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BOSTOK:

«^AflOE, FRANKLIN STREET.

1868.

"K.

Entered according to Act of Congress, In the year 188S^

Bt PATRICK DONAHOB,

In fbo Clerk's OfRce of the District Conrt of the DlBtrict of MasBaehasetta

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BTEnBOTYPiHa,
8 SPBUCB 8TU££T, M. T.

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ffl

PREFACE.

In offering this volume to the public, a few words of explana-
tiou are deemed necessary, not so much for its appearance, as for
the arrangement of its contents,

Ab to its appearance, the state of Irish aftairs calls for some
record, and as, owing to peculiar circumstances, the nearest ap-
proach to a perfect chronicle which can now be offered, is an
account of those who brought about the crisis and are gdlanUy
stn;ggling through it, the present form was adopted.

The arrangement is not entirely what might be desired by a
strict chronologist; but as the data had to be obtained from
widely scattered references and correspondents— the friends or
families of those commemorated— and as the pages went to the
press when written, it was found impossible to follow perfect
chronological order. As a general rule, the characters are grouped,
as they acted tc-ether, and thus help to illustrate each others
lives; and a slight hint will enable the reader to follow the his-
tory of the Irish struggle in a direct course, and to fill up, so to
speak, the outline given in the Historical Introduction.

Thus (1) in addition to what is said there of the effort in '48
tlie sketches of Doheny, Meany, O'Mahony and Stephens, fur'
ther illustrate the doings of that period. (2) Mr. Luby's
notice of Philip Gray gives the efforts which imine-
m

4 ^ PREFACE. '

diately followed the scattering of ** Young Ireland." (G) The
sketch of J. O'Donovan (Rnssa) presents tlie rise of tlie "Phoe-
nix Society;" while the progress of the Fenian Brotherhood, and ^
the more recent events — risings, aiTcsts, escapes and trials — con-
nected with it, are narrated with intelligible fullness in the noticea
of the respective heioee and maityrs of the most historical trans-
actions.

No effort has been spared to secure and present the most
autlientic data. The tiles of the Dublin Irishmav^ Nation, and
Cork Herald, and those of the New York IrisJi People, Irish-'
American, and Boston Pilot, have been found useful, especially
when their reports and statements were corroborated by competent
witnesses, or indorsed by actors in the scenes related. A quantity
of interesting personal and political history has been placed at the
disposal of the writer by associates and relatives of many of the
heroes and martyrs, of which free use has been made to give
value to these pages. Among those to whom special thanks are
due, are General John O'Neill, for official documents ; Colonel
O'Connor, Captains O'Rorke, Condon, and Conyngham, and
Messrs. T. B. Henessey, (of Boston,) Walter M. J. O'Dwyer,
M. J. Heffeman, Wm. J, McClure, M. Moynahan, D. O'Sullivan,
and M. Cavanagh, of New York.

J. S.

(S) The
he «'Phce-
rhood, and
rials — con-
the noticea
deal trans-

tho most
atlon, and
pie, Irish-

especially
competent
A quantity
aced at the
lany of the
ide to give
thanks are
s ; Colonel
5ham, and

O'Dwyer,
O'SulUvau,

J. S.

.: 'S

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

IBISH PBmciPLES AND ENOU8H INTEnKST.

The Stuart Policy to Create an Englleh Interest in Ireland-Compllrations
Growin... out of Confiscations- Alliance of the IriBh with the Stnarts-All
Enghsh Parties Against the Iri«h-Tho Penal LawH-Protestant Patriots-
Swift, Molyneux and Lucas-Theobald Wolfe Tone puts Iri.h Politics
on the Proper Basis-Revolution of '82 a Failure-Protestants, Dissen-
ters Catholics-United Iri.hmen-War of '98- Patriotic Priest-CJenerala
-ihe Union," Dr. Johnson and Byron on-Thc Irish Exiles n Franco
-Buonaparte and Talleyrand-Emmet's Rebellion -Davis on Catholic
Emancipation and Repeal-O'Connell and Grattan-Young Ireland-

Davis-IrishConfcderation-The Famine and Coerclon-Mitchel and the
itiBUig of '48

CHAPTER II.

IRISH PRfNCrPLES AND ENGLISH INTBnEST-Confmwcrf,

Did Young Ireland Achieve a Victory-Tho released Prisoners and the Ex-
lies at work- Continuous eftorts to keep up a National Organization-
The Feninn Bro,herhood-Its Beginning and Extension-First Congress
at Chicago -Declarations and Purposes -Not a Secret Society-The Poles
and the Pope-0'Mahony elected Head Centre under the New Constit,,-
ReLfrih p"""''f '^\^^'«""°«ti- -Growth of the Brotherhood-
Repor of the Envoy to Ireland-Council Enlarged -State of Affairs in
Ireland-The L R. B.-James Stephens and his Connection wiU the
Organization-Extensive Disafiections-Seizure of the lu.h People and

Phi, fri'~^r't "" °''' '''' Country-Third Fenian Congre s lu
Plnladelphia-Mr. Meehan's Report-Constitution of the F. B. changed-
D fleiH^nces betvveen the '-President" and the "Senate" result fn an
- Irish Party" and a " Canadian Party"-Fourth Congress restores he OM
Constitution, endorsed by Military Convention-Excitement in Ireland
incroascs-Arrest and Escape of Stephens-Lord Wodehouse on tl^ ion

li: l^r n ""^T'' '"* ''''' ""'^^« *h^ ^"^-^ ^-''-^- i.^ SUSP ndedl"
' T 7 !n ^"T'" -^"'^" ^"^'^ ^'""'-^ Mill-The Irish Members
-John B. Dlllon-The O'Donoghue-Passage of the Bill T. . 61

CHAPTER III,,

THE INSUKRECTION IN IRELAND-AMERICAN STMPATHT

ElTect of the Suspension of the Habeas Cnrpns~The News in Amertca-
Arrrlval of Stephens in New York-0'Mahony retires-InvrBioTor

6 " • Contents.

Can/ida-Thfl Canadian Party Dlnrnpt StophonB' 1PIan«--tHs WlHufcifJ •
Failure— Uinltitf In Kcsrry— Hnarchlni;vnHRnlH for Kunliins— Omieral ItiHiir.
rectlonary MovemeiitH In Irnliind- Proclamation of rroviMlonal Oovcrn-
mont— UlotB Amnnj^ tho Sol(iierH— MasHey iMstrayw tiici Movoinont— Irlnii
Party in America-Fifth Con^roBB in Now Yorli-(Jreat MeotinR In
Union Hquaro— liCttor from Mayor IlofTman— Ni!f,'otlation8 for Union—
The CauHo in U. 8. ConfrosH -Bosolutloni! of Sympathy reported by
Gen. BanitB— Hpeeches and Vote on It-Tlie Queen declaren Irolimd
Tranciuil and thcs People Loyal— Contradicted by Mr. MonHcll and Mr,
Brl^'ht— Hoinarlcal)le Speech of Mr. Monsoll— Bri>,'ht declares that Ireland
Bhonld not be TraiiquU— Sixth National CongroBB held in Now York-
Savage eloctud Chief Executive— RemarkH

«u

TIB ANCIENT FENIANS.
The Fenians— Who Were They— Their Dutlea, Manner* and CuBtomB—
Tho OsBianlo Society t. »«#»•• •ift>«««*«>««««*>«**«««»M*>««*«*«****** Iw

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOURKa
Bmmot and Bourke— MovementB of Bourke'B Family in America and
Canada -At Business- A Family Picture— Joins the Fenian Brother-
hood after the War— At tho Third CongresB— Success as Organizer for
Manhattan DiHtrlct— Resigns— Why he Went to Ireland— Assigned to
tho Tipporary District— Tho Rising- Captured at Ballyhurst Fort— In-
dieted for High Treason— Trial— Evidence of the Informors Massey and
Corydon— Great Speech In the Dock— Touching Letters to his Mother -
Description la his Cell

lat

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY.
Birth and Youth— A Printer —Famous Printers— Starts thoNashvlllo nemo.
cr«t— Files from Tennessee for his Union Faith— Joins the Army in Cin-
cinnati— Wounded— Promoted— Signal Officer on General Thomas' Staff
—Health Broken— Enters the Fenian Cause— First Military Eiuoy to
Ireland— On Tour of Inspection— Supervises Stephens' Encape— Labors
In America-Difference with Stephens -Re turns for the Fight in Ireland
—Letter on the Alms of the "Provisional Government." ,. 103

CAPTAIN JOHN M'CAFFERTY.
Arrested— Tried— Half-Alien Jury because he Is an American— Acquitted
—Envoy from Ireland to America— Address at the Great Jones' Wood
Meeting In New York— Goes Bock -The Affair at Chester— Second Ar-
rest-In the Dock- Corydon's Evidence— Found Guilty— Speech In the
Dock-In his Cell J??

COLONEL- JOHN J. O'CONNOR.
Bom on Valentla Island- Emigrates to America— Runs off and Joins the
Union Array—Long Service— Promotion— Gallant Action at Spottsylva-
nia— Wounded at Cold Harbor— First Lieutenant— Captain— Seriously

CONTENTS.

WonnflorT \((H\n at Potrtwunr;?— tn romm(in(t of his nnjrJiticnt-Wr.e-
torod Out -(J()u>4 to Iroliui.l— ()r,'iuiizoH Korry-Tlio UIhIiil,' -Stiit.'in«at
In the Iloiirtoof I^rds-iloportor ArroatodforToloijmphtnir Mllltiiry Dig-
aff.M-tloim-O Connor sont to Amorica-IIU AildrMua to the Public— Or-
ganizing Tour.,., ... ,. ...,,, ,.,.....

104

CAPTAIN MORTIMER MORIARTf,
First Ponfftn Organizer In Oanada-Arrested Qalag to Canipo Bollo-Es-
capo8-Ooo« tolroland-ln K.Try-Arr.)Htod on his Way to Tako Com-
niand-Oaune of hia Arrest-Wlmt Followod-Trlal-Evldonce of the Spy
Talbot-Found Guilty-Sontonce ^..„».*...», ...200

JOSEPH NOONAN.

fOntwlth O'Connor'^— Arrostodln London -Marvolous Escape ftora hit
Captors-Ro-Arreatod at Athoratana-Brought to Dublin -Itlot In Klliar-
noy— Trial— Sentence.

218

CAPTAIN MICHAEL ORORKE.
♦' 0' Rorko. alias Boecher "-Blrth-Pamily Kmljfrate to New York-M.-m-
orieb of the Boy Make him a Robol-Jolna the Phcenlx Brlfjade— Entura
the United Statea Service -Irish Lei,'ion-8ad Scone at the Battle of
Spottaylvanla-Hla Father Klllod-Takon Priaoner-Muaterod Out-Ooea
to Ireland -Ilia Duties in England and Ireland -Narrow Eacape from
Oorydon— Sent to No w York

223

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT,
Birth-Early -Writings for the Proaa-Publiahoa a Vohime of Poema at Six-
teen-0'Connoir8Reporter-E.^tabli8hea the Irish National Magazine-
la the Clnha-On the Irish. Trihwie-Bromn and Meany Teat the Bight
of the Police to Sell the National Journaia-Arreatcd Under the Suspen-
sion of Habeas Corpus, ISW-Reloased -Journalla-.n -Emigrates to the
United Statea -Editor of the Toledo (Ohl ) Commercia/-Centre-At the
Third Congresa-A Senator-Address to the Parent Trunk of Feninniara
—Resolutions at Jonea' Wood -Goes to England -Arrested -Tried for
Treaaon-Felony-Pino Speech in the Dock-Expoaes Overtures Made to
Him to Betray the Fenians— Sentenced 231

" CAPTAIN P. J, CONDON.
Ifonth and School Days-Emigrates to Amerlca-Entera the Army-In the
Irish Brigade-Goea to Iroland-Arrested-Correapondence with U. S.
Consul-Liberated— Goes a Second Time to Ireland-Arrested Airain—
Tried— Acquitted

254

PETER O'NEILL CROWLEY. JOHN EDWARD KELLY, CAPTAIN

JOHN McCLURE.
Three Fenians give Battle to the Waterford Column and Police-Sketch of
Peter O'Neill Orowley— Martyrdom of hia Uncle, Father O'Neill— Tlw

CONTEM-S.

