to dine with the

franchise this
Sadlers.

candidates, which he respectfully declines.

$t/i.

Sail

Gunpowder Treason
" This

is

the day,

That we were

speak

all to've

it

with sorrow,

been blown up to-morrow."

Rochester.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

152

[1792.

Mr. Hutton, on his return from the post-office this evening,

where he had been to put

of

Guy Vaux, which

by a

in a letter to P. P., is startled

vision

appears to him at Alderman Hart's door-

Mr. Hutton speaks Latin

on which

to the said vision,

proves to

it

Mr. Hutton diligently inspects the pantry,

be a policeman.

lest

the Catholics might have conveyed combustibles therein, and so

burn him and his innocent family

fire-engine in

bedchamber,

his

Wishes to have a

in their beds.

of accidents from

for fear

these

bloody, barbarous, and inhuman Papists.

At

gth November.

body
laws

Some

favourable.
;

Wonderful to see the rapid change

court.

minds of the Bar on the Catholic question

in the

for

almost every-

an immediate abolition of

most magnanimous mode, and the

certainly the

penal

all

All

wisest.

sorts of men, and especially lawyer Plunket, take a pleasure in

girding at Mr. Hutton, " who takes at once all their seven points in
1

Exceeding good laughing.

his buckler, thus."

Sundry

Marat.

approaching

him

barristers apply to

rebellion.

Lawyer Plunket

Mr. Hutton refuses, inasmuch as the

Mr. Hutton called

protection

for

in

the

applies for Carton, which

Duke of Leinster

his friend,

is

but offers him Curraghmore, the seat of the Marquis of Waterford.

This Mr. Hutton does to have a

is

at his

elbow

listening.

Bellingham

home

to do.

asserts the

All declare their satis-

Very pleasant and

with Stokes, &c.

Hear

loth.

Valiant

life,

Everything looks as well as possible.

faction thereat.

what

agreement against

Mr. Hutton, at the risk of his

beer.

said charge to be a falsehood.

at

who
The Committee

out of Marcus Beresford,

with causing the non-consumption

charged

Dine

rise

Great laughter thereat.

that

Government

is

very

Huzza

sober.

much embarrassed

to

know

Toler has been sounding D. T. O'Brien, a rich and

some consequence

timid Catholic, of

frighten him, but failed in his attempt.

in

the party

Bon

wished to

Sir F. Blacquiere

has been with T. Braughall, on the same plan with the same success.

Also, an

anonymous personage with

Chancellor,

we

measures,

believe a

hear, talks big.

war

will

If

J.

Sweetman.

The

he attempts to use violent

be the inevitable consequence.

[Afterwards Lord Plunket.

ED.]

My

JET.

A CATHOLIC VICTORY.

29.]

own

conviction

Government must

that

is

i53

Gog, Magog,

concede.

and Warren, three leading Catholics, had rather be refused

thoroughly to rouse the

session, in order

Right

ment

I rely

for the

very

much on

this

of the people.

spirit

the folly and intemperance of Govern-

Early and

complete emancipation of the country.

moderate concessions to the just demands of the nation

may

pre-

is

a degree of

wisdom which Fitzgibbon

never will be able to reach.

My advice

has been for the Catholics,

vent mischief, but that

at every refusal, to rise in their

demands,

No want

which they seem determined to do.

The Committee, under

We

December.

and

we

have

Sibyl

of spirit apparent yet.

the

new

this

day returns from twenty-five counties

organisation,

is

called for the 3rd

the great cities of Ireland, with a strong confidence that

all

shall

have the remainder before the day of meeting.

cumstance of the time being fixed

We

lyers.

like the ancient

have got Kerry,

in spite

The

cir-

probably bring in the out-

will

of Lord Kenmare.

Mayo

has

been off and on three or four times, owing to the manoeuvres of that
rascal,

Denis Browne {vide

wise, easily led, especially

Bad

from

But they

Mayo

will

after

If

Whig Club have adopted

on the 29th

ult.

Journal of Oct. 26th, 27th)

gentry,

by a great man,

mend

all.

this

The Connaught

they seem stout again.

of

we

change of the public mind.

this

Custine

about Dumourier.

Right or wrong,

fighting our

and

battles,

Query,

is

May

is

poses to

make

it

sent to Sinclair

did not expect

said to have

lie, I

success to the

fighting

advanced so

hope, like that

French ; they are

Mr. Hutton has bought a

as vain as the devil

he not wear

it

for
fine

intends to sleep on

in the court of chancery,

wig and gown, to edify Lord Fitzgibbon

his

have returns

The Northern

if they fail, adieu to liberty in Ireland

Apropos of

sword, of which he
to-night.

now

another proof of the gradual

is

far in Flanders, that his retreat is cut off.

shall

do, a great victory

the resolutions, which

valiant than

or a great man's man.

Hope we

all that.

Halliday the only dissentient.

they would have passed

one century

more

it

with

Mr. Hutton pro-

the pattern sword for his regiment,

when he has

one.

nth, Sunday.

George Knox shows

me

memorandum

or

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i54
abstract of

Lord Abercorn's answer to

his letter

[1792.

on the subject of

Gog's famous plan for turning out the Ministers here {vide Journal,

Lord Abercorn quite wild

&c).

his idea

is

that the Catholics

should renounce their present system, for the chance of what he

would do

for them.

Damned

kind

Mr. Hutton observes, coolly,

that his lordship does not bid high enough, and so the negotiation

ends

Knox

\2th.

declaring himself of Mr. Hutton's opinion.

At Gog's

to prepare papers,

petition to the King,

viz.,

Hear a report

petition to Parliament, address to the nation, &c.

that Foster
if

is

anything can justify assassination.

13th.

The

afraid of being assassinated.

A plot

in

Hard

rascal deserves

it,

at work.

Lower Ormond against the committee.

The

and other great landholders there, are compelling

tenants to sign some paper adverse to the Catholic claims.

Tolers, Pretties,
their

One

priest,

Mr. White, has the courage to refuse.

Write a

letter

Major and Secretary

from the sub-committee, applauding him.

pump him talks a great deal of

Government is determined to resist all violence that
Government in England will support them that we have not the
North, save only Belfast, &c. Sad stuff! By laying such stress
upon the North, he is exposing his own weak side, and, of course,
Hobart has sent

stuff,

for Dr.

Troy, 1 to

that

pointing out the best place for us to direct our batteries.

God, the hint

Busy

shall

not be

We may

lost.

Please

work the major

yet.

at the petition, &c.

\ifth.

All the morning at work.

Dine

in town, at R. Dillon's.

After dinner, turn the discourse to the probability of raising a new

corps of Volunteers.

Resolve that the party shall meet on Saturday

All provoked at an unnecessary affront the

next, to devise a plan.

last Sunday
an officer of the regulars took
away a drummer, belonging to his regiment, whom the Volunteers

Dublin corps received

had hired for the day, and the poor fellow has been sentenced to
Strange policy of Government, in
receive two hundred lashes.
such a time as

this, to

choose to pick a quarrel with the Volunteers

Trifling as this circumstance

tion for a corps, which

1

is, it

will assist in laying the

may vex Government

[Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.

hereafter.

Ed.]

founda-

Return to

PROPOSED ADDRESS TO THE KING.

JET. 29.]

Mount Jerome.
up the room

Gog

Propose to

go to some expense

to

meeting of the committee, as

for the

155

country delegates a high idea of their

in fitting

will give the

it

own consequence, and

the

importance of the business, when they see everything respectable

and handsome prepared

for their reception.

Hear to-day that Ponsonby

i$tk

All

come

is

fair

over.

If

be

it

so,

Hard at work.
Hear that the Castle-men say that our address to the
King, if we persist in that idea, will embarrass his Majesty. The
devil it will
And who doubts it, or who cares ? We will address
him, please God, and let him refuse it, if he pleases. Better that
great point.
16//2.

his

Sacred Majesty should be embarrassed than a nation kept in

More and more

slavery.

at work.

Read the intended adVery much liked, even by some of our timid
people.
Mr. Hutton very well pleased thereat. Gog also pleased.
Compliments Mr. Hutton, and says that he (Mr. Hutton) has given
In town, at the sub-committee.

ijth.

dress to the King.

the Catholic politics which Mr. Hutton, with all

modesty which eminently adorns him, and gives
gloss to all his splendid actions, denies, and says, with

the tone to

all

that amiable

a beautiful

a becoming diffidence, that

seeing their true interest a

and that

it

their

is

if

he has any merit,

little

own good

earlier

it

is

in

understandings, and not his argu-

ments, that have set them on the right scent.

and, at any rate,

was only

it

than some of themselves,

pretty in Mr. Hutton.

This

that gentleman's advantage to be thought wiser than

better to stand behind the curtain

partly true

is

would not be

It

and advise him.

for

Much

Gog.

Mr. Hutton

not anxious to appear on the canvas, provided the business be

done, and
level.

anything serious should ensue, he

if

If he deserves to rise,

cannot help

it

" 'Tis

had

will

probably

will find his

rise

my

like to forget.

innocent family.

After

Attended a meeting,

own

not,

if

he

Spend

but in vain for soldiers to complain"

the evening at home, with

home.

he

all,

home

is

purpose

for the

Present, Rowan, chairman

Tandy,
James Tandy, Dowling, Bacon, Bond, Warren, Magog, and Mr.
Hutton, Secretary. Vote 1,000 men in ten companies
cheap

of raising a Volunteer corps

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1792.

uniform, of coarse blue cloth, ticken trousers, and

to
in

felt

Not

hats.

meddle with the existing corps, unless they choose to join us,
which case they must adopt our plan, principles, and regimenIf this takes,

tals.

it

will

vex the

Castle,

come ^and take our drum from

Merchant Corps

Huzza

us.

and they may not

Bond

with two

will present us

thinks

like to

the ci-devant

Huzza

field pieces.

Sunday.

i8tk,

Mt. Jerome again.

Dinner with

J.

Plunket, of

Roscommon, and J. Jos. Macdonnell, of Mayo. Conversation right

good. The country Catholics I think will stand fire.
All seem
stout.
Mayo has returned, in spite of Denis Browne, who is as
vexed as the devil, and cannot help himself. Huzza
Drink like
God bless everybody.
Embrace the Cona fish till past twelve.
!

naught men, and go to bed as drunk as a

scandalous to see in

this,

occurrence takes place, yet

downright

It is

man

myself a sober

call

R. Burke at Mt. Jerome

lgt/t.

lord.

and other journals, how often that

stays five hours

very foolish.

Proposes that the Committee, when they meet, shall not petition,
but address the King, to complain of the

What

Grand Juries. Nonsense

Makes a poke at Gog
?
!

can the King do to the Grand Juries

relative to his being continued agent to the Catholics.

him
Burke very

out of that ground.

Grattan

is

superficial

2Qth November.

Gog

and does

takes

it

maintains an

affects great

only trained to local

to general politics, &c.

man.

Gog

it

but he himself

spirits,

is

says

trained

Modest and pretty

Mr. O'Beirne, of county Leitrim, a sensible

great pains to put

extremely

him up

Gog lucky

well.

to Catholic affairs,

to-day

never

which

lets

an

answers

informs them, and gives him an influence over the

country gentlemen.
high

beating

mystery and reserve

politics,

opportunity pass to convert a country delegate

two ends

No

obstinate silence.

O'Beirne says the

and anxious

for the event.

common
Bravo

people are up in
Better have the

peasantry of one county than twenty members of Parliament.

Gog seems

to-day disposed for

separation of the countries, &c.

all
;

manner of treason and mischief

a republic, &c.

will not end without blows, and says he for one

is
is

of opinion this
ready.

Is

he

yET.

FRENCH

29.]

VICTORIES.

157

lose.
Hard at work
some strong attacks on the Grand
Dumourier has beaten the Austrians at Jemmape, and
Juries, &c.
Mons and Tournay are the fruits of his victory. Bravo
Come to
town to meet the committee for framing the new corps. The whole

Mr. Hutton quite prepared, having nothing to

on the appeal to the people

evening spent in settling the uniform, which

of

that

Garde

the

The

cares

it is

likely, after all,

fifty-four

parties

Nationale.

Is

the corps will

members proposed

come

the

Napper Tandy's
and

friends

little

be

Who
and

This night

Protestants huffed

that

Mr.

the Catholics that more of

disgusted.

at all times right, except that truly

character.

wise

in the business,

to nothing.

do not come forward.

Mr. Hutton a

at last fixed to

quite

that

do not seem quite hearty

Byrne's sons are not of the number

very well.

is

This does not look

No body
spirited

universally,

and

patriotic

CHAPTER

IX.

THE CATHOLIC CONVENTION.

[In December, 1792, the
Catholics, which

of James

had been

met

II.,

first

in

representative

called together

Tailor's

gathering of Irish

since

Back

Hall,

the Parliament

Lane,

Dublin,

to

concert measures for securing the admission of the Catholics to

the parliamentary franchise.

The

the proceedings of this assembly

best account which

we have

from the pen of Tone.

is

of

Ed.]

Account of tJie proceedings of the General Committee of the Catholics

of Ireland ; and of tJie delegation which presented their petition
to the

The

King.
were thus once more,

Catholics

of 104 years of slavery, fully and

bers of their

own

persuasion.

The

after

fairly
last

a dreary interval

represented by

mem-

Catholic assembly which

had seen was the Parliament summoned by James II.

1688, a body of men whose wisdom, spirit, and patriotism

Ireland
in

reflect

no

discredit

object of this

of

navigation

declaration

native

land,

on

their

country or their

sect.

Parliament was national supremacy.

they wisely guarded

of rights, boldly

asserted

The

great

By an

the commerce, and,

act

by a

the independence of their

both scandalously betrayed to the monopoly and

the pride of England,

by their immediate

Parliament of William.
their best claim

The

successors, the Protestant

patriots of the present

to public regard

day found

on maintaining principles

first

advanced by an assembly to whose merits no historian has yet

ventured to do

justice,

but

whose memory, when passion and

158

JET.

EDWARD

29.]

BYRNE.

159

prejudice are no more, will be perpetuated in the hearts of their

grateful countrymen.

The proceedings of
the

and

foresight,

far

On

measure.

devised the

Committee

General

the

the

moment

first

when they looked round and reviewed

and

which

submission

of their meeting,

numbers and

their

their

unhappy situation had

They felt and acted with

men who

of

decision

becoming

deserved to be
of

representatives

the

of liberty ran

so

their

long compelled them to assume.

spirit

who had

they at once discarded the unworthy habits of defer-

strength,

ence

justified

fully

surpassed the hopes, of those

and with the dignity

free,

of

3,000,000

like the electric

fire

the

The

people.

through every link of

and before they were an hour convened the ques-

their chains,

tion of their emancipation was, in fact, decided.

The

act of the assembly was, unanimously, to call to the

first

chair Mr.

able to

Edward Byrne

him and

mark

of distinction equally honour-

In their cause he had exposed

to themselves.

himself to every species of calumny and abuse

name had

his

been held up as a target, against which the arrows of prejudice,

and

falsehood,

corruption

and, after a persecution

had

been

The General Committee, by

unhurt.

head, as their

first

tude they had

the impotent

unceasingly

discharged,

many months, he had come

of

thus placing

him

forth

at their

President, at once discharged a debt of grati-

incurred,

and marked

malice of those

who had

contempt for
and abused him

their utter
vilified

only for his eminent services in the public cause.

The attempts which had been made, and which have been
members who, under the old

already mentioned, to introduce

constitution,

had an undubitable
the General

necessary for

They

therefore

with the
to

speak

the

faint

to

attend,

Committee

to

close

resolved that

Peers and

wisdom and,

right

Prelates,

sense of
indeed,

the

meeting, as

it

question.

then constituted,

were the only organ competent

the Catholic

necessity

body a measure which

them to adopt.
A

impelled

attempt was made to oppose

cember, speeches of Lynch,

rendered
the

it

(vide

McKenna) on

debates of

the ground

ird Dethat

the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i6o

[1792.

which

the meeting was convened, had

no person, then a member of the committee, were intended to be abridged ; and it was proposed, by

circular

under

letter,

stated that the rights of

nice

and not

"

only competent" to speak

But

large.

it

"

say that the meeting was

to

distinction,

was answered to

competent"

the sense of the people at

by Captain Sweetman, of
not, by their act, tie

this

Wexford, that the sub-committee could

up the hands of the great body of the Catholics, then present

by their representatives, who were alone empowered to determine
this question

and that admitting a confusion of personal and

was but to lay a foundation for future

representative rights
since

dissension,

it

might so happen,

that,

on

a division,

all

those of one description might secede, and thereby enable the

enemies

of

Catholics

the

take

to

pretence, of which, as they

behind

shelter

had formerly seized

it

they would be glad again to avail themselves.

ments

and

appeared

conclusive

the motion

change

in

claims,

grounded

unanimously.

passed

by

Thus,

with avidity,

These argu-

was

opposition

the

a specious

withdrawn,

on

personal

right of representation

was

rights,

established,

were

material

the constitution of the General Committee,

extinguished

The wisdom of

mass.

the

and the strength of the

whole Catholic people consolidated into one great and

sible

future

all

indivi-

the measure was justified by the

event.

The General Committee next

resolved

that

petition

be

prepared to his Majesty, stating the grievances of the Catholics

of Ireland, and

praying

relief,

and the members of the sub-

committee were ordered to bring

same

in the

forthwith, which,

being done, and the petition read in the usual forms,

again

read,

until the last.

Esq.,

to

of Lisbum,

northern
this

demand.

was

it

paragraph by paragraph, each passing unanimously,

spirited
1

then

county,

paragraph,

and

rose,

and

who
said,

on the ground of

His instructions from

1

member {Luke

intelligent

county Antrim),

"
its

represented

great

That he must object

being limited

his constituents

[A leading United Irishman.

Teeling,

Ed.]

in

its

were to require

JET. 29

SPEECH OF LUKE YEE LING.

nothing short of total emancipation

with the dignity of this

body

whom

and

it

was not consistent

much

meeting, and

161

less

of the great

represented, to sanction, by anything which could

it

be construed into acquiescence on their part, one fragment of

and abominable system, the penal code.

that unjust

wisdom

paternal

the

thought

fit

fully

and wishes of

was the duty of

He

in

possession

lay with

meeting

this

of the wants

therefore moved, " that, in place

paragraph then read, one should be

the

of

it

and unequivocally

his people."

It

Sovereign to ascertain what he

the

to be granted, but

him

to put

of

praying

inserted,

that the Catholics might be restored to the equal enjoyment of

the blessings of the constitution."

not easy to describe the effect which that speech had on

It is

the assembly.

plause.

It

was received with the most extravagant ap-

member

been remarked

of great respectability, and

who had

ever

a cautious and prudent system in his public

for

conduct {D. T. O'Brien, Esq., of Cork), rose to declare his entire

and hearty concurrence in the spirit of the motion. " Let us
not," said

he, " deceive

our Sovereign and our constituents, nor

approach the throne with a suppression of the

our time to speak.
called forth to

The whole

Now

truth.

is

Catholic people are not to be

acquiesce in the

demand

now have been

carried

of partial

relief."

The

by acclamation, but for

the interposition of a member, to whose opinion, from his past
services and the active part he had ever taken, the committee
were disposed to pay every respect (J. Keogh). He said, " that
question would

he entirely agreed with the

that

satisfied

spirit of the

they had but to ask

and

motion, and he was

they should

receive.

But the meeting had already despatched a great deal of business, the
last

hour was now

importance."

the magnitude of

late,

and the question was of the very

Have you," said the speaker, " considered

your demand and the power of your enemies ?
"

have you considered the disgrace and the consequences of a

and are you prepared to support your claim

refusal,

"

The

whole assembly rose as one man, and, raising their right hands,
answered,
vol.

1.

"We

are."

It

was a sublime
12

spectacle.

"Then,"

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

162

continued he,

" I

honour and

render your success infallible

but

took up a resolution of this

thusiasm.

We

Let us agree to

rejoice
let

will consider this question

in

not be said that you

it

We

must

which

spirit

magnitude

infinite
retire.

in

[1792.

in

fit

of en-

meet again to-morrow.

the meantime, and, whatever

be the determination of the morning,

it

want of temperance or consideration."

will

not be accused of

This argument prevailed,

and the meeting adjourned.

But the business of the day was, perhaps, not less effectually
promoted by the convivial parties which followed, than by the
serious debates which occupied the sitting of the committee.

Those

members

policy

of

the

resident

enemies

Dublin,

in

to

malign and misrepresent

in the

whom

it

had

emancipation

Catholic

been
to

the

grossly

remote parts of the kingdom,

had taken

care to offer the rites of hospitality to the delegates

from

country.

parties

the

compared

And,

their

unreserved

in

common

into each other's sentiments.

grievances,

communication, both

and mutually entered

All distrust was banished at once,

and a comparison of ideas satisfied them that

were one and the same, and that the only enemy

their

interests

to be dreaded

The delegate from Antrim,

was disunion among themselves.
who sat beside the delegate from Kerry, at the board of their
brother in

the capital, needed but

him, that as the old

maxim,

"

little

argument to convince

divide and conquer," had

been

the uniform rule of conduct with their common enemies, so

mutual confidence and union among themselves were the infallible

presage and most certain means of securing their

emancipation.

The

district of the

kingdom, demolished

approaching

attrition of parties, thus collected

in

from every

one evening the barriers

and industry, and the monopolising spirit

and soothing, by misrepresentation
falsehood
had,
by
corruption,
of
and menaces, been labouring for years, and but too successfully,
to establish between them.
In this spirit the assembly met on the next day. The business was opened by the same member (L. Teeling) who had
of prejudice which art

introduced the amendment.

He

stated that

it

was the duty of

MT.

PROPOSAL FOR COMPLETE EMANCIPATION.

29.]

163

wrong themselves by asking less than comThat it was also the idea of their friends
in the province from whence he came, and this coincidence of
sentiments would establish that union, from which the Catholic
cause had already derived such essential benefit, and which
had been found so formidable to their enemies. Something had
been insinuated about danger he saw none violence was not
the Catholics not to

emancipation.

plete

" But,"

the interest nor the wish of the meeting.

continued he,

we have been asked, what we will do in case of a

will not, when I look round me, suppose a refusal.

"

refusal

But,

an event should take place, our duty is obvious. We are to

our constituents and they, not we, are to determine. We
;

such

if

tell

will

take the sense of the whole people, and see what they will have

member who

Similar sentiments were avowed by every

done."

followed him

and, on the question being put, the amendment,

praying for complete restitution of the rights of the Catholics,

was carried by the unanimous acclamation of the whole assembly.

It was not to be supposed that perfect secrecy could be preserved

in

so

numerous a meeting, or that the industry of the

enemies to Catholic freedom should not be exerted

a

tant

crisis,

and on so material a question

now determined
day
was

it

with such unanimity.

was whispered,

persisted

in,

that,

a large

if

On

impor-

in so

as that

which was

the morning of the

the prayer for complete emancipation

number of the most

respectable country

quit the meeting, and publish their

Whether such a measure was ever seriously intended
Certainly, had it been carried
is not accurately known.

delegates would instantly

dissent.

or not,
into

execution,

a secession

have extremely embarrassed,

of
if

so

formidable a

which had cost so much time and labour to bring to

state.

Be

that as

so powerful the

it

effect

not a

of public spirit in

murmur

of dissent

which opened with

circumstances

anxiety

in

terminated

its

present

may, such was the force of virtuous example,

taminated with places or pensions, and

people, that

would

nature

not totally destroyed, a system

of

an assembly, unconfreely

chosen by the

was heard

and a day

considerable doubt

the unanimous adoption

of

the

and
great

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

164
principle which,

whilst

it

[1792

asserted, secured the emancipation

of

the Catholics.

The prayer of
was proposed

the petition

Mr. Fitzgerald)

(by

The

determined.

first

the signatures

that

mode

not be affixed until the

delegates should

should be

having been thus agreed upon,

obviously, to embarrass, and,

if

object of

pected would be

tried.

it

of the

of transmission

this

motion was,

possible, to prevent, a

which, from the spirit of the meeting,

it

measure

was more than

sus-

Apprehensions were entertained that

the usual form in presenting petitions would be broken through,

that, by a direct application to the throne, a very pointed
mark of disapprobation would be attached on the government

and

of this country.
to such

an

If to

prevent administration from being exposed

was the object of the motion,

insult

it

failed completely.

The committee decreed that the signing the petition should precede
And not only so, but
debate as to the mode of transmission.

all

was unanimously resolved (on the motion of Mr. Edward

Sweetman, of Wexford) that every delegate should instantly
pledge himself to support, with his hand and signature, the sense
of the majority an engagement which was immediately and

it

solemnly taken by the whole assembly.

The

petition having been thus agreed upon,

important question arose as to the

mode

and signed, the

of presenting

it

to his

Majesty.
The usual method had been, to deliver all former
addresses to the Lord Lieutenant, who transmitted them to the
and, certainly, to break through a custom invariably
King
;

continued from the

was marking,
had

lost

all

in

first

establishment of the General Committee,

the most decided manner, that the Catholics

confidence in

the administration

But, strong as this measure was,

petition

member

having been read

[Christopher

for

Dillon

the

of this country.

was now to be

it

last

Bellew,

time,

Esq.,

tried.

a spirited

of Galway),

property gave him much, and his talents and virtues

influence in

the

first

in

still

The
young
whose
more,

the assembly, and who represented a county, perhaps

Ireland for Catholic property and independence, rose,

and moved, without

preface, that the petition

should be sent to

CATHOLIC PETITION.

JET. 29.]

deputation to be chosen from the

the foot of the throne by a

He was

General Committee.

seconded by a delegate from a

own

{J.J. Macdonnell, of Mayo).

blow of this nature, striking so directly at the character, and

county adjacent to

his

almost at the existence of the administration, could scarcely be

let to

pass without

some

effort

on

their part to prevent

As

it.

the

some kind of a negotiation had been

attack had been foreseen,

attempted with individuals who were given to understand, that

if

the petition was sent through the usual channel, administration

would instantly despatch

it

recommendations.

strongest

by

express, and

The

it

with the

negotiation was not yet

cluded when the dreaded motion was

difficulty,

back

con-

some

made, and, with

the assembly agreed to wait halj an hour for the result

more interview. There can hardly be imagined a revolution

more curious and unexpected than that which was occurring in the
General Committee. The very men who a few months before

of one

could not obtain an answer at the Castle, sat with their watches in

minuting that Government which had repelled them

their hands,

made

with disdain.

At length

known, and

appeared that the parties had either mistaken each

it

the result of the interview was

other, or their powers, or the intentions of the administration, for

it

was stated by the member {Mr. Keogli) who reported

what had been supposed

to be offered

it,

that

was merely a conversation

between a very respectable individual and himself, but he had

nothing

to

communicate from any authority.

which

This,

the

majority of the assembly considered, whether justly or not, as

an instance of duplicity

in

administration,

and as

trifling

with

own time and

dignity, determined them to stigmatise, as far

them lay, a Government which they now looked upon as
having added insult to injury. " Will you," cried the orator {Keogli),

their

as in

" trust

your petition with such men

"

The assembly answered with

an unanimous, repeated, and indignant negative

Yet

still

a few individuals were found

who

fixing so gross an insult

on administration

gerald, D. T. O'Brien).

It

it

was not perhaps

"

No

"
!

started at the idea of

{MM. McKenna,

Fitz-

was suggested rather than argued, that

respectful,

even to majesty

itself,

to pass over

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1792.

with such marked contempt his representative in Ireland, and that

mode was

the usual

conciliatory.

the most constitutional, or at least the most

But the

of the meeting was

spirit

whom

ing to conciliate the favour of those

nor feared.

The member who moved

again rose to support

He

it.

now above

stoop-

they neither respected

the question {Mr. C. Bellew)

ground

said he did not

motion

his

merely on the insults which the Catholics, through their delegates,

had so often received, but on

who

this,

had no confidence

that he

day had

satisfied

those gentlemen

men

Faith had been broken, even with

mind.

his

{Lord Kentnare and

the

sixty-eight)

support of administration, had seceded from their

engagement entered

with them had

into

curtailed.

" It

respectful

to administration.

It

in

kept no faith with Catholics, and the attempt of the present

has been said," continued he,

I

answer,

it

African

never consider

it

we

disrespectful that

my

plan

is

and
dis-

intended to be so.

is

our task-masters.

petition

slaves,

"

in

The

been mutilated

We

time for us to speak out like men.

is

who,

own body.

not,

like

Our Sovereign

will

will

lay before his throne the

and humble petition of 3,000,000 of loyal and suffering

For my part, I know I speak the sentiments of my
subjects.
county.
I wish my constituents may know my conduct; and

dutiful

the measure which

have now proposed

am

ready to justify

any way." These were strong expressions they were followed

by others no less energetic. " We have not come thus far," said
a delegate from the west of Ireland {Mr. M'Dermott, of Sligo), " to
Gentlemen tell us of the wounded pride
stop short in our career.

in

of the administration.

not
last

believe

will

it

be wounded, but

consider only the pride of the Catholics of Ireland."

attempt was

now made

powerfully resisted.
spirited

We will

young member

stay

all

was immediately and

night, if necessary," cried a

of Louth), " but this question

If it go abroad that you waver,

cried another {J.

Edw. Devereux,

of Wexford), our abhorrence of the measures of our enemies,

they are the enemies of Ireland. The present administration

Esq.,
for

The

{P. Russell,

must be decided before we part.

you are undone." " Let us mark,"
"

care

to postpone the further consideration

of the question until the next day, but this

"

MT.

THE CATHOLIC DELEGATES.

29.]

167

The whole assembly confirmed

No No " Our allegiance
King, Lords, and Commons, not to a bad

has not the confidence of the people!'

his words by a general exclamation,

and attachment are

ministry,

to

who have calumniated and

His assertions were

kingdom."

ratified

us

reviled

through

the

by repeated and universal

plaudits.

The

question on the original motion was at length unanimously

By

decided in the affirmative.

their country, in a studied

debate, the General

passing over the administration of

and deliberate manner, and on solemn

Committee published

to all the world that his

Majesty's ministers in Ireland had so far lost the confidence of

no

than 3,000,000 of his subjects, that they were not even to

less

be entrusted with the delivery of their

severe

it

has not been the fortune of

petition.

many

stigma more

administrations to

receive.

The General Committee

ballot,

his

of their body,

five

Majesty

in person,

(Dec. 7th) proceeded to choose, by

who should

present their petition

to

and the gentlemen appointed were Edward

Keogh, Christopher Dillon Bellew, James Edward

Devereux, and Sir Thomas French. The only instruction they
Byrne, John

received was to adhere strictly to the spirit of the petition,

admit nothing derogatory to the union, which

And

is

and to

the strength of

was delivered
to them, engrossed on vellum, signed by the Chairman, and countersigned by the Secretary of the meeting.
Ireland.

The

this instruction, for greater solemnity,

petition being thus disposed of, the

next measure which

occupied the attention of the General Committee was to prepare

a vindication of the Catholic body from the

many

foul imputations

which had lately been thrown out against their principles and their
conduct.

For many months, patiently listening

and falsehoods, which affected terror and

to the calumnies

real corruption

had un-

remittently vented, and attending only to the great measure, the

universal election of their delegates, they

had not suffered them-

selves to be entrapped in the snares of political controversy.

had, consequently,

made no defence

which poured upon them from

all

They

against the torrent of abuse

quarters.

They were

not

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i68

[1792.

seduced, even by the glory of a contest with great names or high

authorities, but proceeded in their
steadily, alike

unmoved

march

and

right onward, slowly

at the turbulent attacks of the

numerous

county meetings, the well-feigned alarms of the selected grand

and dictated and

juries,

loyal fears of the obedient corporations.

But now success had afforded them

opportunity was

seized

and

leisure,

give one general

to

replication

They

the invectives thrown out against them.

present

the

to

all

therefore framed

and published their vindication, which was intended as a commentary on their petition, a defence of their own conduct, and
a refutation of the malicious and unfounded charges of their
adversaries.

On the

principle of this vindication the assembly

one or two

but, as to

was unanimous

particular passages, a doubt arose in the

minds of certain of the delegates.

Among

the

number of the

enemies to their emancipation were to be found personages of the

most exalted
most violent

some of whom had presided, and

whence publications had issued of the

political situation,

others assisted at meetings,

hostility to the Catholic cause.

In replying to these

was hardly possible to avoid statements and expressions which must be directly offensive to the exalted characters

publications

concerned

it

for,

as the attacks were not merely political, but from

extreme acrimony partook of somewhat of a personal

their

so the nature of the

suggested,

and

defence, and, indeed, the nature

a manner

in

enforced, a

wondered

at

if

men

felt

man

language which in a

controversy of a milder kind could not have arisen.

to be

feeling,

of

some degree of caution

at

It

was not

committing

themselves in this species of warfare with such grave and high

authorities.

tion

The

question, therefore, on those parts of the vindica-

which remotely alluded to or directly named the most potent

of their adversaries {the

Lord Chancellor

Fitzgibbon),

was very

fully

debated and maturely considered.

The conduct

of the personages under deliberation could not be

defended on any principle

in

an assembly of Catholics.

Those,

therefore, who doubted on the propriety of thus repelling force by

force {Messrs. Fitzgerald, Daly, Lynch, &c), contented themselves

JET.

A BOLD FRONT.

29.]

169

with the commonplace topics of the necessary respect to high

and the danger of speaking

station,

evil of dignities.

But these

were arguments to which the great majority of the assembly was

now very

little

Feeling their

disposed to pay any respect.

own

by the remembrance of the

wanton abuse which had been so profusely lavished upon them,
they determined not to let pass an opportunity which fortune and
their own wise and spirited conduct had put into their hands, and

strength and unanimity, and

to

mark

galled

Almost every man was

their adversaries in their turn.

eager to express his contempt and abhorrence of those

assembly now considered as

and the
to rescue them from a public stigma was drowned
"

outcry of disapprobation.

man and f.

fallen tyrants,

What," said they {Capt.

E. Devereux, of Wexford),

we

" are

whom

the

feeble attempt
in a universal

Edward Sweetone man

to spare

{Mr. Foster), who smells of the blood of our peasantry? or another

who made

it

his public

and

the chapels of the Catholics

gibbon)

we

We

the road to his favour

formidable to him and

he would prostrate

profligate boast that

shall

is

know

that

through his

man {Lord

fears.

be respected.

Fits-

Let us become

He is the calumniator

of the people, and therefore he has our hatred and our contempt.

becomes stupidity and vice where there is no proand are we to tender a gratuitous submission to men who
have held, and would hold us in fetters, and in mockery, and in
Loyalty

tection

scorn

itself

What have we

to fear

own disunion ?
mark our enemies.

Let us

but our

boldly acknowledge our friends, and

respect ourselves, and the world will respect us

us not disgrace our cause, or the great

and, above

body which we

indecision, or temporising, or equivocation."

Let us
all, let

represent,

by

The assembly then

unanimously decreed that the passages which had been objected to

should remain unaltered.

The

great and important business for which the General

mittee had been

summoned was now

as far as their labours could advance

Com-

in effect terminated, at least

it.

What remained

of their

time was occupied in discharging the debt of gratitude to their

friends,

and forming an arrangement

They voted

their

unanimous thanks

for their future assembling.

to the citizens of Belfast, " to

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

170

whom,"

said a delegate, "

we owe

stand sentinels at our doors

[1792.

we meet here

that

in safety

they

they support you, Mr. President, in

that chair" {L. Teeling, Esq.).

sentiment which was received

with acclamation by the whole meeting.

They voted

their thanks

members who had supported the cause of the

They thanked those patriotic characters

to those illustrious

Catholics in Parliament.

who had devoted

pation

of

them

meeting

by

in

and

talents to forwarding the emanci-

They thanked their officers

sub-committee. They empowered that body

thanked their
for

their time

their

brethren.

the intervals between

but they

made

their

associating to the twelve

member

that they

who were

will attend," cried a

and
its

their

next

constitution

members who then formed

whom was

to act

the

it,

henceforward to

They then resolved unanimously

when duly summoned by the sub-

thereof.

would re-assemble

committee,

rising

a material alteration in

whole of the country delegates, each of

be, ipso facto, a

they

invested with powers for that purpose.

member from

remote county,

" if

"

We

we

are

summoned to meet across the Atlantic" (0 'Gorman, of Mayo).

One occurrence deserves to be particularly noted. It had been
the policy of the enemies of the Catholic cause for a long time to

foment and continue divisions between the clergy and

some instances

in

their acts

had so

far

succeeded

as,

laity,

and

perhaps,

nearly to produce a difference between the pastor and the flock.

It

has already been mentioned that

that

some of the

prelates

it

was not without

had been induced

difficulty

to concur with the

General Committee in the plan for the electing of delegates

circumstance not to be wondered at when

we

delicacy and responsibility of their situation, and the

diligence

and

interference.

art

which were

used

But, whatever might at

to
first

consider the peculiar

deter

uncommon

them from any

have been their doubts

when they saw the great body of the laity come

forward and unanimously demand their rights, they manfully cast
away all reserve, and declared their determination to rise or fall
with their flocks a wise and patriotic resolution which was signified
to the General Committee by two venerable prelates, Dr. Troy,
Archbishop of Dublin, and Dr. Moylan, Bishop of Cork, who
and

diffidence,

MT.

CATHOLIC DELEGATES IN BELFAST.

2 9 .]

and signed the petition

assisted at the meeting,

171

name and

in the

on behalf of the great body of the Catholic clergy of Ireland.

They were received by the assembly with the utmost deference and
respect,

due not

sacred functions and private virtues

less to their

than to the great and useful accession of strength which they

brought to the

The

common

cause.

members of the General Committee having returned to their

counties, the delivery of their petition to the

King became the

immediate and urgent business of the gentlemen delegated to that

honourable duty.

ready

It

in the harbour,

so

happened that there was no packet boat

to accidental delays.

They

and the wind was contrary.

determined to go by a route longer,

To go by

is

it

Scotland,

true,

but

therefore

less subject

was necessary

it

to pass

through the north of Ireland, and especially through Belfast.

their arrival in that

active

and

selves

in

public

mind

On

town they were met by a number of the most

who had distinguished them-

intelligent inhabitants,

the abolition of prejudice, and the conciliation of the

in

On

Ulster to the claims of the Catholics.

their

and they were drawn along

with loud acclamations by the people, among whom were numbers
of an appearance and rank very different from what are usually
departure their horses were taken

seen on such occasions.

it

To

off,

the honour of the populace of Belfast,

should be mentioned that they refused a liberal donation which

was offered by the Catholic delegates

beyond the precincts of the town, and cordially

success in their embassy, they dismissed
Trifling as this circumstance

much

observation.

may

By some

it

them
wished them

and, having escorted

them with three cheers.

it was the subject of

appear,

was

considered

as

throwing

additional difficulties on a measure already supposed to be sufficiently unpalatable to the British minister,

with

men

notoriously

by avowing a connection

By

obnoxious to him.

others

it

was

applauded, on the ground of strengthening that union of the great

sects the beneficial effects of
in

which had already begun to operate

the elevation of the Catholic

mind

an

advantage which was

thought to carry an intrinsic weight and power

uncertain favour of any minister.

Whatever

far

effect

it

beyond the
might have

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

172

on the negotiation

in

England,

certainly tended to raise

it

"

firm the hopes of the Catholics at home.

said they,

those

" if

[1792.

and con-

Let our delegates,"

To

they are refused, return by the same route."

who looked beyond

the surface

it

was an

interesting spectacle,

and pregnant with material consequences, to see the Dissenter of

the North drawing, with his own hands, the Catholic of the South in
triumph through what

may

be denominated the capital of Presby-

However repugnant it might be to the wishes of the

British minister, it was a wholesome suggestion to his prudence,
and when he scanned the whole business in his mind was probably

terianism.

not dismissed from his contemplation.

On

the arrival of the delegates in London, their

was to apprise the Secretary for the

H. Dutidas) that they were deputed

humble

know

Home

to present to the

petition of the Catholics of Ireland,

at

business

first

Department

{the

and they requested

what time they should attend him with a copy

The

Majesty's perusal.

Hon.

King the

minister having appointed a

to

for his

day, the

delegates met him, and in a long conversation very fully detailed

the situation and wishes of the Catholic body.

supposed that the minister, on

tive,

his part,

It

is

not to be

was equally communica-

but he heard them with particular attention, and dismissed

them with

respectful politeness.

petition to

be delivered through his hands

deliver

to the

it

King himself

His object was to procure the

;

that of the delegates to

in person.

Some

dexterity was

exhibited on both sides in negotiating this point, but the minister

was

at length obliged to concede,

and the firmness of the delegates

prevailed.
It is

but justice to the merit of an illustrious character to state

here the obligation which the Catholics of Ireland owe to their

countryman, the Earl of Moira, at that time Lord Rawdon.

He

had, immediately on the arrival of the delegates in London, waited

on them, and offered them the hospitality of

command

of his household

his mansion,

and the

he entertained them repeatedly

style of splendid magnificence

and,

if

in

the dignity of their mission

could have received lustre from the support of an individual, they

would have found

it

in the zeal

and friendship of the Earl of Moira.

THE KING AND THE CATHOLIC PETITION.

JET.

29.]

But

his services

He

ness.

were not confined to acts of hospitality and

assisted in their councils, and, in a manner,

public character with their cause,

for,

173

polite-

committed his

on the emergency, when the

was dallying with the earnestness of the delegates to procure admission to their Sovereign, and probably presumed that
they would not readily find another channel of access, Lord Moira
minister

came forward and told them, that, if it became necessary, he would,

as a Peer, demand an audience of his Majesty, and be himself their
introducer
adding, at the same time, with the frankness and
;

candour of his profession and character,

distinction

would be to himself,

was

it

that, flattering as

should rather have the honour, inasmuch as he thought

As an Irishman and

better serve their cause.

continued he,

it

that

finds

it

would

a military man,

might be esteemed to wear, perhaps, too peremp-

tory an appearance, were

you

probably be

such a

his wish that the minister

are,

in

to introduce you,

all

events,

and when the minister

secure of admission, he will

have the credit of

less reluctant to

however, he should persist in his refusal, you

may

it

himself.

then

If,

command

me. The event justified his prediction the minister relaxed and
Wednesday, the 2nd of January, was fixed as the day of their
introduction.
On that day the delegates were introduced at St.
James's in the usual forms by Mr. Dundas, and, agreeably to their
instructions, delivered into the King's own hands the petition of his
Catholic subjects of Ireland.
Their appearance was splendid, and
they met with, what is called in the language of courts, a most
;

gracious reception

that

is,

his

words to each of the delegates

Majesty was pleased to say a few

in his turn.

In those colloquies the

manner

is all
and with the
manner of the Sovereign the delegates had every reason to be

matter

is

generally of

little interest,

the

content.

Thus had the

ties,

Catholics, at length, through innumerable difficul-

fought their

way

to the foot of the throne

the

King had,

in

the most solemn manner, received their petition, and his ministers

were

in

wishes.

full

possession of their situation, their wants, and their

Their delegates had

began to prepare

now executed

for their return.

their

mission,

and

After allowing a decent interval

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

174

[1792.

of a few days, they attended on the minister, for the last time, to

may be

they could, his determination, and to take what

learn, if

called their audience of leave.

In this conversation, as in every

former one, the claims of the Catholics were powerfully enforced

and impressed on the mind of the minister

than

men

often used to

is

in

in

language stronger

his high station,

and which would

most probably have shocked the delicacy of a gentleman usher.

He

was given

to understand, in terms that

were scarcely equivocal

that the peace of Ireland, or, in other words, the submission of the

depended on the measures which Government might

adopt on their behalf. Yet the cool and guarded temper of the
Catholics,

minister was not to be disturbed, and, though he heard

attention, and, apparently, at times, with emotion,

them with

he was not

to be driven from the diplomatic caution, behind which he

After

carefully intrenched himself.

which
that

is

his

vernacular in

official

much

had

of that general language,

stations, the delegates

were told

Majesty was sensible of their loyalty and attachment

to the principles of the

constitution

that, in consequence,

should be recommended in the speech from the throne at

opening of the impending session, and that ministers

desired approbation

and support from them only

the measure of relief afforded.

which would

dilate or

If the elasticity

in

they
the

England

in proportion to

of this answer,

compress to any magnitude, did not appear

and uncourtly understandings of

and probably with some truth, that

entirely satisfactory to the plain

the delegates, they were told,

the minister had gone farther than custom in similar circumstances

and that, preserving the decorum due to the

would warrant
government
and legislature in Ireland, more could
independent
;

not, with propriety,

other.

With

satisfied

been

left

this

be said on the one hand, or required on the

answer they were forced to be content, and they

themselves in the reflection that nothing on their part had

undone

to procure

one more

definite.

now became necessary to consider of the report which

be made to their constituents in Ireland. The expressions
It

minister, according to

all

should
of the

received rules of construction, were to be

taken most strongly against himself; the King was sensible of

jET.

A SATISFACTORY ANSWER.

29-]

their loyalty

175

they were to be liberally recommended, and their

gratitude was to be commensurable with their

relief.

Combining

these expressions with the general behaviour of the minister, and

the effect produced on their minds in the various conferences, and

making allowance

for the delicacy of his station,

which did not

permit him to be more explicit, they resolved that the answer of

the minister was satisfactory, and satisfaction to Catholic minds

then inferred the idea of complete

relief-

a construction which they

founded, not on this or on that expression, but adopted as a general

impression, resulting from the whole tenor of Mr. Dundas's conduct,

from the commencement to the termination of their negotiation.

In pursuance of this principle, as the session had already opened,

two of

their

committee

body were

all

instantly despatched to state to the sub-

that had been done,

and what the deputation did

conceive to be the sentiments of ministry in England.

members followed more

leisurely,

and

The

in the course of a

other

few days

the deputation was collected, save one gentleman, Mr. Devereux, of

Wexford, who remained

1

in

London

as a kind of Charge

d 'Affaires,

[This Convention led to the passing of the famous Convention Act, prohibit-

ing delegated or representative assemblies outside Parliament.

only repealed in our

own

day.

This Act was

Ed.]

[In the original edition Chapters IX. and XI. of the present edition formed
one continuous statement. I have divided this statement into two chapters,
inserting between them (so as to preserve the chronological order) Tone's
diaries for January and February, 1793, making Chapter X.
Ed.]

CHAPTER

X.

AFTER THE CONVENTION.

January

2\st.

regularly.
I

left

find

very

it

my

have an arrear on

London.

wish

hard

to

keep those journals

hands since the week before

could bring myself to set apart some

certain time for journalising

but, as that would be something
approaching to system, I despair of ever reaching it.
;

In

the sub-committee,

McDonnell despatched

Sir

T.

French,

Hobart

to

Keogh,

Byrne,

to apprise

him

short of unlimited emancipation will satisfy the Catholics.

return, in

and

that nothing

They

about an hour, extremely dissatisfied with each other,

and, after diverse mutual recriminations,

fession of all

parties,

it

appears,

by the con-

from discharging their com-

that, so far

mission, they had done directly the reverse

for the result of their

conversation with the Secretary was, that he had declared explicitly

against the whole measure,

and they had given him reason,

in

consequence, to think that the Catholics would acquiesce contentedly in

a half one.

French,

as for merchants,

for,

hands at revolutions.
I

Sad, sad

And

always thought, when the

am

surprised at

Sir

T.

begin to see they are no great

so Gog's

crisis arrived,

puffing

is

come

to this

that he would be shy,

and

by every new

incident.
I am more and more confirmed in that idea
Agreed by the S. C. that a letter should be written to Hobart to
rectify this mistake, which is done accordingly, after many alterafor, instead of putting the
tions.
It is not well done after all
;

question

on

the true ground,

it

only says that his Majesty's

gracious intentions towards the Catholics cannot be

by the repeal of the penal

laws.

fulfilled,

wanted to express

deal stronger, and to hint at the danger of trifling, but

176

it

unless

a great

was over-

WAVERING COUNSEL.

JET. 30.]

man who was up to the business

H. Hamill next best. Gog damped them by purring
Magog, the

powered.
properly

177

his readiness for

single

one to face any danger which might ensue from

Owen O'Connor asserted that he was

ready too, upon which Gog asked him, Was he prepared to enter
the tented field ? He answered " He was." Now the fact is, the
question was put to frighten Ned Byrne and another fact is, that
O'Connor was ready, and Gog was not He is a sad fellow after
a strong representation.

all.

the business

see, if ever

is

done,

In the evening wrote three

gentlemen.

Charge d'Affaires

it

Devereux,

Mauvais jour.

Court of London.

at the

be by the country

will

official letters to

January 22nd. Called on Sir Thomas French. A council of war.

The Baronet, James Plunket, Edward Sweetman, P. P., and Mr.
Hutton agreed unanimously that the cause has gone back
materially, from the conversation of yesterday

of compromise seems creeping

spirit

may

in,

which,

that a sneaking

if

not immediately

Agreed that Sweetman shall prepare

a strong address to the nation, to show Ministers that we are as
Agreed that, if all be given except the two
resolute as ever.
checked,

be

fatal.

houses, the gentry of the Catholics will be the only disfranchised

body

All the country gentlemen present in a rage

in the nation.

which Mr. Hutton and

thereat,

aggravate to an extreme

P. P.

degree.

January 2$rd. Sweetman produces his paper at the Sub-comwhich is very strong and good.
Mr. Hutton produces an
amendment in the shape of a most virulent attack on the Lord
mittee,

The Sub-committee staggered

Chancellor (Fitzgibbon).

The whole

referred

to a

Committee,

viz.,

Hamill,

thereat.

McDonnell,

Sweetman, Bellew, Dr. Ryan, and Mr. Hutton, to report next day.
Dine with T. Braughall, and a long set. In committee in the
evening

divers alterations in the paper, principally

gestion of Hamill,
I

who

is

have seen of the Catholic mercantile

paper, which

January

is

very good.

2$th.

1.

interest.

Will they pass

lukewarm
13

first

Agreed

that

to the

it ?

Sir T. French opens the business

attack on the meeting for the

vol.

on the sug-

a very clever man, and far the

spirit

by a strong

which they have

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

178

manifested for these

which indeed

few days.

last

put the Baronet upon.

am

very glad of this step,

will

It

[1793-

give

them a

fillip

The paper read and received coldly enough.

They have now a noble opportunity of punishing
enemy Fitzgibbon, and I am afraid they will let it slip.

which they want.

This

is

hard

their old
It

is

objected to on two grounds

privileges of Parliament

dignity, to enter into

last is

most

fact

is

an attack on the

and 2nd, inasmuch as being below

an altercation with the Chancellor.

insisted upon, the

The

timidity.

as

1st,

appearing to savour a

first

they are afraid, which

is

damned

bad.

their

The

They

were much stouter three months ago, when they were, beyond

Now they

comparison, weaker.

may

say, the

of the King's name, and their

the sanction

highest

have,

spirits,

own

and most anxious expectations, and

they are gone unaccountably backward.

This

now rocking

to their very

We

foundation,

all

whole North,
party in the

all

of a sudden
It will give

is vile.

our execrable Government time to recollect themselves.

frightened than hurt.

of

little

They

are

still more
them very kindly out

and they are

are going to take

by the fluctuation and indecision of our councils,

them
that
they have nothing to fear from us. What does
to show
Gog want them to do this morning ? Only to alter the prayer of
the petition to Parliament, by striking out the part which mentions,
in terms, a repeal of the penal laws, and to leave it general,
according to the form of that presented to the King and this wise
and valiant proposal comes after we have put Hobart in possession
of this panic, and,

The Sub-committee

of a copy of our intended petition.

mously

reject the proposition.

he does not take

wants either

care,

he

Gog

will

is

unani-

losing ground fast, and,

go down

talents, integrity, or courage, to

totally.

He

conduct the

if

certainly
affairs

of

The intended paper is at

length got rid of, by referring it to those who are called our
Parliamentary friends. I never knew good come through that

the Catholics in their present state.

channel

"
but, however,

fanuary
flourish.

25th.

He

'tis

Gog comes

but in vain for soldiers to complain"

and makes a most amazing

losing ground on the score of

into town,

has found out that he

is

courage, and therefore he proposes to the Sub-committee to send

JET.

A BAD OUTLOOK.

30.]

179

proper persons to Dungannon, to propose to the convention which

meet there on the 15th February, that the Catholics will

relief, unless a reform be granted, provided the
Dissenters will accept of no reform which shall not include the
to

is

accept of no

Catholics on

Gog knows

a footing of equality.

All this a rhodomontade.

very well that the Sub-committee will not agree to

such a proposal, which, in the present state of the business, would

be foolish

and

that, if

they were disposed to do

He just means

authority or power.

to

make a

so,

they have no

dash, and have to

say that he proposed a measure which was too bold for the Sub-

committee to adopt.

January 26th to -$ist. The Sub-committee is infected more and

more with Gog's timidity, which is now, to all intents, as ruinous
T. Fitzgerald, who behaved infamously
as downright treachery.
the convention, and was most odious to Gog,

in

T.

Warren between them.

is

under Gog's influence

The country
looks

He

is

in

cowardly, and, besides,

perpetually wavering.
Altogether, everything

He

asked

is

objects to the prayer as being too

be altered to the very words of that

if it

presented to the King, will he then present and support

he declines, but says,

friends,

it

will

if

they choose to give

make no

it

to

for

if

any of

This

it.

their

own

alteration in his conduct relative to the

extent of the measures which he will support.

opening,

town, and

deputation has been with Hobart again, as to the

presenting the petition.

specific.

is

McDonnell

delegates do not step out.

ill.

The Vintner
;

is

They have poisoned

they have formed a most unnatural coalition.

This

is

a good

the Catholics have the grace to avail themselves of

the Minister

it,

bound by the King's recommendation, and

is

The only

opposition will be bound, as bringing in the petition.

use of Hobart's bringing

it

in, is,

that

it

may

pledge him to the

whole measure.
Sub-committee.

After sundry debates for two or three days,

the prayer of the petition

he
I

is

wrong.

If the

is

altered to Gog's mind.

form now agreed upon were the

am

best,

clear

which

doubt, there should not be allowed the least alteration, for no

form of words that was not downright offensive to Parliament can

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

do such mischief
in

as this appearance of fluctuations

This

our councils.

[1793-

material, but that

it

very bad

is

and indecision

not that the alteration

betrays a sad decay in our

very

is

Three or

spirit.

four days ago the Sub-committee rejected the idea of alteration

unanimously, and with some appearance of resentment.

To-day

unanimously and very quietly

adopted.

the same alteration

Sad

sad

is

A scuffle between MM.

Gog and Hutton. In the last debate on

mentioned some expressions which he
Hutton
the alteration Mr.
had heard out of doors. Gog, in his reply, remarked, in a very
pointed manner, "that the Sub-committee were not to be influenced in their decisions

wlwm

they

knew nothing

by

reports of conversations with persons

And

about."

in

another part,

" that

they

were not to attend to conversations that were held in corners?

Mr. Hutton taketh

fire

thereat, as the insinuation

He

is

too strong and

Warren
adviseth him not to speak, but he sweareth with vehemence that
he will. In the meantime Edward Sweetman addresses the chair,
and pronounces a handsome eulogium on Mr. Hutton, which a
pointed to be overlooked.

T.

abates the choler of that illustrious patriot, and also gives

little

him a moment's time

the apology to

Gog

to accuse himself.

to recollect himself.

He

as easy as possible, that he

He,

great mildness, " that

cast

riseth in great heat.

determines to

may have no

therefore, fixing his eyes

he

is

make

reason

on Gog, says, with

sure that gentleman did not intend to

any imputation on him, but

as,

unluckily, the words he

had

used might be construed so as to bear a bad sense, he thought

but right to give him an opportunity to explain them.
(Mr.

Hutton) had never had a conversation with any

Catholic

room

affairs,

that he

nor done any

That he
man on

would not hold before every man

action, in

it

in the

a corner or elsewhere, which he

would not repeat at the Royal Exchange at noonday. That he

had no secret, and, consequently, no fear. That he mentioned this,
in justice to

Gog, to induce him to give a proper explanation,/^

he would not suffer himself to suppose that

the smallest imputation

These

last

Gog could intend to convey

upon his conduct."

words brought up Gog

in

fuss.

He

payeth Mr.

JET.

A BATTLE OF WORDS.

30.]

181

Hutton sundry compliments, and appeals to the Sub-committee

whether he had not always expressed the obligations which the

owed

Catholic cause

to

exertions and talents, and whether

his

he had not always said that the Catholics were bound,

measures

few days, alluding to the

for the last

business of the petition, had

tended too

much

Catholics with Parliament, but was satisfied, at

the perfect purity of his intentions

himself had

commit the
the same time, of
to

that, as to the

honour,

That he thought

not only to reward him, but to raise his fortune.

his (Mr. Hutton's)

in

expressions

never intended by them to convey the

used, he

smallest imputation on Mr. Hutton, and, particularly, as to what

which he now saw was equivocal

had escaped him, and begged to recall it he
" corners,"

he had said about

he was sorry

added sundry

it

low bow, and so the

Now

to all which Mr.

civil things,

the fact

is,

affair

Hutton answered by a

ended.

Gog knew

very well what he was saying, and

did intend to attach an oblique censure on Mr.

would have stuck to that gentleman,

resented
is

Another

it.

much

so

upon the

said Gog.

If

have sent a certain

(who

fact

that

is,

Gog

the better for Mr. Hutton,

is

officer,

of the

name

Gog), with a message, which would, as

me yet with
risks, wliat

of

Edward Sweetman
much love

is

presumed, have speedily

the Catholics, if he

I feel

to be

my

can:

let

The fellow will ruin

him, but

will do, at all

duty.

paper, with the attack on the Chancellor, seems universally

given up.

Nobody mentions

containing an account of a

Dundas, wherein,
to confess

relief.

has, thereby, a claw

he had not apologised, Mr. Hutton would

brought him to a proper sense of his duty.

him

not a firm man, which

who

indeed delegate for Wexford, and does not

is

The

Hutton, which

he had not immediately

if

it.

A long despatch from

conversation

after pressing

him very

is

artful

colour of excusing his

Devereux,

had with
had driven

beyond

know what

partial

to say to this.

above their present key. Gog, at length,

and insidious attack on Devereux, under
warmth and inexperience, and, in the course

several notes

makes a very

to

he

hard, he

that they did not intend to go

The Sub-committee puzzled

Devereux

which

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

l82

[1793-

of his harangue, he twice hoped the S. C. would not dishonour

Edward Sweetman

deputy.

bosom

Devereux

friend to

says his kinsman

tlieir

flames out, being indeed cousin and

he seizes the word

"

dishonour" and

not to be dishonoured by any man.

is

finds, to his great mortification, that this

a chance of being very roughly handled by Sweetman.

immediately

begins

with

to apologise

Gog

won't do, and that he has

great

earnestness

He
and

vehemence, and to express his great respect and affection for

The S. C.
no man could

Devereux.
say that

so, at length,

his

twice in one

at once declare their assent to this,

and

possibly intend disrespect to Mr. Devereux;

with some

got out of what, at

managed

all

first,

difficulty,

Sweetman

is

and Gog

pacified,

Gog

appeared to be an ugly scrape.

has

matters poorly enough, to be obliged to apologise

week

he hates Sir Thomas French, Sweetman, and

Mr. Hutton worse than the devil, and for a good reason.

My own
politician

opinion
in

is,

business,

this

and a man of high

resulted, for the

Devereux did not

that

spirit

but he did

any

at

rate,

like

act like a trained

a good

Irishman,

no bad consequence has

ultimatum was despatched to Ireland before

this

conversation.

The King of France was beheaded on the 2 1st

was necessary. Another interview with Hobart

/ am
;

sorry

it

he agrees to

present the petition as altered, but takes care to protest against

his being
will

go so

thereby committed to the whole measure.

far as

he

is

He

says he

supported by the House, and the Catholics

give him the petition to present, saying they hope his conduct

be such as to

will

Government

entitle

for

Hobart

to the gratitude,

is

it,

and they

his Majesty's

They are all wrong

some independent man,
do what he can by the speech from

should give

bound already

to

it

to

the throne, and this imposes no additional

opposition

and

to the support, of the Catholics.

my judgment. They

in

him

tie,

whilst

it

cripples

any way anxious to present

upon him, which is very bad, as

besides, he did not appear

in a

manner forced

it

it

betrays a want of confidence in themselves and their friends.

am

back.
in

much in love with their proceedings for some time

They have totally lost the spirit which they seemed to have

not

England.

JET.

HOBARTS

30.]

February

on

Debate

1st.

Goldsmith's corps.

BILL.

the

183

were informed by Alderman Warren, that

they attempted to

if

march, he would take the officers into custody

some

consideration,

this was, that

was agreed to

it

some

the

with

business

late

few days ago they paraded, when they

on which,

after

The reason of
resist, by force, and

disperse.

individuals threatened to

was not thought advisable to commit the Volunteers with

Government just now. There are about 250 Volunteers in Dublin,

it

and the garrison

not less than 2,500, so that resistance

is

of the question for the present.

Do Government mean

the principle on with other corps

us

all ?

hope

February

which

bill,

is

and moved for

The measure of relief

petition,

granted.

by him,

as follows

is

The

Magistracies.

Right of endowing schools.

corporations.

Right

to

modification.

to carry

Will they go on and disarm

Hobart presented the

intended, as chalked out

sibility

out

not.

qth.

leave to bring in a

franchise.

is

Civil

offices,

carrying

of

subject

Admis-

arms, subject
modification

to

also

elective

to

but

we shall see more when the bill is introduced, and still more
when it is carried. The points withheld are
The two Houses
The Bench, and the Board of Commissioners
of Parliament.
of the Revenue. The last two are nonsense. There is no need
of an Act of Parliament to do what the King can do of himself,
:

and

it

establishes a 'principle of exclusion,

much

kept out of sight as

satisfied

am

with this

losing ground

Gog, who,

me

bill ?

close

will

work me

February
this day,

foot.

week than the man

%th.

I see,

Gog

in

owing to

my

friend

does not like to have

I am much afraid he
know no more of their plans

and

the moon.

has exhibited a master-stroke

when only nine gentlemen were

to unite secrecy

and be damned

hourly,

He

out.

to inspect his actions,

has some foul negotiation on

for the last

Will the Catholics be

as possible.

believe they will,

amongst them,

know,

enough

which ought to be

He moved

present, " that, in order

and despatch, the gentlemen who have been

appointed to wait on the Minister

be

requested

to

continue

their applications, in order to carry into effect the object of the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE,

184

This seems innocent enough, but what does

petition."

mean ?

it

a delegation of the whole power of the Catholic body to

It is

seven

men who have no

definite instructions,

who have no

to report their proceedings, and

Sub-committee
is

[1793-

thus adjourned sine

is

governed by a Septemvirate,

damned

but

fine,

won't do.

it

men who

that, of the nine

die,

who

bound

are not

responsibility.

The

and the Catholic body

Gog being Dictator. This is

What makes it more curious,

all
is,

voted this wise measure, five were of

Magog, Mr. Hutton, and everybody else are

all knowledge of or interference in Catholic
affairs, and that without the least bustle or noise.
This scheme
will never do.
We must have a counter-revolution, or an open
meeting. Gog is as deep as a draw-well. Mr. Hutton informs
the deputation.
fairly

excluded from

Magog

Gog

off his

stilts.

against the Septemviri.

brief.

artful

It

is,

Goes

a rage

in

swears he

inflame the citizens

off to

Their reign,

to be sure, a

see clearly, will be very

damned impudent

attempt, and a very

one of Gog.

February 6th.

Capt. Sweetman, P.

the

Magog

of this unexpected change.

take

will

new Dictator

Magog

meeting of malcontents
P.,

Present,

Much

and Mr. Hutton.

a formal conspiracy against

has poisoned the whole

city.

Agree

Magog,

railing against

to

his

authority.

call

the Sub-

committee, and rescind the vote appointing the Septemviri

if

defeated in the Sub-committee, to call the General Committee.

Gog's

new

authority tottering already.

walk together

much laughing

and

ex-minister,

no longer

All this will

Catholics.
will

soon be abolished,

it

at

possesses

soon be
is

Mr.

Hutton and

Mr. Hutton, who

the

rectified.

is

confidence

As

P. P.

indeed an
of the

the Septemviri

thought proper here to insert a

list

of

names Sir Thomas French, John Keogh, Thomas Fitzgerald, Randal McDonnell, Christopher Bellew, Edward Byrne,

their

and Dennis Thomas O'Brien.

February

committee

February
Septemviri

jth.

for

Magog

is

ready, and has

summoned

the Sub-

to-morrow.

8th.

removed

complete counter-revolution effected, and the

without

tumult

or

disturbance.

Magog

MT.

30.]

CRISIS.

moved, that the order of the 5th be rescinded, which, after a

feeble opposition from the Dictator, who is once more indeed

become

plain Gog,

and walks

una

carried

is

Gog

voce.

forth a private citizen

Huzza

lays

down

huzza

the fasces,

Mr. Hutton

that
Huzza
Magog, also all good Catholics.
business is over, and the Dictatorate at an end, after an existence
of three days.
May all unjust power have as speedy a termination
The deputation report that they were sent for this morning
restored,

also

by Hobart,

to tell

business of the

them

bill for

"

nothing could be done in the

that

the relief of the Catholics, unless he should

be enabled to say that they would be

at present intended

that,

by being

mind should not be

some time past that

public
for

applications
will

may

satisfied

the

irritated in

not be made, but that

not for the present be

here than to concede,

meant, that the

manner

it

has been

not meant to say that future

is

it

with the measures

satisfied, is

satisfied,

it

is

they (the Catholics)

if

better to

make a

stand

and thereby to give them strength by

which they might be able further to embarrass Administration,

perhaps next session."
Secretary.

It

This

16,000 militia were voted

Opposition, and

is

army and
by the House of Commons, and that

particularly

Grattan, were

They

measure as the Treasury Bench.

amongst

long conversation

declaring themselves
satisfaction,

Keogh

Sir

against

This

Plunket.

Thomas

as

earnest

much

as

not,

in

the

Monck Mason.

the Catholics on the

or

satisfied,

20,000

are a fine set, to be sure,

Grattan dreads the people as

altogether.

language of the

pretty stout

observable that last night

is

with

Hobart's

point
bill.

of

For

French, Bellew, Byrne, O'Connor, and

O'Gorman, Sweetman, McCormick, and James

as important a crisis as any which has occurred

it,

is

in Catholic affairs.

For

satisfaction,

disown us
perously,

a price

for ever

if

now

we

it

is

said that the people out of doors

would

were, after bringing the question thus far pros-

to refuse purchasing the present bill at so cheap

that the Secretary did not say that

we were

to acquiesce

under the measures intended, but only that the public

mind should not be

irritated

that every accession of strength

;;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

i86

enabled us the better to secure the remainder

what was now

offered,

and

in a

withheld

that the

numbers who would

that the present

bill

that

we might take

year or two apply for what was

would give

substantial

relief

by what was withheld were

comparison with those who would be satisfied by

very few, in

what was granted

suffer

that, as to the

Bench, few Catholic lawyers

could be, even in point of standing,

which time

years, before

[1793-

it

for that station for

fit

was hoped

all

many

would be

distinctions

done away that, as to seats in Parliament, if all were this moment

granted, no Catholic gentleman is prepared, by freeholders or
otherwise, for an immediate contest, so that in case of a General
Election immediately, the Protestant gentry must come in without
;

opposition

that

Catholics to

few years would alter

make

their

contest on equal terms.

was again and again pressed, that

It

the people would not be with us, and, finally,

we prepared

for the

English, were

seemed

On

consequences of a refusal

we ready

to have

its

to take the field

that

An

was asked, were

it

in

is,

plain

argument which

due weight with divers of the assembly.

the other hand,

by the general

and enable the

this,

arrangements, so as to engage in the

it

was

what had been determined

said, that

will of the Catholics

of Ireland assembled, could

not be reversed by the persons appointed to carry that will into

execution

that the Sub-committee

discussing the Minister's propositions

still

had not even the power of

;

that

if

the Catholics were

to be kept from an equal share of the benefits of the Consti-

by concurring in it
when they had
claims, when they had

tution, they should not sanction the exclusion

that

it

would

ill

become them now

to ask less,

obtained the royal approbation of their

the support of the entire North, and so

many

respectable county

meetings of their Protestant brethren joined to their own united

strength, than they

had done

at a time

when

so

many

circumstances had not yet concurred in their favour

proposal originated with

men who had always been

fortunate
that the

their enemies,

was brought forward evidently with a view to

that the people were with the Subdistract and divide them
committee, as appeared by the universal satisfaction which the

and

therefore

TONE DESPONDS.

JET. 30.]

resolution of the

187

Grand Committee, to go for complete emancipathat

all ranks and descriptions of Catholics

had given to

tion,

they were unable to cope with their enemies in the arts of negotiation

that

if

the Minister desired that expression of satisfaction,

which the Sub-committee neither could nor ought to

give, the

Grand Committee might be summoned, the bare mention of which

would deter him from pressing
field,"

it

farther

that, as to the " tented

such language was not to be held out to an unarmed people,

pursuing their just rights, and using, and desiring to use, no other

weapons than a

" sulky,

unaccommodating, complaining, constitu-

it was again pressed, and insisted upon,

Grand Committee having already decided in favour of the
whole measure, no body nor individual among the Catholics had
power to sanction any measure short of complete relief.
After much altercation and repetition of the above arguments, on
both sides, the Sub-committee broke up, without coming to any

tional loyalty."

Finally,

that the

determination.

/ see

tJie

whole measure

is

decidedly

lost.

CHAPTER

XI.

THE FRANCHISE
The

ACT.

opening of the session of 1793 was, perhaps, as critical a

In consequence

period as had occurred for a century in Ireland.

of the regulation above

mentioned,

delegated for either county or city was

every country

now a member

committee, and the anxiety which they

felt

for the

gentleman
of the Sub-

event of a

and warmest hopes were

so deeply involved, had detained a number of the most active,
spirited, and intelligent of the Catholic gentry in town during the
question, in which their dearest interests

whole period of the absence of their deputation.

On

their return

the Sub-committee was, in consequence, very diligently attended, and

the process of the measures intended for the relief of the Catholics

was very fully investigated, and, on several material

in crowded meetings and with considerable heat.

points, debated

At the adjournment of the General Committee, in December, and

some time after, administration in Ireland was in a state of

for

deplorable depression and dismay.

Already stunned with the rude

shock received from the Catholics, the Minister, at the opening of

the session, was a perfect model of conciliatory concession.

To

the astonishment of the nation, the principle of parliamentary

reform was asserted unanimously by the House of

Commons, and

admitted without a struggle, almost without a sigh, by administration.

The people seemed

their long withheld rights,

to

have but to demand and to obtain

and sanguine men began to indulge the

hope that the constitution of

restored to
ties

its

their country would, at length,

theoretical simplicity

dispelled,

justice,

and

all

its

be

impuri-

But this vision, so bright in the perspective,

and the nation, in the course of a few short

be purged away.

was soon

and

188

JET.

DUMOURIER'S VICTORIES.

30.]

weeks, awakened from

tion to a very solid
in detail

many

its

fancied triumph over inveterate corrup-

and substantial system of

sudden and unexpected change would now be, at

perhaps prejudicial

be developed
lost

To

coercion.

follow

of the measures which materially contributed to this

the investigation of past errors,

opportunity,

best, useless,

yet truth requires that some of them should

may

cannot

if it

recall

at least prevent their repetition in similar

circumstances, should such ever recur again.

The

solid strength of the people

was

men

because unanimous, requisition of 3,000,000 of

supported by

all

December

In

their union.

the Catholics had thundered out their demands, the

imperious,
;

they were

the spirit and intelligence of the Dissenters.

Dumourier was in Brabant, Holland was prostrate before him

even London, to the impetuous ardour of the French, did not

appear at an immeasurable distance

war seemed inevitable

those circumstances,

it

the stocks were trembling

the Minister was embarrassed

was

idle to think that

domestic peace of Ireland to maintain a system

utterly useless to his views.

well

knew

own

their

and therefore
bluster of the

it

The

and, under

he would risk the

monopoly,

of

knew

Catholics well

this

they

strength and the weakness of their enemies

was that the Sub-committee derided the empty

Grand

Juries,

and did not

fear, in

the

moment

that

they stigmatised the administration, to approach their Sovereign

with a

demand

decided

spirit

of unlimited emancipation.

Happy had

continued to actuate their councils.

But

it

the

same

would be

From whatever
cause the system was changed, the simple universality of demand
was subjected to discussion, and from the moment of the first inter-

fruitless to

deny what

it is

impossible to conceal.

view with the Minister of Ireland the popular mind became retro-

and their strength returned,

and the same session which afforded a mutilated, though important
relief to the Catholics, carries on its records a militia bill, a gunpowder act, and an act for the suppression of tumultuous assemblies.
These bills are now the law of the land.
In times like the present

grade, the confidence of administration

it is

not safe to descant on their merits

by the

fair

and impartial judgment of

they

will

posterity.

be appreciated
But, though a

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

190

of their excellencies, however curious or inte-

critical investigation

resting, be, for the present, denied to

him who

nantly bound by their extensive operation,

criminal to relate

historically,

question, or to conjecture

famous

who

himself indig-

feels

not yet, perhaps,

is

it

a work like the present, the

in

progress of measures so closely connected

planned, those

[1793-

with

Catholic

the

the probable views of those

at

who

supported, and those

who

connived at those

statutes.

The General Committee had framed

emancipation

adhere to the

spirit

their

faithfully observed,

British Minister.

their

demand

instructions to the deputation

of the petition.

total

These instructions had been

perhaps exceeded,

Even

for

had been to

in

every interview with the

unimportant circumstance of the day

in the

of their introduction they had refused to consult his convenience

or his caprice, and they parted from

him with a

principle which in every conversation they

reiteration of the

had maintained, that

nothing short of total emancipation would be esteemed satisfactory

by the Catholics of

But,

Ireland.

when they had

executed the object of their mission, certain

modating
nature,

spirit

relaxed,

and a system of

it is

returned, having

that this unaccom-

and something of a more conciliatory

less

extensive demand, appeared to pervade

the councils of the Catholics.

In the

first

interview with the Irish

Minister the two Houses of Parliament were at once given up, but
the question began to be, not

how much must be

how much might be

So

withheld.

the vigilance of administration

striking a

conceded, but

change did not escape

they instantly recovered from the

panic which had led them into such indiscreet and, as

it

now

appeared, unnecessary concessions at the opening of Parliament

they dexterously seduced the Catholics into the strong ground of

negotiation, so well
saries

doubts,

known

to themselves, so little to their adver-

they procrastinated, and they distinguished, they started

they pleaded

difficulties

the

measure

of

relief

was

gradually curtailed, and during the tedious and anxious progress

of discussion, whilst the Catholic mind, their hopes and fears, were

unremittingly intent on the process of their

bill,

which was obviously

and designedly suspended, the acts already commemorated were

^ET.

CATHOLIC COMMITTEE AND MINISTER.

30.]

191

driven through both houses with the utmost impetuosity, and, with
the most cordial and unanimous concurrence of

all parties,

received

the royal assent.

This negotiation, however, did not proceed

amongst

opposition

occurred

debates

the
the

in

members strenuously
general demand.

Catholics

Sub-committee, and

resisted

It is

the

without

idea of

serious

Many warm

themselves.

of

the

compromising

the

not necessary, nor could

several

it

now be

useful

same ground was

with equal obstinacy and the same

to detail these various combats, in which the

fought over again and again,

success.

may

It

suffice to give the

substance of one debate as a

specimen.

During the progress of the

bill,

the Minister having sent for the

gentlemen appointed to communicate with him, informed them

that he could not pretend to answer for the success of the
unless he

was enabled, from authority,

posed to him by a noble lord

to reply to a question pro-

in debate, "

Whether the Catholics

would be

satisfied

" satisfied "

he meant that the public mind should not be

manner

in the

it

with the measure of relief intended

had been

for

some time back

to say that future applications might not be

make

strength,

? "

By

irritated

he did not mean

made

the Catholics, would not, for the present, be satisfied,

to

bill

but

it

if

they,

were better

a stand here than to concede, and thereby to give them

by which they might be

administration

able

perhaps next session.

farther

to

embarrass

This was pretty strong

language from the Minister (Secretary Hobart), and very unlike

what he had held

at the opening of the session, but the aspect

of the political hemisphere had been materially altered in that

short space.

The very

Commons had

night before this interview the

voted an army of 20,000, and a militia of

men, a measure

in

for strengthening the

6,000

Every measure

hands of government was adopted by one

party with even more eagerness than

;

which the opposition party had outrun the

hopes and almost the wishes of administration.

other

House of

it

was proposed

by the

the nation was submitted implicitly to the good pleasure of

the Minister, and the leader of opposition was contented, in terms,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

192

man

to implore the gratuitous clemency of the

have dictated the law

a mode of proceeding

to

[1793-

whom

he could

that seems to have

been more sentimental than wise, as the subsequent measures of

Government was invested

the administration abundantly verified.

with dictatorial
posterity

may

powers

to

and

safely,

what purpose they were exerted,

impartially, determine.
But to

will

return.

The deputation having

very warm debate ensued

reported the speech of the Secretary, a

Sub-committee, which,

in the

it

may

be

necessary to repeat, then comprised a great portion of the spirit

and
"

ability

of

Whether they would accede

The

Committee.

General

the

question

was,

to the wish of the Minister, and,

admitting their satisfaction at the present

short of complete emancipation

bill,

by

sanction a measure

"
?

Those who argued in the affirmative stated that the people out
of doors would disown them if they were, after bringing the question thus far prosperously,

now

to refuse purchasing a bill convey-

That the Minister did

ing such solid benefits at so cheap a price.

not say the Catholics were to acquiesce for ever under the measures
intended, but only that the public

mind should not be irritated

them the better to secure

that every accession of strength enabled

the remainder

that

what was now

offered

might be accepted, and,

in two or
no man could

under the terms of the stipulation, application might,

three years, be

made

for

what was withheld

that

deny that the present bill afforded substantial relief that the
members who might suffer by what was refused were very few, in
comparison with those who would be satisfied with what was
granted
that, taking the bench as an example, few Catholic
;

lawyers could be, even in point of standing,

many

years, long before

which time,

it

fit

for that station in

was presumed,

all

distinc-

would be done away that as to seats in Parliament, if all

distinctions between the sects were at that moment abolished, no
tions

Catholic gentleman was prepared,

an immediate contest

by

so that, in

freeholders or otherwise, for

case of

immediately, the Protestant gentry must

tion

come

a general election
in

without opposi-

that a few years would alter this, and enable the Catholics

DISCUSSION.

ALT. 30.]

make

to

terms

their

that

193

arrangements so as to engage

what was given by the

bill,

in the contest

on equal

and particularly the right

of elective franchise, was an infallible means of obtaining

that

all

was again and again pressed, and relied on,

that the people would not be with them who would reject it and
finally, it was asked, under those circumstances, were they prepared
remained behind

it

consequences of a refusal

for the

the tented

To
was

field ?

that

is,"

Were they ready

to take

"

these arguments, which were certainly of great cogency,

will of the Catholics

of Ireland assembled, could not be reversed

by persons merely appointed to carry that

that the Sub-committee had not even the
Minister's proposition

will

into execution

power of discussing the

that, if the Catholics

were

to be kept

still

from an equal share of the benefits of the constitution,

it

was not

by concurring themselves in the

become them now, when they had
obtained the royal approbation of their claims, when they had the
support of the entire North, and so many respectable meetings of
their Protestant brethren, joined to their own united and compact
strength, to ask less than they had unanimously done in December
last, when so many fortunate circumstances had not yet concurred
for

them

it

That what had been once determined by the general

replied, "

principle

to sanction the exclusion

that

favour

in their

men who had

brought

them

it

would

ill

that the proposal under debate had originated with

ever been enemies to the Catholics, and was

forward evidently with a view to distract

that the people

now

and divide

would support the Sub-committee, which

might be inferred from the universal approbation which the resolution of the General

had given to

all

Committee

to

go

for

were unable to cope with their enemies

negotiation

complete emancipation

ranks and descriptions of Catholics

but that,

if

that they

in the intricate arts

of

the Minister persisted in desiring that

expression of satisfaction which the Sub-committee neither could

nor ought to give, he should be told that the General Committee

would be summoned, the mention of which would probably deter

him from pressing it further that, as to taking the tented field/
'

such language was not to be held out to an unarmed people,

vol.

1.

14

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

194

[1793-

pursuing their just rights, and using, and desiring to use, no other
weapons than a sulky, unaccommodating, complaining, constitutional

loyalty."

that the General

Finally,

it

was again pressed and

Committee having already decided

the whole measure, no body nor individuals

among

insisted on,
in favour of

the Catholics

had power to sanction any measure short of absolute and complete

relief.

The

result of

neither side,

these arguments, which brought conviction to

was a compromise.

The

deputation again saw the

Minister, and, with a nice distinction, they refused, in the

the body, to express the wished-for satisfaction

express

it

officially

as

members

relief,

with a stipulation that

it

they refused to

posal

and even

this

all

that he wished to

know by

he saw that the Catholics would acquiesce

short of complete

relief,

the safety of their

bill

bill

did

admission was guarded

should not be quoted in debate.

Minister had ascertained

of

of the Sub-committee, but, as

individuals of the Catholic body, they admitted that the

contain substantial

name

in a

But the
the pro-

measure

and he inferred that they would not risk

by opposition to any measures, however

repugnant to their own feelings or subversive of the general

interest,

The

and the whole process of the session

justified his sagacity.

expression of satisfaction was therefore no longer required,

and the bill proceeded in the usual forms.

But while it was in progress through the House of Commons
a very serious blow was struck at the hopes of the Catholics and
the honour of the Sub-committee in the House of Lords. A noble
peer {Lord Fitzgibbori), high in legal station, and to whom not envy
herself can deny the praise of consistency on the subject of Catholic
emancipation, had, early in the session, declared his opposition

terms of the bitterest invective.

Very

in

shortly after, advantage

was taken of the riotous and tumultuous outrages committed by

the rabble in certain counties, and a committee of secrecy was
appointed by the Lords to inquire into the causes of the disorders
and disturbances which prevailed in several parts of the kingdom.
In due time this committee published a report, whose object was
two-fold to attach a suspicion on the most active members of the
:

JET.

ATTACK ON THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE.

30.]

195

Sub-committee of having fomented those disturbances, and to

convey a charge

little

short of high treason on certain corps of

Volunteers, particularly in Belfast, preparatory to disarming or

otherwise suppressing that formidable body.

In the

schemes the authors of the measure completely

first

failed

of these

in the last

they were but too successful.

On

the merits of that report

pelled to refrain.

am, with deep reluctance, com-

The examples which

have seen of victims to

the unforgiving revenge of offended privilege, force

silence the ardent spirit of resentment

man

will

which

I feel.

me to bury in
What single

again be found to encounter the strong hand of power for

a country that would suffer him to rot in a dungeon

reflect

on that publication a thousand ideas crowd

mind, and struggle

Perhaps a time

for a vent.

The Sub-committee could

them

it

in private life,

if

established,

man

universally respected in public

if

out,

no such prosecution did ensue,

it
;

and though

at all founded, should

be instantly followed by criminal prosecution, and

tion existed for the imputation

would

Their Secretary

was more peculiarly marked

might be thought that such charges,

in the

When I
my

may come

to penalties of the severest kind.

{Richard McCormick, Esq.), a

and

once into

not overlook an attack of so very

serious a nature, containing charges which,

subject

at

that,

where

was probable that no founda-

yet the Sub-committee, knowing,

pending state of the Catholic

bill,

how

severely a stigma

conveyed

in the report might affect their dearest hopes,

and conjecturing that such was the object of the framers of that
paper, determined to give it an immediate answer, disclaiming,

like that

in the

most solemn manner, every

article of the

charges alleged

against them, and tendering themselves, their publications, and

their accounts, to the

most severe and public scrutiny that the

malice of their enemies could devise.

Their Secretary likewise

published a separate defence, in which he very fully explained

those circumstances which, were they not contained in a report of

a Committee of the

and

wilfully

House of Lords, might be said to be grossly

Yet the defence of the Sub-committee,

misstated.

and the vindication of the Secretary, were languid compared with

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

196

The body and

former publications.

and obliged

to a defensive war,

blow

[1793-

the individual were confined

to parry, without returning the

a situation more severe to an honourable mind cannot well

The

be imagined.
that his

dock has

felon in the

mind may be

his irons

were arraigned at the

bar of

knocked

off,

The Sub-committee

free for his defence.

country with their hands

their

manacled, their feet shackled, and the halter of undefined privileges dangling on their necks.

Fortunately, however, the measure of Catholic relief had

now

was not

this

taken such deep root that

storm.

The

bill,

it

after a long

to be subverted even

by

and tedious discussion of several

Commons, and was trans-

weeks, at length passed the House of

Through

mitted to the Lords.

that

alteration, receiving, however, in

House

philippic from the exalted character

consistency,
in this

It

would,

also passed, without

who

one

it

more severe

had, with undeviating

condemned the measures intended

and the preceding session

April, 1793,

it

transit,

its

for Catholic relief

and, finally, on the 9th day of

received, with the usual solemnities, the royal assent.

in a

work

like the present,

be impossible to do justice

to the talents displayed in support of the Catholic claims

their advocates in Parliament.