Mnrtyr'B Heir— His High CTiaracter— Sketch of John Edward Kelly—
Goc'f to Echool in Haliiax— Emigrates to T3oston — BeccmeB aPilnter—
Joint ihe Fenians in New York— Passion for Mil'tary knowledge— In-
structs the Emmet Guards in Boston— Goes to Irelanu—iiiiLtary Instruct-
or in Cork— Views on Irish Eevolution— Duties as Agent of the I. R. B.
—Plans at the Time of the Rising— Sketch of John McClure— Native of
New York— Joins the 11th N. Y. V. Cavalry— Service— Mustered Gut —
Goes CO Ireland— Attacks Knockadoou Station- Crowley, Kelly and Mc-
Clure ii) the Mountains— Fight in Kilcloony Woods— Capture of McCJure
anrl K(-lly— Death of Crowley— His Funeral— Popular SymT^athy- Mc-
Clure and Kelly in the Dock— Manly Speeches— Sentence 2C1

MICHAEL DOHENY, GENERAL MICHAEL CORCORAN, JOHN
O'MAHONY, JAJVIES STEPHENS.

Sketch of Michael Doheny— Youth at the Plough— Desire for Knowledge—
,;itudie8 Greek anU Latin— Life in London— Writes for the Press— Admit-
ted 10 the Bar— National Orator !n the O'Connell Movements— Joins
Young Ireland Party, and Writes for the Nation and rribvne—
Escap-iP to France and Comes to America— Life in New York- Hopes for
Trcland— Death. Sketch of General Corcoran— Son of a Half-Pay Officer
—In the Constabulary— Emigrates to America— Joins the 69th N. Y. S.
M. -Orderly Sergennt, Lieutenant, Captain— Complimented hy the In-
spector-General— Elected Colonel— Refuses to Parade the 69th in Honor
of the Prince of Wales— Court-Martialed— Breaking Out of the Rebellion
—Advises the 69th to go to the War— Court-Martial Qutished, and Popu-
lar Applause— Services of the 69lh— Crrcoran Captured ai Bull Run— In
Prison— Held as Hostage for a Privateer— Cabinet Council on Exciianj^e
of Prisoners- Liberated— Great 0\ation— In "-e Field Again with the
Irish Legicn— Defeats Pryor and Baffles Longi^u-eet-Defence of Washing-
ton— Death. Sketch of John O'Mnhony— Porition in M8— What Influ-
eiiced his Political Career— Hereditary Disputes Between the O'Mahonys
and the Earls of Kingston— Death of O'Mahony's Father— Leaving the
Family Residence at Kilbenny— First Ideas on the Land Question— Shel-
tevs th3 Young Ireland Outlaws— Joined by Savage- The " Reaping of
Moiilough "—Risings in Septtmber- Projects the Release of OBrien—
Perilous Escapj— To Wales— To France. Sketch of James Stephens-
Civil Engineer— In Kilkenny in '48— Takes Charge of O'Donohue en
rnt te to Smith O'Brien— Remains with the Latter— At Killcnanle and Bal-
Hngarry- On the Hills— Escnpes to France— O'Mahony and Stephens in
Paris—Join a Revolutionary Sciety— O'Mahony a Gaelic Tutor- Ste-
phens the French Trans' tor of Dickens- O'jUahony Goes to America—
Stejdiens to i. ir.nd— Arrested- Repudiates British La.v i:efore the Mag-
istrates-Escape from Prison— In America— Retirement— O'Mahony De-
fines his PiCecnt Position

280

TH^.Mi».S CLARKE LUBY.
ioins Young Ireland In M8, and Gives up his Worldly Prospects— In a
Kaw Movemen! ii '49- Arrested— Paaiotism vs. Family Patronage— Na-

ooNTEjrrs.

ttom Jonrrallsm-TravolB with Stephens-Appearances In PufcHc-
V eifcs America-The IrM People Svi^ed-Arrested-The Special Com-
mi slon the First Since the Trial of Emmoi, In Dublin-Speech in the
^ock- Repudiates Assassination -Sentence -Interesting Sketch of

Phihp Gray by Mr. Luby ^ o,,

• 317

PHILIP GRAY.

Remain, in the South after '48-With O'Mahony and Savage-Hardships-

328

JOHN O'LEAEY.

''" Arconl? Vl!r7~'^'"l^ I^fluences-O'Leary a Man of Moans
-At Colk-ge^-Goes to France-To America- Returns to London and

/.t "Tr!"'^"'''™ ''^ ^'"'"^'^ Cause-Spreading the Fenian OrgaM
zation-The /n,/,, Peoj>ie~TM Sagacity with which it was Conducfed-
Arrested-In Court-The Tral-Speech in the Dock-Sentence.. ".!.. . 336

JEREMIAH O'DONOVAN (ROSSA).
^'''"i?.^?''^ Struggles-Goes to Skibbereen-National Views of Rossa
andM Moynaban-Starts the Pha-nix Society-Its Character and Pro!
gress-Scares the Peace-Mongers-Eevival Throughout Cork and Kerry
-Members of the Society Arrested-Mr. O'Sullivan (Agreem) Convicted
-Cork Prisoners offered Liberty, but Refuse Unless Agreem is Liber
ated also-Ros.a Prevents Illumination for the Prince of Wales-Pa
rades for the Poles-Comes to New York-Returns- A Manager of ^e

st. T'^v "■''^"^~'^""'-^''''"^« Himself-Detiance of the Court
-Special Vengeance on Him-Uarsh Sentence-Cruel Treat mentTn
Pnson-Notices of Captain William O'Shea, Mortimer 7Ioynahan, Colo-

nelP.J. Downing and Colonel D.J. Downino- " ..

° «j44

CHARLES JOSEPH KICKHAM.
His Family-Sad Accident when a Boy-A Sludent-His Love of Rural •
Sports-ln the Cabins of the Poor-Forms a Club in '4&_Literature
-Espouses Keogh's and Sadlier's Tenant-Right Party-Treachery of tie
Leaders-Literalure Again-Becomes a Fcnian-Arrest-Trial-Defen s
Bimself-Speech in the Dock-Scntence-Cruel Treatment in Prison ! 353

DENIS DOWLING MULCAHY.

Sonol a Patriotic Tarmer-Fenian Propagandist-Studies Medicine-H's
Fine Api>carnnce-Arrosted-Tnal-Spc.ch in the Dock-Colloquy with
the Judi,e- Guilty-Sentcnce-Suflerings in Prison-Writ of Error .... ggg

JOHN FLOOD, EDWARD DUFFY, MICHAEL CODY
Flood Arrested with McCflerty-Aids to Release Stephens-Position in
he Organization. Dnlly Arrested with Stephens-Sick in Prison-
L,berated-Re-Arrested and Identified-Trials -Flood, Duffy and Cody
found Guilty-Their Speeches in the Dock-Sentences o,^

1» <»'*

0ONTENT8.

GENERAL JOHN O'NEILL.
Birth— Local Inspiration at Clontibret— Emigrates to U. S.— At Basiness—
Military Loaniny:B— Goes to tlie Mormon War— The Rebellion-Ser-
vices In— Promotions— Military Instructor— Lieutenant of the 5th In-
diana Cavalry— His Dash— Whips Morgan's Men at Bufflngton Bar— Sick
— Pigliting Again— Resigns— Romantic Marriage— A Fenian— The Repre-
sentative Man of the Canadian Party— The Invasion of Canada— He
Commands the Expedition— Battle of Ridgeway— Conflict at Port Erie
—Not Supported— Arrested by U. S. Authorities while lie-crossins 383

DECL.\RATIONS IN THE DOCK.
Moore, the Pikomaker -John Haltigan— Bryan Dillon— John Lynch— Jere-
miah O' Donovan— Thomas Duggan— Charles Underwood O'Connell— J.
B.S.Casey ("TheGaltee Boy ")— Michael O'Regan— John Kinnealy—
James O'Connor— C. M. O'Keeffe— Cornel 'us O'Mahony— C. Dwyer
Keane— Martin Ilanly Carey- Daniel O'Connell— William Francis Roan-
tree— Patrick John neyburnc— James Flood— Hugh Francis Brophy—
Patrick Doran— M. A. O'Brennau 39g

SWORD AND PEN.
Captain J. A. Geary— In the War— Starts a Circle in Lexington— Goes to
Ireland— His Wit Saves Him from Arrest in Dublin— Shoots a Head Con-
stable who Attempts to Arrest Him in Limerick— Sheltered by the
Priests— Arrives in New York -At Ridgeway. Captain Jas . Murphy—
In the War- Goes to Ireland-Ar-ested— Released— Re-Arrested— False
Imprisonment— Comes Back to America. Arrested. John K. Casey
(" Leo")— Arrested— Opinions of his Poetry John Locke (" The Southern
Gael")— His Talents and Nationally— Arrested— The "Council of Ten"
Arrested— Names of the Members. Arthur Forrester. Gen. Fariola-
List of School-Masters Active Fenians 421

DARING ESCAPES.
John Kirwan— In Papal Brigade— An Active Fenian Centre— Wounded at
Tallaght— Arrested— Placed in the Meath Hospital— His Escape from it.
Colonel Leonard Takes Part in the Drogheda Rising— Mysterious Ap-
pearance ill a House, and Escape from it— Arrest of Colonel T. J.
Kelly and Captain Dacey in Manchester— Remanded— Crowds in Court
—Driven oflF in the Prison Van Handcuffed and Guarded by Police—
The Police and Mob Defeated— The Van Broken Open and the P-isun-
ers Released. Wild Excitement. Captain Dacey. Captain Lawrence
O'Brien— Goes to Ireland— Arrested— Committed for Trial— Bold and
Mysterious Esf^pe from Clonmel Jail 433

CRUISE OF THE "ERIN'S HOPE," 443

WILLLAM J. NAGLB AND JOHN WARREN.
Arrested— Position as American Citizens— What is Citizenship 450

ill

THE STRUGGLE FOR IRISH NATIONAUTT.

■*♦►-

CHAPTER I.

IRISH PEmCIPLES AND ENGLISH INTEEEST.

The Stuart Policy to Create an English Interest In Ireland-CompHcatlons

S m!, "'"T '''' '"^'^-^'^^ ^^°^' Laws-Protestant Patriotf-

? ooerBa iri"" '"f ^"^^^-^h^^bald Wolfe Tone puts Irish Politics on the
Proper Bass-Revolut.on of '82 a Failure-Protestants, Dissenters, Catholics
-United Inshnaen-War of '»8-Patriotic Priest-Generals-The "Union "Dr
Johnson and Byron on-The Irish Exiles in France-Buonaparte and Tklley
rand-Emmet^s Rebellion-Davis on Catholic Emancipation andRepealL
OConnell and Grattan -Young Ireland-Davis-Irish Confederation-The
Famine and Coercion-Mitchell and the Rising of '48.

" Eighty-two" and " Ninety-Eiglit » stand out prom-
inently in Irish history. The last quarter of the
eighteenth century is a monumental era— recording
the achievement of the legislative independence, the
horrors of the civil war, and the extinction of the
Irish Parliament. Few, save students of history, look
beyond these great events; but, through the two cen-
turies previous, there was enacted a wild and fero-
cious, a romantic and remorseless history in the de-

PENIAN HER0E9 AKD MAHTTES.

'if :

voted island. The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries
are deeply, horribly saturated in Irish blood. But the
conflicts cannot reasonably be accounted national, al-
though they were at times characterized by patriotic
motives and elements. They were the natural re-
sults of the extermination of the native Irish, and the
planting of their inheritances by the adherents of
James the First and his successors— those Stuarts,
whose primal idea was to create and sustain "an
English interest in Ireland." This was the touch-
stone of the Stuart policy, which was to be furthered
and fostered, at all hazards, by every intrigue, and the
sacriiice of every vow and tie, religious, legal and polit-
ical.

The wars which grew out of these land questions,
together with the risings and revolts of a more
avowed patriotic character, became as frequent, as
complicated, as inveterate, as treacherous and bloody
as a number of rival parties, all hating each other,
and each ready to join the English to weaken the
others, could make them. Thus the English Protest-
ants and English Catholics in Ireland alternately feared
and hated the English ascendancy, according as it was
manifested by a Cromwell or a William of Orano-e in
opposition to the Catholics, or by a Charles the Se-
cond or a James the Second in supposed oiDposition to
the Protestants, but who were actually intriguing to

MM)

HISTORICAL INTEODtJCTIOir.

conciliate them. While the English Protestants and
Catholics were thus afraid and watchful of each
other on religious grounds, as the Government pa-
tronized or persecuted them respectively, they had,
at the same time,, an identity of interest in hating,
watching, and uniting against the natives.

On the other hand, the memory and result of con-
fiscations and pillage had overcome, if they had not
totally swept away, all the tolerant amenities which
a common religion might be supposed to protect.
The Irish Catholic hated the English Catholic as
much as the English Protestant feared both. Tlie
old Irish were jealous of, and would not coalesce with,
the Irish of English descent; while distrust on every
Bide created and excused unnatural apathy, where it
did not inspire ignoble treachery. But for these
feuds and follies Cromwell could not have struck
terror throughout the island, sacrificing not only the
Irish, but the Catholics of English extraction, who were
not less antagonistic to the older natives than himself.
As Cromwell beat the Stuarts in the field, so did
he outshine them in the magnitude of his confisca-
tions. He signalized it by blood and tears in the
four provinces. He extended tlie Plantation of Ul-
ster, divided Leinster and Munster among his soldiers
and money-lenders, and sent those he had not time to
massacre to " Hell or Connaught."

14 FENIAN IIEK0E8 AND MAETYE8.

Oliver's death and tlio Restoration of tlie Monar-
chy and the Stuarts, brouglit some uneasiness to tlie
Puritan settlers. Tlie Loyalists who had lost their
properties supporting the Stuart cause in Ireland,
claimed the restitution of their estates. This would
have been just, but it would also have interfered with
the establishment of an "English interest in Ireland,"
by giving power and influence into the hands of Irish
Chieftains. These land claims were subjected to te-
dious routine, forms, equivocation, and fi'nally an Act
of Settlement, which, passed by a Parliament from
which Catholics were excluded, naturally ignored all
interests save those of Protestants.

Thus the unfortunate and beggared Catholic cava-
hers who had supported Charles the First, were denied
recognition or restitution when his dynasty was restor-
ed. The successful enemies of Charles beggared the
Irish Catholics for supporting him. The successful
friends of Charles kept them in beggary. A compli-
cation of circumstances still controlled the destinies of
these insulted people to the Stuart interest; and they
had the further ill-fate of shedding more blood, and
freely spilling their own for that ungrateful race in tho
succeeding reign. Their wrongs and their errors forc-
ed them to join with James the Second, because the
Cromwellians (as the settlers under « the Protector"
and their descendants were called) and Protestants

HISTORICAL INTRODUOTION,

espoused the cause of William, to save their holdings
in Ireland, already put in jeopardy by tlie repeal of
the Act of Settlement, under which they liad revelled
in the forfeited estates of the Irish victims of the four
previous reigns. The exigencies of the English planter
«ird Cromwellian land-owner gave hope to the ejected
Irish Catholic, and he attached himself to the fortunes,
or rather, as it proved, misfortunes of James, not
through any great faith in him, or love for him ; but
simply because it was the only opportunity of striking
a blow at the English interest, as represented by the
adheients of William of Orange— that very English
interest which it was the subtle purpose of J ames him-
self to perpetuate. Through a consciouRuess of the
double part he was playing, James, while he threw
himself on the faith of the Irish, was so distrustful of
them, coupled with the desire to conciliate some of the
Protestant leaders, that he disbanded several Irish re-
giments soon after his arrival. He was a mean and
irresolute leader, seeking to achieve by a self-delusive
vacillation, which he thought diplomacy, the power
he should have grasped by an assured victory. No
better indication of his character is needed than that '
given by Sarsfield on the retreat from the Boyne, when
James's distrust of his adherents breaking forth, the
Irish officer exclaimed : " Exchange but kings, and we
fight the battle over again."

f»

FENIAN HEROEa AKD MAKTYRS.

Tho precipice upon wliicli tlio Englisli interest in Ire-
l^md stood during tlio Willianiite war, and until the
IrcHtj of Lmiorick, warned it against being found in
such a dangerous position in any futnre Jn.ergencv.
To prevent tlio possibility of a recurrence, tho PenLl
laws were established-a code whieli, as a deep stu-
dent and shrewd political pliilosoplier of Irisli birth
wlio devoted In's life and intellect to tho glory of Encr!
land, Edmund Burke, said, "was a machine of wi"o
and elaborate contrivance, as well fitted for tho oppres-
sion, impoverishment and degradation of a people, and
the debasement in them of human nature itself as
ever proceeded Irom tho perverted ingenuity of man »
This terrible legal extermination of tho Irish emanated
less from intolerance than inhumanity, for the con-
trivers were too crafty to be fanatics, and only heart-
less and remorseless enough to be despots, in tho widest
and meanest acceptation of tho term. Intended to
send all Catholics to tho grave, the Penal Code took
hold of them in tho cradle.

The children of Catholics could not bo educated in
Ireland save by Protestant teachers, and could not be
sent out of Ireland without being guilty of a Penal
offence. Catholic children were to be educated in the
English interest or not at all ;-their brains were to be
kindled by the light of Protestant wisdom, or left in
total darkness.

ffiSTOBIOAL INTBODtJCTIOir. 17

E,^ery profession, save that of medicine, was forbid-
den to tl>o CatLolie. Even tI,o,,,h eduea.ed I 'a
Protestant, the CntLolie student or scholar eonld not
Boelc the reward of cultivation in any save one of tho
.era, pro essions-nnless he disclaimed his fatheJ
iehg,on and claimed his father's property

In the trade and commerce of all corporate towns,

Cathohes were held as pirates and outlaws; bein:

^•■d y excluded from joining or participating ^.erein!

In these towns, a Catholic could not sell anything

save iiimsclf. -^ ^

land f„ a longer tenure than thirty-one years.

Ko Catholic could inherit the lands of a Pretestant
lelattve, or own a horse of greater value than five
pounds. If be was possessed of a valuable animaT
any I^-otestant jockey or gentleman, or both in T '
cojd fancy .t and take it by paying five pounds. '

^ A Cathol^ elnld, becoming a Protestant, could sue
ns parents for maintenance, the amount to be decided
hy tho Court of Chancery.

An eldest son oecoming a Protestant made hi,

f ' ' " '" '■*■"' "^''"'°" '•" f- I^-S -cured
to «.e convert, with a proviso limiting the portion of
all the rest of the family to one-third
Pnests were hunted like w^olves, and a reward and
.pond g.ve„ to any who would become a lamb wiZu
the Cromweman fold.

I-

iihi

FENUN HEROES AND MAKTYE8.

Davis has well epitomized these Penal Laws in

verse :

«♦ They bribed the flock, they bribed the son,
To sell the priest and rob the sire ;
Their dogs were taught alilce to run
Upon the scent of wolf and friar.
Among the poor
Or on the moor,
Were hid the pious and the true —
While traitor knave,
And recreant slave,
Had riches, rank, and retinue."

The history of Ireland, during the Penal Days, is
dark and gloomy enough. Occasionally we find great
utterances from noble Protestant men in behalf of the
general rights of the kingdom ; such as Molyneux' Case
of Ireland, Swift's Drapier Letters, and Dr. Charles
Lucas's persistent protestations against the encroach-
ments on the Constitution. Molyneux' brave little
book was burned by the common hangman ; a reward
was offered for the discovery of the Drapier, and his
printer arrested ; and Lucas had to exile himself into
England, to escape the laws enacted by and for the
English interest in Ireland. A still stranger commen-
tary on the laws of those days is afforded by the fact
that the principles for which Lucas had to fly from Ire-
land were extolled in England, and drew from such a
cast-iron Tory as Samuel Johnson, the strongest en-
comiums. Indeed, Johnson's allusions to Lucas are

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

aws in

Oays, is
id great
if of the
ix' Case
Charles
icroach-
e little
, reward
and his
;elf into
for the
ommen-
the fact
'roin Ire-
1 such a
gest en-
Licas are

quoted to show that the former was greatly mi.srepre-
sented by those who regarded him as " ahjectly eub-
missive to power." " Let the man," says Johnson,
" thus di-iven into exile, for having been the friend of
his country, be received in every other place as the
confessor of liberty ; and let the tools of power be
taught in time, that they may rob, but cannot impov-
erish."

Though having a patriotic purpose none of the en-
deavors of those able men might be accounted na-
tional in the correct sense of that idea. Molyneux'
was perhaps the most so, though Swift's subtle, blunt,
and polished philippics against the introduction of
Wood's half-pence, created the most universal excite-
ment, and succeeded in accomplishing the object
sought. The labors of those trusty men are famous
because they were famous in their day. They were
ahead of their surroundings in vigor of conception and
boldness of expression, and deserve all pi-aise. It re-
mained, however, for Theobald Wolfe Tone to give a
positive character to the Irish mind in politics. Other
and able men looked to concessions. lie alone re-
garded Eights.

They were hampered by illustrating ideas which in
various forms already existed. Basing his views solely
on the Eights of Ireland, and not contemplating the
welfare of England, with which he deemed he had no

yjSNIAN HEROES AND MARTTRfl.

concern, Tone brcatlicd a new lifo into and unveiled a
vast and fresh purpose to tliose wlio desired tl.e bene-
lit of the Irisli people in Ireland. Otliei^ Imd fonoht
parties, and for sueeesses wliieh left large portionrof
the people in as dark despondency and degi-adation as
before. Tone labored to unite all, and as he said, to
Bubstitute the common name of Irishman in place of
the distmetions which had been used to keep them
asunder. He withstood the temptations of mere poli-
tics as a means of personal advancement, and discarded
the overtures made to him by leading parliamentarians
of the day. The ground upon which they stood was
confined, the prospect presented was narrow, because
the purposes contemplated wore selfish and purely self-
reflective.

When Tone suiweyed the state of Ireland he saw
her mferior to no country in Europe in the gifts of na-
ture; blest with a temperate sky and a fruitful soil-
intersected by many great rivers; indented round her
whole coast with the noblest harbors; abounding with
all the materials for unlimited commerce; teemin<.
^ith inexhaustible mines of the most useful metals'^
filled by four millions of an ingenious and gallant peo'
ple-with bold hearts and ardent spirits; posted i.oht
m the track between Europe and America, within iiity \
miles of England and three hundred of France; yet
with all these great advantages « unheard of and un-

<i\>.

mSTORICAL INTRODtrCTIOIT.

known, without prido or power, or name; without
ftuihiissadori^, nniiy or navy; not of hiilf tho conse-
qnoneo in the empire, of" whieh she has tho honor to
make a })art, witli the 8in<iflo eounty of York, or tho
k^yal and wcll-roguhited town of JJirminj^diam." Ilo
truly argued tliese were mortifyiunr considerations.