It

by

all

would be invidious, perhaps, to

of none amongst them will be

make a selection, yet the self-love

wounded by the acknowledgment of the superior talents manifested
by Mr. Grattan. He was the early, the steady, and the indefatigable friend of Catholic emancipation.
The splendour of his
talents reflected a light upon their cause in the darkest moments
of

its

depression.

To

that great object he bent the undivided

powers of his mind, and did not scruple to hazard his popularity

by a manly

declaration in their favour, at a time

when

the tide of

popular clamour ran most strongly against them, and when his
constituents were foremost in the cry.
side at his feet

storm, and the

He saw

own

that clamour sub-

the voice of truth and reason prevailed over the

same man had the

rare

and unexampled good

fortune to be foremost in restoring a people to the constitution, as

he had been

in restoring a constitution to the people.

copy of the

bill

is

subjoined.

By one comprehensive

clause

PROVISIONS OF THE FRANCHISE ACT.

ET. 30.]

and incapacities are removed

all penalties, forfeitures, disabilities,

the property of the Catholic

restraints

by the

laws,

and

their liberty, in a

restoration of the right of elective

The

franchise, so long withheld, so ardently pursued.

defence

established

is

by the

completely discharged from the

is

and limitations of the penal

great measure, restored

197

right of self-

restoration of the privilege to carry

arms, subject to a restraint, which does not seem unreasonable, as

The

excluding none but the very lowest orders.

unjust and un-

reasonable distinctions affecting Catholics, as to service on grand

and petty

juries, are

done away

the army, navy, and

all offices

and

places of trust are opened to them, subject to exceptions hereafter

mentioned.

Catholics

may

be masters or fellows of any college

hereafter to be founded, subject to

two conditions

be a member of the University, and that

it

that such college

be not founded ex-

They may be members

clusively for the education of Catholics.

of any lay body corporate, except Trinity College, any law, statute,
or bye-law of such corporation to the contrary notwithstanding.

They may obtain degrees in the University of Dublin. These, and

some lesser immunities and privileges, constitute the grant of the
bill, the value of which will be best ascertained by referring to the

From

petition.

recited has

removed.

The

bill

comparison,

been attended to

it

will

Yet the prayer of the

is

appear that every complaint

every grievance specified has been

petition

was

not coextensive with the prayer.

for

general

relief.

The measure

of

by the extent of the previous

and degradation of the Catholics set forth by themselves,

redress must, however, be estimated

suffering

and, in this point of view, the

who admitted

that

But, though

it

and withheld

because the

bill,

will

and substantial

in the

it

will

relief.

privileges

were now

appear that much has been with-

manner most

offensive to, their feelings,

admitting the lower orders of the Catholic people

to all the advantages of the constitution

to enjoy, excludes the
tions

undoubtedly justify those

many and most important

secured to the Catholics,

held,

bill

afforded solid

which they are competent

whole body of their gentry from those func-

which they are naturally entitled to fill. A strange inconDuring the whole progress of the Catholic question a

sistency

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

198

[i793-

and plausible topic with their enemies was the ignorance

and bigotry of the multitude, which rendered them incompetent to

favourite

exercise the functions of free men.

That ignorance and bigotry are

now admitted

the constitution, whilst

into the

bosom of

all

the

learning and liberality, the rank and the fortune, the pride and pre-

eminence of the Catholics, are degraded from

stigmatised by Act of Parliament.
"

page

Catholic

may

page

23, line 4, to

Of this bead

not be "

roll

(See

26, line

Act of 9th

their station,

and

April, 1793, from

i). 1

of disqualifications,

many

are unnecessary, doing

by Act of Parliament which his Majesty is already competent

to do by his royal discretion.
The exclusion is the more invidious
from the utter improbability of any Irish Catholic being called to
fill the stations of
Lord Lieutenant, Lord Deputy, Lord High
that

Chancellor, which are formally excepted in the

bill,

merely, as

should seem, to affix on them a mark of distrust and

But these are exceptions

offensive only to the pride

it

inferiority.
;

there are

others directly trenching on their interests.

By their exclusion from the two Houses of Parliament the whole

body of the Catholic gentry of Ireland, a high-spirited race of men,
are insulted and disgraced, thrown down from the level of their
fortune and their talents, and branded with a mark of subjugation,
the last
the

relic

This

of interested bigotry.

If the Catholics deserved

bill.

deserved what has been withheld

if

is

the radical defect of

what has been granted, they

they did not deserve what has

been withheld, what has been granted should have been refused.

There

is

an inconsistency, not to be explained on any principle of

reason or justice, in admitting the alleged ignorance and bigotry

and numbers of the Catholics

excluding

into the pale of the constitution,

the birth, rank, property, and talents.

all

By

and

granting

the franchise, and withholding seats in Parliament, the Catholic

gentry are at once compelled and enabled to act with effect as a

excluded from Parliament, the Privy Council, and
from the offices of Lord Lieutenant, Lord
Chancellor, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Secretary of State, Commander-inChief, Attorney or Solicitor-General, Sheriff or Sub-Sheriff, or Lord Lieutenant
of a County (33 Geo. III., c. 21, s. 9). Ed.]
1

[Catholics were

Judicial

Bench

and

still

{inter alia)

^ET.

KNOX'S MOTION.

30.]

distinct

body and a separate

199

They

interest.

receive a benefit

with one hand and a blow with the other, and their rising gratitude

checked by their just resentment

is

resentment which

in the

same moment they obtain the means and the provocation to justify.
it was not intended to emancipate them also, they should have

If

been debarred of

serve the interests of others

of the

feelings

and power

As

in

in

and convewhich they

who

meanest of

no respect better than them-

men

degradation to

the law

rank and fortune

first

inferior to the

and

them are

A mortifying state of

and generous

man

enable them to

share, subaltern instruments in the elevation of those

their honest pride tells

selves

will

to be useful freeholders

nient voters, artificers of the greatness

must not

Will they not say

share of political power.

all

that they have received just so much liberty as

now
is,

his tenants

in
;

of ardent spirit

stands, a Catholic gentle-

a political point of view,

combining

their situation

their feelings, they are fully emancipated, he drags along

unseemly and galling

An

attempt was made to do justice to the Catholics, to preserve

Parliament, and to carry into execution his

the consistency of

Majesty's paternal wish for the complete union of

support of the established constitution.

mittal of the

bill

Knox, member

for

On

all his

subjects in

the day of the com-

House of Commons the Hon. George

Dungannon, moved that the committee be em-

in the

powered to receive a clause to make it lawful for Catholics

and vote in Parliament. The justice and magnanimity of the
ciple

an

link of his ancient chain.

were supported by the

spirit

and

ability of the

to sit
prin-

mover, who, in

a strain of eloquence, unanswered because unanswerable, enforced

the

wisdom of the measure and the claims of the Catholics by

arguments drawn, not merely from

local or

temporary

topics,

but

from the principles of good government and the feelings and nature
of man.

What,

Catholics to

said he,

is

the object of this

some degree of

civil

liberty.

bill ?

On what

To admit

the

principle then,

with what object have you singled out that portion which you are

about to concede?
col.,

(Vide Hibernian Journal, March

2nd paragraph.)

It will

not

much impeach

18, 1793,

2nd

the abilities of the

opposers of the motion to say, that to these arguments they were

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

200
unable to reply.

[1793.

does not, however, always happen that the

It

weight of argument concurs with the weight of members.

Not-

withstanding the powerful exertions of the friends to Catholic

emancipation, and the talents they are

were never displayed

known

in greater lustre, the

very large majority, seventy-one members voting

and no
even

and which

to possess,

motion was

lost

by a

in the affirmative,

Yet

than one hundred and sixty-five in the negative. 1

less

compared with the

this defeat,

men

But

a victory.

a petition which, in

last session

of Parliament, was

could then be found to vote for receiving

effect,

asked

for

nothing

now seventy-one

members, constituting a great portion of the character, the property,

and, above

all,

the talents of the House, voted for the complete

admission of the Catholics to the privileges of the constitution.

The

denial of the right to

sit

and vote

in

Parliament

undoubtedly, the chief grievance of the Catholics

Another

function, from

They may

port.

which they are excluded,

is

of

is

now,

Ireland.

of material im-

not be high sheriffs nor sub-sheriffs

an exception

which diminishes extremely the value of the concessions whereby

they are admitted to serve on grand

juries.

When

it is

considered

never conferred but on gentlemen of property

that the office

is

and

not easy to see any good reason for the exclusion

figure,

it is

of a man, in

all

other respects unexceptionable, merely because he

is

a Catholic. Every argument which can be used for their admission to

Parliament applies with
of sheriff

much

and the danger,

greater force to their filling the office

if

danger can be apprehended, ought

surely to vanish in the reflection, that the appointment to that office

appertains to the Crown, whose discretion and whose advisers may,

in this prerogative,

therefore,

is

at best

be safely trusted.

Excluding Catholics by law,

an unnecessary precaution, and every such pre-

caution, as springing from a principle of distrust

for so

much an

insult,

and an

insult solely

and suspicion,

is

on the men of family,

property, and education.

From

another function, and of considerable importance, Catholics

1
[The figures generally given are 163 and 69. The Tellers are, probably,
counted by Tone, but not by the other authorities. The slight discrepancy
may, perhaps, be explained in this way. Ed.]

JET.

SEEDS OF FUTURE AGITATION.

30.]

201

By

are yet excluded in fact, though not in express terms.

"

may

they

bill

be members of any lay body corporate, any rule or bye-

But

law to the contrary notwithstanding."

this

is,

in effect, a

nuga-

There are but three ways of obtaining freedom of

tory license.

corporations
first

the

by

birth,

by

service, or

by

From

special grace.

the

Catholics are excluded, for their fathers, for generations back,

have been

slaves.

From

the second they are excluded, because

it

has been hitherto a part of the oath of a freeman that he would

take as an apprentice no bondman's son

The

shuts out the Catholics.

liberality of Protestant corporators

have outrun our manners.

a clause which effectually

third door
;

may

be opened by the

but in this instance our laws

In the metropolis the vigilant bigotry

of the corporation of the city has been successfully exerted to

effect and, as far as in

and

Catholics,

this

refusal of their

them

unworthy

lay, to

spirit

freedom to some who have passed through the

ordeal of their respective guilds,

and

is

among whom

respectability, equal to any, not

community.

in the

known

instance

perpetuate the exclusion of

has been manifested in the

The unbounded

merely

are

men

of character

in the corporation,

but

influence which administration

body renders this conduct in this

more paradoxical, and it certainly wears a great

to possess in that

the

appearance of insincerity to grant the Catholics a valuable

lege, and, in

the very

privi-

same moment, to render them incapable to

avail themselves of its benefits.

It is

not

my

parts of the

wish to aggravate discontent by dwelling on those

bill

which have disappointed the Catholic hope.

Some

of them are above, and

some of them below, the general contemThose parts which I have selected are, in form, offensive

plation.

to the feelings, and, in substance, subversive of the interests of the

Catholic body.
is,

that

it still

But the radical and fundamental defect of the

tends to perpetuate distinctions, and, by consequence,

disunion amongst the people.

While a single

fibre

penal code, that cancer in the bosom of the country,

to exist, the mischief
ciple

of

is

may,

for a while,

of the old
is

permitted

removed, the prin-

but suspended, not

contamination remains behind

Palliatives

bill

and

propagates

itself.

keep the disease at bay, but a sound

and firm constitution can only be restored by

its total

extirpation.

CHAPTER

XII.

JACKSON'S MISSION.
[TONE was much

dissatisfied with the

pressing forward their

He

conduct of the Catholics

demands for complete emancipation

believed that they could have obtained

he, doubtless, felt that

it

then

or

if

in

not

in 1793. 1

they failed

renewed agitation would advance the cause

of separation from England which was nearest and dearest to his

After their partial success the Catholics for a time rested,

heart.

and were thankful.

But Tone did not pause

in his

onward

course.

Watchful, eager, determined, bent on seizing every opportunity to

further his aims,
efforts,

and confident of

nor suspended his

plans.

success, he neither relaxed his

An

incident

soon occurred

which brought him prominently under the notice of the GovernIn 1794 the Rev. William Jackson, an Anglican clergy-

ment.

man,

visited

begun

life

Ireland.

as

Jackson (who was of Irish descent) had

a tutor in London.

Afterwards he entered the

Church, obtained some distinction as a popular preacher, and

finally

became the

friend

and chaplain of the Duchess of Kingston.

In 1790 he went to Paris, interested himself in French politics, and

1794 he was sent to

Ireland by the Committee of Public Safety to communicate with

formed relations with the Government.

In

the United Irish leaders, and to bring back an account of the condition of the country.

Passing through London he renewed his

acquaintance with an old friend

to

the Duchess of Kingston.

projected mission to Ireland.

Cockayne, who had been

solicitor

He told Cockayne all about his

Cockayne immediately put Pitt in

has already been stated that Tone's friend, George Knox, moved an
to the Franchise Bill in favour of the admission of Catholics to
Parliament. But it was negatived by 163 to 69. Ed.]
1

[It

amendment

202

3i

REV. WILLIAM JACKSON.

possession of the whole story.

Pitt desired

out together, and reached Ireland

met

Some days
1

he

himself has

Ed.]

detailed.

A.

which

set

They

in the spring of the year.

under circumstances

Tone,

to keep quiet, to

movements, and to

Cockayne and Jackson

report everything to the Government.

soon

him

to Ireland, to watch his

accompany Jackson

203

was informed by
was
very recently
town who

previous to the Drogheda Assizes

was a gentleman

that there

in

and who, he suspected, was in the confidence

of the Comite de Saint public.
I was very desirous to see him, in
order to hear some account of the state of France, which might be
accordingly wrote a note, which he gave me
depended on. A.
to deliver, stating that he could not have the pleasure of seeing the
gentleman next day, being Sunday, but would be glad he would

arrived from France,

call

any other time

and,

I did not

particular friend.

believe, added, that the bearer

nor

then,

since,

ask A.

was

his

how he became

acquainted with the gentleman, nor do I yet know who introduced him.
I

went with

at the hotel,

this note,

and saw the gentleman and another person

where they lodged.

stayed about half an hour, and

the conversation was either on mere general politics, or the want of

accommodation

On my

land in that respect, &c.

asked

me

to dine with

visit to

A.

the superiority of

rising to depart, the

Eng-

gentleman

him on Wednesday subsequent, which

accordingly agreed to do.

paid a

Ireland

for travellers in

which

On
I

the

was

Monday

after, as I recollect, I

in the habit of doing, daily, for

some time back and, while I was there, the gentleman above
mentioned and his friend came in together and, after some time,
he and A.
entered into close conversation, and his friend and I
retired to a distant part of the room, where we talked of the mode
of travelling in Ireland, and amused ourselves looking over Taylor's
;

map
the

for

about half an hour.

beckoned

me

over,

and

of us heard, nor could hear,

the gentleman.
at length,
A.

NeitJier

conversation between A. and

went.

He

then said they had been

[Leonard McNally, an Irish barrister, who afterwards became an infamous informer. For particulars about him, see Mr. Fitzpatrick's " Secret
2
Service under Pitt." Ed.]
Cockayne.
1

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

204

talking of the state of the country

as well as anybody, and

that

if it

that

[1794.

I knew what that state was

was that gentleman's opinion,

that

it

were made fully known to people in France, they would,

to a certainty, afford every assistance to enable the Irish to assert

their independence.

said, that

would be a most severe and

it

remedy for our abuses, but that

was shackled in Ireland by such a

saw no other

grievous

liberty

variety of ways, that the

way

people had no

left

for that

expose their sentiments but by open

to

resistance.

That, in the alternative between that and unconditional

submission,

many would

seeing

differ

but that

was one of those who,

the danger and horror of a contest,

all

thought the

still

independence of the country an object worth risking

satisfied as I was, that, until that

attain to her natural state of power,

these sentiments A.

again said,

"

The

had a
case,

in France assistance

might certainly

have heard no part of

conversation A.

me

over

knowing

how

knowing but

were the

to mortify him, if that

my

it,

neither did

and

and the reason

the

might

affair

inquire, nor do

terminate, and

of other people's secrets as

day,

think,

paper, admirably drawn up,

saw A.
in

I know, what

to their beckon-

especially
I

not

determined

could, consistent

my

again.

political state of

I said the state of Ireland

in the

The paper went

to

England, and the deduction was, that an

invasion there would only tend to unite

would be easy,

He showed me

judgment, which he said he had

got from the gentleman above mentioned.

French.

His friend
sure could

did not inquire was, that, not

person might be an English spy,

little

am

taking any part in the business.

The next

show the

and the gentleman had previous

this

would know as

it

spoke with the greatest asperity of the English nation, and

of their unjust influence on the government of Ireland.

with

In

recollect,

he might possibly be an emissary of the

and therefore

sat at a distance during this conversation,

ing

glory.
I

conversation, at that time, went no farther.

latent suspicion

British Minister,

and opulence, and

concurred, and the gentleman, as

If this were known

be obtained."

to obtain,

all

were secured, Ireland would never

was

same compass,

all

parties against

totally different,

the

and that

to explain that on paper

FRANCE AND IRELAND.

/ET. 3i.]

me

He

bid

had

anj^ further conversation at that time.

and

try,

agreed to do

so.

205

do not

evening made a sketch of the state of Ireland, as

my

and the inference of

gentleman and his

we

appeared to me,

it

paper was, that circumstances in Ireland

were favourable to a French invasion.

On Wednesday

recollect that

went home, and that

morning, the day

made no

copy.

had fixed to dine with the

found myself called upon to go down to

friend, I

Drogheda immediately, to arrange matters preparatory to the trial

of MM. Bird and Hamill, &c. I therefore wrote, and sent an
apology, stating the

A.

and

fact.

then went, as usual, to

and showed him the paper.

came

his friend

retired to a

window

at

hear

us.

the gentleman

the gentleman, and

one end of the room, and his friend took up

The

a book and retired to the other end.

was carried on

on Mr.

call

After a short general conversation of

in.

disappointment, &c, A.

at the

regret

Shortly

after,

conversation between us

a very low voice, so that he could not possibly

in

then said

had seen the English paper, and had

Ireland, which I read.
As I

attempted a similar sketch as to

understand some copy of that paper has been found,

for

the general outline only, as A.

alterations

had been made

in

some,

it,

others aggravating the matter contained.

gentleman asked me,

it

"

Would I

I refer

me

assured

to that

that several

believe, softening,

When I had

and

done, the

him ? " I gave

I saw I had been guilty

intrust the paper to

without hesitation, but, immediately after,

of a gross indiscretioti, to call it no worse, in delivering such a paper

to a person whom I hardly knew, and without my knowing to what
purposes he might apply

demanded

it

back again

opened nor read

I

it,

case

"

that

desired

if

him

therefore,

nor any part of it.

believe, the precise

them, was,

it.

he returned

words

it
I

in

about five minutes,

immediately, having neither

then gave

it

he had a mind, he might make a copy,

to burn the

to A.

and,

used, but certainly the purport of

one

gave him.

The

in

which

conversation

then turned, as before, on the state of Ireland, the necessity of

seeking aid from France, and her readiness and ability to afford
if

a proper person could be found

who would go

over,

it,

and lay the

situation of things here before the Comite de Salut public.

But

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

206

do not

recollect that either A.

the gentleman, or

leaving the paper, as

in

said,

On

Saturday morning
I

received a letter from

had forgotten

until

my

sitting

referring to dates for greater accuracy, revived

me

expressing an earnest desire to see

In consequence

business.

and

called directly

in a great

hurry to be

off,

could not, however, learn

therefore
I

said,

was a

could

(Sunday) at nine, which

He

my

me, to

for

up

to town,

that the gentleman

up to town

for nothing.

on the gentleman the next morning

on him,

Drogheda

set off for

returned to town, and

my

breaking

then told

unspeakable astonishment and vexation, that he had

I

had

left

with him to the

gentleman, with several alterations, but that he had burned

had desired him.

recalling,

soon as

could from a business wherein

I

determined to find no

am

not sure whether

fault,

it

but to withdraw myself as

I saw such grievous indiswas on that, or on the next

morning, that the gentleman and his friend came

some

time, the conversation

for the first time, to

one.

my

my

Finding the thing done, and past

copy, as

cretion.

at

received a

He

engagement.

given two or three copies of the paper

and

my memory)

in

was, however, determined not to do, and,

On Thursday

rebuke from A.

me

told

in consequence, instead of calling

six o'clock.

to write,

immediately on indispensable

at being hurried

call
I

(a

down
it

off

set

was
and wanted to see me of all things. I
that any new matter had occurred, and

vexed

little

however,

and
A.
circum-

set off instantly, posted

on A.

to the

went away,

the hands of A.

directly for Drogheda.

came

myself being that proper person.

definite point of

stance which

[1794-

But, after

in.

was taken up on the usual

topics,

and

knowledge, the gentleman's friend made

Before that he seemed to

me

to avoid

it.

then took an

opportunity, on the difficulty of a proper person being found to go

to

France being

recollect

by

stated,

whom

and

it

being mentioned (/ cannot precisely

of the party) that

no one was,

as myself, to recapitulate pretty nearly what

in all respects, so

had said

in all the

preceding conversations on the general state of the country

then added, that, with regard to
of no fortune, that

my

sole

my

going to France,

fit

and

was a man

dependence was on a profession

that

iET.

whom

had a wife and three children,

me

for

unprovided

and

ARREST O* JACKSON.

31.]

ing on

support

that

207

dearly loved, solely depend-

could not go and leave them totally

and trusting to the mercy of Providence

for,

for existence

that, consequently, with regard to me, the going to France was

a thing

They

totally impossible.

was no

reasonable, but there

agreed that what

all

said

of money or pecuniary

offer

was

assistance

of any kind held out to induce me to change my determination

circumstance which I mention merely because I understand it

some such was made.

The gentleman before mentioned was about

is

believed that

to point out certain

circumstances, which would facilitate such an expedition,

could be found, but

secrets useless to me,

was

it

did not desire to

I could make no
become the depositary of

and which might be dangerous to him.

at this conversation, the last

letter

was

gentleman's being arrested, that some one,

whom, mentioned a

a person

stopped him, adding that, as

use of the information,

think

if

at,

cannot at

being put into the post

ascertain

all

office,

containing

the papers before mentioned, and directed to some person at

am

neutral port, but

whom

was

the

letter

other than

as

knowing

that

secrets

is,

which

ignorant

utterly

addressed,

contents,

its

and the reason of my not

studiously avoided burthening my mind with

have now stated

some

how, or when, or to

what were

or

previous to the

might afterwards be forced to betray, or submit to

very severe inconveniences.

[Jackson was arrested

We

in April.

have already seen

Hamilton Rowan (who had also been

his arrest,

in

that,

communication

with him) escaped from prison, and fled to France. 1

But Tone

held his ground, anxious to await the development of events.

At

on

Ed.]

the time of Mr. Jackson's arrest, and Mr. Rowan's escape,

and Dr. Reynolds's emigration,

my

one.

taking

felt

the

necessity

of

measures to extricate myself.

situation

was a very

immediate and

critical

decided

therefore went to a gentleman,

high in confidence with the then administration, and told him at

once

fairly

every step

how

far

was

in

had taken.

danger

'

that
{Ante,

my

told him, also, that

life

p. 57.]

was

safe, unless it

knew
were

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

208

unfairly practised against, which

that

was certainly

it

did not at

[1795-

apprehend, but

all

the power of the Government,

in

they

if

me
by my
two points I had made up my mind. The first
was that I would not fly the other, that I would never open my
lips, as a witness, either against Mr. Rowan, to whom I felt myself
as effectually as they possibly could

pleased, to ruin

death

that on

bound by the strongest

of esteem and regard

ties

Jackson, who, in whatever

presence, must have supposed he was speaking

would not betray him

Government, nor should

What

to a

my

in

man who

had no claim whatsoever on the

murmur at any course they might please

that

or against Mr.

he had held

conversations

I had done, and if necessary I must

pay the penalty but, as my ruin might not be an object to them,
I was ready, if I were allowed, and could at all accomplish it, to
In the meantime here I was, ready to submit to
go to America.

to adopt.

had done

my

fate,

whatever that might be, but inflexibly determined on the

two points which

my

sacrifice

gentleman

summoned

whom

that
as

have mentioned above, and from which

a thousand

life

to

me

assured

addressed

a witness

twelve

his trial

for

after

would

The

a short

time,

should not be attacked as a principal, nor

me

which assurance he repeated to

afterwards on another occasion, and

[After

myself,

recede.

times rather than

it

has been very faithfully kept.

imprisonment

months'

He was

high treason.

Jackson

was

put

defended by Curran.

only witness for the Crown was Cockayne.

on

The

Jackson was found

On

April 30, 1795, he was brought up for sentence. On

entering the dock he looked pale and worn. Asked if he had

guilty.

anything to say

why

sentence should not be passed upon him, he

pointed to his counsel.

while the argument was
against the bar.
dead.

The

technical

proceeding

objection

was

the prisoner

attendants gathered around him.

That morning he had taken a dose of arsenic

breakfast.

"

We

raised, but

fell

have deceived the Senate," he

is

forward

He was

in his tea at

reported to have

whispered to one of his counsel on entering the dock.

Indiscreet and even reckless, a worse ambassador than Jackson
could not have been employed on a revolutionary mission.

But,

JET.

at

UNITED IRISH SOCIETY REORGANISED.

32.]

least,

209

he bore himself honourably to the end, keeping

with his friends, and seeking to involve no

Ten days
recall of

after Jackson's death,

Lord Fitzwilliam

stitutional agitation,

man

in his

faith

fall.

and about six weeks

after the

had -proved the hopelessness of con-

arrangements were completed

the United Irish Society on a rebellious basis. 2

for reorganising

month

later

[Lord Fitzwilliam had been sent to emancipate the Catholics, but was
work undone. "I was decidedly of opinion," said Lord
Fitzwilliam, " that not only sound' policy, but justice required, on the part of
Great Britain, that the work which was left imperfect in 1793 ought to be
completed, and the Catholics relieved from every remaining disqualification.
and
In this opinion the Duke of Portland uniformly concurred with me
when this question came under discussion previous to my departure for Ireland,
I found the Cabinet, with Mr. Pitt at their head, strongly impressed with the
same conviction. Had I found it otherwise I never would have undertaken the
Government." Ed.]
3
["In 1794 the violence of the language, and the publicity with which the
daring proceedings of the United Irishmen were carried on, brought the
On the 4th of May their
vengeance of Government on their society.
ordinary place of meeting, the Tailors' Hall in Back Lane, was attacked by the
The leaders had
police, their meeting dispersed, and their papers seized.
been successively prosecuted and imprisoned many of the timid and more
prudent part of the members seceded from the society the more determined
and indignant, and especially the republican portion of the body, remained,
and in 1795 gave a new character to the association, still called the Society
of United Irishmen.' The original test of the society was changed into an
oath of secrecy and fidelity its original objects reform and emancipation
were now merged in aims amounting to revolution, and the establishment of
a Republican Government. These designs, however, were not ostensibly set
forth, for a great number of the members, and even of the leaders, were not
prepared to travel beyond the Hounslow of reformation. The proceedings of
the society, however, ceased to be of a public nature
the wording of its declaration was so altered as to embrace the views both of reformers and republicans, and the original explanation of its grand aim and end the equal
representation of the people in Parliament was now changed into the phrase,
a full representation of all the people of Ireland
thus adding the word
1

recalled, leaving the

'

'

'

and omitting the word Parliament.'

The civil organisation of the
society was likewise modified the arrangement was perfected of committees,
called baronial, county, and provincial.
The inferior societies originally were
composed of thirty-six members in the new organisation each association
was limited to twelve, including a secretary and treasurer. The secretaries of
five of these societies formed a lower baronial committee, and had the immediate direction of the five societies from which they had been taken. From
each lower baronial committee one member was delegated to an upper
baronial committee, which had the superintendence and direction of all the

'

all

'

VOL.

I.

15

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

210

Tone

left

Ireland bent on

new schemes

for

[i795-

advancing the cause of

national independence.
In the following chapters he tells the story of his fortunes in

other lands with increasing interest and animation.

Ed.]

lower baronial ones in the several counties. In each of the four provinces
there was a subordinate directory, composed of two or three members of the
society delegated to a provincial committee, which had the general superintendence of the several committees of that province.
In the capital the
executive directory was composed of five persons, balloted for and elected by
the provincial directories. The knowledge of the persons elected for the
executive directory was confined to the secretaries of the provincial comand the executive directory, thus
mittees, and not reported to the electors
composed, exercised the supreme and uncontrolled command of the whole
body of the Union. The orders of the executive were communicated to one
member only of each provincial committee, and so on in succession to the secre;

and lower baronial committee of the subordinate societies,

they eventually were given to the general body of the society. .
The new organisation of the Society of United Irishmen was completed on
the ioth of May, 1795. Separation and a Republican Government became the
fixed objects of its principal leaders, but not the avowed ones till a little later,
when, at the conclusion of every meeting, the chairman was obliged to inform
the members of each society, ' they had undertaken no light matter,' and he
tary of each upper

by

whom

to ask every delegate present what were his views, and his understanding of those of his society, and each individual was expected to reply, A
Republican Government and a separation from England " (Madden, United

was directed

'

'

Irishmen, vol. i. pp. 143, 145, and 153).

The test of the reorganised society ran " I, A. B., do voluntarily declare
that I will persevere in endeavouring to form a brotherhood of affection among
Irishmen of every religious persuasion, and that I will also persevere in my
:

endeavours to obtain an equal, full, and adequate representation of all the

people of Ireland. I do further declare that neither hopes, fears, rewards, nor
punishments shall ever induce me, directly or indirectly, to inform on, or give
evidence, directly or indirectly, against any

member

or

members

of this or

done or made collectively

or individually, in or out of this society, in pursuance of the spirit of this
obligation" (Madden, vol. ii. p. 312). After 1794 a candidate for admission
"was sworn either by individuals or in the presence of several members in
a separate room from that in which the meeting was held " (Madden, vol. ii.
" The military organisation was engrafted on the civil, and originated
p. 372).
"
in Ulster about the latter end of 1796, and in Leinster at the beginning of 1797
(Madden, vol. i. p. 168). Ed.]
similar societies for

any act or expression of

theirs,

CHAPTER

XIII.

TONE LEA VES IRELAND.

HASTEN

to the period when, in consequence of the conviction

was obliged to quit

of William Jackson, for high treason, I

and go into exile

country,

my

my

departure,

He showed

us a

he and

Emmet, who has

little

of

elliptical

the lawn, and

which he said he would consecrate to our meetings,

we
if

lived

see

to

our

emancipated.

country

walked

a charm-

study, of an

form, which he was building at the bottom

my

short time before

friend Russell being in town,

out together, to Rathfarnham, to see

ing villa there.

America.

in

if

ever

begged of him,

he intended Russell should be of the party, in addition to

maps

the books and

small

cellaret,

old claret.

it

would naturally contain, to

He showed me

Russell with considerable success.

because

his

best

that he had not omitted that circum-

which he acknowledged to be

stance,

up a

fit

which should contain a few dozens of

love the men, and because

we may yet meet again

essential,

mention
it

and we both

this trifling

seems now at

rallied

anecdote

least possible

Emmet's study. As we walked

together into town I opened my plan to them both.
I told them
that I considered my compromise with Government to extend no

that

further than the

landed

was

in

banks of the Delaware, and that the moment

free to follow

any plan which might suggest

me, for the emancipation of

my

country

that,

itself to

undoubtedly,

was guilty of a great offence against the existing Government

that, in

consequence,

that exile as a
felt

myself at
'

full

was going into exile

expiation

liberty,

and that

for the offence,

having made that

considered

and consequently

sacrifice, to

begin again on

[This chapter was written at Rennes, September, 1796. Ed.]

211

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

212

They both agreed with me

a fresh score.
I

my

those principles, and

in

my

intention was, immediately

arrival in Philadelphia, to wait

on the French Minister, to

then proceeded to

on

[I79S-

them

tell

that

endeavour

detail to him, fully, the situation of affairs in Ireland, to

to obtain a recommendation to the French Government, and,

I

succeeded so

far,

instantly for Paris,

my

to leave

and apply,

name

in the

assistance of France, to enable

if

family in America, and to set off

my

of

country, for the

us to assert our independence.

It is unnecessary, I believe, to say that this plan met with the

warmest approbation and support from both Russell and Emmet
we shook hands, and, having repeated our professions of unalterable regard and esteem for each other, we parted and this was
;

the last interview which

was so happy

invaluable friends together.

field that this

us that

it

was

and

Tell

remember

conversation took place

one exactly

in

like

it

have with those two

as to

it

was

and

in a little triangular

Emmet

in Switzerland,

remarked to

where William

planned the downfall of the tyranny of

his associates

The next day Russell returned to Belfast.

was determined not to appear to leave Ireland clandestinely, whatever might be the hazard, I took care, on the day of
Jackson's trial, to walk up and down in the most public streets in
Austria.

As

Dublin, and to go, contrary to

most frequented

my usual
and

custom, into several of the

my

which was
was
seen
by Lord
In
Mountjoy, who gave himself the pains to call on the Attorney
General 1 the next day, and inform him that I was to be found, for

still

coffee houses,

more frequented.

that he had seen

me

this

to

last place

in Archer's the

day

bookseller's,
I

The Attorney

before.

General gave him, however, no thanks for his pains, and so the
affair

ended

less for his

pearances,
I

sold off

my

good

set,

all

volumes, and
resolved not

with

my

books, of which
I

obligation, however, to his lordship

intentions.

little

all

not the

is

this sacrifice to ap-

diligence, to prepare for

my

departure

had a very good

selection of about six

determined to take leave of nobody.

any of

my

friends, not

[Wolfe, afterwards Lord Kilwarden.

even

Ed.]

my

property of every kind, reserving only

to call on
1

Having made

hundred
I

also

Knox

or

FRIENDS IN ADVERSITY.

JET. 32.]

Emmet,

as

for,

knew

the part

had taken

any of those I regarded in the

Satisfied as I was of the rectitude of my

resolved not to implicate

ful party, I

of

difficulties

my situation.

my

conduct, and of the purity of

motives,

my

have had fortitude to bear the desertion of

honour be

to their

had
numerous and power-

in Jackson's affair

raised a violent outcry against me, with a very

own

213

spoken,

it

believe

was not put to so severe a

and

believe that

regard by the firmness

arduous and painful

trial

but,
I
I

secured the continuance of their

had shown

was ready to

tions that I

trial.

man whom

did not lose the countenance and support of any one

esteemed

should

best friends

along through this most

all

by

and, especially,
sacrifice

my

life, if

my

repeated declara-

necessary, but that

would never degrade myself by giving testimony against a man who

had spoken to me in the confidence that I would not betray him.
have said that

my

made

friends

the short time

alone.

after Jackson's death

it,

My friends

on

me

themselves extremely,

in

all

Dublin

along, on

my

.300, in addition to the arrears

behalf,

men

of their foresight, and

my plans
I

and had been

me by

me

the

the Catholics,

was hardly necessary,

It

who knew me

however, for greater certainty,

received, as

due

amongst the foremost.

were, of course,
to

all

after,

principally instrumental in passing the vote for granting

sum of

but

so that for

we were never an hour

McCormick and Keogh, who had both interested

remained

nobody

visited

believe, a point to call

perfectly, to

mention

consulted them both, and

expected, their most cordial approbation, and they

both laid the most positive injunctions upon

unattempted on

my

my way

me

to leave nothing

and lay our

Government there, observing, at the same time
succeeded, there was nothing in the power of my country
part to force

to France,

situation before the

that

if I

to bestow to which

might not

fairly

pretend.

It

has often

astonished me, and them, also, that the Government,

there

was a French Minister

thither, at least

part that

at Philadelphia, ever suffered

knowing

me

to

without exacting some positive assurance on

go

my

should hold no communication with him, direct or

it was, however, that, either despising my efforts, or

looking on themselves as too firmly established to dread anything

indirect

so

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

214

me

from France, they suffered

satisfaction
I

for

had

demanding any

circumstance of which

been obliged to give

my

should have been exceedingly distracted between opposite

was spared the difficulty for they

any stipulation whatsoever. Perhaps
would have been better for them if they had adhered to their
Luckily, however,

duties.

suffered
it

to depart, without

whatsoever on that topic

was most sincerely glad

parole,

[1795-

me

to depart without

first

proposal of sending

will

determine.

Having paid

my

all

me

out to India

debts,

and

but as to that, the event

settled with everybody, I set off

sister,

on the 20th May, 1795, with my wife,

and three children, leaving, as may well be supposed, my

father

and mother

from Dublin

for Belfast

in a

very sincere

consisted in our clothes,

bills on Philadelphia.

my

We

My

affliction.

kept our

spirits

whole property

admirably.

money and
The great

we were

suffering in

books, and about

700

attention manifested to us, the conviction that

in

the best of causes, the hurry attending so great a change, and,

perhaps, a

little

vanity in showing ourselves superior to fortune,

supported us under what was certainly a

But

if

Belfast,

were

possible,

if

remained
those

trial

of the severest kind.

our friends in Dublin were kind and affectionate, those in

there,

who

still

more

so.

During near a month that we

we were every day engaged by one or other

scarcely

knew me were eager

and excursions were planned

for

to entertain us

our amusements

parties

and certainly

the whole of our deportment and reception at Belfast very

resembled those of a

man who

escaped with his

miracle,

and who was driven into exile

fate.

remember,

Cave

hill.

On

the

endeavoured to

only by

life

more

little

disgraceful

two days that we passed on the

Simms, McCracken, and
on the summit of M'Art's fort, took a

particularly,
first,

one or two more of

solemn obligation

to avoid a

even

us,

Russell, Neilson,

which, think may say

never to desist in our
I

fulfil

have, on

my

efforts until

part,

we had

subverted the authority of England over our country, and asserted

our

independence.

regiment pitched
us,

Another day we had the tent of the first

Deer Park, and a company of thirty of

in the

including the family of the Simms,

Neilsons, McCrackens,

JET.

SAILS IN

32.]

THE

"

CINCINNATUS."

"5

my own, dined and spent the day together deliciously.

But the most agreeable day we passed during our stay, and one of
and

an excursion we made with

the Simmses, Neilson, and Russell, to Ram's Island, a beautiful and
romantic spot in Loch Neagh. Nothing can be imagined more
the most agreeable of our

and we agreed,

delightful,

selves, respectively, to

nth

lives,

in

was

in

whatever quarter we might find our-

commemorate

the anniversary of that day,

At length the hour of our departure arrived.

On the 13th of June we embarked on board the " Cincinnatus " of
Wilmington, Capt. James Robinson, and I flatter myself we
carried with us the regret of all who knew us.
Even some of my
former friends, who had long since deserted me, returned on this
the

of June.

reverse of

which we

my

all

fortune, struck, I

looked

it

believe, with the steadiness with

Our

into the face.

us with presents on our departure, and

friends at Belfast loaded

filled

our

little

cabin with

sea stores, fresh provisions, sweetmeats, and everything they could

my

devise for the comfort of

live,

will

Before

Teeling
I

forget the

had the

satisfaction to find

and

it

for the

my

conduct

met, in

all

in

behaviour.

Simms, Neilson, and

to
to

C. G.

America, and

respects, with their

now looked upon myself

and with confidence

to speak fully

and

Never, whilst

affectionate kindness of their

my departure I explained
my intentions with regard

perfect approbation

senters,

wife and children.

as

competent

for the Catholics, for the Dis-

Defenders of Ireland.

We were now at sea, and at leisure to examine our situation.

had hired a state room, which was about eight feet by six, in
which we had fitted up three berths my wife and our youngest
little boy occupied one, my sister and my little girl the second, and
I

our eldest boy and myself the third.

It

was

at first grievously

inconvenient, but necessity and custom

by degrees reconciled us tc
our situation
our greatest suffering was want of good water
under which we laboured the whole passage, and which we found
it impossible to replace by wine, porter, or spirits, of which we had
abundance. The captain was tolerably civil, the vessel was stout,
and we had good weather almost the whole of our voyage. But
;

we were 300 passengers on board of a

ship of 230 tons,

and of

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

2l6

[1795-

course crowded to a degree not to be conceived by those

The

not been on board a passenger ship.

slaves

who

who have

are carried

from the coast of Africa have much more room allowed them than
the miserable emigrants

who

in general

for

is

such, that they think

sufficiently,

and they trouble their

the avarice of the captains in that trade

they never can load their vessels

heads

America

pass from Ireland to

no more about the accommodation and stowage

of their passengers than of any other lumber aboard.

and with some success, to introduce something

laboured,

like a police,

certain degree, though a very imperfect one, of cleanliness

and a

among

Certainly the air of the sea must be wonderfully whole-

them.

some for, if the same number of wretches of us had been shut

up in the same space ashore, with so much inconvenience of every
;

kind about

As

voyage.

healthy

us, two-thirds

we

it

lost

of us would have died in the time of our

was, in spite of

everything,

but one passenger, a

woman

we were tolerably
we had some sick

aboard, and the friendship of James McDonnell, of Belfast, having

supplied

me

with a small medicine chest and written directions,

took on myself the

office of physician.

tered accordingly,

and

had the

prescribed and adminis-

satisfaction

to

land

my

all

As we distributed liberally the surplus

of our sea stores, of which we had a great abundance, and especially
as we gave, from time to time, wine and porter to the sick and
aged, we soon became very popular aboard, and I am sure there

patients safe and sound.

power of our
poor fellow-passengers to make, that we might not have commanded. Thirty days of our voyage had now passed over withwas no

sacrifice

to our ease or convenience, in the

out any event, save the ordinary ones of seeing

porpoises,
sea,

now

a shark,

now

to,

when about

a shoal of

a set of dolphins, the peacocks of the

playing about, and once or twice a whale.

been brought

now

week

at sea,

We

had, indeed,

by the William

Pitt,

Indiaman, which was returning to Europe with about twenty

other ships, under convoy of four or five men-of-war ; but on

examining our papers they suffered us to proceed. At length,

about the 20th of July, some time after we had cleared the banks
of Newfoundland,

we were stopped by

three British frigates

>

he

iET.

AN ADVENTUROUS

32.]

Thetis,

VOYAGE.

217

Captain Lord Cochrane, the Hussar, Captain Rose, and the

Espera?ice,

Captain Wood,

who boarded

and

us,

after treating us

with the greatest insolence, both officers and sailors, they pressed

every one of our hands, save one, and near

who were most

fellow-passengers,

of

fifty

them

of

my

unfortunate

America to

flying to

avoid the tyranny of a bad government at home, and

most unexpectedly
which

least,

it

thus

As I was in a jacket and trousers, one of the

me into the boat, as a fit man to serve the king,

exists.

lieutenants ordered

and

who

under the severest tyranny, one of them at

fell

was only the screams of

my

wife and sister which induced

would have been a pretty termination to my

adventures if I had been pressed and sent on board a man-of-war.
The insolence of these tyrants, as well to myself as to my poor

him

to desist.