The so-called " revolution" of 1782 had been accom-
plished. Henry Grattan, backed by the arms of the
volunteers, had wrulig from England the concession
that no power had tho right to make laws for Ireland
but the King, Lords, and Connnons thereof; but the
Irish Parliament became only the shadow of the Eng-
lish one. The achievement of Grattan left the power
on a broader basis than before in the hands of the Pro-
testant ascendancy. Tone read aright the effects of
the "revolution;" and had the courage to speak the
truth about it. Eight years after it had been on trial,
he says: "The Eevolution of 1782 was a Revolution
which enabled Irishmen to sell, at a much lii<rher
price, their honor, thoir integrity, and the interests of
their country ; it was a Revolution, which, while at
one stroke it doubled the value of every borough-mon-
ger in the kingdom, left three-fourths of our country-
men slaves as it found them, and the Government of
Ireland in the base and wicked and contemptible
hands, who had spent their lives in degrading and
plundering her ; nay, some of whom had gi\-en their

' (

';i

fIJ ;-

tlie country lost hi. i "^"^^"^^ ^^^"^^^^ of

Opposition? Not CM „ "" ^""" «'« '•«°1« of tlie
Hands of onr enemie" T f '"'"'''"'^'J ''^ «-

--Hi3ai..c::;jre];~r^^^^^^^^^^^^

es, our infurios nn^ ^ • -^ ^® ^^a our distregs-

' Jjuues, and our insults m-atis nf f]^ i .

of Endand- but Tin... ^ ' *^'® ^^^ds

» la, out now we pay very dpnvl^ f^

tbe san>e .ith aggravation, Lou/thelnd JT^r
-en ; ,et this we boast of, and eSl a ^^^^^"^

xib^ocracj and lifted no weio-ht fmm +i
tlie DeoTilp T] . . '^^^to^t irom the necks of

-o3;j;:s:::;-*;-^oatoias3.

will Bliow to anv „« ^- , ■ "^ '^"^''e <^i"ded

. WsdednJoTs. "'''"'"'' "^^'^'^-'•W of

J in easy enjoyment of tlie einireh tl,B I. .-l

revenue, the ai-rny, the navv tl,„ ^' *^^

Porations, and all n t f T^' '"■■'S'^"-'"=y. A'c cor-
' "^ "" institutions receivin» or »vwj-

=di:onitrr;"'--=^^-^^^^^^^^^

aloneheheldllrrint:-^^^^^^^^

est in Ireland; and England mX k t "'"'■

-e-es, augmented their" ZL 1 et tT ' ' ' "'*■

perpetual trepidation, gave tliem '" ' ''"''' "'

, gave tJiem her protection, and

:(!'

5t tin's our
nemies of
Wlio was
ks of the
'd in the
our ruin,
distress-
le hands
' receive
oflrish-
on !"

lands of
lects of
classes
livided
bi'ce of

HISTORICAL INTEODtTCTIOIT.

took in exchange the commerce and the liberties of
Ireland. The events of the American Kevolution em-
boldened the Catholics and Presbyterians, and forced
the Protestants into some slightly beneficial measures
of redress, but they remained attached to their pro-
tectors, a party property, an aristocracy.

The Dissenters — double in numbers to the Protest-
ants — were chiefly manufacturers and traders, and did
not believe their existence depended on the immuta-
bility of their slavishness to England. " Strong in
their numbers and their courage, they felt that they
were able to defend themselves, and they soon ceased
to consider themselves as any other than Irishmen."
They formed the flower of the Volunteer Army of '82,
and were the first to demand Eeform.

The Catholics were numerically the most formi-
dable, embracing as they did, the peasantry of three
provinces, and a considerable portion of the business
class. The exactions of the Penal Laws had left them
but a small proportion of the landed interest. " There
was no injustice, no disgrace, no disqualification, moral,
political or religious, civil or military, that was not
heaped upon them." Under such a system, it is no
wonder that the peasantry were both morally and phy-
sically degraded, and the spirit of the few remaining
gentry broken.
Tone aspired to infuse into the Catholics a spirit

II !!f'

'It ,

•■WlAlf BEEOES Am v,,^

»f C'^il and religions liberty T,
J-^fee of their po,;ti„„ ^,,^- .^"= overwhelming in-

-"- of right as a »an as^lf '"""""^ '» ^-
ffl^ desire was to unite , " "' ^"'^''-'^orn man

«'- P-ont to the" 'r " "" °--'-. -d
»d the eviis of En! • f f''^^-"'"-'? «>e go.ern;ent

« ''ght. His objects and T ""■'""" '" ^««™

cKeated. " To s4.ert IT"^ ""^ «"'^ '"--^1/ in-
«ovo™„,ent, to break the nf"""^ "^ °" ^'^ocrable
«- '--e.-fe".-ng sour e of !,?""'"" "''"' ^"-^'^d,
*« --rt the ind;pend elfl""' ^"""''=^' ^'^ "nd
7 objects. To unite the l7 """""^-Aese were
«'^o'-h the memory of a " * ''"'^'' °' ^'■^'^"''. *»
f ""e the common nam rif"™"'' »"^ '» -">
<3«"ominations of Rotes al P t"'"' '" ^'^^^ «f 'he
-these were m^,«oans"' '''"'''= ^"^-^ ^--nter

«o5;srSe:s:r^^^^^

;.'>oM and n,ight, step ^^^J^ ^ ^-'"^^d. It was
d.sentangIepobtie3fi.„^X '™ "^tionah'ty to

P'an surn,o„nted the ^e£r;i'"" ''^^^- ^o-'s
-»de,he island for cen : " i^™'"- -^ch i,ad
-o-eless depredation on the o T'* '' " ^""^ '" ^-
'•^t"''"t.-on on tl,e othe, t°"^^^"<^. -"d as savage
^eended from such reeH;,i 7"""' *" ^'«»ents dl

-'•""--"tofthe:rtt:::rr^^^^^^^^^

^ ^^la Wood-anoint-

inSTOEICAL WTlJODCCnoN. 25

ed passions, into a passion for an ennobling common
oVct-to bind them as elose in ii-iendship as tbey
had been knit in fight, was an original, daring, and
judged by the obstacles to be overcome, almost sub-
lime scheme.

Tone founded the first Society of United Irishmen
on urn, October, 1T91. On the l.th Octob:;
1798 the sevent', anniversary of the foundation of
practical patriotism in Ireland, he was captured on
board the Mc^ 74 guns, the admiral's ship of a
portion of the third expedition he had projected in
Iranceand Hamburg, for the aid of Ireland. Between
those dates a wonderfully inspiring history was enact-
ed m Ireland. United Irishism spread into all ranks
inflammg alike Catholic peasants and Protestant peera
with a divine fervor, and bringing round the common
altar of then- country noble clergymen of every d^
nommation. The Eev. WiUiam Jackson, a Protestant
clergyman, undertook to sound the Irish in 1796 on
the sulycct of an alliance with France, was betraVed
by an English attorney, and died in the dock. Messrs
Warwick, Stevelly, and William Porter, Presbyterian
clergymen, were hanged. Eev. William Steele Dick-
son, ot the same denomination, who had been the early
a^iseiter of Ireland's independence and advocate of his
Uithohc fellow-comitrymen, was, for nearly two years
Adjutant-General of the United Irish of Ulster " Bet'

FENIAlf niiBiOm A5fl> MAfiTYBS.

ter die courageously in the Held than be butchered in
the houses," said Father John Murphy, putting him-
Belf at the head of his flock, after the yeoman had
burned his chapel over his head, in May '98. The
royalists did not know the flame they were kindling,
when they set fire to the little chapel of Boolavogue.
" We must conquer or perish" cried this priest-leader
to his pikemen, at Oulart Hill, and they conquered.
This reverend General Murphy was heard fvom at the
battle of Enniscorthy, at Yinegar Hill, and other
tough conflicts : as also were Father Philij> Roche,
who commanded at the bloody fight at Tubberneering,
where Col. Walpole fell, and was subsequently elected
generalissimo of the Wexford troops ; and the soldier-
priests, Moses Kearns and Nicholas Redmond, who
drove Col. L'Estrange and his dragoons into Newtown-
barry, and even had the audacity to engage and rout
the garrison of over five hundred troops. Kearns sub-
sequently made a desperate defence of Enniscorthy
against General Johnston, and carried a serious wound
from the fight, which led to his capture. Father
Clinch, with those named, was one of the leaders of
the patriots on the great but disastrous day of Yine-
gar Hill. Another prominent and brave priest-leader
was Father Michael Murphy. The history of the pa-
triot priests of '98 affords a thrilling chapter, which
should be separately set forth for the sake of the noble

HISTORICAL mTRODtTCTlOJT.

example furnislied by their devotion and sacrifices.
Aroused by inlmman barbarity and oppression, they
made common cause with their persecuted flocks.
They showed them how to fight on the field ; and
how to die, if need be, on the scaffold, as did Roche,
John Murphy, Kearns, Redmond, Prendergast, Quig-
ley, and others. Father Michael Murphy was vouch-
safed the nobler death on the field, being torn to pieces
by a cannon-ball while leading on a division of pike-
men at the battle of Arklow.

The war for national independence, projected by
the United Irishmen, was forced into a premature
explosion by the government. On the 30th March,
1798, Lord Camden, the viceroy, proclaimed all Ire-
land imder Martial Law. The proclamation was a
brutal incentive to riot. Armed with it the military
and " authorities" went about the country exasper-
ating suspected localities, creating feuds for the sake
of punishing individuals, and involving individuals
that whole districts might be plundered. What was
true of one locality was but too true of all. " The in-
human tortures instituted by the yeomen, the barbari-
ties inflicted without regard to age or sex, the scourg-
ings, pitch-caps, house-bi'.-nings, and murders, then
drew a distinct and bloody line between those wlio
acted for, and under the j^rotection of, the government
and the people. 'No man was safe, no woman invio-

PENIAK HEROES AND MAfiTYRS.

^ Je pnvate pique found vent in pnblie vengeance;
and the mag.stracy felling into the hands of Orange
iact,o.«s, was at once witness, judge, jury and execu-

While the people on the one hand were goaded into

u bea..able agony, the leaders of the people on the

other hand were sei.ed, hanged, banished, put out of

he way w,th indiscriminate fury. The betrayal of

the plans and several prominent leaders by the infa-

mous Tho,a,. Reynolds, the Arnold of Ireland, on the

' «1 tl'e rising, with the distraction which followed

the Lght wh,ch documentary history has thiwn on
Wie period, the chances of success of the United Irish
men loom into very gi-eat proportions, while the des-
tmies of England seem to have been heid by a very
slender thread Madden is right when he says of the
United Irish Society, that « whether viewed in its re-
. suits, the character of its members, or the nature of its
proceedings, it may certainly be regarded as a confed-
eracy which no political or revolutionary society tint
has gone before it has surpassed in importancefb 'l '
•ess of design, and devotion to its principles." On
be ot ler hand, England's incontrovertible danger may
be judged from the fact that had either one of Tonel

HISTORICAL mTKODrCTTON-. ^Q

expeditions been favored with a fair wind to carry it
to Its destination, England could not have held Ireland,
and half of her prestige would have been gone It is
not disputed that England was saved by the elements
that scattered Tone's expeditions. The active civil
war lasted less than five months, that is from the ris-
mg of the people, 20th May, to the capture of Tone .
but Its extent, and the vigor with which it was sus'
tamed may be comprehended from its cost to the peo-
pie and the government. The English employed
137,000 men to suppress the « insurrection." Its cost
m money is variously estimated at thirty millions and
hfty miUions pounds sterling. The English lost twen-
ty thousand men ; the Irish fifty thousand. The royal-
ists received one and a half millions sterling for dam-
ages to property. No estimate can be made of the
damage perpetrated on the property of the people
It may be indicated by the fact that the Catholic
churches burned, of which any account was kept
amounted to sixty-nine. This, as Madden says, " may
afford some criterion by which we can judge of the
number and extent" of other outrages on property be-
longing to persons of that communion.

The "Union" followed the "rebellion," and in the
reckless corruption and infamy by which it was carried
was a fitting sequel to the murderous barbarity by
which the latter was precipitated and concluded.

O" WOTAN HEROM ANT, MARTYM.

T«-cntv.-„no year, l,..fi,r„ «,« TI„i„n was cffoctcd
Oiiinilcl .lolms.iir well (•hai-u-t,.,-!;,.,] tl • ,

Joul,l a„,l ,1,.| govern KngUud i„ «,c.l<i„,. it. « Art-
M pol.tieians," „. l!o,woll clmracta-ixe. tlu.„, had
cite,, ,„ v,cw a Union I.etweon Ireland and England
-^^.1779 Johnson, e.,,re.i,,,,.in.e»-„„th:s„i

" Union w,th „,, si,.. Wo should nnitc with you
only to rob yon.- As Johnson indieated the s^it
of m,.n,o wlueh would follow a Union, so Byron

rtrw, '"'" '"' ='<'-"'"■•«'-"'. Btign^atized and'
l-^ated the rapaeious dishonesty of the measure.
Ad.e„,"saKl he, "to that Union so-called, as fo^^/j

««.^«...,aUnionfron.nevernnitiu,,«;hieh,n;:
fi . operat,on, gave a death-blow to the independence
of Ire and, and in its last n.ay be the cause of h ,

called a Un,on, it ,s the union of the shark with its
Key; the spoiler swallows up his victim, and thu
«.ey become one and indivisible. Thus U G
Buta,n swallowed up the parliament, the constitution '
the md pendenee of Ireland, and refuses to dis^or^;
even a sn,ge privilege, although for the relief of W
swollen and distempered body politic."t

HISTORICAL INTRODTTCTION'.