It

fellow-passengers,

me,

interested

in

whose

fate a fellowship

two days,

length, after detaining us

misfortune had

in

At
during which they rummaged

have not since forgotten, and

never

will.

us at least twenty times, they suffered us to proceed.

On

the 30th of July

we made Cape Henlopen the

1st of August we landed
;

ran up the Delaware, and the

Wilmington, not one of us providentially having been

indisposed

on the passage, nor even

sea-sick.

have had their wives, their children, and

all,

for

31st

we

safe at

an hour

Those only who

in short, that is

dear to

them, floating for seven or eight weeks at the mercy of the winds
and waves, can conceive the transport I felt at seeing my wife
and our darling babies ashore once again in health and in safety.

We

set

up

are kept

and

in

tavern, kept

at the principal

Captain O'Byrne O'Flynn

by majors and
a few days

(I

by an Irishman, one
America

think), for all the taverns in

captains, either of militia or continentals,

we had

and

entirely recruited our strength

and totally forgotten the fatigues of the voyage.

During our stay in Wilmington we formed an acquaintance,
which was of some service and a great deal of pleasure to us, with
spirits,

a General

Humpton, an

Englishman, born

old

in Yorkshire,

continental

officer.

He was

and had been a major

regiment, but, on the breaking out

of the

in the

an

25th

American War, he

resigned his commission, and offered his services to Congress,

who

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

2l8

[I79S-

immediately gave him a regiment, from which he rose by degrees to

his present rank.

He was

a beautiful, hale, stout old man, of near

seventy, perfectly the soldier and the gentleman, and he took a

we

great liking to us, as

to Philadelphia

ance,

did to

him on our

On

part.

he found us a lodging with one of

and rendered

the

all

little

situation as strangers required,

my

and attentions that our

services

which indeed he continued without

my

remission during the whole of

not equally since

our removal

his acquaint-

departure.

stay in America, and

I

doubt

have a sincere and grateful

sense of the kindness of this worthy veteran.

Immediately on

my

7th or 8th of August,

arrival in Philadelphia,

found out

Reynolds, who seemed, to

settled.

From him

three met.

It

Dr.

my very great satisfaction, very comfortably

Rowan had

learned that Hamilton

about six weeks before

all

which was about the

my old friend and brother exile,

me

arrived

from France, and that same evening we

was a singular

rencontre,

from an ignominious death seemed

little

and our several escapes

short of a miracle.

We

communicated respectively our several adventures since our last

interview, which took place in the gaol of Newgate in Dublin, fourteen months before. In Reynolds' adventures there was nothing very
extraordinary.

Rowan had been

seized

and thrown into prison

immediately on his landing near Brest, from whence he was rescued

young man named Sullivan, an Irishman,

in the service of the Republic, and sent on to Paris to the Committee of Public Safety, by Prieur de la Marne, the Deputy on
Mission.
On his arrival he was seized with a most dangerous fever,
from which he narrowly escaped with his life when he recovered,

by the

interference of a

by the French
Government he gave in some memorials on the state of Ireland,
and began, from the reception he met with, to conceive some hopes of
success, but immediately after came on the famous 9th Thermidor
the downfall of Robespierre, and the dissolution of the Committee
as well as during his illness, he was maintained
;

of Public Safety.

The

total

change which

politics of France, and the attention of every

this

man

produced

in the

being occupied

by his own immediate personal safety, were the cause that Rowan
and his plans were forgotten in the confusion. After remaining,

JET.

MEETS HAMILTON RO WAN IN AMERICA.

32.]

219

months, and seeing no likelihood of bringing

therefore, several

matters to any favourable issue, he yielded to the solicitude of his

Havre

family and friends, and embarked at

New

for

York, where

he arrived about the middle of June, 1795, after a tedious passage

of eleven weeks.

unnecessary to detail again

It is

to

them

my

adventures, which

related

at full length, as well as everything relating to the state of

Ireland, about which,

politics in

may

it

be well supposed, their

them
my designs, and that I intended waiting the next day on the French
Minister with such credentials as I had brought with me, which
were the two votes of thanks of the Catholics, and my certificate of
admission into the Belfast Volunteers, engrossed on vellum, and
and anxiety were extreme.

curiosity

then proceeded to

signed by the chairman and secretaries

refer to

them both

doubts.

Rowan

my

for

and

tell

added, that

credibility in case the Minister

would

had any

come with me and introduce me to the

but I obCitizen Adet, whom he had known in Paris
him that as there were English agents without number in

Minister,

offered to

served to

Philadelphia he was most probably watched, and consequently his

me

being seen to go with

interests in Ireland.

Adet might materially prejudice

to

therefore declined his offer, but I requested

of him a letter of introduction, which he gave

the next

day

politely.

He

deal worse

he read

my

waited on the Minister,

me

who

accordingly,

received

spoke English very imperfectly, and

however,

we made a

in the

shift to

and Rowan's

certificates

throw on paper,

his

This

and
very

French a great

understand one another

letter,

form of a memorial,

cate on the subject of Ireland.

me

and he begged
all

me

to

had to communi-

accordingly did in the course

of two or three days, though with great difficulty, on account of the

burning heat of the climate, so different from what

to,

had been used

At

the thermometer varying between ninety and ninety-seven.

however,

length,

brought
thought

which
not

it
it

to Adet,

finished

and

my

memorial, such as

offered him, at the

would forward the business, to embark

sailed for

much

France

to desire this,

it

same
in

the

was, and

time,
first

if

he

vessel

but the Minister, for some reason, seemed

and he eluded

my offer

by reminding me of

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

220
the great risk

stopped and carried into their

ran, as the British

ports indiscriminately

all

assured me, however,

[I79S-

American

bound

vessels

my

might rely on

France

for

he

memorial being trans-

mitted to the French Government, and backed with his strongest

recommendations

also promised to write particularly to

and he

my

procure the enlargement of

prison at Guise

which

all

brother Matthew,

who was

have since found he

then in

faithfully per-

formed.

my

had now discharged

country

and

was with the

it

conscience as to

sincerest

my

duty to

my

and deepest contristation of

mind that I saw this, my last effort, likely to be of so little effect.

It was barely possible, but I did not much expect that the French
Government might take notice of my memorial, and if they did not
there was an end of

bend

my mind

family

all

my

to

my

hopes.

situation,

to Westchester

first

now began

to

but to no purpose.

and then

to

endeavour to
I

my

moved

Downingstown, both

in

the State of Pennsylvania, about thirty miles from Philadelphia, and

1

began to look about

my

shattered state of

for a small plantation, such as

finances,

might

on which the enormous expense of

living in Philadelphia, three times as dear as at Paris, or even

was beginning
there, in the

make

to

neighbourhood of our friend

on foot and

in the

stage-waggons

situation of Princeton, in

reasons,
I

and

London,

While they remained

General Humpton, whose

a sensible inroad.

kindness and attention continued unabated,

sions

suit the

determined,

New
if

in

made

divers excur-

quest of a farm.

The

Jersey, struck me, for a variety of

possible, to settle in that neighbourhood.

accordingly agreed with a Dutch farmer for a plantation of one

hundred

wooden house, which would have suited

I was to pay .750 of that currency
but the fellow was too covetous, and after all was, I thought,
finished, he retracted, and wanted to screw more out of me, on which
I broke off the treaty in a rage, and he began to repent, but I was
obstinate.
At length I agreed with a Captain Leonard for a plan-

me

acres, with a small

well enough, for which

two miles of Princewas to pay 1,180 currency,

was worth the money. I moved, in consequence,

tation of 180 acres, beautifully situated within

ton,

and half of

and

believe

it

it

under timber.

A MESSAGE FROM IRELAND.

MT.

32.]

my

family to Princeton, where

221

hired a small house for the winter,

up my study, and
began to think my lot was cast to be an American farmer.
In this frame of mind I continued for some time, waiting for the
lawyer who was employed to draw the deeds, and expecting next
which

furnished frugally and decently.

my

spring to remove to

when one day

purchase and to begin farming at

my

was roused from

I fitted

lethargy by the receipt of

from Keogh, Russell, and the two Simmses, wherein, after

letters

professions of the warmest

acquaint

me

and

sincerest regard, they proceeded to

pressed me, in the strongest manner, to

my departure,

made with them at

my way to the French Government

Wm.

Simms,

ate letter, desired

me

at the

my bill

should be punctually paid, an

I

handed the

the man,

my

confess

my wife

letters to

and

foresaw would be that

honour and

interests

friends
for

and

my

duty to

often, as

200

offer, at

sterling,

had

affection-

and that

the liberality of which,

surprised.

immediately

and desired

their opinion,

should immediately,

if possible, set

sister,

were not

courage and whose zeal

in the least

me to let no
moment in the way

our family during

which had so

for

was

past sufferings, supplicated

children stand for a

in order to supplicate their

My wife, especially, whose

out for France.

for

the engagement

end of a most friendly and

well as

knew

Ireland was

in

could believe and they

and to move heaven and earth to

draw upon him

to

fulfil

force

assistance.

mind

that the state of the public

advancing to republicanism faster than even

which

last,

abated by

all

her

consideration of her or our

of my engagements to our
my country, adding, that she would answer
my absence, and that the same Providence

it

were, miraculously preserved us, would, she

was confident, not desert us now. My sister joined her in those intreaties, and it may well be supposed I required no great supplication to induce

me

to

make one more attempt

had been so long devoted.

(it

I set off,

in a

cause to which

accordingly, the next morning

being this time about the end of November) for Philadelphia, and

went, immediately on
letters I

my

arrival, to

had just received, and

Adet. to

referred

him

then in town, for the character of the writers.

tion,

contrary to

my expectations, to

find

Adet

whom
to
I

showed the
Rowan, who was
had the satisfacI

as willing to forward

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

222

and

my

assist

when

design now, as he seemed, to

saw him

me

he would give

me
if

told

me at least, lukewarm
me immediately that

French Government, recommending

letters to the

manner, and also money to bear

in the strongest

necessary.

He

before, in August.

thanked him most sincerely

my difficulties,

Princeton, to

come

to

wrote for

my

I fitted

who was
him out with

first vessel, I

my

To

lin.

in Belfast,

every one

him

at
all

determination

and to Keogh and McCormick only

else,

ordered him to communi-

cate this immediately on his arrival in Ireland to Neilson,

and Russell

but

far sur-

brother Arthur,

me immediately, and

of sailing for France in the

expenses,

Having thus

Having entrusted him with

expedition for sea.

my

for the letters,

declined accepting any pecuniary assistance.

mounted

[1795-96.

my

including especially

father

Simms,
in

Dub-

and mother,

had purchased and was settled upon

Having fully instructed him, I put him
on board the Susanna, Captain Baird, bound for Belfast, and on the
10th of December, 1795, he sailed from Philadelphia, and I presume he arrived safe, but as yet I have had no opportunity of
hearing of him.
Having despatched him, I settled all my affairs

desired

my

to say that

farm, near Princeton.

as speedily as possible.
his letter,

150

sterling

drew on Simms for 200, agreeable to

of which I devoted to my voyage my

me

Reynolds procured

friend

sterling

worth of

silver.

Louis d'ors at the bank

converted the remainder of

for

my

100
little

property into bank stock, and having signed a general power of

attorney to
in

my

wife, I

who gave me

waited finally on Adet,

a letter

cypher directed to the ComitJ de Saint public, the only credential

which

intended to bring with

me

to France.

spent one day in

my old friend and fellowJames Napper Tandy, who, after a long concealment and
many adventures, was recently arrived from Hamburgh, and, at
length, on the 13th December, at night, I arrived at Princeton,

Philadelphia with Reynolds, Rowan, and

sufferer,

whither
for

my

Rowan accompanied
wife, sister,

together in high
wife, sister,

and

spirits,
I

me, bringing with

and our dear

little

and Rowan

sat together

till

babies.

retiring

very

late,

me

a few presents

That night we supped

immediately

engaged

after,

in that

my

kind of

animated and enthusiastic conversation which our characters and the

RETURNS TO EUROPE.

JET. 32-33.]

nature of the enterprise

rise to.

The courage and

was embarked
firmness of the

my expectations we

them too, beyond

223

may be supposed to give

women supported me, and

in

had neither

tears nor

lamen-

on the contrary, the most ardent hope and the most

tations, but,

At

steady resolution.

length, at four the next morning,

braced them both for the

On

which astonished me.

York, and took

my

em-

and we parted with a steadiness

last time,

December

the 16th

New

arrived in

passage on board the ship Jersey, Capt. George

New York for ten days, during which time

my family, and a day or two before my departure I received a letter from my wife informing me that she was
with child, a circumstance which she had concealed so far, I am
sure, lest it might have had some influence on my determination.
Barons.
I

remained

in

wrote continually to

On

the 1st January, 1796,

fellow-passengers,

all

from Sandy

sailed

Hook

with nine

Our

French, bound for Havre de Grace.

voyage lasted exactly one month, during the most part of which

we had heavy blowing weather

wind

as obliged us to lie

ever, our ship

was

we had such

under a close-reefed mizen

stout.

brandy, and especially, what

We
I

gales of

stay-sail

how-

had plenty of provisions, wine,

thought more

last

voyage, excellent water, so that

my

passage.

We

times

five

of,

remembering

had no reason

to

my

complain of

did not meet a single vessel of force, either

French or English; we passed three or four Americans bound

mostly, like ourselves, to France.
ings at 85 fathoms

on the

1st

On

the 27th

we were

in

sound-

on the 28th we made the Lizard, and, at length,

of February,

we landed

in safety at

Havre de Grace,

having met with not the smallest accident during our voyage.

My

adventures, from this date, are fully detailed in the Diary which

have kept regularly since

my

arrival in France.

CHAPTER

XIV.

ARRIVES IN FRANCE.
February

1796.

2,

landed at Havre de Grace yesterday, after a

New York

rough winter passage from

town ugly and

dirty,

Lodged

impossible to see them.

Revolution.
in

My

landlord

is civil,

a superb crimson damask bed

my

without having

February 3rd.
last

clothes

it is

Hotel de Paix, formerly

at the

the Hotel of the Intendant, but reduced to

"

The

of thirty-one days.

with several good houses in alleys, where

its

present state

by the

but dear as the devil."

Slept

great luxury, after being a

month

off.

Rose early difficult to get breakfast get it at

and very coarse brown bread, but, as it
brown bread. Walked out to see the lions none
;

excellent coffee,

happens,

like

Mass celebrating in the church many people present,

to see.
went into divers coffee-houses plenty of coffee,
especially women
but no papers. No bread in two of the coffee-houses but pastry
Dinner
and here, as matter of curiosity,
singular enough
;

follows our

of

bill

starving situation.

the harbour

Welsh

which proves clearly that France

fare,

An

excellent soup

a dish of

fish,

and

fruit after dinner,

with wine

ad

from

mutton, like the

a fore-quarter of delicate small

a superb turkey, and a pair of ducks roasted

cheese,

in a

is

fresh

pastry,

libitum, but

still

the

pain bis ; provoked with the Frenchmen grumbling at the bread

made
tables,

a saying

Vive

le

pain

which were excellent

proofs of famine.
theatre,

Went

bis et la liberty
;

orchestra

house

Comedie
;

in the

evening

twenty performers

a neat
in the

several officers, very fine-looking fellows

the audience just as gay as

if

forgot the vege-

very glad to see such unequivocal

to the

and a very tolerable company

full

there was no such thing as war and

224

HAVRE DE GRACE.

33-]

brown bread

hundred times
mentioned,

20

bed,

bill

or tenpence

so that

per diem,

am

coffee

the six-franc-piece in pro-

box next

seat at the theatre, in the

my

and

manner
sad

4.1/1.

wants to travel with

me
it

Captain

was

tries his

tricks
is

in

This

is

to Paris

"

says he

our

it

is

first

Tell
it

my

friend

for " there is

in

calls

him perhaps

He

won't do.

great surprise,

The Frenchman finds

who is forced

My

adventure.

very soon found out

me

an American, and

going to beat the aventurier,

re-

but hang saving.

wishes to take

80

remembered,

doubt not but I might

close matt,

him of about one guinea.

is

my situation

wily arts on an old Frenchman, and, to

a rage

my

Paid for

Be

me somewhere.
;
but warm "

sure he has seen

Spain.

in

by changing

swindler in the hotel

me

or

sols,

to that of the Municipality,

lodge at the principal hotel in Havre,and

February

12

have described

sad

livres in assignats, or about fourpence sterling.

trench, perhaps one-half,

crimson damask

morning,

the

in

a day

6s. 4d.

or about two

livres,

such entertainment as above-

for

starving in the

enormous sum of

for the

just like our dinner, with wine,

worth 5,000

louis

six francs (five shillings),

is

sols,

sixpence

The

value in assignats

its

My

portion.

Supper

in the world.

Finances.

N.B.

&c.

225

it

and

out,

to refund.

was no American, which

no halting before cripples" as

poor Richard says.

February

pay

5s.

walk out

$th.

day

new arrangement with my

for everything, including

every third

man

Babet,

In the evening the

and the Rigueurs du

applauses and honourable mention.

able reception
favourite,
fall

two

Cloitre,

now
;

Comedie

is

Blaise

a revolutionary piece

can account for the favour-

of the latter piece, but the former

though the fable

as simple as possible.

is

as great a

Two

lovers

out about a nosegay and a ribbon, and, after squabbling through

acts, are reconciled at last,

the music

are

pretty and

and marry.

pastoral, but

The sentiments and

what puzzles me

reconcile the impression which the piece, such as

it,

landlord

crimson damask bed

a soldier, or with something of the

military costume about him.

and

my

seemed

to

make on

the audience with

ferocious character attributed to the French.

vol.

1.

16

is

to

have described

the sanguinary and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

226

February

6th.

It is

very singular, but

already to observe that there

than paper.

This

when the

especially
is

have had several occasions

difficulty in passing silver

phenomenon

is

depreciation

is

it

cannot understand,

The

considered.

received with great suspicion.

heads that

their

more

have seen money refused where assignats have been

taken currently.

silver

is

[1796.

adulterated, but, even so, surely

is

republican

People have got

it

into

it

is

worth,

more than a bit of paper. So it is, however, that

more current. The Comedie again. The Marseillaise
Hymn sung every night, and the verse, " Tremblez Tyrans" always
received with applause.
The behaviour of the young men extremely
decorous and proper, very unlike the riotous and drunken exhibiintrinsically,

assignats are

tions

have been witness to

The women

in other countries.

ugly,

and some most grotesque head-dresses. Supper, as usual, excellent

the servants at the hotel remarkably civil, attentive, and
;

humble, which

mention, because

have been so often tormented

with blockheads arguing against liberty and equality as subversive

of

all

subordination.

have nowhere met with more respectful

attendance than here, nor better entertainment, and

all

for five

shillings a day.

February

Sunday.

"jth,

would be kept

in France.

were half open, half

countries

was curious to observe how this day

I believe nobody worked
the shops
;

shut, as

have seen them on holidays

everybody walking the

was wrecked

streets.

vessel

in other

from Boston

night within twenty yards of the Basin, and an

last

woman lost, with two little children. She had

America early in the Revolution, and was now returning to
her husband on the restoration of tranquillity. God Almighty help
him
She might have been saved alone, but preferred to perish
unfortunate French
fled to

with her infants

babies,

if

your

it is

little

do ? But you
Comedie again
principal singer

are

safe,

Sth.

thank God

house quite

of.

Oh,

my

babies,

my

full,

Well, no more of that.

being Sunday

Mad. Rousselois
and

just such another in person, age, manner,

voice, as the late Mrs.

February

too horrible to think

bodies were sunk in the ocean, what should

An

Kennedy, but a much better

arrangement

for Paris at last.

actress.

An

American

^T.

DULL AND MONOTONOUS.

33.]

has a hired coach, a very good one, and we,

and

fellow-traveller,

pay one

are to

I,

227

D'Aucourt,

viz.,

my

louis apiece for our seats,

and bear two-thirds of the travelling expenses, post-horses, &c.

This

We

carriage.

are

set off early

to

my

waited eight days on

improve on acquaintance
as avarice can

make

Damn

it,

French.

"

time

to the
" 'tis

Well,
shall

and

sink

Rues they

is

we

foresee that

he

and

as proud as Lucifer,

will

rot

it

and

be absolutely necessary to me.

for me" that

"

call t/iem here."

Oh

that

cannot speak

I had given

that

I have spent in fencing and bear-baiting"

With God's blessing, my little boys
Comedie in the evening, as usual.

My

lover, the swindler,

has been too cunning for

he has engaged the fourth place in the coach, so we

company on

the pleasure of his

designs on our pockets, but

to

mean

tongues that

speak French.

Wrote

as

shall not live long

but in vain" &c.

February gth.
us

he

first

it,

companion, who, by the by, does not

him.

together at Paris, but at

"

much better than any public

on Wednesday I have now

very comfortable, cheaper, and

is

my

family and to

to Paris.

He

shall

certainly has

have

some

hope he will find himself defeated.

Dr. Reynolds of Philadelphia, and gave
I

Tired of Havre, which

the letters to Captain Baron.

is

dreadfully

monotonous, and D'Aucourt's peevishness, proceeding partly from

makes him not the pleasantest company in the world.

Got our passports engaged post-horses, &c. I do not bear the
separation from my family well, yet I certainly do not wish them
ill-health,

at present in France.
shall

be better

off.

If

Poor P.

can
P.

make

shall never

meet with such another

!

But

a rhyme for joker." " Poor

this evening; a boy of
trash
usual;
sad
Comedie as

dreadfully low-spirited

Dick!"

fifteen in love

and married

confined to his

married

"

brother Matthew,

Well, hang sorrow

agreeable companion in a post-chaise.

am

my

out

much

room by
fitter

to

Croker

is

introduced to his spouse by his nurse

his papa,

and

let

out in order to be

peg a top or play marbles

yet the

feel any incongruity, though, to heighten

was Madame Rousselois, a fat woman of
"
forty.
It was excessively ridiculous to see her and the Amoureux
de quinze aus " together, and to hear her singing " Lindor a su me

audience did not seem to

the absurdity, his lover

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

228

[1796.

She was easily pleased. The dresses

Havre are handsomer and better appointed than

plaire"

where, except at London, which

is

at the theatre of

have seen any-

wonderful, considering

is

it

when one reflects on the

suspect the Government must assist them, or

a small seaport town, and more so

of admission.

sure they could not live on the receipts

trait

is

blue velvet

five

most

Up

Feb?-uary \oth.

it

am

an additional

is

striking.

at five o'clock

horses

a French

a choice carriage lined with

most grotesque

postillion, a

and a pair of jack-boots, as big as two American churns.

Their horses (cfievauxes they

our'n."

Set off for Paris.

populous
can

so,

cocked hat and jacket, two great wisps of straw tied on his

thighs,
"

if

the resemblance of character between the French and

in

Athenians, which

figure

but

price

lie,

call theni)

berCt quite so nimble as

The country

Huzza!

and amazingly

flat

the houses of the peasantry scattered as thick as they

about a mean between an English cottage and an Irish

cabin, or hovel; but

if

the house be inferior, there

beyond what

an appearance

is

in EngEvery cottage stands in the middle of a parallelogram of

perhaps an acre or two, which is planted with trees, and I suppose

in the spot of

ground about

far

have seen

land.

includes their potagerie, &c.

over the face of the country

is

the quantity of

every foot of ground seems to

be no starving, please God,

wood

thus scattered

immense, and has a beautiful

me under

France, D'Aucourt says, in

this year.

a good year,

grows one-third more than she consumes.

enclosures, but

all

the country open

not unlike Yorkshire, which

England

effect;

cultivation, so there will

look upon as the finest part of

an orchard to every cottage, besides rows of apple

Why

without intermission, by the roadside.

other countries

Normandy

whose climate

Think of

this.

No

excepting that circumstance,

differs

might

but very

The country still

much wood; and

it

trees,

not be so

in

little

from that of

flat

as a bowling

the most perfect

Again and again delighted with the
prospect of the abundant harvest which a few months will produce.
No streams nor meadows, but all tilled roads excellent. Arrive

green, but as
cultivation

can

interesting

make

as

it.

at

Rouen

at

two hours

after nightfall

a beautiful approach to the

ON THE WAY TO

'T. 33.]

town through a noble avenue of trees,

Rouen

immense

of

When

traverses.

height,

at the top, a

feet,

The

and

cut in

and the Seine windface of the country

much

as yesterday, except that the cottages are not so

detached, but rather collected in small hamlets

ance,

is

most magnificent prospect to look

ing beautifully through the landscape.

much

so dark,

immediately over

hill

and so steep that the road

back over Normandy, with Rouen at your

pretty

was

Hotel d'Egalit.

at the

Set off at ten o'clock.

ith.

229

believe, "for it

Lodge

Hal, thou couldst not see thy hand."

February

PARIS.

The

far inferior in all respects.

little

mean appear-

plantations around

them off and hide all defects but here they are
grouped together and completely exposed yet still they are far
beyond the cottages I have been used to see. Very few towns,
and those of a sombre appearance the manufacturing towns of
England beyond all comparison superior. The beauty of France
the cottages set

is in

Pass two or three chateaux, which are very thinly

the country.

scattered

all

shut up and deserted, their masters having been

either guillotined or being

of the Rhine.

now on

the right

(viz.,

the wrong) bank

In general they are in a bad taste

no improve-

ments around them, as

in

generally a dirty

hamlet annexed, the wretched habitation of

little

England, but built close on the road, and

the slaves of the feudal system.

and gone,

Well

all

those things are past

had never been. I can see the genius of

was not adapted to the country. In England,
I suppose the seats of the gentry, in the same kind of country,
would be as one hundred to one. Pass a beautiful valley, with a
just as if they

the French noblesse

stream, the

second

first

have seen, winding through

almost as high as that above Rouen.

hill

vated as before, that

To my
in

is

to say, without

it,

suppose they must have

culti-

one foot of ground wasted.

utter astonishment, a large flock of sheep

France

and mount a

Table-land

swam

What, sheep

over from England.

Another flock another " They sear mine eyeballs? I could wish
John Bull were here for one half hour, just to look at the fields of
wheat that I am passing. It is impossible to conceive higher
have seen nothing of a corn country like

cultivation

England.

The road

this

day but middling.

Sleep at Magny.

it

in

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

230

February

12th.

indignation, and the

Passion

is

landlord.

submit

vain"
to

and

eloquent, but

my

all

If this extortion

in silence

losses

but

it is

from any

resulted

downright

In great

supper, &c.

could not scold in French.

were

scarcity,
"

Well,

villainy.

'

had

Tis but in

The

Still

flat,

my

serenity of

by a second
can move them!'

just recovered, ruffled completely

''Landlords have flinty liearts

This comes of riding

in fine carriages,

no tears

with velvet linings

We are

downright Milords Anglais, and they certainly make us pay

Several vineyards, the

titles.

would

humour, but soon reconciled

ill

Breakfast at Pontoise.

richly cultivated.

on the

lost

by the smiling appearance of the country.

temper, which
bill.

bill for

figures of speech

Set off in a very

literally.

my

most blistering
more so, because

[1796.

first

An

have met with.

for

our

uninter-

rupted succession of corn, vines, and orchards, as far as the eye can
reach, rich and riant beyond description.
I see now clearly that
John Bull will be able to starve France. St. Denys The building
for washing the royal linen turned into an arsenal, and a palace

Into a barrack for the

"

Le

Gendarmerie

peuple Franqais reconnait

I'dme."

Groscaillou

Several

a church, with the inscription

I'etre

Supreme,

et I 'immortality de

windmills turning, as

worthy Mr.

fetch to deceive the

is still

some bread

in

Bull,

an

artful

and make him believe there

In sight of Paris at

France.

they were

if

grinding corn, but, to be sure, they have none to grind

Huzza

last.

Huzza
I
I

have now travelled one hundred and

do not think

have seen one hundred and

the very orchards are under grain.

at work,

Stop

and

all

at the Hotel des Etrangers,

fifty

acres uncultivated,

All the mills

Rue
;

have seen were

proportion for a shorter time

in

London

but

Paris

Vivienne, a magnificent house,

my apartment

very handsomely furnished, &c, for

and other hotels

miles in France, and

the chateaux shut up, without exception.

but, I foresee, as dear as the devil

in

fifty

fifty

in the third story

francs per month,

much cheaper than

I will

and so

the Adelphi

not stay here for

all

that

must get into private lodgings. At six o'clock, dinner with

D'Aucourt at the Restaurateur's in the Maison E\galite, formerly the
I

Palais Royal, which

is

within

fifty

yards of our hotel.

The

bill

of

^ET.

PARIS.

33.]

fare printed, as large as a play

marked.
but
is,

bill,

with the price of everything

much on

to say so

the subject of eating,

have been so often bored with the famine

degree, necessary to dwell upon

some

in

am ashamed

23 I

France, that

in

it

Our dinner was a

it.

soup, roast fowl, fried carp, salads of two kinds, a bottle of Bur-

gundy, coffee

after dinner,

we had

bread

(I forgot,

the whole, wine and

and a glass of

cauliflowers

was 1,500

all,

What would

we would have

our

bill

three.

love him.

Yes

" T/ie

which, at the
7 TVd. ster-

me

me

medicines."

for

bill

Indeed

Burgundy,

rogue has given

I have drank

our

4s.

with

P. P.

discussed another bottle of the

Lady, some two or

make me

exactly

livres), is

have given to have had

and

livres, in assignats,

present rate (the Louis being 6,500

ling.

liqueur, with excellent

and sauce)

or,

by'r

medicines

wish to

to

God

of fare was posted on the Royal Exchange, for John Bull's

edification.

do not think he would dine much better for the

London Tavern, especially if he drank such

money, even

at the

Burgundy

we

The

we dined was

magnifi-

cent, illuminated with patent lamps, and looking-glasses of

immense

size

the

as

did.

company of

saloon in which

fashionable appearance,

have seen at the Bedford Coffee House

full

as

much

as

in short,

everything

wore a complete appearance of opulence and luxury.

Walked

ever

round the Palais Royal, but too dark to see anything.

shop kept by

J.

B. Louvet. 1

Coffee houses

but did not go into one of them.

is

fibbing a

February

Paris

is

Bed

brilliant as

whom we

160 miles, or thereabouts.

five,

at the

believe

travelled up, called

From Havre

Settled our account of expenses.

We

to

lay two nights on the road.

were charged once or twice extravagantly.

with four,

formerly

Capt. Sisson, with

i$th.

to breakfast.

We

little.

Ascend a

as they can hold,

D'Aucourt grumbling

appearance of things not being half so

he

all full

We

were driven

and, during two stages, with six horses, and yet our

whole was but sixty crowns, or 15 sterling, which

was 5 apiece. In England, to travel the same distance, with four
horses, would have cost us, at the very lowest, double the money.

expense

for the

So much

for the relative

1

expense of the two countries, which

[Celebrated author of Faublas.

Ed.]

am

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

fond of comparing, and

think

Council of war with D'Aucourt.

two, until

Monroe

we

(the

[1796.

know England

Agree

pretty well.

keep close

to

a day or

for

my first visit to
my letters. In

get French clothes made, and then pay

American Ambassador), and

make

the meantime to

The

inquiries.

deliver

Directoire Executif have

presented General Jourdan with six horses, magnificently capari-

What

soned, a sword, and a case of pistols.

publican General
It

looks odd that he should be passed over.

the public attention on Jourdan

Do

Mind this.

Pichegru were thrown into the shade.

they intend to

fix

should be sorry

In the evening, at the

The

Opera, Tliedtre des Arts, Iphigenie.

I

a present for a Re-

observe they have given nothing to Pichegru.

if

Grand

theatre magnificent, and,

should judge, about one hundred performers in the orchestra.

The

dresses most beautiful, and

costume

a scrupulous attention

which

in all the decorations,

have never seen

The performers were completely Grecian

in

to the

London.

statues animated,

and

never saw so manifestly the superiority of the taste of the ancients

women.

in dres9, especially the

was dressed

Iphigenie {La citoyenne C/ieron)

entirely in white, without the

ornament, and

least

The
Hay-

nothing can be imagined more truly elegant and picturesque.

acting admirable, but the singing very inferior to that of the

The French cannot

market.

Agamemnon

sing like the Italians.

Clytemnestra still better.

Achilles abominable, and
more applauded than either of them. Sung in the old French style,
which is most detestable, shaking and warbling on every note

excellent.

vile

The

vile

vile

ballet,

The

others sung in a style sufficiently correct.

L'Offrande a la Liberte, most superb.

In the centre of

the stage was the statue of Liberty, with an altar blazing before
her.

She was surrounded by the characters

beautiful

Grecian habits.

The

civic

r Empire" was sung by a powerful

by the audience.

Whenever

sung, and produced

armes

citoyens

" all

still

bass,

the word

operated like an electric shock.

The

in

the opera, in their

air, " Veillons

au saint de

and received with transport

"

esclavage "

Marseillaise

greater enthusiasm.

At

was

Hymn

uttered,

it

was next

the word, "

Aux

the performers drew their swords, and the

females turned to them as encouraging them.

Before the

last verse

^ET.

AT THE OPERA.

33.]

233

was changed to a

there was a short pause, the time of the music

very slow movement, and supported only by the flutes and oboes
a beautiful procession entered
baskets of flowers

children like cherubs, with

first little

by boys, a

these were followed

more

little

advanced, with white javelins (the Hasta pura of the ancients) in

Then came two

their hands.

moving

beautiful female figures,

the graces themselves, with torches blazing

like

these were followed

by

four negroes, characteristically dressed, and carrying two tripods

between them, which they placed respectfully on each side of the

altar

next came as

many Americans,

in

the picturesque dress of

Mexico, and these were followed by an immense crowd of other

performers, variously habited,

The

of the stage.

who ranged themselves on both sides

children then approached the altar with

little

which they

their baskets of flowers,

rest in their turn succeeded,

laid

and hung the

before the goddess

statue with garlands and wreaths of roses

the

and the base of the

altar

the two females with

the torches approached the tripods, and, just touching them with the
fire,

all

The whole then

they kindled into a blaze.

knelt down, and

of this was executed in cadence to the music, and with a grace

beyond

description.

The

first

part of the last verse, "

Amour sacre

de la patrie," was then sung slowly and solemnly, and the words
" Libert/, Liberte, cherie,"

what

with an emphasis which affected

me most

All this was at once pathetic and sublime, beyond

powerfully.

had ever

seen, or could almost imagine

but

it

was followed

by an incident which crowned the whole, and rendered it indeed a

spectacle worthy of a free republic
At the words, Aux armes,
'

citoyens

"

the music changed again to a martial style, the per-

formers sprung on their

with National Guards,

feet,

and

an instant the stage was

in

who rushed

sabres drawn, and their tricolour flag flying.

sible to describe the effect of this.

was

before,

and what heightened

the

men

saw before me were not

it

It

would be impos-

knew what enthusiasm

never

beyond

filled

bayonets fixed, their

in with

all

conception was, that

hirelings, acting a part

they

were what they seemed, French citizens flying to arms, to rescue

their country

tated

from slavery.

Cobourg

into the

They were

the

Sambre, and driven

men who had

precipi-

Clairfait over the Rhine,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

234

and were,

at this very

moment, on the eve

[1796.

of again hurrying to the

This

encounter fresh dangers and gain fresh glory.

frontiers, to

was what made the spectacle interesting beyond all description.

I would willingly sail again from New York to enjoy again what I
felt at that moment.
Set the ballets of the Haymarket beside this !
This sublime spectacle concluded the ballet
it

name

so poor a

It

was followed by a

why must

give

which one might

but even this was totally different from what they used to

call so,

The National Guards were introduced

be.

but

ballet,

again,

and instead of

dancing, at least three-fourths of the exhibition were military evolutions, which,

it

should seem, are more

now

to the

So

allemandes and minuets and pas de deux.

now

to consider at

what rate one may see

all

French

best

this.

taste than

It is

curious

paid for

my

seat in the boxes 150 livres, in assignats, which, at the present rate,
is

very nearly sixpence

200

livres,

which

is

The

sterling.

eightpence.

duce a conjecture which struck

highest price seats were but

mention

me

this principally to intro-

at Havre, but

which seems much

more probable here, that the Government supports the theatres

And

privately.

are so

much

twenty

in Paris,

love have

and

felt at

February

France

in

it is

excellent policy, where the people

now about
What would my dearest

addicted to spectacles, of which there are

14th.

all full

every night.

the " Offrande a la liberte

Dined

ing and looking-glasses

at a tavern in a

down to the

floor.

"

room covered with gildSuperb beyond anything

was the Hotel of the Chancellor to the Duke of

Orleans.
There went much misery of the people to the painting
and ornamenting of that room, and now it is open to any one to
But
dine for three shillings. "Make aristocracy laugh at that."
Paris now yields so many thousand instances of a similar comI

had

seen.

It

plexion that nobody minds them.

called),

Le chant du

depart.

Comedie,

ballet (improperly so

battalion under arms, with their

knapsacks at their backs, ready to march with their

representative of the people
their head.

On

(whom

officers

and a

P. P. would call a tyrant) at

one side of the stage a group of venerable

representing the parents of the warriors.

On

figures,

the other, a band of

females, who, I can venture to say, were not selected for their ugli-

iET.

THE AMERICAN AMBASSADOR.

33-J

ness,

235

appeared as their wives and lovers, and a number of beautiful

The

children were scattered over the stage.

the song, which was answered

by the

soldiers

representative began
;

the next verse

was

any man with a soul capable

of feeling, what the effect of such a song from such beautiful beings
must have been. The next was sung by the old men, and, at the
end of it, the little boys and girls ran in amongst the soldiery, who
sung by the women, and

caught them up

leave

to

it

Some

arms and caressed them.

in their

of the

and put them on

little

fellows pulled off the grenadiers' caps,

own

heads, whilst others were strutting about with great sabres

At

longer than themselves.

and

filed off,

their

length the battalion was formed again

the representative and officers saluting the audience as

women and

they passed, whilst the

children were placed on an

eminence, and waved their hands to them as they passed along.

Nothing could exceed the peals of applause when the ensign passed
with the tricolour flag displayed.

was which gave

my

N.B.

eyes.

an

it

interest, that

From

all

this

Here was no fiction, and that it

drew the tears irresistibly into

it is

evident that the French are a

human

and that John Bull

will just begin at the banks of the Wahal, and never stop till he has
driven them into the Mediterranean.
nation of cannibals, incapable of

February
in

Went to

i$tk.

my passport

and

letters.

feeling,

Monroe's, the Ambassador, and delivered

Received very politely by Monroe,

who

mind in America,
which I answered as well as I could, and in a manner to satisfy him
pretty well as to my own sentiments.
I inquired of him where I
was to deliver my despatches. He informed me, at the Minister
for Foreign Affairs, and gave me his address.
I then rose and told
him that when he had read B
's letter (which was in cypher), he

inquired a great deal into the state of the public

would,

He

hope, find

me

excused

in

taking the liberty to

answered, he would be happy at

all

he had inquired about Hamilton Rowan,

I

took

my

leave,

Went at

me

for

how he

liked America, &c.

to his office for

my

an Irishman directly.

and returned

Secretary smoked

call again.

times to see me, and, after

passport.

Rue du
some one who

three o'clock to the Minister for Foreign Affairs,

Bacq, 471.

Delivered

my

passport,

and inquired

The

la bonne heure.

for

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE

236

[1796.

spoke English. Introduced immediately to the Chef de Bureau,

Lamare, a man of an exceedingly plain appearance. I showed my
letter, and told him I wished for an opportunity to deliver it into

He

the Minister's hands.

charge of
but

best,

it ?

"

if it

would

answered, he undoubtedly

was not

not do

it

knew

if

he took

the official form

should consider myself

irregular, I

obliged by being allowed to deliver

me

"

asked me,

He

in person.

it

then brought

into a magnificent antechamber, where a general officer

another person were writing, and, after a few minutes delay,

introduced to the Minister, Charles de

which he opened, and seeing

letter,

French, he was

much

obliged to

that the Secretary would give

delivery.

then

me
me

la Croix,

it

a receipt,

ing

is

letter
tells

a translation

my

he told me,

in

had taken, and

acknowledging the

retired with the Secretary, the

He

is

The Secretary has given me

" I

was

and delivered

in cypher,

a respectable-looking

should judge him near sixty, and has very

bishop.

and

for the trouble I

made my bow and

Minister seeing us to the door.

I

much

much

man

the air of a

a receipt, of which the follow-

have received from Mr. James Smith, a

addressed to the Committee of Public Safety, and which he

me comes

from the citizen Adet, Minister Plenipotentiary of

the French Republic at Philadelphia, Paris, 26th Pluviose, third

The

year of the French Republic.

Affairs,

Lamare."

shall return for

I

am

my

The

letter

might

being

be, or

found no

In a day or two

ice.

passport.

perfectly pleased with

Minister's, but can

Secretary General of Foreign

have thus broken the

my

reception at Monroe's and at the

form no possible conjecture as to the event.

in cypher,

what might be

he could form no guess as to who

my

All

business.

difficulty in obtaining access to

him

can say

is,

that

that his behaviour

was extremely affable and polite, and, in a word, that if I have no

ground to augur anything good, neither have I reason to expect
anything bad. All is in equilibrio. I have now a day or two to
attend to my private affairs, and the first must be that of Mr. W.
Browne (my brother Matthew). Opera in the evening. The
"Chant

die

depart" again.

should otherwise

feel, for

lose three-fourths of the pleasure

the want of

my

dear love, or

my

friend

!!

^T.

SIGHT-SEEING.

33.]

P. P. to share

How

with.

it

237

they would glory in Paris just

And

then the Burgundy every day at the restaurateurs.

he

the only possible bearable companion, except the boys.

is

" 'Tis

Poor

now

P. P.

Well,

but in vain," &c.

February

Walked out alone

\6th.

the Louvre, Pontneuf, &c, superb.

The

to see sights.

Tuileries,

Paris a thousand times

magnificent than London, but less convenient for those

Saw two companies

afoot.

Tuileries, the first

of grenadiers in the garden of the

have met.

All very fine fellows, but without

the air militaire of private sentinels

appearance of gentlemen

more

who go

many

in soldiers' coats,

in the

ranks have the

and, on the whole, they

exactly resembled two companies of Irish Volunteers, as

have seen

them in that country, in the days of my youth and innocence.

These are the youth of the first requisition. Their uniform blue,
faced white, red cape and cuffs, red shoulder knots, and plumes in
their hats, white belts, vest and breeches, black stocks and gaiters.
I think them equal in figure to any men I have ever seen of their
only to think what a thing fashion is
number. The women
!

The French women have been always remarkable

therefore at present they
roll

and pin up

invisible,

is

now
and

become

all

little

burnt

a solution for every absurdity.

filled

think

full

but

it

is

In the evening walked to

dress, but air,

manners, and

time.

It

similar to those

ever

will

God Almighty

armed

nation.

population,

Well,

all

in

be absolutely necessary to adopt measures

which have raised and cherished

shake off our chains.

gait.

import of the expression, an armed nation,

could produce as

good

the fashion, and

know a country that, for its extent and

many and as fine fellows as France.

Damn

shock periwig.

with the military, most of them superb

do not mean as to

perceive the
I

beautiful tresses, so that they

wish they were

the Palais Royal

figures.

own

and

actually

prefer to wear wigs.

and over them they put a

their wigs

that

their

for fine hair,

They

all

is

this spirit here, if

pleased, in His goodness, to enable us to

I

think Ireland would be formidable as an

CHAPTER

XV.

OPENS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.

February
for
in

ijth.

Went

one o'clock to the Minister's bureau

at

my passport. A clerk
my name and got
it.

me

tells

that a person called yesterday

assured him

and had not sent any one to demand

was on

this

day he had desired me

to

it,

knew nobody

in Paris,

and reminded him that

call.

He

it

looked very blank

and just then the principal Secretary coming up, I informed

him of what had happened. He recollected me immediately, and
told me the Minister wished to see me, and had sent to the
Ambassador to learn my address. I answered I should attend
him whenever he pleased he replied, " instantly," and accordingly
I followed him into the Minister's cabinet, who received me very
at this,

politely.

He

told me, in French, that he

brought

deciphered, and

Executif,

who

laid

instantly

the

whom

he would give

me

should go immediately to

a letter

to,

and, as he spoke

both languages perfectly and was confidential, that

should ex-

him without reserve that his name was Madgett.

answered that I knew him by reputation, and had a letter of

plain myself to
I

letter

Directoire

considered the contents as of the greatest import-

ance; that their intentions were that

a gentleman,

had had the

before

introduction to him, but did not consider myself at liberty to

myself known to any person without

might communicate with Madgett 1 without the

down and wrote a note to him, which he gave me

that
sat

my

leave, the Minister seeing

minute circumstances of
too

He

his approbation.

much

my

me

to the door.

reception, not that

elevated by the attentions of any

1

[An Irishman in the French Foreign

238

man

I
I

least reserve
I

then took

mention these

am

in

Office.

make

answered

any
Ed.]

man

to be

station, at

^T.
least

De

DE LA

33.]

hope

so,

but that

CROIX,

MADGETT.

consider the respect

239

shown

me by

to

shown to my mission, and of course the

and the extreme civility of reception that I

la Croix as really

readiness of access,

experience,
at the

many

feel as so

favourable presages.

Minister's cabinet without a minute's delay.

The costume

well.

Surely

of the Minister was singular

already that he had the presence of a bishop.

to-day

have been

bureau twice, and both times have been admitted to the

in

all

this looks

have said

He was

dressed

a grey silk robe de chambre, under which he wore a kind

of scarlet cassock of satin, with rose-coloured silk stockings, and

scarlet

ribands in his shoes.

circumstances because
I

my

prize above

Grenville.

know they

will

who

will

he has as much the

I

mention these

be interesting to her

ten thousand times.

life

persons in the world

with pleasure

believe

manners of a gentleman as Lord

There are about six

read these detached

to every one else they

little

whom

memorandums

would appear sad

stuff.

But they are only for the women of my family, for the boys, if
we meet again, and for my friend P. P. Would to God he

ever

were here just now.

rider

And

there

is

Well,

"

if wishes were horses, beggars

on the subject of wishing, which

Madgett's and delivered
tells

me he

would

another curious quotation, equally applicable,

my

letter.

scorn to make.

Set off for

Madgett delighted

to see

me,

has the greatest expectation our business will be taken

up in the most serious manner that the attention of the French

Government is now turned to Ireland, and that the stability and
form it had assumed gave him the strongest hopes of success that
he had written to Hamilton Rowan about a month since, to request
I might come over instantly, in order to confer with the French
Government, and determine on the necessary arrangements, and
that he had done this by order of the French Executive.
He then
asked me had I brought any papers or credentials I answered
that I only brought the letter of Adet to the Executive, and
one to the American Ambassador, that I had destroyed a few
;

others on the passage, including one from Mr.

as

we were chased by

only ones

Bermudian

Rowan

to himself,

that, as to credentials, the

had, or that the nature of the case would permit,

had

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

240

[1796.

shown to Adet on my first arrival in Philadelphia, in August last.

That these were the vote of thanks of the General Committee of
the Catholics of Ireland for

my

services as their agent, signed

by

Mr. Edward Byrne and the two secretaries, Richard McCormick

and John Sweetman, and dated in April, 1793. A second vote of

thanks from the Catholics of Dublin, signed by the Chairman and
Secretary, and the resolution of the Belfast regiment of Volunteers,
electing

me an

honorary member,

and signed by the

Adet
I

testimony of their confidence,

These

officers of the regiment.

to bring with

satisfied

in

me

to France, but he said

him, and, as they were large papers,

an unnecessary risk of discovery,

in

case

it

had offered to

was

it

sufficient that

would be running

we were stopped by

That he would satisfy the French Executive,

and that the fewer papers of any kind I carried the better, and,
consequently, that I had brought only those I mentioned. Madgett
British cruisers.

then said that was enough, especially as he had the newspapers

containing the resolutions

Executive were already

that

we should have

mentioned, and

fully apprised

who

ten sail of the line,

that

He

was.

French

the

then added

any quantity of arms that

were wanted, and such money as was indispensable, but that

last

was

to be used discreetly, as the

demands

for

it

on

all

this

quarters

were so numerous and urgent, and that he thought a beginning

might be made through America, so as to serve both Ireland and

France.
this

That

is

to say, that military stores

might be sent through

channel from France to Ireland, purchased there by proper

persons, and provisions, leather, &c, returned in neutral bottoms.

I

answered

this last

measure was impracticable, on account of the

and the operation of the Gunpowder Act, which I explained to him I then gave him a very
short sketch of what I considered the state of Ireland, laying it
down as a positnm that nothing effectual could be done there unless
by a landing that a French army was indispensably necessary as
a point de ralliement, and I explained to him the grounds of my
He then told me it was necessary we should arrange all
opinion.
vigilance of the Irish Government,

the information
breakfast with

we

possessed, and, for that purpose, fixed

him to-morrow, when we could go

at

me

to

length into

^T.

CONFERENCE WITH MADGETT.

33-]

we

the business, and so

here, press

tions

If

effectuated.

N.B.

parted.

it

is

not, the people will never

of that in Ireland.

and that

negotia-

move, but to the

we have had

is

already but too

a sine gud non

Pichegru to

known

Their names are

not, Jourdan.

if

my

French army, with a general of estab-

lished reputation at their head,

choose, but,

I shall, in all

upon them the necessity of a landing being

destruction of a few wretches, and

much

241

Ireland,

in

of great consequence.

is

February

Breakfast at Madgett's.

iSt/i.

part, of the state of Ireland

when

I left it,

Long

which

account, on

will

my

be found sub-

memoirs as I may prepare. Madgett assures me

again that the Government here have their attention turned most

stantially in such

seriously to Irish affairs

that they feel that unless they can sepa-

rate Ireland from England, the latter

is

invulnerable

that they

are willing to conclude a treaty offensive and defensive with Ireland,

and a treaty of commerce on a footing of reciprocal advantage;

that they will supply ten sail of the line, arms,

me

told

ments

in

yesterday

and money, as he

and that they were already making arrange-

Spain and Holland

for that purpose.

He

asked me, did

think anything would be done in Ireland

by her spontaneous
him most certainly not that if a landing were
once effected, everything would follow instantly, but that that was
indispensable
and I begged him to state this as my opinion to
such persons in power as he might communicate with
that if
20,000 French were in Ireland, we should in a month have an army
I

efforts.

told

of 100,000, 200,000,

or, if

necessary, 300,000 men, but that the point

He

d'appui was indispensable.

said

it

appeared so to him

also.

He

then returned to the scheme of importing stores, &c, through

the

medium of America. I again mentioned the difficulty from

Gunpowder Act, and the risk of alarming the Irish Government.

the

He

said he

still

thought

it

would be

possible,

and mentioned as

a reason, that eighteen brass cannon had, to his knowledge, lately

been smuggled to Ireland through

surprises

formed.

me
I

not a

little,

answered that

but
if

1.

If this

be true

Madgett

is

it

misin-

the landing were once effected, the

measure would be unnecessary

vol.

Belfast.

rather judge

17

as, in

that event,

we should soon

;;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

242

have

all

the stores of the

kingdom

our hands

in

[1796.

was not
and insur-

and,

if it

would not move, unless in local riots

which would end in the destruction of the ringleaders.
He seemed struck with this, and said he saw that part of the
scheme was useless. I then mentioned the necessity of having a
effected, the people

rections,

man

of reputation at the head of the French forces, and mentioned

Pichegru or Jourdan, both of

He

in Ireland.

me

told

whom

known by

are well

character

there was a kind of coolness between the

Executive and Pichegru

(this

suspected before), but that,

measures were adopted, he might

still

be the General

if

the

adding that

he was a man of more talents than Jourdan. I answered, " either

would do." He then desired me to prepare a memorial in form
for the French Executive as soon as possible, which he would
translate and have delivered in without delay.
We fixed to dine
There

together at his lodgings, and so parted.

I

wish to observe

appeared to
his

own

me

and to humanity.

The

in

what

which

note,

which he mentions

much

as possible, as

Minister also desired

Am

to explain myself to Madgett without reserve.

in believing

one thing here

Madgett showed me the Minister's

completely confidential, and

desire to forward the business as

friend to liberty

is

me

too sanguine

so passionately wish, that the French Executive

will seriously assist us ?

February
memorial.

i8t/t,

igt/i,

Call on

20th.

At work

Madgett once a day

in

the

morning

at

to confer with him.

says there will be sent a person to Ireland immediately, with

I

have a conference

shall

and that

it

my
He

whom

would be desirable he should

bring back an appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary for me, in

order to conclude an alliance offensive and defensive with the

Republic

in

which case

me

however,

should be acknowledged as such by the

Certainly nothing could be more flattering

French Government.
to

answered that such an appointment could not

be had without communicating with so

many

persons as might

endanger the betraying of the secret to the Irish

that

Government

only desired credit with the Directoire Executif, so far as

they should find

my

that the information

assertions supported

by indisputable

facts

brought was the essential part, and the ere-

MT.

LOU VET AND L0D01SKA.

33-1

dential,

though highly gratifying to

in fact,

but matter of form.

in Ireland

my

if

man

me

worthy,

is

it

Ambassador from IreI must wait till

appointment.

living to accept the office of

over,

if

am

my

the

"

office.

is

my

think

Ambassador and if I
have some claim to
;

city."

If

could spend three years here with

my

dearest love, very happily.

would have no objection to a few months

He

d'Irlande.

of diplomatic Burgundy.
let

me

finish

my

we would

Indeed,

a dog.

is

But

all this is

He, Madgett, says

plan, but
Ireland,

My

memorial

DAucourt

tells
I

succeed,

me
am

1' hotel

it

this day, the

glad of that

is

part of the

filled

leaving

me

with choice

very

much

Dine alone every

facts.

to myself, of which

Military in the Palais Royal, superb figures (but this

glad.

Many

already).

fine lads of twenty,

who have

or a leg to the liberty of their country.

"

year d

I believe he means his own plan, to demand Jamaica for

by way of indemnity. I wish we had .Ireland without

Jamaica.

day

we

dare say P. P.

discuss several bottles

him about.
if

in the

building castles in the air;

memorials, which Madgett

20th, the Minister has written to

impatience.

will

a fine town and a very charming

Ireland were independent

family, especially

commences, or perhaps

Irish

first

present business,

Oh, Paris

it

not knocked on the head meantime.

should like very well to be the

succeed in

should be the happiest and

the war at least

until

be,

That when a government was formed

and then,

So there was an end to my

is commenced, if ever

land.

would

private feelings,

would be time enough to talk of embassies

it

country thought

proudest

my

243

The Baronet can

sacrificed

said

an arm

could worship them.

for aught he needs, but he

ca'

am

I
I

not yet quite

is

Very wise memorandums for a Minister

Plenipotentiary planning a revolution.
Oh Lord Oh Lord
maister

0'

the accent."

Well,

"

'Tis but in vain," &c.

February
of

J.

B.

hands of his
like her

Bought the

Constitution Francaise at the shop

wife, so celebrated

after

Louvet

is

it

from the

under the name of Lodo'fska.

countenance very much.

interesting.

and

21st.

Louvet, in the Palais Royal, and received

She

is

not handsome, but very

one of those who escaped the 31st May,

a long concealment and a thousand

perils,

in

which

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

244

[1796.

Lodoi'ska conducted herself like a heroine, returned on the

whom

of Robespierre,

resume

he had been the

He

his place in the Convention.

member

to denounce,

first
is

now

fall

and

a distinguished

of the Conseil des Cinq Cent ; supports a newspaper

La

and keeps a bookseller's shop in the Palais Royal. I

glad I have seen Lodo'fska I wish my dearest love could see
I think she would behave as well in similar circumstances.

Sentinelle,

am
her.

Her courage and her

Well

as critical.

have been

affection

must go

has been acquitted in England,

never set the

Thames

N.B.

memorial.

Stone
He

will

memorial, and delivered a

fair

believe very justly.

in a blaze.

my

Finished

February 22nd.

some, very nearly

tried in

my

finish

copy, signed, to Madgett for the Minister of Foreign Relations.

Madgett

in

the horrors.

He

me he

tells

has had a discourse

yesterday for two hours with the Minister, and that the succours

he expected

will fall

marine of France
hazard a large

fleet

Jourdan

20,000

for

very short of what he thought.

in

and, consequently, that

that

will give 2,000

cannot

they

we must be content
of their best troops,
spare

Pichegru

that they will give any quantity of artillery

money might be necessary.

send proper persons among the

think he added, what

they would

first

of war, to sound them, and exchange

tunity.

That the

such a state that Government will not

That they

to steal a march.

and arms

is

To

all this,

at

which

am

He

guard, but that

my

would go

if

and,

also said

Irish prisoners

them on the

not disappointed,

first
I

oppor-

answered,

That with

that as to 2,000 men, they might as well send 20.

regard to myself,

nor

they would send but a corporal's

opinion was, that 5,000 was as

as could

little

be landed with any prospect of success, and that that number

would leave the matter doubtful

that

posing force sent in the first instance,

sition,

it

there could be an im-

if

would overbear

the nation would be unanimous, and an

of blood and treasure would be spared

would

at once operate in favour of the

that case, would

be instantly formed

the advantages resulting from

immense

the

all

oppo-

effusion

law of opinion

Government, which,

and

in

pressed particularly

that circumstance.

He seemed

MT.

MEMORIAL FOR THE FOREIGN MINISTER.

33.]

perfectly satisfied of all this, but equally satisfied

not, or rather could not

be done.

bid

that

245

would

it

him then remember

that

my

plan was built on the supposition of a powerful support in

the

first

instance

memorial

that

and begged him

opinion was so

we must

that case,

how

satisfied

invasion,

to

Minister that

apprise the

men, the business

did believe would succeed

hard for

fight

the militia and

army would

it

my
my

so in

specified

that, nevertheless, with 5,000

might be attempted, and

in

had particularly

that,

but that,

though

was

act in case of a powerful

could not venture to say what might be their conduct

under the circumstances he mentioned

Government, which
hot work of

it

that, if

they stood by the

was possible they might, we should have

men were sent, they should be the

it

that, if 5,000

very flower of the French troops, and a considerable proportion

them

of

He

artillerymen, with the

interrupted

me

to

ask

Pichegru and Jourdan.

affair at

He

Quiberon. 1

was sure we might have Hoche.

they sent but 5,000 men, they should
in

that case

the arms of the nation, as

at once, all

they were able to send 20,000 or even 15,000.

to the prisoners of war,

among them,
was

effected,

5,000

men

all

we could not
we should if

added, that as

advice was to send proper persons

man

of them, until the landing

and then exchange them as

at least,

Now

my

but not to part with a

promised to represent

after

said he

send a greater quantity of arms, as

command,

spare.

Ireland

in

answered, Hoche, especially since his

also mentioned, that if

best General they could

who was known

this,

We

and a greater quantity of arms.

my

He

fast as possible.

and that he hoped we would get

then

Suppose we get 5,000 men,

and 30,000 or even 20,000 stand of arms and a train of artillery
I conceive, in the first place, the embarkation must be from
parted.

what

is

to be

plan

Holland, but in

all

events the landing must be in

Had we
we should begin by

as near Belfast as possible.

the

first

instance,

which would secure everything

but, as

20,000, or even

the North,
15,000 in

the capital, the seizing of

it

is, if

we cannot go

[Quiberon taken by French Royalists in English pay, July

taken by Hoche, July 21st. Ed.]
'

3,

large

179?

re-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

246

we must go

close-hauled,' as the saying

With

is.

proceed entirely on a revolutionary plan,

reckon only on the Sans-culottes)

man,

and potato

guinea,

horse,

should also conceive that

an

and,

to say,

is

necessary, put every

requisition.

in

would be our policy at

it

we must

first

Every day would strengthen and

to work upon them.

discipline

opportunities

we had obtained some advantage

and

us,

give

fear

would be of the

it

the

in

field,

frame any body

With

20,000,

The only

with

this,

with the

that,

is

difference

my

we
of

we should
number and

between that

there would be no fighting, and

latter,

we may have some hard knocks.

are great within

if

talk

and very strong measures,

men,

5,000

ultimately succeed.

Hang those who

importance.

last

us

doubt whether we could,

that would venture to call itself the Irish Government, but

could,

to avoid

supposing the Irish army stuck to the Government.

action,

until

5,000

fear (that

I
if

Ireland

in

[1796.

bosom."

think

" Ten thousand hearts

I will

find a

dozen men who

good God, good God what would I

give to-night that we were safely landed, and encamped on the
will figure as

Cave

Hill

soldiers.

If

we can

way

we shall
Surely we can do as much

find our

so

far, I

John Bull to work us out.

Chouans or people of La Vendee.
February 2$rd. Looked over Paine's

Damned

part."

worst

trash

His wit

He

ever saw.

He

lies

like

is

Ask

a dog.

Age

puzzle
as the

of Reason, second

without exception, the very

discontented with the

is

which he seems to think

is,

"

think

human

figure,

not well constructed for enjoyment.

whether

P. P.

it

is

not possible to be

most exquisitely happy, even under the incumbrance of that shape

may
in Mr. Paine's eyes ?
I beg the gentleman

so awkward

speak

He

for himself.

suppose he includes the female shape

seems to have some hopes that he

in the

shape of a butterfly.

Damn

his

nonsense

"

Say,

little

enjoy immortality

foolish fluttering thing.

wish he was a butterfly with

soul.

He

ceiling

by her web, and that a man cannot

shall

also.

all

1'

my

has also discovered that a spider can hang from the

think Paine begins to dote

great eloquence already, and

let

and

this is Philosophy.

damn his trash, as I said with

me mind my business. I must

but

JET.

THEORY OF AN INVASION.

TONE'S

33.]

247

now write my own credentials to the French Government.

Awkward enough for a man to trumpet himself, however, it must
be,

" 'Tis

and so

and wears

but in vain" &c.

steel

like

for

This

an invaluable quotation,

is

amongst other

it,

am

obligations, I

my

indebted to the witty and ingenious lucubrations of

friend

Apropos I never wanted the society, assistance, advice,

comfort, and direction of the said P. P. half so much as at this
moment. I have a pretty serious business on my hands, with a
grand responsibility, and here I am, alone, in the midst of Paris,
without a single soul to advise or consult with, and nothing in
Sad sad well, hang
fact to support me but a good intention.
P. P.

fear, " 'Tis but in

day

vain for soldiers

to

complain."

Da

Called on Madgett in order to explain to him that

A busy

capo.

had

all I

said relative to the support to be expected from the people in

Ireland,

and the conduct of the army, was on the supposition of a

considerable force being landed in the

pressed upon him yesterday, but

own

My

credit.

first

cannot

three words,

theory, in

This

instance.

make

it

this

is

had

too clear for

my

With twenty

men there would be no possibility of resistance for an

we should begin by the capital with five thousand I
would have no doubt of success, but then we should expect some
thousand

hour, and

fighting,

and we should begin near Belfast

with two thousand I

them land where they
defeated before any one could join

think the business utterly desperate,

would, they would be utterly

them,

or, in fact,

before the bulk of the people could

they were come.

Ireland,

for, let

and would operate but as a snare

for the lives of

and unfortunate countrymen, to whose destruction

God knows,

to be accessory.

Nevertheless,

they sent but a sergeant and twelve men,

them

to

be

fully apprised of

they might not accuse

with

me

in

part

of

it

me

my

positively, to

that

my

have a

letter

would

if

wished

opinion, that, in case of a failure,

the

letter written

to inquire after Mr. William

brave

do not wish,

go, but

of having deceived them.

to

my

concluded, that

every word of the statement, and desired

in

know

This would be a mere Quiberon business in

Minister.

He

from the proper

He agreed
me to insert

also

promised

office to Guise,

Browne (my brother Matthew), though

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

248

me

he assures

[1796.

the order for his liberation was expedited about the

of May last.
If we can find the said Mr. Browne, he may be
very serviceable amongst the prisoners of war, both soldiers and
first

seamen being
as

my

affections of
not,

to

have not pressed

my

heart,

my

whom

Monroe

very

received

about him,

my

dearest love

know

do

am charged. Quit
honest, and whom I feel weak; go
favourably.
He has had my letter

believe

inquiries

should appear to prefer the dearest

which God and

the public business with which

Madgett,
to

Irish.

wishes prompt, lest

deciphered, and dropped

all reserve.
I
told him I felt his
was one of considerable delicacy, and therefore I did
not wish to press upon him any information, relative either to

situation

myself or to

my

answered that the

H.

R., 1 of

whom

business,

he spoke

was not responsible

do, I

might speak

for

than he might desire.

He

satisfied him, particularly that

from

farther

had

letters

in

terms of great respect, and that, as he

what he might

freely.

the least reserve, and gave

hear, but for

what he might

then opened myself to him, without

him such

was able, of the

knowledge from
my situation. I also informed him of what I had done thus far.
He then addressed me in substance thus " You must change your
plan; I have no doubt whatsoever of the integrity and sincerity
details as I

actual state of things, and of the grounds of

my

of the Minister
to be honest.

De

la

Croix, nor even of Madgett,

But, in the

first

place,

it is

believe

a subaltern

way

of doing

Madgett

will

be very

business, and, in the next, the vanity of

likely to lead him, in order to raise his

whom

importance

in the

eyes of

who are here as patriots, and of whom I

by no means, the same good opinion as to integrity that
I have of him, to drop some hint of what is going forward.
Go at
once to the Directoire Exdcutif, and demand an audience explain
yourself to them, and, as to me, you may go so far as to refer to
me for the authenticity of what you may advance, and you may
add that you have reason to think that I am, in a degree, apprised
of the outline of your business." I mentioned Carnot, of whose
reputation we had been long apprised, and who, I understood, spoke
some

of his countrymen,

have,

Hamilton Rowan.

JET.

CONTEMPLATES A

33.]

He

English.

nobody

said, "

also spoke English

fitter,

CARNOT

VISIT TO

249

and that La Reveilliere Lepaux

that either would do."

then expressed a

was already in the hands of Charles de la

some indelicacy in my going directly to
the Directoire Executif, and, if so, whether it might not be of disHe answered, " By no means that in his own functions
service.
the proper person for him to communicate with was De la Croix,
doubt whether, as

Croix, there might not be

but that nevertheless, when he had any business of consequence,

he went at once to the fountain head."

mention

that, in all the

justice,

and

sequently,
I

would

in

if

find

then proceeded to

changes which had taken place

there never was an abler or purer set of

than at present

He

men

at the

France,
affairs

that they were sincere friends to liberty and

no wise actuated by a

spirit of

conquest

perfectly fair

and candid

that

that, con-

my

they took up the business of Ireland on

them

in

head of

motion,

not only the

Government, but the whole people were most violently exasperated

against England, and that there was no one thing that would at

once

command

the warmest support of

all parties,

so

much

as

He

measure which promised a reduction of her power.

any
then

examined me pretty closely on the state of Ireland on which

I gave him complete information, as far as I was able, and we
concluded by agreeing that to-morrow I should go boldly to
the Luxembourg and demand an audience of Carnot or La
Reveilliere Lepaux. Monroe tells me that Barre (for I inquired)
is yet in France, and he thought would not quit it.
I told him
;

Barere would be very acceptable in Ireland, as a deputy with the

He

army.

happen

name
him.

answered that he did not at

that he

would not advise

of Barere, but that

I

remarked that

it

me

known

to us,

doubt but

it

might so

by bolting out the

might take an opportunity to mention

had

make some
Convention, which made him

fallen to Barere's lot to

of the most splendid reports in the

well

all

to begin

and that the people were used,

in

a degree,

to associate the ideas of Barere and victory, which, trifling as

it

some consequence. On the whole, I am glad to find my

no danger. It would be a most extraordinary thing if I should happen to be an instrument in restoring
was, was of

lover Barere, as I hope, in

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

250

his talents to the cause of liberty.

[1796.

have always had a good

M. tells me the ground of the coolness between

Pichegru and the Government is, that he is supposed to be attached

opinion of him.

too

much

there

We

to the party of the Moderes.

am

glad of

a coolness, but that the Government

is

is

talked of the resources of France and England.

that, in

my

bankruptcy

not that

mentioned

judgment, France had one measure, which sooner or

must adopt, and the sooner the

later she

this,

not of that party.

better,

and that was a

that she would then start forth with her

immense

resources against England, staggering under 400,000,000 of debt.

Monroe took me by the hand and said, " You have hit it and
I will tell you that it is a thing decided upon."
If it be so, look to
yourself, Mr. John Bull. "Look to your house, your daughter, and
your ducats." Take my leave of Monroe with whom I am ex;

There

tremely pleased.

which
to

is

is

a true republican frankness about him,

And now am

extremely interesting.

go to the Directoire Executif?

It

not

a pretty fellow

very singular that so

is

obscure an individual should be thrown into such a situation.

presume
I

do not write those memorandums

here solemnly

call

God

to witness the purity of

the uprightness with which

through

this

my

endeavour to carry myself

shall

most arduous and

and
motives, and

to flatter myself,

critical situation.

hope

may

not ruin a noble cause by any weakness or indiscretion of mine.

As

to

my

integrity, I

the want of P. P.

can answer
I

am

in

of his advice and consolation.

amuse him
in

unspeakable
Well,

to read those hints, but

vain" &c.

What

for myself.

if

he

do

difficulty for the

ever
is

shall I

we meet

again,

for

want
it

will

a dog, and so "'Tis but

CHAPTER

XVI.

CARNOT.

Went

February 24th.

bourg

conning speeches

Carnot

shall I say to

execrable French,

in

Well, " whatsoever the

mouthy that surely shall I

Plucked up a

utter."

the palace, and mounted the stairs like a lion.

bureau that

The

all

the

Lord

spirit as I

Went

into the

little,

but

repeated

my demand

first

with a courage

This happened to be his day for giving audience,

which each member of the Executive Directory does

Introduced by
;

my

in

drew near

on which they instantly submitted, and sent a person

to conduct me.

with people

piitteth

found open, and demanded at once to see Carnot.

clerks stared a

truly heroic

Luxemway What

at twelve o'clock, in a fright, to the

my

the officers of state,

a line in English and delivered

all in

citizen

Carnot on an

answer

in

new costume.

He

brought

should have an audience.

now thrown

Write

America wished to speak

of consequence.

affair

two minutes that

their

filled

to one of the Huissiers, stating

it

that a stranger just arrived from

ing doors were

in his turn.

guide into the antechamber, which was

to

me an

The

fold-

open, a bell being previously rung to

give notice to the people, that

who had

all

business might present

themselves, and citizen Carnot appeared, in the petit costume of

white satin with crimson robe, richly embroidered.

elegant,

It

is

very

and resembles almost exactly the draperies of Van Dyke.

He

went round the room receiving papers and answering those

who

addressed him.

French, that

and that

my

told

my

friend the Huissier, in marvellous

business was too important to be transacted there,

would return on another day, when

Carnot's turn to give audience, and

him

at leisure.

He

mentioned

when

would not be

should hope to find

this to Carnot,
251

it

who ordered me

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

instantly to be

me

see

shown

into an inner apartment,

as soon as the audience

was

and began accordingly to con

well,

apartment were

my

personages,

five or six

and that he would

That

over.

[1796.

thought looked

speech again.

who

In the

being, like myself, of

great distinction, were admitted to a private audience.

them

precedence, as

all

wished to have

my

enjoyed

how

often

what schemes

and

will of Carnot,

while they were in their turns speaking with him,

reflecting

allowed

could not help

had wished for the opportunity

I had laid, what hazards I had run

then

I
;

when

looked round and saw myself actually in the cabinet of the

Executive Directory, vis-a-vis citizen Carnot, the organiser of

I could hardly believe my own senses, and felt as if it were

victory,
all

all

However,

a dream.

and when

my

was not

faculties,

any occasion

in

such as they were, as well at

my

life.

Why

whom

they were written.

It is

horrible French, that

but

do

degree disconcerted,

my command

mention those

because they will not be

stances

little, sir,

in the least

presented myself, after the rest were dismissed,

trifling

converse in that language."

that

if

answered,

he could have the patience to endure me,

Secretary and

to stop

then told him

Agent

on

circum-

trifling

her eyes, for

in

me whenever
I

if

still
I

you
in

that

the sentiments of the Dissenters,

was also

jargon,

make myself

that

had been

to the Catholics of that country,

about 3,000,000 of people

who were

in perfect possession

who were

we

would endeavour,

did not

was an Irishman

please,

my

in

"

had been informed he spoke English.

will

understood.

had

began the discourse by saying,

perceive you speak French, and

and only prayed him

as

at least 900,000,

of

and

communicate with him on the actual state of

me here to express a doubt as to the
numbers being so great as I represented. I answered a calculation
had been made within these few years, grounded on the number of

that I wished to
Ireland.

He

stopped

by
that calculation, the people of Ireland amounted to 4,100,000, and
He seemed
it was acknowledged to be considerably under the truth.

houses, which was ascertained for purposes of revenue

little

surprised at this, and

ments of

all

that,

proceeded to state that the senti-

those people were unanimous in favour of France,

MT.

"

33.]

and eager

THE ORGANISER OF

VICTORY:'

He

throw off the yoke of England.

to

An armed

253

me

asked

then

commenceand
themselves,
for
a
point
dappui,
until
could
organise
they
ment,
undoubtedly a supply of arms and some money." I added that I

"

What

they wanted."

had already delivered

of Foreign

in a

Relations,

memorial on the subject to the Minister

I was preparing another, which

in detail, all that

He

could in conversation.

force in the

and that

would explain to him,

better than

said, "

knew on

said, "

then

the subject,

We

shall see

The Organiser of Victory proceeded to ask me,

some strong places in Ireland ? " I answered I

those memorials."

Were there not

knew of none, but some works

"

He

me

stopped

here, saying, "

necessary to land there

organising a
not.

That

By which

already, in his

little

if

? "

to defend the harbour of Cork.

But may it not be

had perceived he had been

Aye, Cork
I

own mind.

answered,

a landing in force were attempted,

near the capital, for obvious reasons

it

thought

with a small army,

if

should be in the North, rather than the South of

reasons which he would find in

would be better

my memorials.

He

it

Ireland, for

then asked me,

"Might there not be some danger or delay in a longer navigation?"

I answered, it would not make a difference of two days, which was
nothing in comparison of the advantages. I then told him that I

came

to

here

France by direction and concurrence of the men, who (and

was

French word, with which, seeing

at a loss for a

embarrassment, he supplied me) guided the two great parties

mentioned.

This

understood me.

me

added, that

clearly that
I

had with

credentials as I
it

advisable for

a memorial, which

end of November

me

to

me

had presented myself

possible, force

before

on

its

citizen

letter

my way

Government.
Adet,

come

in person,

received letters from

to France,

him such

but offered to transmit

my

That about the

friends in Ireland,
I

should,

and lay the situation of Ireland

That, in consequence,

who seemed

August

in

repeating their instructions in the strongest manner, that

if

had

that he did not at that juncture

accordingly delivered to him.

last, I

he attended to and

Philadelphia, to citizen Adet, and delivered to

last, in

think

satisfied

my

had again waited

eager to assist me, and offered

to the Directoire Executif,

which

me

accepted with gratitude-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

254

That

sailed

from America

about a fortnight
for

that

the very

in

and was arrived

first vessel,

my

had delivered

Foreign Affairs, who had ordered

[1796.

me

letter

to the Minister

to explain myself without

I had accordingly done.

That
had prepared and delivered one memorial, on the

reserve to citizen Madgett, which

by

his advice

actual state of Ireland, and was then at

work on another, which

That I had the highest
respect for the Minister, and that as to Madgett, I had no reason
whatsoever to doubt him, but, nevertheless, must be permitted to
say that, in my mind, it was a business of too great importance to
be transacted with a mere Cornmis. That I should not think I
had discharged my duty, either to France or Ireland, if I left any
measure unattempted which might draw the attention of the
would comprise the whole of the

subject.

Directory to the situation of the latter country

sequence,

had presumed

his attention to the facts contained in

would also presume to request

in his

mind on any of those

permit
it

me

to explain.

omen

as a favourable

that, if

facts,

my

He

that

his

Ireland
at

we

all

any doubt or

head and smiled, as

my

sentry,

looked upon

if

friends

he doubted

reputation in

had spoken.

me

little.

but

had not cleared the ante-

told him, in fact, who, but

demanding

my

card

my

merely what

which

was

when I was stopped by the

but from this dilemma I was extri-

lover the Huissier,

my

then rose, and after the

recollected a very material circumstance,

had not

my

and, as a proof, told him that in

leave

was, therefore, returning on

cated by

knew, three years ago, that he could speak English

usual apologies, took

was, that

That

difficulty arose

known by

whom my

which he did not seem displeased.

chamber, when

to implore

had been allowed to communicate

assured him the fact was so

that, in con-

and

two memorials.

concluded by saying that

and was the very man of

shook

and

he would have the goodness to

with him, as he was already perfectly well

Ireland,

to present myself to him,

steps,

and again admitted.

and the station

then told

had filled
to
to
refer
him
Monroe,
leave
James
in Ireland, I begged
the
American Ambassador. He seemed struck with this, and then for
I told him, in fact, I
had two
the first time asked my name.
Carnot

that, as to

situation, credit,

A GOOD BEGINNING.

33-]

my

names,

my

described in

name

one and that under which

real

passport.

255
travelled

and was

then took a slip of paper, and wrote

James Smith, citoyen Americain," and under it,

" Theobald Wolfe Tone," which I handed him, adding that my real
name was the undermost. He took the paper, and looking over it,
Theobald Wolfe Tone," with the expression of one
said, " Ha
who has just recollected a circumstance, from which little movement I augur good things. I then told him I would finish my
the

"

memorial as soon as

possible,

the course of a few days after,

Here

leave.

is

By

"

which he answered,
full

all

and hoped he would permit me, in

to
to present myself again to him
;

means "

Executive Directory of France,

As

all this ?

emancipation of

the very

name

yet

my

in the

It is

have met no

Huzza

it

do so abhor and detest

my own

doubt

hope

judgment,

am

am

a pretty fellow

to break a connection of

600 years' stand-

ing and contract a fresh alliance with another country.

What would my old

those memorandums ?

if

he was to read

before he

viper in

had a cause."
the bosom of

venture to say that he

lies,

he and his whole gang of

opposing him as
finish

my

it

were.

Now

and that

friend

Magee,

me

friend

in Ireland,

Plunket (but

whom

because

am

He

it

to say that
I

am

was a

in Paris,

will

a better Irishman than

to the Minister.

and

By'r

me dog

called

gang who are

Let

me

Nothing

but

this is all castle-building.

Minister and Directoires Executif

my

"

rascals, as well as the

But

memorial, and deliver

Well,

that

"

friend Fitzgibbon say

remember he used

Ireland.

down a monarchy

to negotiate with the Directory of France, pull

Lakin, a parlous fear."

lest

my duty.
my visions

doing

should succeed, and

Vive la Republique

and establish a republic;

nor check,

difficulty

wish with such extravagant passion

after all if

What am

off very clear.

country, and

of England, that

a bold measure

my

audience of the

person of citizen Carnot, the

I
I

again took

first

came

see things in too favourable a light.

be realised

my

think

nothing to discourage me, but

for the

and so

and true account of

organiser of victory.
to think of

revolutionary

memorials.

sincerely forgive him),

and

my

have not yet forgiven, would not speak to

I

was a Republican.

Sink or swim,

stand

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

[1796.

My

venerable friend,

256

to-day on as high ground as either of them.

old Captain Russell, always had hopes of

Huzza

with P. P.

me

would give

five louis d'ors for

What

Not but what

shall

think

do

am

want of

for

in the worst of times.

one day's conversation

his advice

doing pretty

and assistance

well, considering

am

quite alone, with no papers, no one to consult or advise with, and

shocking

all

and which

properly no language.

and by and by

talents,

my

ing

Christian ears with the horrible jargon which

is

military ones,

cabinet and the

laugh at

will

it,

field.

or P.

day's journal, that

my

see

speak,

have grand diplomatic

I hope to have an opportunity of displayand showing that I am equally great in the

This
P.,

who

is

my

sad stuff! except for

will

enjoy

saw yesterday

it.

at the

who

love,

have to add to this

Luxembourg, besides

friend Carnot, the citizens Letourneur, the President, Barras,

and La Reveilliere Lepaux. Barras looks like a soldier, and put

me something in mind of James Bramston. La Reveilliere is
extremely like Dr. Kearney. Mem.: I saw two poissardes admitted
to speak to Carnot,
in

shall

ever get to finish

to write those ingenious

chatting with

my

By

the by, there

No

matter, there

men,

my

whilst a general officer

uniform was obliged to wait for his turn.

his

Lord

who gave them money,

if

my

memorial

memorandums,

know

dearest love, and

is

is

feel just

as if

when

not

I
I

begin

were

to leave

off.

a good deal of vanity in this day's journal.

no one to know

it,

and

they would speak the truth, would

situation

Oh Lord Oh

But when

hunted from

believe that wiser

feel

my own country

little

elevated in

as a traitor, living

obscurely in America as an exile, and received in France, by the

Executive Directory, almost as an Ambassador

Well, murder
and one thing which makes
me wish so often for P. P. (not to mention the benefit of his advice)
is to communicate with him the pleasure I feel at my present situawill out.

am

as vain as the devil

know how

would enjoy it, and also how he

discernment, for he always foreon
his
own
would plume himself
So he did, sure enough but will they be
told great things.
Well, if all this be not vanity, I should be glad to know
verified ?
what is. But nobody is the wiser, and so I will go finish my
tion.

sincerely he

memorial.

Sings, "

A lions,

en/ants de la patrie" &c.

JET.

A PROPITIOUS INTERVIEW.

33.]

second memorial, and

over with Madgett.

it

This morning finished an awkward business,

February 26th.
that

my

Finish the draft of

February 2^th.
read

257

is

to

wrote a long

say,

letter

to the Minister,

tials.

My

commission was large, for I made

over carefully

it

Irishman, with

my own

Lamare, the Secretary,

and deliver

hands.

whom

Lamare returned with word

Went

my

it

Resolved
a true

letter, like

and saw

bureau

to his

sent in to

creden-

Read

myself.

every word true and not exaggerated.

to go at once to the Minister

about

all

own

myself; very proper in an ambassador to frame his

demand an

audience.

was

engaged

that the Minister

just

with Neri Corsini, Ambassador from the Grand

Duke

and would see me the moment he

leisure.

of Tuscany,

Waited
accordingly in the antechamber.
A person came in, and after
reconnoitring for some time, pulled out an English newspaper
and began to read it. Looked at him with the most interesting
indifference, as if he was reading a chapter in the Koran.
Did
the fellow think I would rise at such a bait as that ? Neri
Corsini being departed,

was

my

was introduced, leaving

the antechamber to study his newspaper.

the Minister, that though

at

spoke execrable French,

am

thus minute for the sake of

thousand times more than

all

had

which

had delivered to Madgett

finished a

trifling,

whom
who

which

for

all,

love ten

will consider

relates to

me,

then told him, that, in obedience to his

orders, I

of another, which

wife,

the universe, and

every circumstance, even the most

of consequence.)

my

telling

would, with

(Once

his permission, put his patience to a short trial.

I

friend in

began with

memorial on the actual state of Ireland,

that

had finished the draft

would deliver to-morrow, on

necessary to accomplish the great object of

my

the

means

mission,

the

separation of Ireland from England, and her establishment as an

independent Republic
terrupted

me

in alliance

with France.

here by saying that

De

la

Croix

might count upon

in-

there

it,

was no object nearer the heart of the Executive Directory that

they had that business, at that very moment, before them, and
would leave no means, consistent with their utmost capacity,
;

vol.

1.

18

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

258

untried to accomplish
ness, "

that I might count

man

from a

me

gave

own

his

in

upon

that

These are strong expressions

it."

station.

then said that this information

whom

country, but of France, to

We

he repeated again, with earnest-

less

know

the independence of Ireland

an object than to Ireland

that perfectly

He

itself.

and, for myself,

can

answered,

assure you,

the sake of both countries, as well as for the sake of

for

and humanity, you may depend on

liberty

my

most sincere and

hearty co-operation in every measure likely to accomplish

end."

my

to say,

is

credentials.

had

as possible, the station I

had thrown a few

him

name
sary,

to

as a voucher for

my

relating

my

He

integrity.

said

could

to mention his

was unneces-

it

Secretary,

nothing of

he

in the least by
Madgett was the only person what-

the business which could

to

wind

whom

soever to

that

confided

the

and those who were most

it
and he recommended
;

assured him, as the fact was, that

on myself;

that I did

know any one

to

credit or veracity

and as to applying to Monroe, he would not wish to take

any step

to form

any

solitude, that

said
I

to

words

and added that

James Monroe, who had allowed me

possibility take

Ireland,

to

myself on paper, which

facts relative to

deliverrd to him, and that as

refer

told him, in as few

filled in

that

me

then returned to the business which brought

him, that

my

the most sincere pleasure, not only on account of

was scarcely
"

And

it.