The mariTior in wliioli the Catholic peasantry were
butchered in '98 to pnt down the rebellion, and the
style in which the Protestant "gentry" were bought
and Bold in 1800, to eifect the Union, were equally dis-
graceful, and proclaimed as loud as desperate deeds
could proclaim that Ireland was not the patient slave
of England, and that there was not, and could not ex-
ist a mutually beneficial or respected union between
them. After quartering lier native and Hessian mer-
cenaries on the devoted people of Ireland, England
quartered with much parade the arms of Ireland on
■ the British Flag — this too while the wanton agonies,
inflicted by the former, were fermenting into venge-
ance, which took form in a few years afterwards in
what is known as Emmet's Eebellion, and which was,
although nobly inspired and well conceived, but a
faint echo of the great fight in '98.

In Paris, where Eobert Emmet spent the early
autamn of 1802, deep in military studies, he met his

-^lioi- Thomas Addis, r*nd the. exiles of '98, includ-
le of the students who had been expelled with
hii Ai the University of Dublin, for national rea-
sons. Irish affairs naturally engrossed their attention,
especially as the relations between France and England
were not of the most amicable nature. He had inter-
views with Buonaparte and Talleyrand, from which he
hopefully speculated, inasmuch as the patched-up peace

82 FEmAJ, „™oKS ABD MABTVB8.

B."U..thv f "it, '; ';' ""' "'■'<"' «•■•"' '•" *>'o act„al
J I icay ot either of tlioso personaLW but fi.lt tl .

and that Buonaparte did not. The oS o h t^ '

was to aggrandize France and to d T

and so far a. ./,„, obiee ^l to 'T^' ^"'''"'^'

effort in Ireland that lUt' T' ""^" *« ^"^

pose." Tims the nnl v ''""^ *° ^'' P"---

-esofp;::r"r~:r;r'"^^^^^^^

England, nnder favor of Z ""' """^

Amiens, dated March BM m^T''^ !'"''' "'

»ae, indulged in b, the staC 7 'rr '''"^
—the virulent flhn.« ^ t> ^ *^^ powers

^'^Hiourn^Cairun^^^^^^^^^^^^

tHe French Minister at ^rnltS;: ^o^'
pnnces and the French emigrants in En° , ', °"^''°°
protestations against those ^'ool^s'Tv '"
-becoming publications" upon The F T "'

-..convinced the hopeful af^lXl^lt;

niSTORTCAT. INTRODUCTION.

that war was inevitable. The fire of '98 was still
snioul(leriii<r on many a bleak and disqnieted hearth^
stone in Ireland. There were sad and an<«;ry wailings
through Irish vales and glens—cries from the unshriv-
en dead and the unappeascd living to heaven or earth,
or anywhere, for vengeance. There were horrible
memories in men's minds—memories all the more des-
perate that they were pent np— and to such memories,
and for the men who held them, war— war from any
quarter, so that it was against England, was as giving
speech to the dumb and light to the captive."

The design on Ireland was not that of Eobert Em-
met solely. All the Irish exiles in Paris and Beltrium.
with the exception of Arthur O'Connor, appear to
have been engaged in it, or cognizant of the fact. Of
the party in Paris, Thomas Enssell had the most influ-
ence, if we are to judge by the memoirs of O'Connor,
to whom the French Government communicated the
project. The conspiracy was well laid in Ireland also,
men of prominence and distinction, including some
noblemen, giving it certain, if secret, sanction. In
Emmet's speech, he declares he was the instrument,
the willing instrument, however, of men before the
splendor of whose genius and virtues he bowed with
respectful deference. He emphatically and more than
once denied that his purpose was to transfer Ireland
from the hand of England to the grasp of France.

FKYIAN TfEROl^S ANB MAHTTRfl.

■ I

I" his written comininnVatlon win, Ti„

ten,.». It neve, 1 : .r'" "" "" ""^ «"«'"

red in a co-opomf.Vn '^ ''"'^'^ ^'^^"^»r-

berea.,,to:tr^;~--'-^->^^^^^^
fron, Lis conneetions ent, ■"■ "'^ "™'"""'- ""d

E»n,et ^ee..erL:;:;:::;::i---'^. ^->^n

tHej>ette..„,J;S;;.:-;-

euch a man " nn^ „ i i , , -^ ^' ^^ esteem of

at Fo« Ge;.rj : :'',''^7'<I'"-"edhispH»on

«'e^o.h,o:e:.::e° ;: ;:j-'''''-en„f

from the soMiety at Belfast. M^e t ' """^'^
the head of a brave band nf „ ^'*'' ^"^ »'

Nfeholas Gray BatnalK" '""'''" '" ^'•*'''--
ford in '98 7m! '' -d-''--mp in Wex-

f am. WeXrveTrCpie ^1:?"^^ «
been the secret ao-pnf .f .1, \ ^ ^''^^' ^^« ^^d
occiet agent of the leaders nf 'oq j ,

withH'Crackon l^ri fi • ^^' ^"^ who,

at Antrim tTi? ""^'^'"'^ ^* *^" ^^"-* %h
national I'r """"^ ^^ ^"^ ^"^^^^^ to L • '

mSTOBIOAL INTRODUCTION.

So far as I can diHcovor, all the funds at Emmet's
disposal aiiKUiiited to al)()ut scventeoii thouHaiid dollars
— ten of wlii(!h comprised all his own fortune; the
other seven thousand bein^ contributed by Philip
Long* a patriotic and wealthy tradesman of Dublin,
who entered fully into the conspiracy.

The principles held by Emmet were thoso of "Wolfe
Tone. Like Tone, too, young Emmet's energy was
inexhaustibly great. No man who reflects on his ca-
reer will fail to be struck with the irrepressible vigor
with which he carried on his preparations; now plan-
ning, now BU])erintending his various depots, and the
manufacture of arms. In one of these places he
slept on a mattress on the floor, that he might be
always present to oversee what was going forward, to
animate his workmen, and to meet any emergency
that might arise to demand the governing power of
his presence, or the inspiration of his example.

The accidental blowing up of a powder depot, on
the 16th July, 1803, drew attention to the conspiracy,
and precipitated events to a fruitless end. In fact,
with that explosion. United Irishism was blown into
fragments for more than two generations. The dogs of
the street licked the blood of Emmet from the pave
ment under his scaffold, his body was hidden in an un-
inscribed grave, and upon the ruins of those eflcu'ts for
a distinct idea of nationality, arose, and in greater

l1'

I'MAN HKKora ATO MAnrrns.

proportion, tl,o fo,„,-„ ,f , ^^^^.

«ono'ca ,'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

both T]i«TT v^- . ' ^^^^"^^^ eircimisc^ribed

vast and subtle knowu-lo-e of f] T ^ ''''^

W ap,.ali„, to the ...„ ^^ TZ^
and, by g:„„g expression to tlie passions of his eoun

from hav,„g been so Jong elioked in silence.

needed, all admit; that it was not all that was need
ed no rational beiuo- wi'l denv « i

for the Eepeal of thllT ^"'^^<^1"«"' agitation

-LKcpbcii 01 tlie Union r>rovpd flmf rv,

^^ ■^'^''^' Catliolics. In advocatino- ReDe^l n •
Bueem% epitomi.es vhat was aehie'ved Xl ^
and what is embraced in the other :

T-

MISTOllICAL INTRODUCTION".

denial, gonius, vast and sustained labors, and lastly by the sacrifice
of llic forty- shilling frodioldcrs — the poor veterans of the war —
and by submission to insulting oatlis; yet it was cheaply bought.
Not so cheaply, pert^hance, as if Wv)n by the sword ; for, on it
were ex[)ended more tr(;asures, more griefs, more intellect, more
passion, more of all wliieh makes life welcome, tlian had been
needed for war; still it was cheaply bouglit, and Ireland has
glorified herself, and will throiigli ages triumph in the victory
of '29.

" Yet what was Emancipation compared to Repeal ?

" Tlie one pnt a sillicn badge on a few members of one pro-
fession ; the otlier would give to all professions and all trades the
rank and riches whicli resident proprietors, domestic legislation,
and flourishing commerce, infallil)ly create.

"Emancipation made it possible for Catholics to sit on the
judgment seat; but it left a foreign administration, which has
excluded them, save in two or three cases, wliere over-topping
eminence made the acceptance of a Judgeship no promotion ; and
it left the local judges — those with whom the people has to deal — •
as partial, ignorant, and bigoted as ever ; wliile Repeal would
give us an Irish code and Irish-hearted Judges in every Court,
from the Chancery to tlie Petty Sessions.

"Emancipation dignified a dozen Catholics with a senatorial
name in a foreign and hostile Legislature. Repeal would give U8
a Senate, a Militia, an Administration, all our own.

•'The Penal Code, as it existed since 1798, insulted the faith of
the Catholics, restrained their liberties, and violated the public
Treaty of Linieriek. Tlie Union lias destroyed our nianutactures,
proliil)it8 our flag, prevents our commerce, drains our rental,
crushes our genius, makes our taxation a tribute, our representa-
tion a slialow, our name a bye-word. It were nobler to strive for
Repeal than to get Emancipation."

It is without tlie scope of tliesc pages to follow tlie
wondrous career of O'Conneli through the Catliolic
and Eepeal agitations ; but it cannot be without sug-

!!' i

m ft

MNIAK HEEOE8 ANC MAKTVES.

ge.t,veuo.,s to those wl,o follow tl>e clmn<.es in popu-
lar op,ni„„ to observe ti.e persistent a,,dpositivc re-
cnn-e„ce of the Irish to those ideas which were in
«.e asce,^ant before O'Connell became prominent.
O Oonnell s career was in a great degree a repetition
of Grattan's. Both brought peculiarly powerfnl in-
spirations into politics, and the powers they respec-
tively onconraged, if not evolved, went far ahead of
the des,gn contemplated by either. The spirit in-
stalled and animated by Grattan and the .oUmteers
was a potent element in the formation of United
Inslnsm, and its struggle in '98; and the talent
wh.cli rallied round the latter years of O'ConPcU's
great Repeal agitation, was the direct agency that led
to the attempted revolution in '48. Grattan had said
Liberty with England, if possil>le,-if not, without
her. Perish the British Empire-live Ireland." And
Connell h,.d used as a standing text, until the
words became houseliold, indicating a future :
"Ilcrctlitaiy tondsmcn, know ye not
Who would be free, themselves must strike the Wow."
Grattan, however, also said, "May the ldn<.ly
power that forms one estate in our constitution, con-
tmue for erer;" and O'Connell, while claimino- "Ire-
land for the Irish," also said " God Save the Q°,een "
The progressive patriots thought these latter ex-
clamations were used for the sake of policy and

HI8TOEI0AL LNTKODUGTIOlT,

believed the leaders meant more than they aetually
did. So when they deemed the period for policy had
passed, and the era for honesty arrived, the progress-
ive volunteers became United Irishmen, to carry out
Grattan's idea — " Perish the British Empire — live
Ireland ;" and the Young Ireland Kepealers became
Irish Confederates to carry out O'Conncll's declara-
tion of "Ireland for the Irish." Grattan lived to
see his country reduced to that condition in which
CConnell's maturity found her, and, dying in Lon-
don, his ashes enhance the memories of the pantheon
of Ireland's oppressors — he was buried in Westmin-
ster Abbey. O'Connell, seeking for health far away
from those scenes it had ever blest — far from his be-
loved Kerry Mountains, died in Genoa, bequeathing
his heart to Rome, and the case that had held it to
Ireland.