[1796.

saw

in the

was an

that

right,

Irish patriot,

principal

confidential with him,

to
I

me

knew

to be equally cautious.

kept the most rigid guard

soul

in

short,

Paris,

nor desire

kept myself purposely in

and asked me, did

antechamber.

his

formed no connections, nor intended

in

that,

that

might escape notice as much as

was very

and

know

not

affair

answered,

named Duchet, 1

possible.

know

did not.

He

the person

He

as he pronounced

said he
it,

who

1
[Duckett, an Irish rebel agent.
Tone suspected him of being a spy,
But Mr. Fitzpatrick's more recent
and Dr. Madden shared this view.
researches tend to show that both Tone and Dr. Madden were mistaken. Mr.
Fitzpatrick says that Duckett was employed by the French Government to stir
up disaffection in the English fleet, and that the mutiny of the Nore was
" largely " his work (" Secret Service under Pitt," chap. x. Ed.]

^ET.

DUCKETT.

33.]

was persecuted into

some

exile for

of Junius Redivivus.

said

259

writing under the signature

might be

it

so,

nothing of him, or of the writings, and that

but that
if

knew

such an event

must have been since June last, when I left

Ireland.
I then mentioned the circumstance of his pulling out
an English newspaper, and setting a trap for me therewith, and
had taken

how
I

place,

it

saw the man

his

my

in

Who

person.

and yet

life,

the devil

is

name be Duchet ?
The

no good opinion.
Ireland

then into the

talk a little

whom,

who
to

He
?

never

knew my
Duchet,

is

Madgett of

to speak the truth,

have

me what we wanted

we wanted a

think sufficient

detail, as

or

Minister then asked

arms, ammunition, and money.

of each would

very odd

is

rather imagine he

must

answered, that

This

Junius Redivivus

this resurrection of Junius, of

in

Minister said again

but that that person had delivered in several

right,

memorials on the state of Ireland.

if

The

avoided falling into his snare.

was quite

force to begin with,

asked me, what quantities

did not wish to go just

judged, from Madgett's discourse, that

the Minister's plan was on a

smaller scale than mine, and

did not desire to shock him too

much

my

took advantage of

my

being able sufficiently to explain myself

that he would find

I

had prepared

my

me

doubted

conversation, but

opinions at length in the two memorials

He

sufficiently clear.

his

own

ideas,

He

said

he understood

then proceeded to

upon a small
was very populous and
be made soldiers, and that they

which were, as

suspected,

Ireland

the people warlike, so as soon to

some degree armed. I answered, not so much

be calculated upon in estimating the quantity of arms

were already

was to

me

which might not be

scale.

in

therefore

and when he had considered them, I hoped

to wait on him, and explain any point

he would allow
give

in the outset.

bad French, and mentioned that

in

wanted, as most of the guns which they had were but fowlingpieces.

noniers,

He
and

then said he

knew they had no

that, consequently,

them with both

no strong places
;

it

artillery

nor can-

would be necessary to supply

that field pieces would be sufficient, as

;

that

we should have

thirty pieces of

we had
cannon

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

260
(une

[1796.

eight-pounders, and half sixteen-pounders,

trentaine), half

properly

manned and

arms.

interrupted him, to say, twenty thousand at least, as the

and twenty thousand stand of

officered,

we could

only limitation to the numbers

quantity of arms

went on

we might have

would be the

raise

He

to put into their hands.

to say, that these should be landed near Belfast,

then

where

he supposed they would be most likely to meet with early support.

I

answered,

" Certainly, as

and warlike

in

the

was the most populous

that province

He

kingdom."

then produced

map

of

and we looked over it together. I took this advantage

slide in some of my own ideas, by saying that if we were able
begin in considerable force, we should commence as near

Ireland,

to

to

the capital as possible, the possession of which,

would,

thought, decide the whole business

we should commence

with a smaller force,

we

and then push forward, so as

could,

once obtained,

if

we began

but, if

near Belfast as

as

to secure the

mountains

of Mourne and the Fews, by means of which and of Lough

Erne we could cover the entire province of Ulster, and mainwe had collected our friends in sufficient

tain ourselves until

force

He

penetrate to Dublin.

to

which certainly appears to be the only

a small force being landed.

He

my

liked

extremely,

plan

feasible one, in case of

then mentioned the Irishmen

me what

serving in the British navy, and asked

thought of

sending proper persons amongst them to insinuate the duty they

owed

to their country

act against us or not

and whether,

This

is

not followed by very different measures,

that

in

such case, they would

Madgett's scheme
is

nonsense.

undoubtedly the measure was a good one,

properly

but, to give

it

full

effect,

it

if

and,
I

if it

is

answered,

accompanied

was absolutely necessary

there should be a Government established in Ireland, for

reasons which he would find detailed in my memorials, and
I think he seemed
of which I gave him an imperfect abstract.

added, that great caution ought to be

satisfied

on that head.

used

sending these persons,

in

shape, and alarm

the British

lest

it

might take wind

Government.

fancy the scheme of sending apostles

among

On

in

some

the whole,

the Irish seamen will

^T.

A PROMISE OF SUPPORT.

33.]

be given up

there be once a

for, certainly, if

lished in Ireland,

there be not,

it

would, in

it

would be

my

useless.

261

Government

estab-

mind, be unnecessary, and

The

Minister then

if

repeated, in

the plainest and most unequivocal terms, his former assurances,

as well of his personal support, as of the positive

and serious

determination of the Executive Directory, to take up the business

of Ireland

manner that circumstances would

the strongest

in

He

possibly admit.

added, that he hoped

France made the

if

do of men and money, to enable

us to establish our freedom, and even delayed to make peace
on our account, we would, in return, manifest more gratitude
and principle than other nations had done in similar cases

was inclined

sacrifices she

and desired me,

tions

me

might

rest

to

any part of the business whose prepara-

as to

with me, not to lose a minute.

possible, and,

The
of

stances

also desired

much

as

as

on the whole, certainly appeared to be nearly as

earnest and anxious in the business as myself.

leave.

He

Madgett to expedite the translations

to press

result

which

of

have

then took

substantially

related,

that

is,

my

circum-

conversation, the principal

this

the

Executive Directory at present are determined to take us up,

but on a small scale

that they will

give

us

thirty

pieces of

cannon, properly manned, and twenty thousand stand of arms,

with some money, of course, to begin with

but

did not collect

from the Minister that they had an idea of any definite number
of troops, at least he mentioned none, and

on that head, as
memorials

wish they should

perhaps what

reconsider the subject

said

is

and,

if so,

first

plan mentioned to

am

but the measure

doubt of the people at

impossibility,
I

la Croix, as

If they act

above related,

ready and willing, most cheerfully, to stake

hazard

of having

against

large,

say, therefore, that the

the present scale

is

him

my

shall

portant service both to France and Ireland.

me by De

did not press

them may induce them to

have done a most im-

in
I

read and consider

my

my

judgment

but from the

on the

I,

for one,

life

on the

not from any

difficulty,

perhaps the

Do

proper organised Government.

measure ought not to be attempted on

By no means

am

clear

it

ought.

As

to

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

262

France,

but the risk of the

is

it

Ireland, she

as to

is

which

outfit,

[1796.

nothing

is

in that situation that she

everything on the chance of bettering her condition.

of the people
then,

am

at

if

greater power.

we must

We

decided.

numbers, and

and not of the

large,

have, at

the

be effected on the present plan

instantly have recourse to the strongest revolutionary

measures, and put,

if

woman, and

necessary, man,

and arms, stores and provisions,

horses,

the strength of

we must only apply

our lever be too short,

If the landing

speak

For one,

aristocracy.

events,

all

and,

ought to hazard

King shall eat, though

all

mankind

in

No

be starved."

money,

child,

requisition

" T/ie

consideration

must be permitted to stand a moment against the establishment

of our independence.
I do not
wish for all this, if it can be
avoided, but liberty must be purchased at any price

Macduff, and

on,

We
I

must

damned

be

strike the ball hard,

lie

who

first cries

Hold,

so

"

and take the chance of the

tables.

think P. P. will shine in the character of a youth of the

I

conversation,

De

Croix mentioned

la

that,

enclosing the memorial which

August

Philadelphia in

arrival in

first

should have observed, that in the course of the

requisition.

letter

Lay

enough!'

on the receipt of Adet's

delivered to

him on

my

he had written to him

last,

that the subject was too important to be discussed at 3,000 miles

distance,

and therefore desired

very glad to hear

this,

come over.
I
was
was happy to have an-

should

and answered,

was written

Madgett
remember
the burning summer of Pennsylvania, when
it was written in
extremely
deranged by the heat. Bad as I dare
my head was

ticipated his desire.

said.

say

it

again

So,

it

seems,

for,

should be glad to see that memorial now, for

was,

it

caught the attention of people here.

as

Well

vanity

February 27th.

At work

at

my

memorial, which begins to look

very spruce on paper.

Went to Monroe's about my passport, and

February 28th.
I like him very much
had an hour's conversation with him
sincere
republican
he praises the Executive
he speaks like a
;

Directory to the skies, and Charles

De

la

Croix

all for

the better.

^ET.

A DILATORY OFFICIAL.

33-]

Carnot, he

me,

tells

gineers of Europe.

a military man, and one of the

is

Vide

my

en-

first

observation touching his organising

Le Tourneur

about Cork harbour.)

that,

263

is

man, so

also a military

with Barras, there are three soldiers in the Directoire.

am

very glad of that.

it

to

and

Madgett

my

with

suits

second memorial, and delivered

Madgett has the slowness of age,

for translation.

gout about him.

at present of the

that

my

Finished

February 29th.

impatience

Judge

directions to expedite him, so, please God,

least

We

once a day.

time the channel

formed

in Ireland,

ye Gods, how

will

probably be at

him

will levee

have not a minute to spare,

fleet

me

Well, the Minister gave

sea,

for in

at

little

and the camps

and of course the Government there

have

will

the advantage of a force ready concentred and prepared to act

and perhaps they may happen to take the wrong

(Mem. To insense Carnot on

instantly,

which would be very bad.

side,

this

must allow two or three days for translation, and two

or three more for reflection on the subject of my memorials, before
In cool
I go again to the Luxembourg.
It is very singular

head.)

blood

can hardly frame a single sentence in French, and both

with Carnot and

De

la

Croix,

run on without the least

difficulty.

my mind

up, and I do not know how it is, but exupon me I dare say I give them abundance of
bad language, but no matter for that they understand me, and
that is the main point.
I have now six days before me, and
I

screw

pressions flow

nothing to do

huzza

Dine every day

half-a-crown, including a

bottle

at Beauvilliers for

of choice

about

Burgundy, which

Beauvilliers has a dead bargain of me for

do not think I consume a spoonful in a week. A bottle
of Burgundy is too much, and I resolve every morning regularly
regularly.

finish

water

and every evening regularly I break my

I wish I had P. P. to drink the other half, and then
should live more soberly.
Oh Lord
Oh Lord

to drink but the half,

resolution.

perhaps

Soberly.

Yes,

Well, "It

is

drunk"

to

we should be

a sober pair

patriots, as

Matty

says.

the squire's custom every afternoon, as soon as he is

begin

thinking of his wife and family.

have to

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

264

be sure sometimes most delightful

my

business

my

round

yet before

which

no small sum,

" 'tis

but in

that

all

now

vaiti."

go to

Mr. Nisby's

to-day

think

of that

deterioration

vile

how and

them

teach

the

for

these wise

will

would

reckoning

his

{Mem.

example he would hold up

Burgundy ought

generous

pay

gladly

be

"

water.

such

at

feel

He

imitation.

their

not

cannot but respect the generous indignation

noble liquor, and the glorious

quantities

am

not be on earth so happy a

Burgundy with

would

P.

P.

succeed in

/ hope to see a battle

The French have an abominable custom of

their

opinion thereon?)

will

Well, huzza

fireside.

die"

adulterating

If

and ever return to Ireland, and

here,

knocked on the head, there

circle as

reveries.

[1796.

drank

be

to

his

right for

my

it

(Sings, "

Beauvilliers.

company.
credit to

Well,

mention

So
when generous wine"

are written

reflections

would

which would

numeraire,

en

pleasure of

what

in
I

for

before

dinner.

&c).

March

This day

1st.

dated the 2nd of

got an English newspaper from Madgett,

month,

last

in

which there

a paragraph

is

alluding to the death of the late unfortunate Major Sweetman,

in a duel.
life

do not think

Good God

have

him

if it

that there

is,

fear the worst.

for

ever received such a shock in

may be

had the

my

another person of that name, but

sincerest

friend

and most affectionate regard

a better and a braver heart blood never

have passed some of the pleasantest hours of

society.

he be gone,

my

ever an exertion was to

would have been

his military

my

short

all, it

of friends that

list

may be

another, but

warmed

made

be

If

in

life

his

country

he was a sincere Irishman, and

our emancipation, he

for

rank

had counted upon

and had amused myself often

poor fellow

in the very foremost

talents,

him a General

my

loss is unspeakable, but his

have a much severer one

will
if

If

my

The only chance

should be

he be gone, there

will not find

fear, I fear.

it

is

easy to

in

making

a chasm
fill.

in

After

cannot bear to think

of it.

March

6th.

have not had

spirits

since

the

news of poor

A DUEL.

JET. 33-1

Sweetman's death to go on

with

265

my memorandums. As it
and I am glad of it, for my

I have no serious business,

mind has been a good deal engaged on that subject. It seems
the quarrel arose about treading on a lady's gown in coming
out of the opera a worthy cause for two brave men to fight
about
They fought at four yards' distance, which was Sweet-

happens,

man's choice

Watson
is

they were both desperately wounded, but Capt.

(an Irishman also)

When

gone.

likely to recover

is

he

instantly.

fell

have been so much affected on

dependently of

my personal

His courage,

all

that

will write

now

is

"And

am

so

"

? "

certainly did not think

his

account as

Yes,"

replied

I,"

could

have been.

In-

reckoned much upon

French Government affording us any

his eloquence, his popular talents, his sincere

affection for his country,

able

Are you wounded

regard for him,

his assistance, in case of the

aid.

"

"I believe mortally."

replied the other,

;

poor friend

he received the shot, which went through his

body, he cried out to Watson,

Sweetman

my

would have made him eminently

lost

we must supply

no more about him, but

his place as

service-

we

can.

shall

ever remember him with

the

translation

the most sincere regret.

Madgett has
However, he

not

tells

yet

me

finished

of Bournonville's being appointed to the

expedition takes place.

and

it

me

has satisfied

fitter for

the station

command,

self

hope we may get him.

with the idea that

bonne

la

Jieure.

hell

it

in case the

could not have wished for a General

One

Madgett must appear to do everything himself

hell

have been reading the report of Camus,

that

he has written to the Minister on the subject

thing

see

he pleases him-

was he who thought of Bournonville.

am

sure at present

care

little

who has

the credit of proposing any measure, provided the business be

done
him.

is, that it was I who mentioned

two or three days in hunting for maps

but the truth and fact

Madgett has

lost

certainly

maps

stage of the business.

He

of Ireland

translating
it

all

his slowness

to myself

this

are

indispensable, but

not in this

had been much better employed

provokes

me

day, however,

excessively, but

he promises

me

he

in

keep
will

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

266

have
if

finished,

he does,

Carno^

am
the

in

my

De

la

Croix the day

the

day

possible,

if

idle.

and given

will see

memorial to the Minister

last

after

collection of paintings in the world

Flanders have been ransacked to furnish

meantime

In the

that.

is, I

all

It is

it.

to-morrow, and

after

have been at the Museum, where there

first

[1796.

suppose,

France and

a school where

the artists are permitted to go and copy the best works of the

The day

best masters.

called,

but when the porter perceived

me

directly

it

would not be so

was not open to the

it

was a

foreigner,

England.

in

public,

he admitted

like the

works

of Guido best there are some portraits incomparably executed

but the
by Van Dyke, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Raphael
Magdalen of Le Brun is, in my mind, worth the whole collecI never saw anything in the way of painting that came
tion.
no artist, but it requires no previous inI am
near to it
;

struction

be struck with

to

numberless beauties

the

of

this

It is a production of consummate
most enchanting picture.
I have been likewise at the Hotel des Invalides, where I
genius.

had the pleasure of seeing the veterans at their dinner they are
very well accommodated, and it was a spectacle which interested
me very much. It put me in mind of the Royal Hospital and my
;

Captain Russell, and that brought a thousand other

old friend
ideas to

my

mind.

Well,

hope

back to Ireland

shall get

yet.

Utinam.

March

Spent

yth.

tenant of the marine,

day with Dupetit Thouars, an

this

who came

over with

me

ex-lieu-

in the Jersey,

and

Roussillon, an ex-lieutenant also; they are both of the ci-devant

noblesse.

of talent

Dupetit Thouars

and

philosopher

still

temperament.

and

adversity,

a great original

more humour, and

ever saw

am

a young

is

sure,

should be aristocrats

is

ruffle

man

him

but

it

is

his

of very elegant manners,

has improved him.

yet

he has a good deal

the most complete practical

nothing can

Roussillon
I

is

It is

a pity they

can hardly be angry with them.

Aristocracy has been most terribly humbled in France, and this

reverse of fortune

is

too

much

for

them.

downfall, but the exaltation of others,

It is

whom

not only their

own

they were accustomed

A VISIT TO THE CATACOMBS.

^ET.33-]

to

despise,

should otherwise

what they

many

regret,

much

so

is

severe actual suffering, that

I

But when

which mortifies them.

their complaints, there

it

feel for

267

come

fanciful grievance

to analyse

mixed with

abates a good deal of the compassion

them

and

must add, that much of

they are deprived of most meritoriously, and

of the pleasures they have lost were the pleasures of the

most depraved luxury

vicious.

It is

they are

down

not
;

fair,

but

confess

They had

that,

there

and they seem to be

quit the service

now

should be most sincerely sorry to

be a witness of their resurrection

danger of

most abominably

splendid, indeed, but

however, to judge too hardly of them,

is,

however, no great

sufficiently sensible of

some time back,

dare say

it.

in great dis-

dain, and are now suing unsuccessfully to be readmitted. I cannot

blame the Republic for being doubtful of the ancient marine, since

Apropos

the affair at Toulon.

the Admiral

who betrayed

Roussillon

the French

tells

fleet,

me

that Trogoff,

and delivered

it

into

the hands of Lord Hood, died in an hospital at Leghorn, where

the English generously paid one shilling a day for his maintenance.

And Dumou-

The

scoundrel

rier,

an exile on the face of the earth, ordered to quit England

it

was

just

one shilling too much.

in

by the Emperor,
whom he had served, or endeavoured to serve, by his treachery.
If men had common sense, not to say common honesty, they would
not be traitors to their country, with such examples before their
six hours after his arrival, expelled from Brabant

But,

eyes.

what

To

am

return

preaching about aristocracy, and

:

I pity, sincerely,

my

two ci-devant

God knows
lieutenants,

Cot knows I have had afflictions and trouples enough upon my

own pack, and as for a gentleman in distress, I lofe him as I lofe my
own powels." We spent the day in seeing sights, viz., the Pantheon,
which will be most superb when it is finished, but far inferior to

for "

St. Paul's, either in size or

magnificence.

We

descended into the

catacombs where were the cenotaphs of Voltaire, Rousseau, and,

what interested me much more, of Dampierre, who was

Famars.

Certainly nothing can be imagined

more

killed at

likely to create

a great spirit in a nation than a depository of the kind, sacred to

everything that

is

sublime, illustrious, and patriotic.

The French

268

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

have, however, a

little

overshot the mark

[1796.

they have had

for

occasion already to displace two at least of their mighty dead

mean Marat, whom

believe to have been a sincere enthusiast,

incapable of feeling or remorse, and Mirabeau,

whom

look upon

Republic in Ireland, we must build a Pantheon, but

we have a
we must not,

like the French,

it.

to have been

most consummate scoundrel.

be

in

too great a hurry to people

already a few to begin with

and Dr. Lucas,

Mounted

Pantheon, from whence we could see

all Paris,

had ever

ground plan,

as in a

snow upon the ground

through the green-houses, where there

my

curious exotics.

for I love botany,

though

of

my

little

when

do not understand

used to be gathering

be there yet before

is

walked, however,

a vast collection of

ancient propensities begin to revive,

walks round Chateauboue, 2 with

babies,

I shall

felt

was the

It

Went from thence to the

much vegetation to be seen,

seen.

Botanic Garden, where there was not

there being a foot deep of

have
Swift,

to the top of the

together with the country for several leagues round.

most singular spectacle

We

Roger O'Moore, Molyneux,

good Irishmen. 1

all

If

I die.

it

It

me

reminded

my dearest
my vetches.

love and our

Well,

hope

Crossed the Seine, and saw the

Place Royale, formerly the principal square of Paris, and built by

Richelieu

park of

his hotel

is

on one side of the quadrangle

artillery for the Republic,

and

filled

spot where the Bastille once stood and where there

now a
Saw the

is

now

is

Traversed that great lyceum of French

of Liberty.

it

with cannon.

a statue

politics,

the

1
[Roger O'Moore (whose ancestors were well-nigh exterminated by the
English plantation of the Queen's County) took a foremost part in the
Rebellion of 1641. Molyneux (b. 1656, d. 1698) and Lucas (b. 1713, d. 1771)
The former is
were famous advocates of Irish Legislative Independence.
well known as the author of " The Case of Ireland, being Bound by Acts of
The latter founded the Freeman's
Parliament made in England, Stated."
Grattan's allusion to Molyneux in moving the " Declaration of
Journal.

" I found Ireland

familiar to the students of Irish history
watched over her with an eternal solicitude I have traced
her progress from injuries to arms, and from arms to liberty. Spirit of Swift
In
Ireland is now a nation
Spirit of Molyneux your genius has prevailed
that new character I hail her and bowing in her august presence, I say, Esto
perpetua." Ed.]
2
[Tone's cottage in county Kildare. Ed.]

Rights," in 1782,

on her knees

is

^T.

TONES PLANS CONSIDERED.

33.]

Faubourg

Antoine

St.

arrived

where Louis

Temple,

the

at

269

XVI. was imprisoned, from whence Marie Antoinette was led to

execution, and where Louis XVII. if I may so call him,
,

Nothing can be imagined more gloomy than the appearance

died.

of this prison.

March
I

saw

made me melancholy

It

Went

8th.

in the papers relative to

nothing

to look at

it.

to Madgett, in consequence of a report which

a general peace.

He assures me
He tells me also

a peace would ruin all.

and delivered yesterday my second memorial
to the Minister, who had read the first with great attention, and
was extremely edified thereby, as may well be imagined. Madgett
there

is

in

it

that he has finished

me

assures

De

that

la

Croix assures him that the Executive

Directory are determined on the measure

principle of
it

All that

it.

is

that

is

to say, on the

very good, but, please God,

from the Minister's own mouth

after

myself with a short interview with Carnot.

which
I

have

I will

indulge

will

have not seen him

since February 24th, a fortnight ago, but that has not been

and the time has been employed

fault,

my

translating

The day

memorials.

in writing, copying,

after

the Minister, and the day after that to the

tells

me

Bournonville

That

Holland.

of his character,

bad

is

is
;

appointed to the

of the

and

go to

Madgett
army in

if

he was properly insensed on

he would prefer that command, sup-

affairs,

we succeeded, which

if

will

Luxembourg.

command

There would be

posing the expedition to be once undertaken.

glory, and,

nevertheless, from the idea I have formed

should hope that,

the subject of Irish

to-morrow

my

cannot for a

moment

doubt,

the Irish are a generous people, even to a fault, and would reward
his services
tunity,

most

liberally.

and could do
I like

if

he had an oppor-

with security as to secrecy, to explain

it

Dined

this to Bournonville.

whom

Desired Madgett,

very much.

all

at the Restaurateur, with Roussillon,

In the evening, the Theatre Italien

saw

Lodoi'ska, &c.

March

gth, 10th.

inimitable

March

Strolling about

Magdalen of Le Brun

lltk.

conversation.

Went

He

the

Museum

again,

and the

spent near an hour looking at

to the Minister,

De

la Croix,

it.

and had a long

began by saying, that he had read

my

two

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

270

memorials

and that

carefully,

seemed to

force, as necessary to the success of the

[1796.

on a considerable

insist

measure

that, as to that,

there were considerable difficulties to be surmounted, arising from

the superiority of the English

That, as to 20,000 men, they

fleet.

could not possibly be transported, unless the French were masters

of the channel, in which case they could as easily send 40,000, or

and march

6o,ooo,

Croix

is

much

once to London.

at

mistaken.

would

It

England

possible for France to conquer

He does

France.

not

know what

where every man's hand

is

might have given him a lesson

it

my

it is

as for

In

De

this

la

mind, just as im-

England to conquer

to carry on

war

in a

country

own country

against you, and yet his

it was not my business to

him go on.) As to 20,000

however,

contest the point with him, so

men,

(N.B.

be, in

let

was thus out of the question. As to 5,000, there would be

they would require, for example, 20 ships to

great difficulties

convey them

would not be easy to equip 20

it

French

in a

sail

port, without the English having some notice, and, in that case,

they would instantly block up the port with a force double of any
that could be sent against them.

To

this I

answered that

but too sensible of the difficulty he mentioned

great enterprises

were attended

with great

that,

it

when

and

difficulties,

mentioned that number,

it

was not that

necessary for the people at large, but for those

perty,

whose assistance was so

in Ireland,

without loss of time, and

coming forward
support them

at

that

where he would

first, if

my

who might be

of

That, as
I

thought

some

pro-

government

deterred from

they saw but an inconsiderable force to

begged leave to

find

men

essential in framing a

was
all

besought him to consider the magnitude of the object.

to 5,000,

however,

refer to

my

second memorial,

reasons on this subject detailed at length

had written those memorials under a strong sense of duty,

not with a view to flatter or mislead him, or to say what might be
agreeable to the French Government, but to give them such
information as I thought essential for them to know that, as to
the truth of the facts contained in them, I was willing to stake my
head on their accuracy. He answered, he had no doubt as to

that I

that

that he

saw as

well as I the convenience of an

immediate

DE LA

JBT. 330

government, but was

mentioned

CROIX'S VIEWS.

not feasible on a smaller scale than

it

For example,

271

if

had

they gave us a General of established

reputation, an Etat-Major, thirty pieces of artillery, with cannoniers,

and 20,000 stand of arms, would not the people join them, and, if
so, might we not call the clubs that I had mentioned in my memorials (meaning the Catholic Committee and the United Irishmen
of Belfast), and frame of

them a provisory government,

national convention could be organised.

the people joining them,

only fear was

lest

of the force

first

that

became them, but

never had the least doubt

that

"

my

the clubs of which he

could not venture to

with him, on any fact of whose certainty

ascertained.

that

backward, from a doubt of the sufficiency

hoped they would act with

until the

answered, that, as to

men who composed

the

spoke, might be at

and as

spirit,

commit
was not

my

credit

positively

Well, then," replied he, " supposing your patriots

should not act at

first

with

spirit

you say you are sure of the

In that case you must only choose delegates from the

people.

army, and

them

you have acquired such a

men of whom you make
mention." I answered, that, by that means, we might undoubtedly
act with success
that a sort of military government was not, however, what I should prefer to commence with, if I saw any other,
let

act provisorily, until

consistency as will give courage to the

but that the necessity of the case must justify us in adopting so

strong a measure in the
for

my

first

military

government

in the outset,

ence in such government,

handle
It is

instance.

(N.B.

In

wishes are in favour of a very strong,

it

think

and

if I

this I lied a little,

had any share or

would not abuse

might give to demagogues,

if

other words, a

or, in

it,

but

see the

we had any such among

us.

unnecessary here to write an essay on the subject, but the

result of

my

meditations

is,

that the advantages,

all

circumstances

considered, outweigh the inconveniences and hazard, and

am

influ-

ready to take

my

I,

for one,

share of the danger and the responsibility

added, that

when De la Croix proposed the measure.)

the means which he then mentioned undoubtedly

my

argument, as to the necessity of numbers, consider-

was, consequently, glad

I

weakened
ably.

He

then said, that from Madgett's representations he had

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

272

[1796.

been induced to think that men were not at

answered, that

was

certainly, if there

my

very compatible with

were any idea of national

be said to be no force at

resistance, 5,000

a conquest.

all for

wanting.

all

theory, for that

might

then shifted the dis-

course by saying, that, as to the embarkation, on whatever scale

was made,

it

might be worth consideration whether

best effected from Holland

less closely

if

war

for ships of

she had a

occasionally to

refit,

fleet off

that, at

believed,

any rate, England

northward of Portsmouth

to the

it

could not be

that their harbours were,

watched than the French, and

had no ports
that even

it

the coasts of Holland,

it

so,

must return

and, during one of these intervals, the expedi-

He

Was I sure England had

no port to the northward of Portsmouth ? " I said, " Certainly."
" Not in Scotland ? "
I referred him to the map.
(I was a little
might take

tion

place.

know

surprised that he did not

"

asked me,

This brought on the old

this.)

seamen

subject of debauching the Irish

in the British navy,

which

De la Croix, and is, in my mind, flat

me as before, whether, by preparing a

seems a favourite scheme of

He

nonsense.

questioned

few of them, and suffering them to escape, they might not rouse the
patriotism of the Irish seamen, and cause a powerful revulsion in

the navy of England.

answered, as

measure was undoubtedly good,

if

had done already, that the

properly followed up, at the same

time that there was great hazard of alarming the British Govern-

ment

my

that he would find

plan on the subject in

my

second

my

memorial, where he would see that an Irish government was, in

mind, an indispensable requisite

that

did

not build on the

patriotism of the Irish seamen, but on their passions and interests

that

we

whilst

could offer them the whole English commerce as a bribe,

England has nothing

of discipline

and

oppose

to

in return

but the mere force

my

pressed this as strongly on the Minister as

He

execrable French would permit.

then mentioned that

it

would

be necessary to send proper persons to Ireland to give notice to

the people there of what was intended.

was

sufficient.

fellow

who

answered,

He

asked me,

"

Did

answered, one person

know one Duckett ? "

(the

pulled out the English newspaper to decoy me).

knew nothing

at all about him.

He

then asked me,

A MISSION TO IRELAND SUGGESTED.

.ET.33-]
"

Did

know one Simon,

a priest

one Fitzsimon, a

recollection of

"

added that

also

had some

Ireland, but that

priest, in

not personally acquainted with him.

answered,

273

strong objection to letting priests into the business at

was

had a

all

that

most of them were enemies to the French Revolution, and, if it

were possible to find a military man, he would be the properest
would encourage those to whom he
might address himself, by showing that the French Government
were serious in their intentions. He then said he would look out
person

for

the more so, as

such a person.

not an hour to

it

took this occasion to observe that there was

the season

lose, that

was approaching

fast

when

the British Channel fleet would be at sea, and the various encamp-

ments formed

in

which generally took place about the

Ireland,

middle of

May

parations,

on the smallest

or beginning of June.
scale, could

He

said the necessary pre-

not be ready sooner than

I replied that one month would be time enough, but

added again, that there was not a minute to lose. I then took
my leave, having been closeted nearly one hour and an half. On

one month.

the whole,

have not

the Minister
for

do not much glory

lost confidence
is

rooted in

in this day's conversation.

certainly have not gained any.

his

narrow scheme, and

Perhaps imperious circumstances

it.

otherwise

but, if the

ally to assist us,

will

am

now one hundred and

three years since Louis

ever since.

It is

XIV. neglected

similar opportunity of separating Ireland from England,

it

sorry

effectu-

not, they are miserable politicians.

has had reason to lament

see

not permit him to be

French Government have the power

and do

If
I

and France

He, too, went upon the

short-sighted policy of merely embarrassing England, and leaving

I hope the Republic will act on
more extended views. At all events, I
have done my duty in submitting the truth to them, and I shall
continue so to do, and to press it upon them in all possible modes

Ireland to shift as she might.

nobler motives, and with

that
"

Let

can compass.

tJie

a plague

0'

my bringing

Seriously.
VOL.

I.

If

sheriff enter, if

they will give us 5,000 men,

I become

so.

If not,

not the gallows as well as another,

tip."

would attempt

it

with one hundred men.

19

My

life

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

274

[1796.

is of little consequence, and I should hope not to lose it neither.

" Please God, the dogs shall not have my poor blood to lick" In that

have pleasantly said already, if our lever be short we

must apply the greater power. Requisition
Requisition
Our

case, as I

independence must be had at

will

not support

the aid of that

us,

all

they must

hazards.

fall

men

If the

we can support

numerous and respectable

men of no property.
March 12th. Called on Madgett.

of property

ourselves

by

community,

class of the

the

is

He

tells

me

going forward, but that the French Government

want of money

difficulty for the

that the business

the greatest

is in

that the Executive Directory

was, within these few days, on the point of resigning, and that they

had

signified to the Legislature that they

not properly supported.

would do so

if

should be sincerely sorry

they were

if this

the case, as well for the sake of France as of Ireland, for

they are both able and honest.

Madgett

told

me

were

believe

further, that

he

expected we were on the eve of some considerable change, not of

measures, but of

throwing

men

that the party

way

difficulties in the

order to force them to resign

who wanted

to

come

in

were

of the present administration, in

that

if

the change took place,

would not extend to the Directors, but to the Ministers

it

that with

regard to the affairs of Ireland, they would be bettered rather than

injured

by the

alteration

expected to come

in,

who had begun

Jacobins

that

it

was the Jacobin party who

not the terrorists, but the true original

the Revolution

power, he was sure they would give us 10,000

that

men

if
;

they were in
that,

however,

was obnoxious to them, and of course would

not be appointed to the command.
If there is to be any change, I

as to Bournonville, he

confess
play, for

I
I

should be glad the Jacobins were to come again into

think a

little

Government no harm

more energy

On

just

the whole,

now would do the French

am not much delighted

with our present prospects.

March 13th. Went as usual to the opera. Serment de laliberte.

The scene represented the Champ de Mars, on the day of the conAs usual, the spectacle all military. In the procession
federation.
was a band of young men in regimentals, but without arms. At

JET.

MILITARY SPECTACLE AT THE OPERA.

33.]

275

a particular verse of the hymn, which was chanted before the

altar of liberty,

they approached the grenadiers,

who were under

arms, and received from them their firelocks, which they shouldered,

and took

manual

places

their

the line

in

and the

evolutions,

several

were then performed by the whole body,

exercise,

as

for,

have already remarked, these are the ballets of the French nation

At the conclusion a band of beautiful young women,

number to the young men, entered, carrying drawn sabres
in their hands, and ranged themselves on one side of the stage
the young men being drawn up in a line on the other. Each of the
youths advanced in his turn to the centre of the stage, when he was
met by his mistress, who presented him with his sabre with one
at present.

equal in

hand, and with the other pointed to the altar of liberty

kissed the hilt of the sabre, and returned

then
pair,

fell

it

the youth

they

back into their places, and were succeeded by the next

until

they had

all

received

The whole then

mistresses.

arms and saluted

their

women

an eminence to view them as they passed.

Mr. Burke

may

think, but

their

joined in a grand chorus, and the

soldiery filed off as for the frontiers, the

humbly

being placed on

do not know what

conceive, from the effect

had on the audience, that the age of chivalry

this

to the scabbard

is

all

not gone

imagine nothing more suited to strike

the

imagination of a young Frenchman than such a spectacle as

this,

in

France.

can

am no Frenchman, nor at present over and

me extremely. I am sure nothing on
influence on me as my wife's opinion
every

and indeed, though

above young,

affected

it

earth has such an

action of

my

life

has a reference more or

am now

engaged

very business

shall find the

reward dearest to

It is

inconceivable (I

lie, I lie, it is

in, if

my

Hector,

when he

is

what the Trojan

all

is

human

nature

is

in the
for,

has on the spirit of

mind whether he
determined by the considerain

his

ladies will say of him.

pretty

look

inconceivable) the effect

dames, whose garments sweep the ground.'"

that

and

and
her commendation.

woman

balancing

shall stand or fly before Achilles,

tion of

that,

succeed,

heart, in

not at

which the admiration or contempt of a

a man.

less to

much now what

"

it

proud

Troy's

From which

infer

was three thousand

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

276

[1796.

Homer knew it well, so did Shakespeare, and

who has hit off the same point admirably when
is working upon Lord Fellamar.
To return, I owe

years ago, and that

so did Fielding,

Lady Bellaston
much to my wife

so

for her

incomparable behaviour on ten thou-

sand different occasions, that

feel

myself bound

irresistibly to

make every effort to place her and her dear little babies in a
situation in some degree worthy of her merit, and suitable to my
sense of it.
I
I am not without ambition or vanity, God knows
;

love fame, and

suppose

should like power

but

declare here

most solemnly that I prefer my wife's commendations to those of

the whole world. Well, if I succeed here, I shall stand on high
ground, and I must be allowed to say, I shall deserve it, and then
she will be proud of me, as

conclude this day's journal

am

of her, and with that sentiment

CHAPTER

XVII.

GENERAL CLARKE.
March

Went

i^th.

day

this

to the

Luxembourg

have the

luck of going on the days that Carnot gives audience, and of

course

most occupied

is

waited, however, to the

one person remained besides myself.

and

You

said, "

he, " here

He
me

over

bow, and followed

way

answered

reserve."

He

that his father

over,

go with him

much

did not

lover to his hotel.

that he was General Clarke

me

Then," said

who speaks English

however, there was no remedy

my new

"

was.

has the confidence of Government

and explain yourself without

referring

Carnot then called

almost a countryman of yours,

is

perfectly.

are an Irishman."

when only

last,

so

like this

made my

me on the
was an Irishman
told

and had many relations in that

he added (God forgive him if he exaggerated), that all

that he had himself been in Ireland,

country

the military arrangements of the Republic passed through his hands,

and, in short, gave

War

Department.

me to understand that he was at the head of the

By this time we arrived at the hotel where

he kept his bureau, and

his cabinet

Armee

observed in passing through the

pretty well satisfied that

I

told

then proceeded to

him

Armee du
I

was

Rhin, &c, &c, so that

in the right track.

in three

When we

words who and what

detail, at considerable length, all I

state of Ireland, which, as

memorials, to which

it

is

I referred

then began to interrogate

him,
I

was, and

the

my

two

need not here recapitulate.

suppose an hour and a

me on some
277

was

entered

knew on

substantially contained in

This took up a considerable time,

He

office to

an immense number of boxes labelled, Armee du Nord,

des Pyrennees,

the cabinet

of the heads, in a

half.

manner

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

278

me

which showed

that he was

utterly

[1796.

unacquainted with the

present state of affairs in Ireland, and particularly with the great

internal changes

which have taken place there within the

last three

judgment
or talents
there were, however, other points on which he was
radically wrong.
For example, he asked me, would not the
aristocracy of Ireland, some of which he mentioned, as the Earl
of Ormond, concur in the attempt to establish the independence of
or four years, which, however,

is

no impeachment of

his

their country

to

remember

answered,

that

if

"

Most

certainly not,"

the attempt were made,

people, and the people only

and begged him

would be by the

it

that he should calculate on

opposition that the Irish aristocracy could give

all

the

that the French

Revolution, which had given courage to the people, had, in the

same

proportion, alarmed the aristocracy,

and estates

titles

Minister,

British

that this alarm

who had been

who trembled

for their

was diligently fomented by the

able to persuade every

man

of

property that their only security was in supporting him implicitly

in

every measure calculated to oppose the progress of what were

French principles

called

might frame

in his

that,

mind he should

of the aristocracy as

any system he

consequently, in
lay

down the utmost opposition

At the same time, I

an essential point.

added, that, in case of a landing being effected

opposition would be of very

little

in

significance, as their

Ireland, their

conduct had

been such as to give them no claim on the affections of the people

that their

own

tenants and dependants would,

them, and they would become just so

devoid of power and influence.

Volunteer Convention

what

now advanced

leaders.

in
;

He

many

was

helpless individuals,

then mentioned that the

1783 seemed to be an example against

the people then had acted through their

answered they certainly had, and as their leaders had

betrayed them, that very convention was one reason

had

satisfied, desert

for ever lost all confidence in

what were

why the

people

called leaders.

He

then mentioned the confusion and bloodshed likely to result from

a people such as

and he knew the

described,

answered

it

was but too true

that I

Irish to be,

breaking

and moderate their fury. I

saw as well as he, that, in the

loose without proper heads to control

INTERVIEW WITH CLARKE.

JET.

33.]

first

explosion,

was

it

much

many

likely that

shocking

their nature very

individual suffering

279

events would take place in

made without

that revolutions were not

that,

however, in the present instance,

supposing the worst, there would be a kind of retributive

justice, as

no body of men on earth were more tyrannical and oppressive in

their nature than those who would be most likely to suffer in the
event he alluded to

knows the

that

had often

in

my own mind

(and

God

be so) lamented the necessity of our situation,

fact to

but that Ireland was so circumstanced that she had no alternative

but unconditional submission to England, or a revolution, with a

chance of
those

especially

the concomitant sufferings, and that

all

who

was one of

preferred difficulty and danger and distress to slavery,

where

saw

"

very true," replied he,

He

breaking of eggs."

was no other means. " It is

no making an omelette without

clearly there

there

is

seemed, however, to have a leaning

still

towards the co-operation of our aristocracy, which

He

asked

me was

not

make

use

man

there no one

and again mentioned,

of,

" for

is flat

body

of that

nonsense.

we could

that

example, the Earl of

Ormond." I answered, " Not one " that as to Lord Ormond, he

was a drunken beast, without a character of any kind, but that of
;

a blockhead

that

did believe, speaking

as an individual, that perhaps the

people,

if

my own

but that for this opinion

conjectures, and that, at

any

rate, if the

private opinion

of Leinster might join the

the revolution was once begun, because

good Irishman

it

Duke

thought him a

my own

had merely

beginning was once made,

little consequence what part any individual

do not know how Fitzgibbon's name happened to
but he asked me would it not be possible to make

would be of very

might take.

come

in here,

something of him.
believe that
question.

Any

did not find

one who knows Ireland

it

easy to

make a

and

his fears, his property,

and the general

tenor of his conduct, to begin a revolution in Ireland

I

readily

Yes, Fitzgibbon would be very likely, from his situation,

his principles, his hopes,

believe

will

serious answer to this

satisfied

expected from our aristocracy.

the revolution,

if

At

last I

Clarke on the subject of the support to be

He

then asked

begun, would terminate

in.

me what
I

thought

answered, un-

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

280

doubtedly, as

[1796.