The Young Ireland party differed from O'Connell
because he would not allow it the right to differ.
The inspiring centre, if not the founder of this party,
was Thomas Davis, who died before O'Connell, but
lived long enough to feel that a difference if not a
conflict of opinions, between his associates and the
old chief was inevitable. Davis was a concentration
of nationality and of everything that tended to nur-
ture or spread it, whether in the paths of letters, art,
manufacture, or politics. Everything Irish had a sig-

c - . i Jdt!' - ik"jt{pe,-CT*

« j

a I*

W I'liNIAN ilElioES ANI> MAKTYUa

n^..,u,co t„ l,i„, of ,„,,i„„ „; j,,„,,^,,,, ^^ g^^^.^j^
O l.m.„ .u,l, "L„ve of country ,v.h tl.e passion of
Jh« l.te-H,o motive for evcy actio„-tl,o foundation
of every feeling." Witi. clnu-aeteristie force, as in-
dieating his creative power of patriotisn,, I,„hcny
.aul, Dav,s "Struck living fire from inert way-side
stones To hi„. the n.eanest rill, the rugged n.oun-
tmns, the barren waste, the rudest fragn,ent of bar-
baric hmtory, spoke the lauguage of elevation, luu-
>nony and hope." Meagher's first speech was a nweet
tnbnte ,n honor erf the dead, au,l upon the fresh
grave ot his friend, John Mitchel lai,l as a dclica-
tory offering the fl,^t fruits of his labors in Irish
Jiteratnre— the lite of A.xlh O'Xeill.

After renu.ustrating i„ vain uith ihe O'Connollites
feloung Jrclau<l party received great accessions of
Btrengtl, and on the 13th January, 1847, torn.ed the
Insh Conicderation." This organisation was a bril-
ln.nt representative of Irish lu,nor and iutellectaal
attannnent. The genius and euthfsiasm of the conn-
try ran, ed round it. The great .fourual, TAe JFation,
-Inch had fostered all the national resources, i„ what-
ever torn, they presented themselves, had a legitin.ate
oftspnng at nuUnrity in the Confederation. r/«
iK*.« had attracted the appL-.se of Europe and
Anienca as the spirit of progressive Ireland : the
Coiifederuhon disclosed the active body behind it

nWTORIOAL INTEODtTCTIOir. ^

In intolIect„al endowments the "Yonng Ireland"
party w,ll compare fav-o.-aMy with the men of '98
-th one exeeption. That exeeption is Tone. As
a poht,eal w.,,.,- he was alone in his day. He ha
no heeu equalled since. He was not only a pat o
hut a statesman and diplomat; a eomhination L y
to bo fonnd. He was not only almost inexhaustibly
Bu,.gcst,ve, but he was also practieal. He diffeS
^•om mo.,t men who ha™ one grand idea, in the
fact that he never p„t the attainment of his object
>n jeopardy by publicly ignoring the sense of those
who had other ideas or diifered from his. While
he was firm he was also considerate. To this faculty
may be attriln,ted the power he had with men. His
pamp.dets are ehar.acterized by fervor and argument
never by abuse. Thomas Davis, however, had one'
great advantage over Tone in seizing the popular
heart and throbbing it with healthy 'and indjan^
pulsa ,ons, l,e was a poet. His prose essays are
bm,dan ly dlustrative of noble aspirations and ready
g.fts, but h,s poen>s are passionatey national, and
couta,n that fire ■ .laeh cannot be extinguished

It the n>embera of the Irish Confederation, taken
as a party, were not only equal to, but beyond the
Umted Lushmen, as poets, orators, and publicists,
they were tar behmd them as revolutionists. It m.y
be that fi.om the formation of the Confederation

FENIAN nEROES AND MAETYR8.

i i

time was not permitted to develop the revolutionary
ability of the body until it was extinct ; and it is
true that foreign example, especially the French
Revolution, and the writings of John Mitchel, forced
the leaders, and, through them, the people into a posi-
tion not contemplated as so closely ^''nrainent. The
Confederation was not a secret or co md organi-
zation as the United Irish Society was. It liiight
have become so had it lived longer. The United Irish
Society was twice as long in existence before it took
refuge in secrecy from the persecution of the govern-
ment, and reorganized on a military basis. Origi-
nally started to effect Catholic Emancipation and
Parliamentary Reform, it was persecuted into the
wider field of Republicanism. The Confederation
was designed to educate and organize the people — to
achieve Repeal by moral force, if possible ; by physi-
cal force, if necessary.

The famine years had been regarded by English
ministers as powerful allies for the reduction of the
Irish. Measures of relief were suggest cd in and out
of Parliament, resolutions carried, committees ap-
pointed, discussions held as to what caused the fam-
ine ? how far the potato blight had gone ? how could
it be stayed? Science grew blind experimenting;
and the groans of the dying, which maddened
the Irish only made the ministers deaf. Although

HISTORICAL INTRODUOTIOK. 43

there was not a county in Ireland which had CRcaped
the potato-rot, and the consequent scarcity of food
and funds, yet the hxndlords were as unre'lonting as
ever in driving and grinding the impoverished pea-
santry. Meanwhile, the island was rifled of its grain
and cattle to meet the exigencies of the absentees
and the English interest in Ireland ; and the Govern-
ni^nt, to make a show of charity and protection to
the world, bonght up some foreign corn for the « poor
Irish." It might have bouglit the food in the coun-
try, and distributed it; but that would have been the
means of circulating money and staving off famine •
and neither of these appliances were calculated to sus-
tam an English interest in Ireland. No ! every ves-
sel seeking the doomed island with foreii^n corn "was
sure to meet half a dozen sailing out with Irish wheat
and cattle." There was no end to the meetings of
learned bodies, and the reports they made. Every
thmg was done but the one thing necessary-feed the
people.

Where famine and fever did not put the peasantry
beyond the power of injuring the English interest,
" agrarian outrages," as the desire for food was called,
brought them within the clutches of the law Th •
process was complete, and none will say it was not
powerful. First, the people were systematically
starved ; and for those who escaped death, the minis-

PENT AN HEROES AND MARTTR8.

tcrs supplied a trap in tlio sliapo of the Coercion
(AirrariiUi Outriigcs) Bill, to restrain the daring
•\vlucli jjjave tlieni a desire to live. "Old Ireland"
liad gone witli the Whiga, and the AVhiga had gone
against Ireland, as nsnal, notwithstanding the pro-
mises of beneiicial measures, by which Lord John
Russell hud duped the Old Ecpeal Association.
"Agrarian outrage" was the plea made to excuso
"Whig concessions on the one liand; and on the other,
to declare in Parliament that it were better to "out-
rage the Constitution," than allow the present state
of affairs to continue in Ireland.

In the face of these actions, the Irish Confederation
had work enough on hand, were it equal to the occa-
sion. But it was not". Although it had, on the state-
ment of its secretary, npwards of one hundred and
fifty thousand enrolled men in the clubs,* yet the
Confederate organization was far from perfect, and
the amount of arms possessed by it insignificant.
Inspired, as it was, by a noble sense of nationality,
still the distinct purposes of the Confederacy were not
widely defined or understood. The opinion of the
body of its members was in a transition state, between
the old principles they had left, and the new ones
which were not fully adopted. This led to differences

* This statement of mo.mhors I find in a pamphlet cntitlccl,"A Disclosure con-
nccteil with the Late State Prosecutions in Ireland, &c., by Thomas Matthew
Halpin, Secretary of tlie Irish Confederation, Dublin, 1849.

HI8TORI0AI. a^TRODXICTION.

amoniv some of the leaders, and suggested the necessi-
ty of a definite prograiiime of guidiince in the Con-
fedemtion. Mitcliel, not seeing anytliing in the fam-
ine policy of tlie Government bnt "a macliinery
deliberately devised and skilfully worked f(;r the en-
tiro subjugation of the island, — the slaughter of a
portion of its people, and the pauperization of the
rest," believed that resistance should be opposed to the
system at every point: that the transport and sliip-
ment of provisiims should be obstructed and rendered
impossible: and that the people should be advised no^
to give up their arms, under the law made to disarm
them, bnt to provide more, especially pikes, of which
the soldiery were in great horror. O'Brien, Duffy,
and the Nation^ party remonstrated against this
course, as it would be a virtual declaration of war.
On the two days debate which followed in the Confed-
eration, Meagher gave the weight of his popularity,
and turned the scale against Mitchel's views ; and
Mitchel having already retired from the Nation set
up the United Irishman, to promulgate the doctrines
he thought best suited to the crisis. Throughout
these movements Devin Reilly was the able lieuten-
ant of Mitchel.

The French Revolution of February, 1848, created
great excitement in Ireland, giving a new impetus
to the Confederation, and apparently ratifying the

\m'<

PENIAN HEROF^ AND MARTYRS.

Im-, '^

11! \

it: i^

republican indications of Mitchcl. Tho Confederate
orators now rivalled the revolutionary vigor of tho
United Irishman. In the first week in February tho
assembled Confederates voted down Mitchel's war
pron^raniine : a month afterwards, Meagher, tho voice
of the Confederation, declared that if the Govern-
ment did not accede to the demand for the recon-
struction of Irish Nationality, he was ready to cry
" up with the barricades, and invoke the god of bat-
tles." The Confederation also sent an address to
France, which declared that her heroism "taught en-
slaved nations that emancipation ever awaits those who
dared to achieve it by their own intrepidity." These
significant expressions were seized with avidity by
the people, as indicating a desire to fight. If the
Whig Ministers affected to treat the Irish move-
ment with contempt, the Tory leaders forced them
out of that position. The Earl of Derby, in the
House of Lords, called the Government to task, and
said of the Irish leaders, "These men are honest;
they are not the kind of men who make their patriot-
ism the means of barter for place or pension." The
Whigs, disgusted at the Tories calling the Confed- *
erates honest and high-toned, determined to render
their cause as degrading as English law could make
it. The Treason-Felony Act was therefore passed.
What was heretofore known as treason to the Crown,

niSTORTCAL INTROnunTIOR".

wliieh in Trclund was rogiirdod as patriotifim, was by
thiti Act made a felony and tlio patriots "felons."

Tho arrest of John Mitcliel quickly followed, and
the national excitability seemed to culminate in tho
idea that now was tho time for a general uprising.
Tiio Council of the Confederation, after the most
strenuous exertions, prevented an outbreak, and ex-
cused its action in an Address to the People. Tho
Council feared that an attempt to rescue Mitchel,
and to free Ireland, would prove abortive. "We,
therefore," said the Address, " interposed, and with
difficulty succeeded in preventing the fruitless effusion
of blood." Mitchel was permitted to be banished ; and
the Government, seeing the Confederates waver at tho
very crisis of the excitement, pushed matters with its
usual recklessness and vigor. The Irish Trihwrie
sprang into the gap made by the demolition of the
United Irishman, and, two weeks aftt^r, the Irish
Felon was by the si<le of the former laboring for the
same ends. "The harvest," was now the cry of the
patriots. ^ Wait for the harvest, and we will, in God's
name, strike a blow." The Government, however,
would not wait so long. All its power was put fort'i
to lorce a rising, that it might crush it. The Trihune^
Felon, and Nation were seized, and the editors and
proprietors thrown into prison. The Gagging Act
prevented the leaders from addressing the Clubs in

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYU9.

11!

I I

the cities ; and tlio siiapciiaion of the Ilaheas Qyrpua
Act compoUcd thorto who liad rciuU'rcd tlu'insolvos
objoctrt of siirtpicMon, to evade tlie mitlioritioa. Tliim
tliese' men were thrown on the country, wlien tlicy
liud lu'Ipcd to chill its spirit, or make it irresohite by
, hope deferred. The leaders liad to "tal>( to tlio hills."
Kewards were olFered for the more prominent, and
the natural gallantry and truth of the Irish peasant
created a sympathy vhere even a knowle(l<^e of the
political situation had been but im[)erfectly under-
stood, irunted Willi celerity they strove to face the
emer<!^en('y in liurried councils, and with undisciplined
material, and having come in contact with the Jh-itish
forces at the Slate Quarries, MulHnahone, Killenaule,
Ballingarry, Abbeyfeale, and other places, they were
either captured or found safety in escape and exile.
Of the chief men, O'Brien and Meagher were captur-
ed, tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death, which
was subsequently commuted to banishment for life;
and Doheny, Dillon, Devin Reilly, O'Gorman and
others, after varions adventures, escaped, and found
their way to America. Later in the year, in Septem-
ber, a more persistent eftbrt was made by Messrs.
O'Mahony and Savage to rally the people in Ti2)per.
ary, Waterford and Kilkenny, and to retrieve some-
what the disasters that had preceded. After demon-
strations on the mountains of these localities, and

niflTORlOAL rNTIlODUCTlON.

roiinicts nt l*(»rt]ii\v Liimicks, (Jlciibower, ISt'juiirh.
Hiul (ttluT pluccH, tlio moveniont wns given u\) ns liopo-

Look Inn. hnclc cnlinly nt the cvontB of '48, and com-
l»roliondin^r dotuils wliieh only tinio can prenent in
their true li^rht, tlioro can bo no rational doubt of tlio
fact that the ])eopk; wore not ])reparod to attempt or
effect a revolution hy arnm that year. There was no
or«ranizatior) ; the Confederation was not RnflicieriMy
lon<r in existence to have put the country on a ii^lit-
ing busis ; and without or^^anization nothing could bo
cfl'ectcd. The Fren(Oi Kevolution came too soon for
the good of Ireland. There were moments when a
shot would have set the revolution going with an
esjmt and a fervor, the result of which cannot bo
imagined.

The 10th July was such an occasion, when the
populace of Waterford and Cashcl raised ban-icadca
to prevent the arrest of Meagher and Dohcny. It
needed Meagher's most impassioned exertions to fi'ce
In'mself from his friends, that he might be arrested by
his enemies. Doheny was taken out of jail by the
Cashcl men, recaptured himself, and only was pcr-
Jnitted to do so by pledging his word that he was ar-
rested on a bailable offence. Both, unknown to each
other, feared to precipitate a revolt, because the lead-
ers had no settled plan of action. The chief occasion
8

i If

1 I

FENIAN HEROES AND MAJiTYRS.

of the ^ear, however, was the trial of Mitchel. The
leaders were all at liberty, and the enthusiasm of the
people intense and manageable. The Government
had shown its vindictive intentions, which created as
daring a desire of defiance, and the halo encircling the
first martyr inspired the masses of the Dublin clubs
with a frenzy which declined after the disappoint-
ments of that day.

IK'

I I

.j.t''.i

iMiiMsllMMitmmm

the
lent
i as
the
[ubs
>int-

PISTOmCAL INTEODyguON.

CHAPTER IL

Of the P. B. cha„gecl-Difference« bLeen the •' Se "idenr"^^^^^^^
result in an "Irish Party" and a " Canadian Partv"-Fonr h r "'"

the Old constitution, endorsed ., MS^Zr.^Z!^:Z::^
land increases-Arrest and Escape of Stephens-Lord ^\Slehour o„ Z
Conspiracy-The Country not safe unless the Hnh^nin '"^""v'""^^ o° ^he
Debate on that Measure-John Bri'^ Stua f MHl Th?T''^r.r ' ^f^^'^^'^-
B. Dillon-The O'Donoghue-Passie ofThe Sl!~ ^'"'"'-''''°

By the events of '48 "Young Ireland" was dis-
banded but not defeated. The new soul which came
into Ireland and was manifested in the songs, essays
speeches and publications generally of the^members
of that party, could not be extinguished. If they did
not organize, they dzd wonderfully help to educate the
people with a healthy, manly and hopeful literature.
Their efforts in this regard have produced legitimate
results; and in the spread of their ideas, hopes, affec-
tions and romantic feelings touching the uses of everv

52 FENIAN HEROES ANt3 MA^TYBS.

phase of Irish life to the cud of Irish f* pre-
pared the people to appreciate o'-g""'-*'-'/'^ ^
powerful at all times, is all the grander and mo e
Edible when founded on and sustained by mtelU-

^Tllsophieally judged, Tonng Ireland nclne.ed a
notable andfruitful victory. On the onehand «-
pelled England to show the rntttan hand by wluch
the " siste; island" was governed. This was no lost
on the world; the French Government adroitly al-
luded to it in 18C0, when Persigny was " enlargmg
he liberty" of the French Press. On the other hand
it hestowed a new literature on the couutry,_ wlueh
commanded even the admiration of its enen.es, and
is the touchstone of all literary endeavor ,n Ireland
since Irishmen who could not embrace the poUt.es of
Youn<r Ireland, welcomed the literature which seemed
to combine the best characteristics of all that had
gone before, with an informing spirit emanatmg from
•Dure hearts and able heads.

Even in the disruption of the party, its scattered
elements were destined to do wondrous service nx tes-
timouY of the national faith and character of InsU-
men and of continued tribulation to the Government
of Ireland. Those who were kept in jail nuder the
suspension of the irah<m Corpm act, like Fenton La.
lor and Joseph Brenan, were no sooner released than

HISTORICAL IKTEODtTCTIOJr. 53

they were planning and projecting, with oti.er nntiring
spirits, a renewal of armed liostililies in 1849 »
The exiles who were in France took advantage of
, the disrupted state of that country, to study successful
means of revolution, and to interest many able French-
men in the Irish eause-no very difficult matter to he
suio as m addition to the sympathy between the Irish
and French, descending from old military alliances, any-
thing against England is attractive to a true French-
man The exiles in America, in the press, the lecture-
nail, the drill-room, possessed welcome vehicles for the
expression and expansion of the doctrines which had
driven them from home; and even in the penal colo-
nies, to which England had banished those who had
fallen into the embrace of partisan judges and packed
juries, the gallant settlei-s received as friends those who
were branded as felons, and intrigued and conspired
to set them free.

It would be impossible, even were all the materials
8t hand, to present at this date anything like a fair
record of the unceasing, though sometimes contracted
efforts made in Ireland and America to keep alive one
organization after the other for the encoura<.cment
and indoctrination of Irish national principles" The
history of these efforts, when written, will prove of
deep mterest, and give evidence of the undying devo-

• S=. a= f.o., given to Mr. L.b,.. .tetcl o( PUUIp G»y, to , to volume

54 FENTAK HEROES AND MARTYR.

tion of all classes of Irislunen to tlie freedom of their
native land.

Distracted, now by differences of al»' men, now by
the jealousies of weak ones; at other times by the
well-meant olHciousness of ignorance ; again by the
want of means, and the bickering results of such a
condition ; sometimes falling into apathy by the drop-
ping out of some earnest spirit, whose sensitiveness
would pall before an accumulation of the visitations
described, it is remarkable that some one was always
found to cheer, to encourage, and give life and vigor
to a nucleus of nationalists. The connection was thus
kept up, sometimes by a happily-welded link, at others
by a very fragile rope indeed. I have chiefly referred
to the projective societies in New York, with wliicli
the congenial societies in Ireland were in commu-
nication.

One great source of dissatisfaction arose from the
very hopefulness wliicli kept the cause alive in Ire-
land, and which led men there to exaggerate the
means at their disposal. The mistaken idea, also
prevailing in Ireland, of the position of the exiles in
America, who, it was thought, could control any
amount of money and war material, caused the de-
mands made on them to be of an equally-extensive
character. It is needless to say, these demands could
not be complied with. The existence of those societies

HISTORICAL INTEODUCnON.

£5

was always precarious, sometimes exciting, but all
were guided by worthy aspirations.

The Fenian organization was the result of the socie-
ties wliich had preceded it. The most imposing of
them had fallen away, and the nucleus from which
sprung this formidable power was composed of Michael
Doheny, Michael Corcoran, John O'Mahony, and one
or two others. From small numerical dimensions it
slowly but steadily expanded to the form in which it
has arrested the attention of the world.

When O'Maliony was elected president of the society,
and at the same time received his commission as Head
Centre from elsewhere, toward the end of 1858, it
numbered forty members, all of whom resided in the
city of New York. It had a great struggle for exist-
ence, but ultimately succeeded beyond the most san-
guine hopes of its projectors. In five years it put
forth its branches fjom the Atlantic to the Pacific.
Stretching northward, it had crossed the St. Lawrence
and the great lakes, spreading widely over the British
provinces. Toward the south it had reached the mouth
of the Mississijipi, before the great rebellion cut off
communication with the southern circles. Up to
1803, the Fenian Erotherhood was little understood
outside of the circles composing it. Its representatives
had never been summoned together. to adopt such a
constitution and rules for general government, as an

FENIAN HETIOES AND MARTTRS.

association '>f its extent might have warranted. It
had more the nature of a military organization than
a civil and self-governing body ; and while this suited
its infancy, many disadvantages became apparent
when it had grown in numbers, intelligence and power.
These disadvantages suggested to the Head Centre,
that the organization should be reconstituted on the
model of the institutions of the Republic, governing
itself on the elective principle. It was then decided
to call a National Congress.

Other mattei*s pertaining to the welfare of the Bro-
therhood demanded the consideration of its assembled
wisdom. Thousands of the most ardent and best
working members had rushed to the defense of the
Union. Many whole circles had entered the army in
a body, like the flourishing one at Milford, Mass.,
under its gallant centre. Col. Robert Peard. No less
than fifty branches had become extinct or dormant,
and the rest had lost considerably in ardor and effi-
ciency, through the absence of their choicest spirits in
the field. In the West, the Brotherhood had sustained
an almost iiTeparable loss in the death of the Rev.
Edward OTlaherty, the devoted pastor of Crawfords-
ville. Ilis death seemed to paralyze Indiana, which,
during his life, was thu '' banner state'^ of Fenianism I
The revolutionary Brotherhood in Ireland demanded
aid and sympathy ; so the call for the first National
Conin'ess was issued.

' "-r

HISTORICAL INTKODtTCTlOlT. 57

This body assembled at Chicago, in the Fenian
Hall of that city, on the 3d November, 1863. Sixty-
three circles were represented, having a constituency
of fifteen thousand men, half of whom at least were
mthe armies of the Union. "We no longer need
generals of our own blood," said Mr. O'Mahony
. m the opening session, « to lead us to battle for
Ireland, nor veteran soldiers to follow them » The
Congress met to place the Organization on a basis
m accordance with the habits and customs of tho
United States, and to declare its position and ob-
jects before the world, so that all the friends' of
Irish freedom could understand them. It adopted a
series of resolutions and formed a Constitution and
Jiy^Laws which promulgated the faith of Fenianism.
The organization was declared to be—

States of Amorica, of Irish birth or descent but nL .

tution and lows un.ler which we lire, ami to whiol, „1 T„°T
aio citizens of the United State., ow; om- Ine!,::!"" "' "' "'"'

An imqnestionable right was claimed under the
Constitufonof the United States to aid with money
or moral or political influence any struggling nation!
3*

PENIAN HEROES AOT) MARTYE9.

I .'■••

Deeming the preservation and success of the Union
of supreme importance to the extension of democratic
institutions, and to the well being and social elevation
of the whole human race ; it was

**Iiesolvcd, That we, the Representatives of the Fenian Brotlier-
hood in the United States, do hereby solemnly declare, without
limit or reservation, our entire allegiance, to the Constitution and
Laws of the United States of America."

All subjects pertaining to partizan American poli-
tics and religion were ignored.

The hostile assertions that the Brotherhood was " a
* Secret Society,' bound together by an oath, and, as
such, distinctly condemned by the Catholic Church,
through certain rescripts thereof, leveled against the
Freemasons, Carbonari, Odd Fellows and other sim-
ilar associations, social or political ;" were repudiat-
ed and denied by resolution —

"That we, the members of this Convention, most distinctly de-
clare and make known to all whom it may concern, but without
the slightest disrespect to any of the societies above-named, that
the Fenian Brotherhood is not a Secret Society, inasmuch as no
pledge of secresy, expressed or implied, is demanded from the
candidates for membership thereof; neither is it an oath-bound
Society, for no oath whatever is required in order to entitle a man
to all the privileges of the association."