He

thought, in a Republic allied to France.

then

what security could I give that in twenty years after our independence we might not be found engaged as an ally of England
against France ?
I thought the observation a very foolish one, and

said

only answered that

could not venture to foretell what the com-

bination of events for twenty years might produce

present posture of

themselves to

came

my

but that,

in

the

there were few things which presented

affairs,

He

view under a more improbable shape.

then

minds of the
people, and the apprehension that they might warp them against
to the influence of the Catholic clergy over the

France.

assured him, as the fact

that

is,

was much more

it

that France would turn the people against the clergy

these last few years, that

astonishing change,

had taken place

with regard to the influence of the priests,

in Ireland.

mentioned to him the conduct of

that body, pending the Catholic business,

justly they

had

lost character

anecdote of the Pope's legate,

being superseded
his

in

French Revolution, an

to say, since the

is

likely

that within

the actual

endeavouring to prevent a

and how much and how

I
told him the

on that account.

who

also

is

Archbishop of Dublin,

management

of his

own

chapel, of

meeting therein, and of his

political

being forced to submit and attend the meeting himself; but, particu-

mentioned the circumstance of the clergy excommunicating

larly, I
all

Defenders, and even refusing the sacraments to some of the

poor fellows in articulo mortis, which to a Catholic

no purpose.

affair,

and

strike

him a good

all

to

deal.

He

This

last

is

a very serious

circumstance seemed to

then said that

was not

to

augur

anything either way, from anything that had passed on that day
that he

would read and consider

but that

my

memorials very attentively,

must see that a business of such magnitude could not be

first
that I was not,

discussed in one conversation, and that the

however, to be discouraged because he did not at present communicate with

me more

openly.

undoubtedly, on this occasion,

hear, as

was not

answered
it

was

my

understood

all

that

that

turn to speak, and his to

to get information, but to give

it.

then fixed

with him to return in six days (on the 1st of Germinal), and

having requested him to get the original memorials, as he was

MT.

REFLECTIONS ON THE SITUATION.

33.]

master of the English, and

perfect

translation

which

had never

see clearly that

seen,

281

could not answer for a

my

took

leave.

Clarke's ideas on Irish politics are at least

all

and

as delicately as

thirty years behind those of the people,

him with that conviction

took pains to impress

We

could.

should,

according to his theory, have two blessed auxiliaries to begin with,

the noblesse and the clergy.
little

he

in cool blood,

memorials

bad

be

will

now

trust they are

prise, that

satisfied

have never been

find

Croix had referred

me

comes of being a

it

complain

When
I

By-the-by,

absurdity.

Executive

some

To

stranger.

is

De

la

sur-

little

hear the latter speak

me

but suppose he

If I rest in the

me

This

here as well as

to Clarke,

to understand, I

and

if

he be

have no reason to

my remedy ? and how

know nobody here of whom I can

not,

is
I

my way

must grope

my

that

mentioned that

found, with

know Madgett.

impossible that could be the case.

to ascertain that fact

inquire.

my

its

Carnot has positively referred

can.

of

in train.

as confidential as he gives

am

have beat him a

laid before the

to Madgett,

Clarke did not

one would suppose

hope, however,

out of that nonsense, and that, when he reads the memorials

where

is

hands of subalterns,

my

risk the success of

my judgment.

If I go
making an enemy of the subalterns,
and there is no animal so mean but has the power to do mischief.
I would rather stick to Carnot, but what can I do when he has
handed me over to Clarke ? " Suffolk, what remedy ? " At any
rate, I must let things go on in the present track until I see some

plans,

and

act against

back to the principals,

open, or until

risk

conceive myself neglected.

"

have no reason to complain.

Tom

Clarke"

wishes and

A pize upon

As

a zvicked La'yer,

would rather deal with your master, but that

be for the present, and so '"Tis but in vain" &c.

what the
will,

observe that
tions

related

collateral

tenor of

says, " let the

in

world wag!'

only give the

these

points which

my

We

can't

will see

of Germinal will produce, and, in the meantime,

first

Matty

as

certainly

yet, I

thee for

discourse

outlines of the various

memorandums.
it

is

There

are

impossible to detail.

was grounded on the

unnecessary to

It is

conversa-

a thousand

The

general

facts contained in

my

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

282

two memorials, which

manner

strongest

[1796.

endeavoured to state and support

the Dissenters, the recent union between the sects, which

consequences to the naval power of England, and the

be hoped for from the proclamations mentioned

first,

until

though he

how he would

asked him

on which he submitted as became him.

would be but amplifying

all this, for in fact it

thing

must observe here

with the Minister,

like to

Minister

something

must excuse

it.

if

Mem.

Beauvilliers'

of a note which

me

tells

affair

is

Went

i$th.

is

my

men

that

it

of arms, artillery for an

my

situation

judgment, and

what would

give that

Burgundy, &c.

Madgett
is

in

high

army

that the Minister desires

as to the place of landing.

All this

is

spirits;

that our

determined to give us
of that

cannoniers, and a demi-brigade, which he tells

to 4,000

had been

had been with

going on as well as possible

before the Directory

50,000 stand

One

to breakfast with Madgett, in consequence

received from him.

everything

detail

there be,

acting to the best of

P. P., P. P.

March

do not

have seen Madgett, but

have not a soul to advise with.

you were here to-day

had

have ever been at the Luxembourg.

like duplicity in this

am

be an
I

memorials.

told Carnot that

never told the

Madgett does not know

is

though

In like manner, Clarke knows

Carnot.

There

my

to

second

English admiral leaving Portsmouth under the circumstances

described

men-

effects

my

in

memorial, which seemed to strike Clarke very forcibly

at

importance, the probable

tioned as a circumstance of the last

combated them

in the

could, dwelling particularly on the Defenders,

my

me

is

force, 672
from 3,000

opinion in writing

very good and precise.

we must land near Belfast, and push on

immediately to get possession of the Fews Mountains, which
cover the province of Ulster, until we could raise and arm our
that, if possible, a second landing should be made in the
forces
Bay of Galway, which army should cover itself, as soon as possible, by the Shannon, breaking down most of the bridges, and
that we should thus begin with the
fortifying the remainder
told

him with

that force

command
part

of one half of the nation, and that the most discontented

that,

as

to the

port of embarkation,

which the Minister

JET.

A MISSION TO IRELAND DISCUSSED.

33.]

had also mentioned,

because

283

suggested some of the Dutch ports,

first,

believed they were less watched than the French, and

England having no harbour, where she could

next, that

refit

fleet, to the north of Portsmouth, even if she kept a fleet in the

North Seas,

must return occasionally to

it

and the expe-

refit,

Dutch
we might go from any of the
French harbours on the ocean, and coast round by the West of
Ireland into the Loch of Belfast.
Madgett reduced this to writing in French, and we went together to the Minister, where he
delivered it to him before my eyes.
Madgett tells me that Prieur
de la Marne is in the secret, and has recommended and guaranteed a Capuchin friar of the name of Fitzsimons, to go to Iredition

might take place

in

If however, the

the interval.

ports were too strongly watched,

land.

any

told

Madgett

had the most violent

He

priest into the business at all.

either,

but that Prieur de

la

dislike to letting

said he did not like

Marne had known

twenty years, and would stake

on

his life

my

this

man

his honesty.

it

for

do

opinion plump against his

not care for

all

being sent.

Madgett mentioned that the fellow had some notion

that

will give

That would be a pretty

of a resumption of the forfeited lands.

measure to begin with

Besides, he has been out of the country

twenty or thirty years, and knows nothing about

say hates a Presbyterian like the devil.
it,

he shan't go

if

can't,

why

No

can't.

no
I

it,

and

dare

If I can help

want a military

man. I must see whoever is sent, I presume, and how can I

commit the safety of my friends in Ireland to a man in whom
I have no confidence myself?
And, indeed, I have some doubts
whether I have any right to commit the safety of any person
but myself.
However, the way that I answer that objection, is,
I am acting by their own
and with their concurrence that I have
not shrunk myself from any trouble, labour, or danger that it

that

it

advice

is

absolutely necessary; that

and

direction,

is

but just they should take their share, especially when

essential

rely

for

very

hazard,

the success of the

much upon

measure

and,

their discretion to avoid

finally,
all

and conduct themselves properly through

it

is

that

unnecessary
this

arduous

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

284

These reasons

business.

me

decide

whoever

may

Government,

me, of

sent

is

any one

if

At

see them.

the

same

that the messenger see but one of them,

weight to

sufficient

men

the names of five or six

in giving

in order that,

with

are,

Ii796-

by the French

sent

is

time,

in Ireland,

my

give

and leave

advice

him

to

it

to

communicate with the others. And that one shall be P. P. I

will put him in the post of danger and honour, though I love him
like a brother.

said P.

wish Ireland to come under obligations to the

And now

P.

must observe that

it

very odd,

is

business be as Madgett says, before the Directory, and

know nothing about

advanced, that Clarke should

me

did not appear to

if

the

so

far

Carnot

it.

my memo-

yesterday to have even seen

and I rather believe that to be the case. Madgett is much

more sanguine than I am, for I preserve in all this business a
phlegm which is truly admirable.
have resolved never to
I
rials,

believe

will

it

keep

affectation,

my

Rewbell

and

it

is

the

of Germinal,
Clarke, after

thing

much

as

member

support

suppose,

see, that

possible,

Mr.
to

for

Secretary,

brother

this

the most sanguine

Well

The

of

the

first

matter.

One

will

smuggle an odd

Luxembourg, "just

to see things a

Nevertheless,

it.

to the

within wheels ?

must

have forgotten,

(my
by

" WJieels

is

know more

shall

who

measure.

the

that

Madgett wishes to keep me out of sight as

which is very natural, and I am sure I am

now and then

little."

of

truly

is

me

tells

must be better authority than Madgett.

all,

not angry with him

visit

of the Directory

in

All which

Madgett

extremely philosophical.

earnest

At

have hopes.

shall

which would much elevate or depress me.

edifying and

the

see

till

have slept one

mind under a strict regimen, and, without

must be an extraordinary circumstance

think

succeed until

Then

night under canvas in Ireland.

present

be undertaken

the expedition will

that

troops on board, nor that

be
I

done.'''

have not

Matthew's)

affair.

"

"

Wise memorandums.
neglected

Mr.

Lamare has

day's post on that subject, having

to a letter which he wrote on the

says

Business, business,

Wm.

had

I,

like

Browne's

written to

Guise

received

no answer

same head about

a fortnight

MT.

RESOLUTION OF THE DIRECTORY.

33.]

since.

285

wish the said Mr. Browne were here, for a vast multi-

plicity of reasons.

March

Dined alone in the Champs Elysees. A

The French know how to be happy, or at
than all the world besides. The Irish come

Blank.

16th.

most delicious walk.

be gay, better

least to

near them, but the Irish

who

drink more or less (except P.

all

never drinks), and the French are very sober.

soberly at present, having retrenched

half

however, that

fear,

company to-morrow, being

if

St.

my

we

day,

Patrick's

make a pretty sober meal of it. Oh Lord

March ijth. St. Patrick's day. Dined alone

should

Sad

March
March

18th.
igth.

in the

Sad
Blank
Theatre in the evening.
Madgett called on me this morning
!

He

instead of 4,000.)

asked him whether

to

private
that I

yet

always

is
;

for

though

me

(viz.,

the

8,000

told me, also, that the Minister

had

not.

(Mem.

rather believe that

every affair, public and

was from the purest motives

the best policy in

I

am

sure

had not told Madgett of

felt

tell

had
had ever been to the Directory, and that

he had said he was sure

honesty

Champs

Directory had resolved to give us an entire brigade

men

in-

we

Yes,

Oh Lord

Elysees.

P. P.'s

should,

"take a sprig of watercresses with our bread?'

deed,

very

live

quantity of wine one-

had the pleasure of

P.,

it

my

visits to

very awkward at the question.)

consequence of the extreme anxiety which

I
I

Luxembourg,

the

answered, that, in

felt

for the success

of the business, as well as in pursuance of the directions

had

re-

ceived to omit nothing likely to bring the state of Ireland before

the French Government,

person, to the Executive,

had thought
and obtain,

if

it

my

duty to go,

possible,

in

an audience

more so, as Carnot, who is now one of the Directory, was

well known by reputation in Ireland
and I was particularly
charged, if possible, to find him out.
Madgett seemed quite
satisfied at this, and, having fixed to breakfast with him tomorrow, we parted.

the

March 20th. Breakfast with Madgett. The Minister wants to

know our plan of conduct, supposing the landing effected. This

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE

286

my

has been already detailed in

memorial, but

go over the same ground again and again.

to

words"

other

"

Committee

the Catholic

viz.,

[1796-

it

is

necessary

Put

it

to

That those

pared that they can immediately choose delegates.

when

bodies,

tenths of

joined,

in

and the Dissenters are so pre-

plete representation of that body,

two

him

already a com-

is

numerically,

represent,

will

under

the people, and, of course,

nine-

circum-

existing

Government we can form at the moment.

This Madgett reduced to writing, but I have no copy, which is
the best

stances, are

of the less consequence, as the paper

my

of
ter

my

positive directions

or out of power
talents

my

to the

visit

Luxembourg was

consequence of

in

had to communicate with Carnot, whether

that

had the highest respect

and patriotism, and,

applying to Carnot,

there

if

circumstanced as

that,

in

for the Minister's

was any

irregularity

was merely an error

it

must be convinced

as he

only a paraphrase of part

Desired Madgett to explain to the Minis-

memorial.

last

that

is

in

judgment,

in

was,

could

never dream of doing anything which might be disagreeable to

a

person

Croix
the
I

his station

in

but

fancy,

Minister,

am

sure,

can see a

am

between

little

believe

friends,

piqued

for,

little

not at

not think

my

that Madgett, rather than

with

great sincerity, and,

mind of doing 'everything himself

have already

said,

all

with a laudable magnanimity,

angry with him

nevertheless,

have made a blunder

my own

little

(which

yet, unless

take

shall

plan a

do

do not

going to Carnot, without informing the Minister, was

Took

one.

a delightful walk in the

usual, at a very retired

alone, as

la

desire in his

the liberty, under the rose, to follow

think)

De

this will satisfy

an honest anxiety for the success of the measure,

for which, as I
I

is

&c.

Champs

Elysees, and dined

Restaurateur.

live

here in

Paris, absolutely like a hermit.

March
nal)

it for

Went, by appointment (this being the

Luxembourg, to General Clarke " damn

21st.

to the

me"

provoking.

he
I

has not yet got

told

him

the rough draft by me.

my

memorials

would make him a

He

answered

it

fair

1st

Germi-

and rot
only think how
it

copy, as

had

was unnecessary, as he

^T.

AN IRISH REPUBLIC DESIRED.

33.]

had given

memorandum,

in

the copy.

He

nothing new occurred.

clergy,

and

replied as

he said he was

and

either,

be of

if

little

little

in the

on the nobles and

former conversation

nothing was to be expected from

they had the power to

if

all

the opposition

give

any, but that

the landing were

once effected, their opinion would

He

then asked me, as before, what form

consequence.

Government

of

dwelt a

had done

satisfied that

they could give,

happily,

answered that he might expect

send

writing, to Carnot, to

in

and would certainly have them before I could

We then went into the subject as before, but

for the originals,

make

287

thought would be likely to take place

adding

land, in case of the separation being effected,

France, though she would certainly prefer a

in

Ire-

that, as to

Republic, yet her

great object was the independence of Ireland under

1

answered,

had no doubt whatever

that, if

would establish a Republic, adding that

as well as that of all the

men

with

whom

go
I

it

co-operated.

some person

talked of the necessity of sending

examine

any form ?
we succeeded, we
was my own wish,

into the state of things there, adding,

yourself."

answered, certainly not; that,

had already given

in

the information

all

to

He

then

Ireland

"You would
in

the

was possessed

for

even

in the

Irish,

if

English papers, and

he had them,

sufficient

country to support every word

was sure much more

not

place,

first

me to add anything to that, would be, in fact,

supporting my credit by my own declaration that he would
and

to

of,

only
find,

the

in

evidence of the state of the

had advanced, and evidence of the

most unexceptionable nature, as it came out of the mouths of those
who were interested to conceal it, and would conceal it, if they
could

that, for

me

to be found in Ireland now,

sacrifice of

my

dertaken,

would go

no purpose

would be a certain

expedition was unwas not only ready

and willing, but should most earnestly supplicate and entreat
the French Government to permit me to take a part, even as a
private volunteer, with a firelock on my shoulder, and that I

thought

life

to

in

any

that, if the

station

that

could be of use to both countries.

to that, there could be

no

difficulty or

He

answered,

"

As

doubt on the part of the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

288

He

French Government."

then expressed his regret at the delay

of the memorials, and assured

me

he would use

moment

procuring them, and would not lose a

to his hands.

fast

the camps

Ireland

when the channel

business of
is it

him

thus,

my own

which

fleet

assured him

would be

not extremely provoking

and

Minister's hands, ready

that, in

Director, or
I

Citizen

am

in a

my

disdain,

and

like

winds, rise up to heaven,

tJie

indignation tear

having

apologised

And now

a business of such magniare lying in the

and nothing to do but to

Well,

if

Minister,

rage

leave,

should not do in a

The papers

finished,

send for them, yet they are not got.

better than that

and

at sea,

and so we parted.

private concern,

tude, seven days have been lost

Citizen

they came

formed, and, of course, that every hour

was precious, which he admitted. I then took my

fixed to return in five days, on the 6th Germinal.
for pressing

diligence in

all

after

entreated him to consider that the season was

now advancing
in

[1796.

hell

hope

hell

ever

get to be a
shall

do

"Fury, revenge,

swollen breast, whilst passions,

and put

As

out all the stars."

have nothing to add more outrageous,

will

here change the

subject.

Went

to see Othello ; not translated, but only taken from the

Poor Shakespeare

English.

tragedy

a pitiful performance,

is

is

the

the author apologises for softening the villainy

mona, and substituting a

sublime

a person of a very

of the latter character, as well as for saving the

and

The French

with false sentiment

Moor whines most abominably, and Iago

pretty morality

him.

for

felt

filled

terrible

happy termination
of

conclusion

the

in

life

of Desde-

place

of the

English tragedy, by

saying that the humanity of the French nation, and their morality

would
indeed I
I

be

shocked

by such

exhibitions

"

Marry come

up,

People's ears are sometimes the nicest part about them."

admire a nation that

will

guillotine sixty people a

day

for

months, men, women, and children, and cannot bear the catastrophe of a dramatic exhibition

knows

best,

and

Yet, certainly the

author

have had occasion repeatedly to observe, that

the French are more struck with any

little

incident

of tender-

T.

DISTRUST OF THE IRISH ARISTOCRACY.

33.]

289

ness on the stage, a thousand times, than the English, which

strange.

are not mad, and

I like

them with

is

humane people when they

In short, the French are a

their faults,

all

and the

guillo-

tine at the

head of them,

And

the Irish better than either, and as no one can doubt

my

I like

impartiality, I expect

respect and

Upon

nothing to add.

my

by

deference

a thousand times, than the English.

better,

opinion will be received with proper

whom

all

In the course of the conversation,

add.

upon

count

the

all

in the

right

concern.

when

give,

he saw

for that, since

desired Clarke to
Irish

back, and

they

in to the

me

last,

French Government

my

supported

all

aristocracy,

he said he believed

over a variety of memorials on the subject of Irish

had been given

have

have something to

which the

opposition

whether Protestant or Catholic, could

was

may

it

further recollection,

for

he had read
affairs,

which

forty

years

opinion as to that point.

was glad of it, but begged him not to build much on

any papers, above a very recent date that the changes, even
in France, were not much greater than in Ireland since 1789
that what was true of her ten or seven years ago, was not true

answered,

now
that

of which there could not be a stronger instance than

if

this,

the French had landed during the last war, the Dissenters,

man, and even the Catholics, would have opposed them

but then France was under the yoke, which she had since broken

to a

that

all

the changes in the sentiment of the Irish people flowed

from the Revolution

in

France, which they had

watched very

and that being the case, he would I hope, find reason

believe that my opinion on the influence of the nobles and

diligently,

to

clergy was

founded

about

hundred

one

tunity of

in

separating

between James

II.

fact.

years

ago,

then went on to observe, that,

Louis

from

Ireland

and William

XIV. had an oppor-

England

III.

during

that, partly

by

war

the
his

own

miserable policy, and partly by the interested views of his Minister,

and

Louvois, he contented himself with feeding the war

little,

until the

reason to regret

it

opportunity was
ever since

for,

lost,
if

by

little

and that France had

Ireland had

been

made

independent then, the navy of England would never have grown

vol.

1.

20

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

290
to

what

He

at this day.

is

it

"

added,

that even

and

in

said, " that

[1796.

was very true

"

and

when the Volunteers were

the last war,

England and Ireland seemed

likely, it was proposed in the French Council to offer assistance
to Ireland, and overruled by the interest of Count De Vergennes, then Prime Minister, who received for that service a
considerable bribe from England, and that he was informed of this

in force,

by a

a rupture between

principal agent in paying the money."

So,

seems,

it

a narrow escape of obtaining our independence

ago.

It is better as

and

ourselves,

made

am

each other's throats

us

if

not clear that the

so out of evil

the devil should put

time

so this

at

years

then we were not united amongst

we should have

use

first

Pitt

it

it

into

any one's head here

is

idle

Clarke asked

to serve

money

do not like
speculating on what I cannot

here but assignats

can answer for myself, at

But, to return

I do not like
do not doubt.

as cunning as hell, and he has

is

we have nothing

However,

all.

prevent.

comes good.

of Vergennes, of the truth of which

enough, and
it

for

is,

of our liberty would not have been to have begun cutting

this story

How,

it

we had

fifteen

least, I

me had

will

do

my

duty.

thought of subsisting

the French troops after the landing, in case the Executive decided
in

favour of the measure.

answered,

had

not thought

detail on the subject, but there was one infallible

presented

itself,

which was, requisition

in

in

mode which

kind of

things

all

necessary; adding, that he might be sure, whoever wanted, the

army should not want, and

fortunate

to obtain

as

especially our allies,

their assistance.

He

if

we were

asked me,

not that disgust the people of property in Ireland

? "

"

so

might

answered,

made for the people of property

but as to those of them who were our friends, the spirit of
enthusiasm would induce them to much greater sacrifices and
as to those who were our enemies, it was fit that they should

the revolution was not to be

him for a proof of what sacrifices the

enthusiasm of a revolution would lead to, to his own experience
of what had happened in France, and what I knew to have been
suffer,

and

referred

the case in America, where, during the contest for their liberties,

SLOW PROGRESS.

33.]

291

was a scandal to enjoy the luxuries and almost the conveniences

of life, insomuch that people of the first properties and situations

it

went

and tattered clothes. He admitted this, but observed

would subside in time, and that this was

in old

that this enthusiasm

already the case in France.

hoped our revolution,

if

admitted that

but observed, that

attempted, would be completed long before

the spirit of enthusiasm had cooled.

do not

recollect

any other

circumstances material in our conversation.

March

22nd.

morning

have worked

day like a horse. In the

him that Carnot wanted the
expedite them. He boggled a good

on Madgett to

called

memorials, and begged him to

and

deal,

got almost angry

a statesman, that

did not

command

citizen

Madgett.

but quietly

self to Clarke.

and

do,

it

him

see

am growing

much

of

one of the Executive Directory

if

a paper of this kind out of the pocket of

a copy of the two memorials, and give them

only the trouble, and

It is

people being idle and giving themselves

grumbling

revolutions, whilst they are

a few sheets of paper.

therefore

memorials, and Madgett then told

my-

have nothing else to

very good business for me, and

is

so

would be a most

It

it.

resolved, however, not to contest the point,

make

however,

let

extraordinary thing, indeed,

could not

this

tell

do not understand

and wanting to make

airs,

at the trouble of writing

dropped the business of the

me

that he sets off to-morrow,

on a pilgrimage, to root out the Irish prisoners of war, and especially

Mr.

Wm.

found out, or
to

go to

Browne, who
if

Versailles,

amongst the
scheme, and

my

in

What

nonsense.

to be sent to Ireland

are

and seamen.

five

there

is

but

in the

is

is

his

Nothing.

surmise the real truth to be, that

job (d FIrlandaise), and that there

back

This

the risk of the business taking wind.

Madgett's scheme

that he

is

faith

favourite

hundred or one thousand Irishmen,

or less, to the success of the business

he can be

mind, not to mince the matter, damned

more
all

if

Compiegne, Guise, and propagate the

soldiers

Irish
is,

is

he has not long since been discharged

just like

my

packet in order to

is

it is

some cash

do not

And

then

like

it

at

a small matter of

to be touched, &c.

countryman's, that got on horse-

make more

haste.

He

is

always

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

292

hunting

maps, and then he thinks he

for

believe he

is

me

France, that Madgett

may

going to Ireland.
I

am

With regard

confoundedly.

Browne (my brother Matthew),

though

making

is

revolutions.

very sincere in the business, but he does, to be sure,

at times, pester

his

[1796.

wish to God,

willing to hazard

my

own,

he be

in

still

And

yet

life is

gone

be able to find him.

he be caught there, his

If

to Mr. William
if

dread

and,

have some doubts as to

Madgett proposes it to him, he will go, bon gre, mal gre".

Well, let him. If he escapes, and Ireland is freed, she will reward
If

his.

him, and he will deserve

person to go from
friends

and

He

it.

as

this,

he

is

would, certainly, be the

known

to

all

my

fittest

confidential

could communicate with him, and he with them,

any stranger whatsoever. On the whole, if he

is found, he must go, and I hope God Almighty will protect him,
poor fellow for I love him most affectionately. Perhaps, whilst I

much

better than

am

writing

dren.

this,

may

he

be at Princeton, with Matty and the

have sent one brother already to Ireland on

It is pretty early to entrust a

fourteen.
I

hope

However,

have made great

flag officer in

sacrifices

me

tells

this business.

matter of high treason to a boy of

have no doubt of him

him yet a

to see

Madgett

chil-

in

this

that the Minister

and,

we

the Irish navy.

business.
is

if

But,

succeed,

Well,

to

return.

quite satisfied as to

having seen Carnot, and that he would be very glad

my

would

if I

take an opportunity to insinuate artfully to him that Prieur de la

Marne would be a very acceptable person in Ireland (which

name is well known there), and which

say he would, as his

fairly do, as I

am

am

accredited.

Minister desires
that

dare

may

here the representative of the Irish people

I

it

will certainly
;

and

so

mention Prieur to Carnot, as the

recollect

Rowan

when he was leaving Brest on

his

told

me

way

to

in

Philadelphia

Paris, after his

who was then Deputy on Mission,

shook hands with him, observing that he hoped that they would

escape from Ireland, Prieur,

It is not impossible that they may meet

become an intrigant, I find, and to procure
ex-deputies and I know not what. " Hey day,

land in Ireland together.

there.

So,

am

appointments for

what

doings,

to

what doings are

here

! "

It is

very laughable to think

>ET.

A BUSY DAY.

33-1

293

me

of the Minister of Foreign Affairs desiring

member

recommend a

to

of the National Convention to the Executive Directory of

Having done with Madgett, I returned home, and set

doggedly to copying my two memorials finished the first, and
France.

made

a practicable breach in the second

foregoing pages in

and

am

as tired as a dog,

memorial,

Mr.

it

my

and now

my

and

then wrote the eight

ten o'clock at night

it is

cramped, and

fingers are

To-morrow I will finish my second

expect time enough to go to the Luxembourg and

cannot see out of

give

my journal,
eyes.

" Business,

either to Carnot or Clarke.

must

Secretary,

be

doner

business, said 1,

quoted that once already, but a

good thing cannot be done too often, and it is a choice quotation,

and I caught it from P. P., who quotes better than anybody,

my

I am but a fool to them, only I make

Oh Lord oh Lord what wise memorandums I am making, and I am as tired as a devil, for I have
written nine hours to-day, which is more than I ever did in my
" What do I not suffer, O Athenians, that you may speak well
life.

except

dearest love.

sometimes a lucky

hit.

Pretty and modest, comparing myself by

of me ? "
Alexander the Great
Well, the vanity of some people

craft

unaccountable
soliloquy,

chatting to

Well,

I will

When

get into this track of witty and facetious

know not how

my

dearest

to leave

life

off,

for

for,

always think

and love and the

not begin another page, and that

must begin another page,

to

most

is

with

my

is

nonsense,

flat.

eyes.

After

all, I

had

The

get the most important part of the business.

am

my

light of

like to for-

Minister

is

in

daily expectation of three millions of livres in specie, one million

of which he destines for our expedition.

business at

last.

his preparations.

The moment he

lost

in

sensations

receives the

But then, Clarke, who

of the military correspondence,

If this

is

be

will

begin

certainly at the head

knows nothing of

of troubled emotions?

looks like

so, it

money he

all this.

What am

"

/ am

to think

"

Hey ho, hey day I I know not what to do, nor what to
have made a very wise rule for myself, and I will keep

it,

"

that

is,

say

never to be elevated by appearances, and, indeed, to say the truth,

I

see as yet no great appearances to elevate me.

Well,

am

blind

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

294

with sleep, and yet

have begun

am bound

Now

it.

honour to

in

[1796.

page as

finish this

for a quotation.

" There's thirteen lines gone through, driblet by driblet,

'Tis done.

March

Count how you

Madgett sent

2$rd.

usual, that everything

everything

will, I

warrant there's fourteen."

me

for

going on well, but,

is

going on very slowly.

is

morning to

this

my

for

However,

me, as

tell

part, I think

did not say so,

and he went on, that he was going express to look among the
Wm. Browne, by the Minister's directions, and,

prisoners for Mr.

if he found him, he would be sent off instantly for Ireland, after I

had given him his instructions.
So, that affair is settled, if
Matthew is to be found. It is a perilous business, but he must

take his chance, and, as he will have no papers,

come
I

He

off clear.

am more and more

debauching the

me

then consulted
satisfied is

some kind of a
His idea

Irish prisoners.

aboard privateers, and landed

as to the old

is,

hope he may
scheme (which

job) concerning

they should be put

in different parts of Ireland, to pre-

pare the people, though neither they nor the people were to be in

How

the secret.

know,

is

they are to communicate what they do not

not very clear

however,

should be very glad to see them

sion,

but conceived

part with one of

it

them

might take
This

is

my

it.

word that they were

The way

still

answered,

was

effected, as the

business,

and

take

enemy

effectual

That, as to preparing the people, he

the six-and-fiftieth time

head, yet he

pass.

Ireland on a proper occa-

would be hazarding the whole measure to

until the landing

might surmise something of the

measures to prevent

let that

all in

sufficiently prepared already.

have given

returns to the charge.

my

know

opinion on this

the Irish a

little.

manage them is this If they intend to use the Irish

prisoners, let them be marched down under other pretences to the
port from whence the embarkation is to be made.
When everything else is ready, let them send in a large quantity of wine and
brandy, a fiddle and some French filles, and then, when Pat's heart
is

to

little soft

sons in

with love and wine, send in two or three proper per-

regimentals, and with green cockades in their hats, to

FRESH WORK.

33-]

whom

speak to them, of
that case,

will

295

very gladly be one.

would not be very hard to persuade him to take a

it

once more to Ireland, just to see his people a

sure

me

trip

am
may

least, I

It

will.

man who offers, a captain on the

two more subalterns. To return. Madgett spoke

make

and one or

spot,

At

little.

scheme does not answer, that nothing

if this

also be right to

to

think, in

the

first

again about Prieur, with great commendation, and

dare

say justly, of his talents and patriotism, adding, that he had come
out of power as poor as Job, and literally drank water to save the

expense of wine, which he could not

the late Comite" de salut public,

He

honesty.
that

it

was the Minister's

my

and

best,

together,

it

if

believed

desire,

and that

to Carnot.

what he

is

my

member

should use some

answered,

succeeded, and that

certainly

we went

liked.

little

would

to Ireland
it

would be
in a state

always keep up the

idea, and, in fact,

opinion that liberal provision should be made, in case

Frenchmen who might be

succeed, for those

laid out,

rosity of the Irish people.

In

and agreeable

we

am

sure

it

to the native gene-

should like Prieur very well

fine, I

have heard of him, and

it

high station in

in

Ireland, as the Generals, Commissaires Civils, &c.

would be money well

from what

of

we would put him

Prieur continued to drink water

if

out of a preference for that liquor, for

to drink

This, in a

afford.

strong presumptive proof of his

added that Prieur was almost a stranger to him, but

address in mentioning

do

is

push that

will certainly

affair

Madgett then told me the Minister desired I

should draw up such a memorial as I thought the French commander ought to publish on landing. That is not quite so easy.
I wished to evade it, by saying the style of French eloquence was
as far as

it

will go.

so different from ours that

was precisely

answered,

it

write

that,

it

make such

when

doubted

for that reason

alterations

He

parted.

lising

among

ducting

it,

is

it

abilities to

was necessary

He

it.

should

had done, the Executive Directory would

and additions as they might see necessary
I

then said

to be seven or eight days

on

the Irish prisoners, which, once for

do not

do

but the groundwork must be mine.

we

my

like.

For the manifesto.

would

and

try,

his tour, apostoall,

as

he

never in

is

con-

my

life

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

296

had

less appetite for

[1796.

composition than just now.

It is

a serious

God P. P. was here,

damned fright. Well, tomorrow we will see. At present my idea is to make it as plain as
a pikestaff, but how will the French like that ? They love metaand

business,

have no assistance.

What

or Gog. 1

do ?

shall I

am

wish to

in a

phors, but I think, in the present case,

I will

stick to plain English.

we must, we must, and since 'tis so, the less thats said the
Apropos
better."
I should have observed that I finished the
copies of my two memorials, and left them at Clarke's bureau, with
a note that I would call the day after but one.
March 24th. Began my French manifesto. It drags a little
"

Well, if

heavy or

so,

but there

no remedy.

is

wish they would write

it

themselves.

March
it

At work

2$th.

begins to clear up a

in the

scurrilous against the English

I will

morning

Damn

it,

on that subject.

he has had

Well, this

my

is

my

it

Went,

manifesto.

think

be

I will

in cool blood, if

one

at

not check.

my

blood

o'clock, to Clarke

memorials, and never looked at them.

mortification

first

my

Government, which

write on, pell-mell, and correct

will ever cool

at

find a strong disposition to

little.

God knows

do not care

if

the memorials were sent to the devil, provided the business be

once undertaken.
admiration of
for the

my

It

not for the glory of General Clarke's

is

compositions that

perhaps he had reason, yet

can they be understood

offered

me

am

He

anxious.

apologised

think there are few affairs of more

consequence than those of Ireland,

is

delay by alleging the multiplicity of other business, and

them

to call on

Well,

they

if

"

'

will

if

Tis but in vain" &c.

is

not great

But how

not read the information that

him the day but one

delay, to be sure,

well understood.

after, at

Clarke fixed with

two

nevertheless,

o'clock.

do not

The

like

it.

manner, which was not quite to

my taste, not but that he was extremely civil. Perhaps it is all
Well, the 27th I hope we
fancy, or that I was out of humour.

There was something,

shall see,

and

till

too, in

then, let

his

me work

at

my

manifesto.

have no great stomach for that business to-day

1

but

Another clear indication of where Keogh stood.

Heigho
it must

be,

JET.

PREPARING A MANIFESTO.

33.]

and so

Elysian

inconceivable the solitude

is

am most

go gingerly, and dine alone

will

first I

It

fields.

Sometimes

me

loves

so

and

dearly,

living

is

it

no

dote upon, and

amongst

Paris,

in

in the

live in here.

dreadfully out of spirits, and

Losing the society of a family that

wonder.
that

But

allons.

297

utter

an absolute Chartreux. Well, "Had honest Sam

Crowe been within hail but what signifies palavering ? " I will
go to my dinner. Evening did no good " / cannot write this
No opera. Went to bed
selfsame manifesto, said I, despairingly."
strangers, like

at eight o'clock.

March
kicking

At work

26th.

the manifesto like a vicious mule,

However,

the way.

all

at

am

getting on, but

declare

know no more than my Lord Mayor whether what I am writing

is good, bad, or indifferent: "Fair and softly goes far in a day"
I

am

going

and

fair

softly,

have been writing now

how

surprised to find

blot out three, so

think

it is

it

is

He

the service.

who

cannot say

have done

but

easy to see

how

my

has,

dinner.
I

am

go

far in a day.

without intermission, and

five hours,

little I

time to go to

Dupetit Thouars,

but

am

am

write two lines, and

now

Well,

get on.

to dine with

my

friend

heartily glad to find, re-entered

has at present the rank of Commodore, and

if

the

war continues sometime longer, may probably become an Admiral.

I

hope and believe he

Aristocrat

will

covers a multitude of sins.

by business

boy, to keep

him

do

his duty,

but,

me

as well as

Evening

to make amends,

my

some

At

ho

Began

my

all

suppose.

more than seemed necessary,

Turned to

me found,

to

Got

rid of

to read (having

opened

After reading

passion at a particular circumstance kindled

my

as

my

flung the
bottle, to

great astonishment, that

Got up and put everything

my locks saw that my door was

damned

night sent for a bottle of Burgundy,

with great indignation.

cool

a very troublesome French

left

Memoirs of the Reign of Louis XIV."

time, found

rather

is

Dupetit Thouars prevented

from being low-spirited,

could.

intending to drink just one glass.

bottle) "

though he

but then he hates the English cordially, and that

in

its

place,

fast,

it

book from me
take a glass to

was empty

Oh

exactly examined

as there

may be

rogues

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

298
in

the hotel

prise

me

peeped

there.

It is

under

my

enemy should

bed. lest the

the part of a wise

man

[1796.

to be cautious,

found myself, just then, inclined to be extremely prudent.

satisfied

myself that

all

was

as

I called it, and having

in

my

Jiammock and

safe, "

I mounted

Slept like a top all night.

it

is

just like

This

is

one of

Having

wall of my

pulled the ladder up after me,

slept contentedly."

but no matter for that

the

sur-

and

lay

castle,

down

vilely misquoted,
P. P.'s quotations.

CHAPTER

XVIII.

MILITARY PLANS AND PROJECTS.

March

On

27 th.

begin to think

uncharitably, but
it

certainly

outset the

General.
tion,
I

in

is

seems to

it

(that

me

be

advisers,

to

pitiful

two o'clock

at

He

me

told

up

it

of course)

that he

for

judge

if

any

rate,

a French

for the Irish

Conven-

but, as to this affair,

hard work, as they say

to General Clarke,

me

morning,

foresaw in the

character of

my

he had read

flattery could assure

favourable report to Carnot,

me

stuff ; at

and

all,

the

this

forgive

might get on

have to give

shall

long conversation.

and without

God

were to compose a manifesto

Went

Galway.

manifesto

trash

of writing in

difficulty

and had good

done

damned

not a French manifesto at

If I

see that

my

looking over
is

it

and had a

two memorials,

they were extremely well

had made,

who endeavoured

consequence, a

in

to read

them

also,

but finding a difficulty in reading English manuscript, he (Clarke)

was to translate them

for

him

that

all

he could at present

tell

me

was, that the Executive was determined to send a person directly

and that he had

to Ireland,

of the Irish Brigade to

know

on the score of health.

military man,

be what
person

fit

if

he would go, but that he declined

if

him

told

was sorry

one could be found proper

would

to go

consequence written to an ex-officer

in

He

prefer.
I

answered,

asked me, did

I

and industriously avoiding having any,

the prison of Guise.

Wm.
that

he was yet

in

myself

know any

in

France
I

that I did not

had a brother lying

then gave him a short history of Mr.

Browne's (my brother Matthew's)

if

would

did not, having no acquaintance,

know, however, but that at that moment

in

for that, as

in other respects,

affair,

concluding by saying

France, and no more proper person could

299

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

At

be found, he might do.

him

to propose
I

[1796.

same time, I did not at all like

because it was a service of danger, in which
hazard his life, and next, that I would avoid
the

first,

did not wish to

recommending a person so nearly connected with me to the

French Government, lest I might appear to act on interested
views.
Clarke then, after some civilities in reply, asked me what
I thought of some of the Irish priests yet remaining in France.
I

hated the very

had

name of

and indeed was

my

knew

answered, that he

that in Ireland they

opinion as to priests of

acted, all along, execrably

kinds

all

that they

the French Revolution, and that

feared,

one was sent from France, he would

sure, that if

immediately, from the esprit de corps, get in with his brethren in

who would

Ireland,

misrepresent

be worth a farthing.
be much

everything to him

any information which he might

course, that

and,

of

would not

added, that the state of Ireland might

better collected from the debates of their Parliament,

even mutilated as he would find them

which

collect

saw upon

just peeping

his table,

and returning, supposing that he

into the country

was lucky enough

English newspapers

in the

than from the report of any individual

to escape

and

observed that these debates

furnished the very strongest evidence, because they were extorted

from the mouth of the enemy, who was so interested to conceal

the facts, and
I

who would

had mentioned

to press

it,

and

in a

it

conceal them

if

he was

former conversation, but

seemed

(This

able.

thought

to strike Clarke very forcibly.)

it

right

then

went on to observe, that I hoped, if the measure were adopted

by the French Executive, that they did not mean to delay it till
the return of this emissary, if one were sent, especially as his
business would be to give information in Ireland, not to bring any
thence.

Clarke answered, supposing the measure to be adopted,

certainly not

meantime

but

that
I

preparations would

all

must see

it

to apprise the people in Ireland.

whoever we

sent,

or five persons

be going on in the

would be necessary to send a person

I

replied,

by

all

means, but that

he must carry no papers, nor speak to above four

whom

would point

discovery, which might blast

all

in

out, for fear of

hazarding a

which Clarke agreed.

We

JET.

ASKS FOR A VETERAN ARMY.

33.]

then

fell

into a discourse

saying, that as

above

five

detail of the business, being in

on the memorials. I began

presumed the number of troops would not be
or six thousand men, I hoped and expected they would
commentary, viva

fact a kind of

by

on the

voce,

be the best that France could spare

would undoubtedly be
that

fire,

Clarke replied, they

us.

sufficiently disciplined.

answered,

it

was

men who were accustomed

not merely disciplined troops, but

stand

301

we wanted, some

of the old

battalions

to

from

Holland or the Rhine for as to raw troops, we should soon have

enough of them. Clarke answered, that he could not promise we
should have the pick and choice of the French army, but that,
;

any were

if

sent,

they would be brave troops, that would run

on the enemy as soon as they saw them.

courage of the French army,

it

was

answered, as to the

known, and

sufficiently

would

venture to say, that wherever they would lead, the Irish would
follow.

we shall not get veterans, if we get any, which

we must do as we can.) I then said, at least as to the
of which we had none, it would be indispensable they

see that

(I

bad, but

is

cannoniers,

should be perfectly trained and disciplined

I

then came to the General, and said

consequence,
officer

if

in

which he agreed.

name might be known

of reputation, whose

be easy to get an

officer

He

such as

enterprise with so small a force.

replied,

would' be of the greatest

the thing were possible, that he should

where names were things of weight.

it

replied that

it

be an
Ireland,

would not

described to undertake the

(This

was

all

along afraid

none would, unless some dashing fighting

a good deal of enthusiasm in his character

whom I only knew by

me to be precisely such

in

of.)

fellow, with

adding, that Bournon-

ville,

reputation and Camus's report, seemed

to

man

as

we wanted.

Clarke replied,

was already appointed to the army in

Holland, and it was not to be supposed he would quit the
command of sixty thousand men to go command six thousand.

as

to Bournonville, he

answered, he

knew

best,

but

my

opinion was, there was more

glory to be acquired in Ireland, even with that force, and also

more

were any object, as he must suppose the Irish

amply reward those who were instrumental in

profit, if profit

nation would

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

302

[1796.

we were generous even

was sure Bournonville would prefer
his present situation.
(So there is an end of that expectation,
for which I am sorry.)
Clarke then said there were some Irish
officers yet remaining in France who might go, and he mentioned
Jennings, who used to call himself Baron de Kilmaine, God knows
establishing their liberties, adding, that

He

to prodigality.

why.

said he

answered that

we had no great confidence

many of them had either

Ireland

in

in the officers of the old Irish Brigade, so

the French cause

deserted, or betrayed

command

he had had the misfortune to

been obliged to break up the famous

though

this

might probably have been no

an impression, and, as he was

thought

it

"

would be better

at

to

any

as

that,

Jennings,

to

and had

after Custine,

Camp

de Ccesar

fault of his,

it

" that,

had made

rate not a fortunate general,

have a Frenchman.

This naturally

introduced the Irish Brigade, in which Clarke had served for two
years in Berwicks, and

gave him an account of the various slights

and mortifications they had undergone, both in England and

how they had been obliged to accept the King's pardon
Ireland
;

high treason, for having been

for

who were

able,

not, to accept

were obliged to pay the

in

it

forma

been refused
of which
to

how

their behalf to the Catholic

how

the very

mob

the Lord Lieutenant

Committee, and had

despised them, as an instance

mentioned the anecdote of the Etat-Major intending

go to mass on Christmas

were obliged to give

lace,

fees,

pauperis, a circumstance so excessively

degrading, that nothing could be worse

had applied on

how those
and those who were

the French service

in

who had

it

up

Day

in

grand costume, and how they

for fear of

being hustled by the popu-

given Dr. Troy warning that they would treat them

with

which Clarke was exceedingly delighted.

as

crimps

He

spoke of O'Connell with respect, as a good parade

all

officer to

prepare troops for service, but no extent of genius for command.

(He would do

for

us as Baron Steuben did in America, and

matters go forward,
I

know he

shall ever

for

one

will

hates England, and

be for his being employed,

my

poor friend Sweetman,

if

for

whom
He

deeply regret, had an excellent opinion of him.)

also said that Colonel

Moore was the

best officer

amongst them

^ET.

DESIRES TO ENTER THE FRENCH SERVICE.

33.]

and, as to

303

the others, they were to be sure brave men, but none

all

them of any reputation. We then returned to our own affairs.

He asked me for what,
I said, we would want a few engineers.
I replied, for field service, redoubts,
since we had no fortifications.
&c.
He replied, that was always done by the Adjutant Generals.
of

then observed

that

had one thing to mention entirely personal

had exerted myself a good

my

deal, risked

than one occasion, and had a very narrow escape for

my

more

safety on
life

that

business went forward, I hoped and expected the French

Government would allow me to take a part in the execution, and
that I was sure, if he would excuse the vanity of the assertion, that
I could be of material service
that I was willing to encounter
danger as a soldier, but had a violent objection to being hanged
if this

as a traitor

French army

commission

that, consequently, I desired a

that, as to the rank, that

was

in

indifferent to me,

only object being a certainty of being treated as a soldier,

the

my

in case

me into the hands of the enemy,

show me no mercy; and that I hoped,

the fortune of war should throw

who

knew would otherwise

under

the circumstances of the case, that

all

be considered unreasonable.

He

my

answered, that as to that, he

could see no possibility of difficulty

that,

undoubtedly,

a claim at the least for so much, and he was sure

and that
in

in the

hopes,

settled.)

if

We

manner most agreeable

that

my

had

would be done,

feelings.

(So

am

then began to chat, rather than talk seriously, and

war.

First, as to

Dublin,

expect, with the proposed force, that

;

to

it

the business goes forward, that this affair will be

moot points of
at first

request would not

its

much

him

told

did not

could be done there

garrison was always at least five thousand strong,

and that the Government, taking advantage of the momentary

success of the coalesced despots, had disarmed the people, taken
their cannon, and passed the Gunpowder and Convention bills,
whose nature and operation I explained to him that, however,
if the landing were once effected, one of two things would happen
either the Government would retain the garrison for their security,
in which case there would be five thousand men idle on the part
of the enemy, or they would march them off to oppose us, in which
;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

34

[1796.

case the people would rise and seize the capital

they preferred the

if

measure, which

first

and

thought most

added
likely,

whenever we were strong enough to march southward, if we were,

as I had no doubt we should be, superior in the field, we could
starve Dublin in a week, without striking a blow.

then men-

tioned the great advantages which would result from a diversion

in

Connaught,

province,

possible,

if

in that

and the strong line of defence which the Shannon

and this I pressed upon him as strongly as I could. He

affords

saw

the advantages of

all

from the discontents prevailing

self-evident, but

it

as clearly as

cannot say he gave

did, for

me any

indeed they are

violent hopes that

would be attempted in the first instance. (N.B. What is to

hinder our doing it ourselves in a week, by way of Sligo ? Mind
it

this,
I

know

He

nothing.

for defence against

at land,

tells

me

the harbour

any attack by

force

then mentioned

France, and

my

it

sea,

scheme, as to the

which

whom

should have to address.

the business,

if

you are superior

hill

that supplies the

Irish,

made him laugh immoderately

is,

admirably situated

is

but

to surrender without striking a blow.

cruiting,
I

then spoke of Cork, of which

you can, by taking possession of a

town with water,

I

We

and examine the map.)

now

prisoners in

my mode

at

of re-

however, admirably adapted to the gentlemen

Seeing that he was tickled with

exerted myself, and

made

divers capital hits at the

expense of poor Pat, concerning

"

Women

and wine, which compare so

That they run in a perfect parallel,"

as the poet hath

poor fellow
fiend,

is

it.

little

who knows

it

To be

well,

deny it, but the

exposed on those two sides, and the foul
sure,

it

is

in vain to

right well, always judiciously chooses

or the other, or sometimes both, to defeat him.

have been buffeted by Satan, as well as another,

" With

women and wine

would be glad to know what

concerning the

fallibility

defy every care."

P. P.

one

God knows,
in

my

time

I
:

(Sings.)

would say to

of poor Pat's judgment,

my

when

doctrine,

JET.

BALANCING MOTIVES.

33.]

"The wine looks red

And the bright eyes

Yes

yes

he

proof to

is

in the glass,

of beauty are beaming."

person that shall be nameless.

me

and so

that,

all

305

we

Well,

say no more about the matter.

is

are

and another

P. P.,

men, and so

all

let

Clarke asked me, might they

not serve us as the French prisoners did the British at Quiberon

I

answered, there was this most material difference, that the French

were brought back to fight against their country, and the Irish

would be brought back to

against the English
their duty.

and that

not against their country, but

fight,

had no doubt but they would do

and having fixed to

in Carnot's recollection,

on him regularly once a week, to see how

call

things were going on,

my

took

wish most sincerely, and

"

hope

words being,

leave, his last

"

(which he marked)

" I

the business

be seriously taken up by the Executive."

will

day's business very well.

I like this

see

was myself that was out of temper, because,

my

read

it

hope

am

purity of

or

above

my

my

was much more

my amour propre,

cold.

my

motives.

had not

side neither,

anxiety about the business, than

any attachment

that, for

fancy that

forsooth, he

That was not unnatural on

memorials.

but, indeed,

was wrong the day

manner

before yesterday in thinking Clarke's

it

me

then begged him to keep

to

my own

compositions.

have a very pretty opinion of the

have protested again and again,

in these

memorandums, that I am acting to the best of my judgment, seeing

that I have no advisers, which is a great loss, and on the very
fairest principles.

Have

no

succeed here,

I feel I shall

my

and as

country

serve her,

hope

case of
I

is

there
vol.

my
is, it
1.

am

am

not sure)

second.

If there

hope (but

she

is

my

dearest

have.

think

shall

some honourable

for

am

If I

be able to

station, as

sure

my

Why

and
21

not

If

it

were the

should have the same opinion.

country

is

be one before

life

ready and shall have to make

in the course of the business.

any other person

Yes,

have already made, and the dangers

sacrifices I

have incurred, and those which

and incur

motives

have strong claims on the gratitude of

love her, and as

shall certainly

reward for the

selfish

my

object, at least

first

her, as

love, the light of

rather believe

my

eyes,

and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

36

my

of

spirit

existence.

[1796.

wish more than for anything on earth to

There

place her in a splendid situation.

is

none so elevated that

she would not adorn, and that she does not deserve, and
that not

Truth

truth

is

one who knows

only, but every

she

my

is

first

would go hang myself

human

for the

God's truth of
I
it

woman, and,

not enjoy?

am

my

Well,

it,

stomach.

March
I

2%th.

and

not,

is

no regulator

my

is

a thousand times too good for me, and

so infinitely better that

is

For

am

all

that

have said

will

be judged by Whitley Stokes, and

who

are three fair

and

men and
;

now have

only observe, on looking over

shall

But then

this

it,

man would

wish to

damn'd manifesto

sticks in

as pretty a negotiator as a

see of a summer's day.

my

sacrifice the

would

P.,

this day's journal,

think

Well, there

great merit into the shade.

Peter Burrowes, and P.

that

what unspeakable good fortune

wife dearly, and that is the

if so,

do love

and she

of her and myself here,

done

she were to despise me,

if

not very bad neither, but then she

throws

that

like Judas.

believe

heart like the certainty of possessing the affections

of an amiable

do

No

would, she would despise me, and,

if I
I

But would

object.

interests of Ireland to her elevation

her, will agree as to that.

Well, " Tis but in vain" &c.

'

Went

to the opera, as usual, like a fine gentleman.

always go to that theatre, because, as

understand music

yet, I

Pa?iurge. Superb spectacle.

better than French.

Madame

singer of the men,

Lays, the best

Madame

Maillard of the women,

Pontriel extremely pretty, with something foolish in the expression

of her countenance
actress

Mademoiselle Gavaudan an excellent comic

Dufresne an admirable actor and sings tolerably

others middling enough.

Dancers.

Vestris certainly the

Females

Nivelon, Deshayes, Goyon, &c.

the

all

first,

then

Clotilde, a fine figure

with an infinity of grace and execution, but wants, as the French

tell

me, the aplomb, as they

call

it,

after executing a difficult passage.

it till it

was pointed out

to me, but

something of a judge myself

immobility of posture

that

is,

For

my

now

did not observe

beginning to grow

Perignon and Chevigny admirable

dancers,

and of merit so exactly equal that

prefer.

They

are

part

am
I

know not which

both ordinary both in face and

figure,

to

but

^T.

THEATRICAL CRITICISMS.

33.]

37

manage themselves with such dexterity that nothing can appear

more graceful than they do in all their movements. Duchemin
pretty,

and dances very

Milliere as ugly as mortal sin, but

well.

a most charming dancer

believe

like her the

The

best.

Nothing could be executed with more

may say more classically, than the Pas Russe was to-

Parisians prefer Chevigny.

taste, or I

by Nivelon and
Haymarket is no

night

the

Once

Milliere.

King's theatre

for all, the

in

better than a barn of strollers beside the

Theatre des Arts, as to scenery, machinery, dresses, and decorations

but

in revenge, their singers (being

Italians) are far before

the French, who, on the other hand, excel the Italians, and
other nations, in their dances.

thing in

its

It is

all

impossible to conceive any-

kind more perfect than a grand ballet at the Opera of

an attention paid

Paris, and, indeed, in all their theatres there is

to the preservation of costume, even in the minutest points, very

far

beyond the English

theatres, where,

have seen myself, Mac-

beth, a Scottish chief of eight centuries ago, dressed in a very

spruce vest of scarlet regimentals, and a bag wig, in which he need

not be ashamed to show his face at

hour,

St.

James's, and where, to this

Hamlet the Dane, the son of Horwendillus,

by Kemble, from whom

black velvet full-trimmed

suit,

Elephant over his shoulder

fashion of

160,

and

is

exhibited, even

would expect better things,

where King John

in

a fine

with the ribbon of the order of the

his antagonist,

King

is

habited after the

Philip, confronts

him

a cocked hat and feather, and a coat and waistcoat of the

court fashion.

These absurdities the eye

is

in

last

never shocked with in

France, and they are as attentive to the appearance of the meanest

domestic as of the hero of the piece.

are equally correct

example,

for

not introduce a pair of

in

All the minutiae of the scene

a Grecian tragedy they would

handsome plated

carefully studied the antique,

They have
among the
have now said

candlesticks.

and whatever

is

graceful

moderns, and profited accordingly. I believe I

enough of the opera, to which the French are devoted a
All the theatres are as

full

la folic

every night as they can hold, and

have never seen an instance of what we

even a middling house.

call in

England a bad or

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

3 o8

March

My

"

29th.

ye Muses, was happily

time, oh

Am

me wherever I went."
do not know a soul

Phcebe went with

pitied here ?

great difficulty

always reading, and

perforce, there

which

liberty,

and that

Lord

oh Lord

is,

go

metaphysics

bed

at night as

do lead a dog's

life

of

resource

is

March

that,

cannot be

if I

is

from

Oh

apartment, which

was returning

was mounting the

here, that

it

my

it,

adapted to

is

necessary

is

return to

if I

when

when one reads

man

the nature of

to

finally

detest

beyond what

restraint

all
!

spent,

not to be sincerely-

of either profit or pleasure in

notwithstanding, a very neat one, as

and
I

much

not

is

infer, philosophically, that

which

by experience,

find,

speak the language with

live in taverns,

[1796.

the truth of

to gaol,

guillotine.

it

my

sole

the opera.

Went

30th.

de la Jeunesse

all

to-day to the Church of

the youth of the district,

St.

Roch, to the Fete

who have

attained the

age of sixteen, were to present themselves before the municipality

and receive

their arms,

were to be enrolled

and those who were arrived

at

twenty-one

in the list of citizens, in order to ascertain their

The Church was decorated with

right of voting in the assemblies.

the national colours, and a statue of Liberty, with an altar blazing

before her.

and the

At

the foot of the statue the municipality were seated,

sides of the

Church were

the parents and friends of the

with a crowd of spectators,

It

consisted of the Etat-Major of

district,

of the National Guards under

in the centre of the procession.

the sections composing the

filled

young men, leaving a space vacant

arms, of the officers of the sections, and,

who were

to

be presented.

of the troops of the

line,

and there was a great

of sabres before the municipality.

the

names of the two

finally,

of the

young men

The guard was mounted by

classes

When

pile of

veterans

muskets and

the procession arrived,

were enrolled, and,

in the

meantime,

the veterans distributed the arms amongst the parents and friends
and mistresses of the young men. When the enrolment was
finished,

an

officer

pronounced a short address to the youths of

sixteen, on the duty which they

honour of bearing arms

to be admitted.

owed

to their country,

in her defence, to

They then

and the

which they were about

ran amongst the crowd of spectators

"FETE DE LA JEUNESSEr

JET. 33.]

and received

some from

their mothers,

When

lovers.

and

their firelocks

moment
;

young

pression in the features of so

and

enthusiasm.

do not

wonder

at

the ex-

all,

many

of them
was in an
the miracles which the
females,

from the occasion.

at all

French army has wrought

above

soldiers, and,

many young

interesting

all

impos-

It is

the pride and pleasure in the countenance of the

the fierte of the

beautiful,

their station.

anything more interesting than the spectacle was

sible to conceive

parents

their fathers,

could observe, from their

they were armed, their parents and mistresses

embraced them, and they returned to

at that

some from

sabres,

and many,

309

When

in the contest for their liberties.

looked at the spectacle before me, and recalled to mind the

gangs of wretched
fetters,

recruits I

had seen

in Ireland,

was no longer surprised

and I think
are a brave people

and handcuffed,

the poor Irish

marching
at

in their

anything

it

would not be

impossible to bring them up to the enthusiasm of the French

least if

we have an opportunity we

satisfied

of

will try.

powerful effect of

the

public

directed, in the course of a revolution.

that,

during the ceremony,

accompanied by a

young men.
"

my

Atix armes, Czioyens."

that immortal

at

properly

spectacles,

should have observed

hymns were

civic

chanted,

dearest

It is

love

had heard the burst of

impossible to conceive the effect of

hymn, unless by those who have heard it at a

it is absolute enchantment.
This was a good

France

festival in

'the

am more and more

band, and joined in the choruses by the

full

wish

all

yet

day.

March

Blank

31st.

Not knowing what

to do,

I stroll

the bookstalls, and pick up military books dog cheap.

money

to spare,

trifle.

There are very expensive editions just now,

to lay out

money

could

make up

most excellent editions

The

ordinary price

pay

assignats, which, at

twopence.
Militaires,

Mary,
as

about
I

had

a famous French library for a

one chooses

if

and binding, but there are

of excellent works for half nothing.

in fine types, paper,

also

in

If

for a

duodecimo, bound,

is

fifty francs,

the present rates of the louis,

know,

will

she calls them

laugh at

my

no matter

is

about

collection of Etats

for

that

"

By Cots

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

may

providinch they

yused some time or

be

myself sometimes, but

am tempted

Poor Richard.

spite of

because

ot/ier."

laugh at them

because they are bargains, in

Never, says he, buy what you dorit want,

man

a bargain. I have known many a

it is

[1796.

ruined by buying

bargains.

April

Saw

1st.

Lounged about "cheapening old authors at a

inspected at the Tuileries by a general

very

fine troops,

such of them as

not grown up to

They

it.

This has a

dogs

little

much

shaken

but, after the spectacles

at that

explains

they are

all

are

of the

service, or

boys

my

less,

as

suppose, to the

faith in the force of disci-

they have certainly beaten both British and Germans

pline, for

wonder

are not very correct in their evolutions,

not near equal to the English, and

Germans.

The French

officer.

have seen

any old men past

right military age, with scarcely

like

stall."

a superb battalion of infantry, and a squadron of cavalry

it

The

which

see daily,

why need

Fete de la Jeunesse, for example, of yesterday

Discipline will not stand against such enthu-

at once.

was a witness to, and, I may say, as I felt myself. I

remember P. P. was always of that opinion too, though I doubted
it, which shows the
superiority of his judgment, and his more
accurate knowledge of the human character.
If we go on in
Ireland, we must move heaven and earth to create the same spirit
siasm as

of enthusiasm which
Irish character,

very possible.
drink,

see here

The

devil of

we can

he

a good

is

sort of sympathetic feeling

on

this score.

my

Query

that poor Pat

it is,

and the French are very

well as

and, from

observation of the

which so nearly resembles the French,

We

sober.

man

is

must

think

it

given to

little

rectify that as

that has no fault, and

have

which makes me the more indulgent

Would

it

have a good

explode

effect to

corporal punishment altogether in the Irish army, and substitute

a discharge with infamy for great

diet for lesser ones
in the

French army, and

soldiers, a

one of

faults,

believe there
I

and confinement and hard

is

would wish

no corporal punishment
to create a spirit in our

high point of honour, like that of the French.

their Generals

When

(Marshal Richelieu) was besieging a town,

he was tormented with the drunkenness of his army.

He

gave

MT.

THE COUNCIL OF FIVE HUNDRED.

33.]

any

out, in orders, that

suffered to

mount

who was

soldier

311

seen drunk should not be

and there was not a man to be

Drunkenness then induced a suspicion

to the assault,

seen in liquor afterwards.

them

of cowardice, which kept

effectually sober.

To

anecdote, and pregnant with circumstances.

It

is

a choice

There

return.

is

a great latitude in dress allowed both to the French officers and

soldiers,

which has demolished,

another of
tinet.
let

us

my

prejudices

fancy truth

compound

and a

for

as follows

much

circumscribed

was, on that score, a great mar-

between

lie

least,

P. P.'s

If there

opinion and mine, so

be a high point of honour,

of ardent enthusiasm, then discipline

spirit

discipline

may

or, at

may

which makes men machines)

(I

mean

that

be, in a great degree,

suffered to relax, and, a fortiori, the minutiae of dress to be neglected

but

exist, their

if

and

that point of honour

spirit

of enthusiasm do not

absence must be supplied by the force of discipline, and

becomes of
some importance. The French cavalry are armed only with sabres
and pistols, without carbines. I am glad of that, for I always
then, as part of the system, even the article of dress

thought carbines

have very
fire

of cavalry

The

useless.

little effect in

am

sure

system of the French, and

affair
is

goes forward

it

of infantry seems to

fire

comparison of the noise

will

is
I

The

nonsense.

it

me

to

makes, and the

arrne blanche

is

the

believe for the Irish, at least if our

be what

shall

recommend,

for

poor Pat

very furious and savage, and the tactics of every nation ought to

be adapted to the national character.

may answer

distance

Platooning at forty yards'

very well to the English and

phlegm, but as we have rather more animal

bayonet.

do not love playing

spirits, I

at long bullets.

To

wish to study the character of the French soldiers, and,

German

vote for the

conclude,
if

possible,

same spirit in Ireland, and, in a word, to make the

French army our model instead of the Prussian. I think P. P. will
allow that this is candid in me, after all the disputes he and I have

to create the

had on the subject of

first

In the afternoon went, for the

discipline.

time, to the Conseil des 500 (the

It is certainly the first

modated

the

room

is

assembly

mean,

in

dirty,

French House of Commons).

Europe, and the worst accom-

and

ill-contrived

the system

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

312

of speaking from a tribune in

worse by placing
orator's

back

is

itself

[1796.

made

bad, and they have

at the feet of the President (to

it

whom

are likewise very disorderly, which

they have had

it

is

field,

now

wonder

at the

six years' experience of public assemblies, but

and disorderly

extremely

plain.

As

in the Senate.

Nobody was what

to their appearance,

would

without powder, in pantaloons and boots.

mind of

meetings

my

in

the

it

was

many

the figure of the

me

strongly

old masters, the General Committee, at their famous

Back Lane.

this difference, that I

The resemblance was very striking, with

must say the General Committee looked

more

like

or, in

a word, like a legislative body.

gentlemen, and were ten times more regular and orderly,

of course, and, as

They were only on

found nobody to point out to

celebrated members,

me

business

the most

did not remain above half an hour.

whole, they looked more like their countrymen

Roman

in

call dressed,

From

room, and the appearance of the assembly, they put

in

said.

is

more as

same impetuosity that makes them redoubtable

the

the

turned) at one end of a very oblong room, so that

those at the lower end cannot possibly hear half of what

They

it

who

On

the

broke into the

Senate, than like the Senators assembled in their ivory

chairs to receive

them

nor can

I say,

as

the

Ambassador of

Pyrrhus did of the Senators of Rome, that they looked

like

an

very little matter what they look

Europe thus far, with their blue
pantaloons and unpowdered locks, and that is the main point the

But

assembly of Demigods.
like.

They have humbled

it is

all

rest is of little

April 2nd.
tells

me

Ireland

consequence.

Went

He

to-day to Clarke, at the Luxembourg.

he has been hunting

that he had a

in vain for a

proper person to go to

Frenchman tampered

with,

who was edu-

cated from a child in England, and spoke the language perfectly.

That, at

first,

he agreed to go, but afterwards, on learning the

penalties of the English law against high treason, his heart failed

him and he

declined.

Clarke went on to

tell

out saying whether

to

employ me

it

in the

This

me

is

that

bad.
if

However, there

is

no remedy.

the measure were pursued (with-

would or not) the Executive were determined

French service

in a military capacity

and

OPPOSED TO SYSTEM OF " CHO UANNERIE."

-ST. 33.]

that

313

might depend on finding everything of that kind settled to

I answered that, as to my own personal feelings,

satisfaction.
had nothing more to demand. He then wished I would give
him a short plan for a system of Chouannerie in Ireland, particularly in Munster, for he would tell me frankly the Government had

my
I

a design before anything more serious was attempted, to turn in a

parcel of renegadoes (or, as he said, blackguards) into Ireland in

order to distress and embarrass the Government there, and distract

them
if

in their

motions.

answered

was sorry

to hear

That

it.

a measure of that kind was adopted with a view to prepare the

minds of the people

it

was unnecessary,

for they

were already

suffi-

That it would
which would soon be suppressed, because the army (including the
only produce local insurrections,

ciently prepared.

militia) would, in that case, to a certainty, support the Government,

and every man, of any property, even those who wished for the

independence of their country would do the same, from the dread

of indiscriminate plunder, which would be but too likely to ensue

from such a measure as he described

that there

was another

thing very much to be apprehended in that case, and which, if I

was Minister of England, I should not hesitate one moment about,
and in which the Parliaments of both countries would instantly
concur,

viz.,

two

to pass

acts,

repealing those clauses which enact

that the militia shall only serve in their

own

country, and directly

them by

to shift the militia of Ireland into England, and replace

the English militia, which would serve to

most materially embarrass us.

That

if

awe both
all this was

insurrections suppressed, their inevitable effect,

countries,
so,

and

and those

grounded upon

all

would be to strengthen the existing GovernThat England would take that opportunity to reduce Ire-

historical experience,

ment.

land again to that state of subjection, or even a worse one, that she

had been

in before

1782,

and would bind

such a manner as to

make

all

her,

hand and

future exertion impossible

foot, in

in

which

supported by the whole Irish aristocracy, who

compose the Legislature, and who would sacrifice everything to
their own security.
That if France had nothing in view but to
distress England for the moment, undoubtedly what he mentioned,
she would be

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

314

however ruinous

to

might have that

Ireland,

[1796.

effect

but

if

the

Republic went on more enlarged views, and sounder policy, she

ought

That

moment,

not, for a

to give consideration to the scheme.

the main force were once landed, undoubtedly

if

right to set Ireland in a blaze at the four corners,

English Government, but that

make

to

was

satisfied

it

would be

it

and burn out the

would be ruinous

the measure he described precede the landing.

added, that, as to myself,

was ready

Finally,

one of ten men,

to be

if

the

French Government were determined to send no more. I also

begged him to remember that I gave this, with all due deference,

my

as

fixed opinion on a point which

had considered,

in conse-

quence of an idea of the same kind having been stated to

me by

Madgett, from the Minister.

my

being sent,

my

risk
I

Clarke began by saying that, as to

was not the idea of the French Government to

it

them
took
23,

He

serious consideration.

five days,

my

on

and, after

leave.

then desired to see

my

demanding
I

am

and March 22 and

2,

sorry to see, has got ground

me this morning that he has

who would fight, blood to the knees,

returned from his mission) told

against England, and that he thought

it

would be very serviceable

they were dispersed through the country.

referred him, for

opinion, to our former conversations on that head

undoubtedly,

was spread, the better

as

not be followed
worse.

tions of

all others,

he pleased.

and

fear

I
it

and that being once

see, clearly, that

for wishing to retaliate

La Vendee and

that will suffer,

my

and the English

effected,

opinion will

It will

will

conscience.

cannot

on England, the abomina-

the Chouans, but

be at the expense of poor Ireland.

my

be found to be so much the

will

have, however, discharged

blame France

my

thought,

but that the grand blow of the landing

near Belfast should precede

as

that

the business were once begun, the wider the flame

if

many more

in four or

This conversation explains what Madgett (who

got fifty-one Irish prisoners,

if

me

address, which I gave him, I

Vide Journal of February

this subject, which,

amongst them.)
is

That the objections

safety in that stage of the business.

had urged were of considerable weight, and that he would give

it

is

hard that

it

should

be she and not England

be glad of

it,

for

they hate us

^T.

33.]

MADGETT SANGUINE.

3i5

If these ragamuffins are

smuggled into the

next to the French.

country, local insurrections will ensue, the militia will obey their
officers, the bravest of our poor peasants will stand to be cut down,
and of those who run away, numbers will be hanged, and many
more sent aboard the fleet, to fight the battles of England, and the
Government will be so much the stronger not to mention the
;

mischief which will be unprofitably done, even to the aristocracy.

I

dislike all this very

much

be able to prevent

shall not

couid help myself, but

if I

At

it.

all

events,

fear I

my

have given

Poor Pat
I fear he is just now in a bad
Madgett tells me that Mr. W. Browne left Guise
with his passport eight months ago. So there is an end of that
business.
I hope in God he is, by this, safe with the girls at
Princeton.
How happy shall we be if ever we have the good
fortune to meet again
I suffer a great deal in this business

opinions honestly.

neighbourhood.

however, "'Tis but in vain for soldiers

April

He

is

complain"

Called on Madgett this morning by appointment.

%rd.

always

to

full

He

of good news.

me

tells

the marine force will

be seventeen ships of war, great and small, arms and

for 50,000

men

that

many

of the officers are

he believes not the general-in-chief.

"

Would I could

commission

see

it,

in the service of the

already named, but

All this

is

We

Hugh"

quoth blind

He

Republic.

&c,

artillery,

very good, but

my

then came to

asked me, as

here the representative of the Irish people, would

not

was

feel

it

beneath the dignity of that character to accept of a commission,

for,
I

as to the

French Government, they would give

pleased to demand.

answered that

me any

considered the station of

a French officer was one that would reflect honour on any one
filled it

that, consequently,

objection

that, besides,

on that

my

score,

rank

who

could have no possible

object was to ensure protection, in

case any of the infinite varieties of accidents incident to the fortune

of war should throw

very willing to risk

a traitor

me

my

into the

life in

that, as to rank,

it

the

was

hands of the enemy

field,

indifferent to me, as

doubt, but as soon as things were a

Ireland,

that

was

but not to be hanged up as

should obtain such a station

did not

reduced into order

little

in

in

that service as they

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

316

might think

merited

that, in the

meantime,

of the family of the general-in-chief, as

speaking a

[1796.

should wish to be

could be of use there,

French, to interpret between him and the natives

little

Government here thought proper to raise a corps of the

Irish prisoners, in which case I hoped they would entrust me with
the command.
Madgett asked me how many might be necessary
unless the

to form the cadre of a corps

hundred and

fifty it

answered

would be

we would mount them

Ireland

if

we could muster one

and as soon as we got to

sufficient,

we were

Just then

as hussars.

by the arrival of Fitzsimons, the priest, who has been

recommended by Prieur de la Marne to go to Ireland. Madgett
began to speak without reserve, but, for my part, I kept myself in
interrupted

generals, because "Dolus versatur in tmiversalidus."

very glad
deliver a

did so, for

common

see that he

He may

message.

is

damned

was soon

fool,

not

be honest, for aught

fit

to

know,

and may have the courage necessary, but he has not one grain of
I never was more provoked in my life, and the fellow was
pinning himself on me, though my manner was as cold and dry as
talents.

seems to have a reasonable assurance, resulting

possible, but he

Curse on him

partly from his extreme ignorance.

ing idiot

to such a

what

shall

do with him

damned dunce,

to speak of the measure

enough

to

keep

mouth

his

How

can

or entrust the safety of

itself,

for a

ladder-

explain myself

my

not

friends,

to a blockhead that has not sense

on his fingers ?

shut, or count five

Where

him up, and what sort of a fellow

recommend him ? If he judges him
capable, he is a fool
Damn him to hell I
if not, he is worse.
"
wish he was dead.
/ would fain have him die, split me I " Is not
the devil in hell did Prieur pick

must Prieur be

himself, to

this

most

terribly

provoking

for

What am

to

that he shall go.

how came Madgett

it

do

seems to be a thing settled

to priests as the worst of all possible agents,

the worst of

all

possible priests.

with such an ass

vulgar, ignorant,

and

It

is

we

How the

objected

and here

devil can

is

all

along

one who

is

communicate

impossible to conceive anything more

stupid.

there will suppose that

dilemma, and

in this cursed

not to interfere in time

If

he goes to Ireland, the people

are laughing at them, to send such a

^T.

IN A RAGE.

33.]

What

fellow.

Gog

will

think

know

how

not

Yes,

Gog

rot

him

God

readily to Mr. Fitzsimons.

3*7
will

to leave off abusing him.

to-day with Madgett, and please the Lord

of

my

Perhaps

mind.

simons' wheel,

may

be

if it

open

in

Well,

will tell

be able to put a spoke

not, as

fear

it

is,

too

specimen of his talents (because he amuses me)

to be

office

to dine

Mr. Fitz-

in

To

give a

There happened

vessel going to

be translated, and Mr. Fitzsimons made the following

to

You

"

have

will

guese fellows say

The despatches

are

all

making out what these Portu-

fine fun,

WROTE

those papers, pray,

Oh Lord

oh Lord

Yes, he

to laugh in his face.

pensity

felt

agent.

suppose he

will talk

"

Damn him

brought him across

me

sempiternally

Dinner

irresistible pro-

Irish,

by way of

What

the devil

Madgett

with

remarks on Fitzsimons, and,

thought

a pretty devil of an

is

Portuguese to the

keeping the secret.

should have choked, endeavouring to smother the

my

in English ?

of the Portuguese Ministry to the Governor of Rio

Janeiro written in English

began

am

him a piece

nephew, was carrying them to the

Sullivan, Madgett's

remark

such a rage

late.

some Portuguese despatches taken aboard a

Brazil.

his heart very

am

after dinner

after relating the anec-

dote of the Portuguese despatches written in English, told him

plump

would not hazard the safety of

my

friends in Ireland, nor

of the measure, by communicating with such an eternal blockhead.

Madgett

seemed inclined

at first

but the cause was too bad, and

to

make some defence

for

him,

was too determined, so he gave

him up, and assured me he should not go and there the matter
rests, but I think I will go to-morrow to the Minister, and tell him
I

a piece of

my mind

touching this said Mr. Fitzsimons.

leave nothing to chance.

mistaken

in

as cold as

The

him.
ice,

and

the broadest hints.

stiff

cannot conceive

fellow

Hang him

strange, however, that Prieur

satisfied to let

think

must go

must

Prieur could be

me

too, but I was

and would not understand
have taken up too much of my

as a Spaniard,
I

paper about him and his Portuguese written

be

how

was fawning on

and

De

la

in English.

Is

it

him pass on a business of such magnitude ?

to the Minister,

not

Croix and Madgett should

and make

it

a point that he shall

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

3i8

At

be stopped.
" that's

events,

all

not communicate with him,

will

After dinner walked for two hours

flat."

with Sullivan, talking red-hot Irish

lad,

and

April

like

him very

well.

Bed

[1796.

in the Tuileries

Sullivan

politics.

a good

is

early.

Called on Madgett at nine o'clock, in order to give

4t/i.

him, in cold blood,

my

determination as to Mr. Fitzsimons, who,

Madgett gone out of

indeed, does not understand Portuguese.

recruiting.
That is another scheme, which, as they are
managing it, I do not like. I will go to Clarke again to-morrow,
and protest against it, for I will not be accessory to spilling the
blood of my brave and unfortunate countrymen. Poor fellows
and it would be the bravest and best of them whose lives, if they

town

must be sacrificed, should be reserved for a better occasion. I will,

on my part, leave nothing undone to prevent the infinite mischief
which I see, in every point of view, resulting from introducing the
spirit

my

of Chouannerie in Ireland.

reasons against

morrow.

memorandum

my

Write

on paper,

it

think

in

I will

reasons, which are to be found in

of the 2nd, in the shape of

and

set off to give

Called, in
told

my

me

to

him

tell

it

was

my duty

had seen and

the mission on which it

that Fitzsimons,

conversed with, was absolutely unfit for

whom

way, at

him that

not a pleasant thing to speak hardly of anybody, but that

compelled

my

five or six short proposi-

them to Clarke.
saw
the Minister.
I
the Rue du Bac, and

tions,

go now and put

order to give to Clarke to-

was proposed to send him that, as to his principles and honesty,

had no reason to doubt them, but, as to his talents, he was
;

a downright blockhead (imbecile).

my

not commit myself, or

I

friends, or the cause, to a

found to be absolutely incapable.

did not

know him

at all

myself to recommend

He

then desired

do, for, in the

me

first

make myself

That, consequently,

me

he asked

The

told

him

could

person

whom

Minister replied, that he

then had

knew not a

to look for a proper person (which

place, I

know nobody,

no person

soul in Paris.
I

shall not

and, in the next,

I will

by a recommendation), for, that it was

absolutely necessary, he said, that the Government should be innot

responsible

formed of the actual

state of things in Ireland.

He

then asked

^ET.

SYSTEM OF CHO UA NNERIE " ABANDONED.

'

33.]

me, had

orders of

Camot.

not seen General Clarke

Well, said he,

I told

my

him

him

I told

was very happy to hear

" et

fespkre que ga

from him, and took

it

This short conversation took place

leave.

by the

had,

suppose he told you that the

preparations are making,

affair is in train, that

ira."

319

'

in the court of his

met him coming out of his bureau. From the

Minister I went to Clarke, whom I saw for two minutes, he being
I gave him
engaged with a general officer and his aide-de-camp.
my reasons, and he told me the plan was given up, which I am
where

hotel,

He

very glad to hear.

also said he

had not been yet able to

find

then mentioned that

had

a proper person to go to Ireland.

been with the Minister about Fitzsimons

incapable, and that

mentioned

was

that he

utterly

he might be taken

to him, lest

it

by surprise as to his appointment he then desired me

upon him every three or four days, and so we parted.

to call

heartily glad the system of Chouannerie

and
I

hope

am now

it

"

life.

Fie nportt,

as

Delicious weather, and

"

Poor

declare

representations against

am

all

as

Arabia, and that

much
is

art thou ?

if

ever

it.

truly
I

get

for this.

and dined alone.

solitary fly."

were

in the deserts of

hard in such a city as Paris.

In the evening,

alone here as

Bed at ten.
man" quoth Sancho Panza,

if I

The opera

" Well,

spectacle for me.

man

Well,

"

make me amends

Elysees,

Com/die Italienne;. no great things.

am

the world diverting themselves except

and what

moralist,

tvork

to

Champs

to the

usual,

I want

work enough

to Ireland I shall have

me.

my

am

the head,

in

absolutely idle for three or four days, and

weary of this
Strolled,

owing to

partly

is

knocked

is

"

who

is

only

the

Goa's blessings be about the

first invented sleep,

it

covers

all over like his cloak?

April

$th, 6th, yth.

April

Sth.

Blank

Blank

Blank

This

is

sad

Strolled to the Palais de Justice, the Westminster

Hall of Paris, because

have a sneaking kindness for the prowas so distinguished a member in my

fession of the law, of which I

own

country.

Saw

man

plank

tried for stealing a

story very well, and he had

a counsel

who made

defence for him, and spoke extremely well.

he told his

a very good

understood every

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

320

word of

which

his speech,

The jury made

one.

from what

evidence that

man was

that the point for

in

because

notion

the language

was their verdict and not his

was the intention of the culprit,
they believed he had no criminal
it

if

liked very well.

of

my

grounded

habited pretty

much

The

tribunal.
la

knighthood

and axes

in silver,

in

England,

the

emblem

public accuser, or attorney-general, was

after the

same fashion

the lawyers had no

discrimination of dress, which shows their good sense.

the

It is

America the judges alone are distinguished by their

and they are not disguised by that most preposterous and

in

absurd

all

judges,

Vandyck, with hats

and a tricolour ribbon round
a

their necks, like the collar of the orders of

to which were suspended the fasces

The

France, but that was

in

in black,

decorated with the national feathers,

of their functions.

did not think they

opinion on that consummation of

number, were dressed

in

law

criminal

and horror, the Revolutionary

iniquities

habits,

sup-

to consider

All which

much

so

same

retired to

but acted merely through ignorance, they are bound to

acquit him.

five

them

told

was admitted, that

as the fact
intent,

had

them

was a good

The judge

acquitted.

charged them with great moderation, and exactly

of the English law

it

They

did not stay for the event.

heard, the

is

a respectable appearance.

consider of their verdict, but

pose,

think

[1796.

of

all

human

the

inventions,

long

full-bottomed

wig.

Altogether, the appearance of the French tribunal criminal, and

was conducted, pleased me extremely.

I was astonished
Certainly every justice was done to the prisoner.
at the purity of his diction and politeness of his manner in a short

manner

the

in

which the

trial

showed
would hardly

discussion he had with the public accuser, who, on his part,

great lenity and candour.

am

conduct himself with the same

ners
is

but

let

talents, or, at least, the

Poor Pat

is

same man-

not to be despised because he

who knows what

capabilities. Went

not as polished as a Frenchman, and besides,

we may make
in

that pass.

afraid an

Irish thief

of

him yet?

He

has very pretty

the evening to see the Deserteztr, at the Theatre des Italiens.

Disappointed.
actors,

very

poor

performance

for the piece itself is inimitable.

speak as to the

Even Chenard, who,

in

/ET.

AT EASE.

33-]

general,

is

admirable, was very indifferent in Montauciel.

manner was dry and

how

to represent a

education,
so they

tion,

The

hard.

man

fact

drunk, which

is,

the French do not

is

owing to a defect

His

know

in their

no archetypes
of the manner in which

as they never drink hard, they have

for,

form some vague notions

man

a drunken

321

walks and speaks, but this

and the perfection of acting

is all

from the imagina-

copy nature.

to

is

If

Chenard

had the great advantage to spend two or three afternoons with

P. P.

very

and another person, who

much

shall

be nameless,

think

enlarge and improve his ideas as to the

it

might

manner of

By-the-by, the character of Montauciel, which

acting Montauciel.
is

so inimitably characteristic of the French soldier in the original,

is

miserably disguised on the English theatre

preserved, and,

must

say,

improved

but a subordinate and accidental

they have carefully

his drunkenness,

trait in

which

suffered his gaiety, his fierte, his carelessness of manner,

high

spirit totally to

more appropriate or
Dragoon, as
observe.

and you take

it.

But

the present, and, besides,

is

I.

is

inimitably drawn.

nothing but a drunkard

his

French

believe there

am

is

sleepy.

22

VOL.

Skirmish,
;

take

away

Montauciel can maintain

his existence.

END OF

VOL

and

no character on earth

better discriminated than that of a

In that view Montauciel

himself without

is

have myself had one or two opportunities to

the Montauciel of England,

his bottle,

There

evaporate.

is

France, and they have

I.

enough of

criticism for

SHje rctrtiam Pteau,

CNWIN BROTHERS,
CHILWOP.TH AND LONDON.

Date Due

29

JAN

JAN

tone

6
|

UJG

2^

199 7

BOSTON COLLEGE

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