The following embraces the objects sought, and the
means by which it may be accomplished :

" Resolved, That it is the special duty of the members of the
Fenian Brotherhood to strive with all their might, and with their

BisTOEioAL nrrnontrcnoiT.

St,'!?!,''' T" '"" ""''' ™™S" Wshmon evcywhe™

life, dl,.eo.1o„C" l:rc„'.T„ I 7,""' ','T «-™ »>-?'"»■<'
hatred of her opnrossZ S, ?, of Ireland, and ttat

e.ery ,me HsrCu"^ ™ *° Predominant passions of

The well-trained Irish-American soldiers were be-
sought to rally round the Organization, and the men
in Ireland exhorted to stand by it to the last extremi-
ty, nor flee from it to foreign countries. The Irish
people were declared to constitute one of the distinct
nattonahfes of the earth. The Irish Republic was
acknowledged as virtually established, with James
Stephens as tts Chief Executive: sympathy with the
Pojes was expressed and a resolution passed express-

.u.e,.n, P,„ancrC'i,r:: "Zr :;'* t^ ^^ "'

asains. n.i,., to t. z;::^^:^.:^;^::^;^;:^

The direction of the Organization was vested in a
Head Centre, elected annually by a General Congress,
State Centres, to direct State Organizations, Centres

PENT AN nEROES AND AfARTYRS.

.■,|i

1 ' *

to direct CirJes, and sub-Contres, for siib-OIrclea.
The Head Centre to be assisted by a Central Council
of five, a Central Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer,
nominated by him and ele:!ted by Congress, and Corre-
sponding and Recording Sfc^retaries.

"In order," said Mr. O'Mnhony, "that the Fenian Brother-
hood be in reality what your legislation has made it this day — a
thorouglily democratic, self-governing iustitution — it still remains
for me to divest myself of the almost absolute autliority which,
with your assent, I have held for nearly live years, and by so do-
ing to place the government and direction of the Fenian Brother-
hood in the guardianship of this General Convention."

The resignation of John O'Mahony was accepted ;
and he was immediately, on motion of Mr. Gibbons,
of Pennsylvania, unanhnously elected Head Centre,
under the new Constitution. An address to Ireland
was issued by this Congress, and messages of frater-
nity and encouragement received, among others, from
General T. F. Meagher, General M. Corcoran, and
Colonel Matthew Murphy, of the Irish Legion.

The transactions of this Congress added great vital-
ity to the Fenian cause. The second National Con-
gress assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 17th of
January, 1805. In the interim the sixty-three branches
had grown to be three hundred, while the financial
receipts exceeded those of the whole seven years since
the Brotherhood had been established.

In adc^ition to this success, Mr. O'Mahony said : " It

mSTORICAL mTROOUCTION. 61

is no idle boast to say that the En-lish Government
has been influenced in no small degree by the actions
of the Fenians here and at home, in ubptaining thua
long from openly aiding in the dismemberment of our
nnion. Tl as, perhaps fortunately for our cause, while
working ior the liberation of Ireland, we are also sei-v-
ing the best interests of America."

Among the important subjects brought before tho
Second Congress, was a lengthy report by Mr. Philip
Coyne, of Missouri, Central Envoy to Ireland, of his
examination and inspection of revolutionary affairs
in Ireland. He reported the masses of the people as "
desirous for revolution, and that the middle class,
though hesitating to pass into a career of trial and
labor, would in the extremity of a revolutionary out-
break, act boldly with the patriots. The national
journal. The Irish People, was recommended for sus-
tainment, for the courage and ability it displayed ; and
the mode of organization of the I. II, B. was declared
to be as nearly perfect as possible, being so arranged
as to defy the strongest power or finest subtlety to
penetrate it.

On the recommendation of the Head Centre, the
Constitution was amended so that the Central Council
was enlarged to ten members, with a President chosen
by and from themselves. He wa. to act on occasions
for the Head Centre; and the powers of the Council

It ''

i ':

I 1:

ii'

!l I

I if

I I

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYE8.

were materially extended. O'Maliony was unani-
mously re-elected.

Meauwliilo so great a flame could not exist in
Anioriea without some smoke becoming visible in Ire-
land. The newspaper reports of the progress of
Fenianism in America were regarded as astounding
developments, and being reprinted in England and
Ireland, excited the anxiety, and enlisted all the re-
sources of the Irish Government to watch and ex-
plode the counterpart Revolutionary Brotherhood, on
that side of the Atlantic. But the Irish Brother-
hood was manipulated with exceeding skill and fore-
sight, and baffled the keenest scent of the authorities,
while it spread widely among the people. James
Stephens, one of the youthful participators in the '48
rising, liad undertaken the organization of Ireland.
Certain envoys having been sent to Ireland, from New
York, for the purpose of seeing upon what basis a new
revolutionary organization could be started in that
country, carried letters from O'Mahony to Stephens,
who had returned from France. In the early part
, of 1858, one of these envoys, Mr. Joseph D^niffe,
returned to America with a written document from
Stephens, showing already a formidable basis for ac-
tion, and engaging, if he Avere sustained with certain
funds, to greatly increase the number by harvest time.
The Directory of '48 was appealed to in vain by

8 unani-

exist in
le in Ire-
'gres9 of
tunneling
and and
I the re-

and ex-
liood, on
Brother-
md fore-
horities,
James
I the '48
Ireland.
>Tn New
is a new

iu that
tejihens,
I'ly part
D'^niffe,
nt from

for ac-

certain
st time,
i^ain by

mSTORlOAL INTKODtJCTION. QQ

Meagher; who, if he did not actively enter into the
movement afterwards, would never wilfully hinder
any measnre undertaken for Irish liberty. The money,
although not amounting to more than two thousand
do liars, was raised with difficulty. With the first in-
stallment ot- it, Deniffe was sent back, also carrying
with h„n a Commission for Stephens as Chief dLo!
tor signed by Doheny, O'Mahony, and others.

Havmg enrolled some thirty-five thousand men
Stephens came to America in the fall of 1858 to re'
port progress, and solicit more generons snbsidiJs than
he had received from America. At a meeting of the
fnends of Ireland at Tammany Hall, Kew York, the
collection of a fund was inangnrated ; and at the reqnest
of Stephens, O'Mahony was created Head Centre
The arrest in Ireland at this time of .the members of
the P^ia3nix Society," which showed that some active
disloyalty existed there, gave the cause here a much
needed impetus, and aided the purposes of Stephens'
^sit. Attention had been directed to him on the
PlicBnix trials; and for a conple of years following
during which time he was in France, the revolution-
ary party did not seem to.make much progress in Ire
land This partly arose from the fact that remittan-
ces from America were not of that character to keep it
m working order. In December, 18G0, Mr. O'Maho-
ny went to Ireland himself, to be personally satisfied

mmA

■anteMMmtM-tniti

IJIJ

lUI

; 'i

I !

!. I

FENIAN HEliOES AHU MAliXriiS.

on the state of affairs. The most important districts
were inspected, and a meeting of certain leaders held
in Dublin, at which definite plans were laid down.
Stephens returned to Ireland and O'Mahony to
America, and the organizations on both sides of the
ocean progressed with powerfully eifective strides.
That Stephens was successful to a degree without par-
allel in Ireland for half a century, cannot be ques-
tioned. With special qualifications as an organizer,
he traveled throughout the island under various names
and in many disguises, making the personal acquaint-
ance of the people, and was to them for some years
an object of wonder, almost of worsln'p. That
O'Mahony had also done wonders in organizing the
Brotherhood in America and Canada, was attested by
the thankful Congress of Chicago, which passed reso-
lutions recording his wisdom, genius, eminent purity
and heroic virtues, during the five trying years
through wliich the organization had struggled.

The mystery which baffled the Government in Ire-
land, and the might which the auxiliary Fenian Soci-
ety of America represented, combined to bewilder
and exasperate tlie authorities. At tlic close of the
Civil War many officers of the Irish Brigade, Irish Le-
gion, and other Irish-American commands, which had
seen much service, found their way into Ireland. Of
these not a few regarded their preservation in the

HISTORICAL INTEODUCnoir. q^

on their native soil Y <=«»ntry„>e„ to victory

books of drilHn t 7^"^ ""'" ^'"^ ''"""'J <J'-'"'-ng.
"-i ^liii-instruction were aUn rii. -. . ^* '

eious plaee,, and a varietyoft "''"'" ^^P'"

growing excitement T '"'' '*^^«<' ^o the

«.e ihi gov~ wa::;::f "'^*'-~ ''-"

only CoA-ancl Dublin Tnd T " " " '"'"'' ""' ""'

^>-;%a,t,, h„t that ^::^'::^-^^-^^^;^

soldiery, and that the con,pi„cvLd "^ "'"

cations in Liverpool m , T''*'"''^^ ™'n'fi-

of £200 was offered for the eapt^ "L t """'■'
the transatlantic steamers were dd T "'' ""
for lrish-A,„erican-loohin, peJo s nd ™' ,"■""'''
-g of the 15th of September IS "otT ^T""
-as seized, and severa arrests mad! ■ . ^""^
ClarteLnby J O'Dnn , /^ ' ''"*"S ^''omas

*'-'-eo^.ieirortit.trr"^^"^^

rests in Dublin Cnr^ a a 1 ^""lerous ar-

--eof^eiiSti;;:::-^;-.

t>.e «e..eant-Major:f^^^J:;~;'. ^"^
'"teed his signature to a fZ roS T '," """•
i'ad been captured Tl • ^""'^ "■''''^''

-onrity, and "sed a '"''''''' ""'"'''''"' -■
y, and caused a ru„ on the Cork banks.

ii r

FENIAK HERGES AND MAETYEg.

Bills of ExcliaTige from the Fenian Treasury in KeW
York to the Irish leaders, amounting to no less than v
£3,000 were intercepted, and arrests of many import-
ant local centres continued to be effected.

This intelligence awoke widely-extended sympathy
in America ; and after sitting for some days in New
York the Central Council of the Fenian Brotherhood
issued a call for a Congress to be held in Philadelphia,
on the 16th of October. The deliberations of this as-
sembly were looked to with anxious anticipation. It
was very largely attended, and the enlhusiasm which
had already existed was greatly intensified by the arri-
Tal on the 19th, direct from Ireland, of Mr. P. J. Mee-
han, who had visited it as the accredited envoy of the
Brotherhood. His report, which exhibited the accom- .
plishment of a magnificent work, the organization as
powerful, the management masterly, and the position
solid, was received with exciting demonstrations. The
most important measure of the Congress, however,
was one changing the Constitution and ofiicers, and
drawing not a httle ridicule on the organization. The
new Constitution created a President, and Secretariea
of the Treasury, Military, Naval and Civil Afitiirs, a
Senate, the President of which would be Vice-Presi-
dent of the Brotherhood, a House of Delegates, and
all the governmental paraphernalia, in name, of a dis-
tinct republic, within the American Eepublic. Other

f !

7 in Kew
less than v
y import-

sympatliy
;-s in Ne\V
otlierliood
ladelpliia,
of this as*
ation. It
Lsra which
>y the arri-
P. J. Mee-
ivoy of the ,
;lie accom- .
iiization as
le position
ions. The
however,
Seers, and
tion. The
Secretaries
I Affairs, a
Vice-Presi*
3gates, and
le, of a (lis*
lie. Other

fiisTOEicAL mrnomcno^. q^

Important and depreciating changes were made ; and

n a ver, br.ef period thereafter the vital d.fferences

"^■educed into the Constitution were angn.ntecl,;

di«=renees between the "President" and the "Sen^

. t"™"* of the body of the organisation. I„ a per-
Bonal way the diiferences bred distemper, distemper
v.h«eat,on viiiiicatio. snbterfnge, aid 'snbtX

b^iacea hy the cl.arges and coimter-cJiaro-ea

Pnnt. The record of tliese painful contii ;s would
occupy vohnnes : I feel hu.nihated to have to refer to

that John O'Mahony had been declared the nnanin.ous
Cl0.ce of Senate and Delegates, for President, and
was elected j and that the seceding party, .„o„„ l,,"^
were twelve of the fifteen newly-cri ed Se" 1*2

Jlnch followed the latter, developed into an armed
expedmon mto Canada, which was attractive to alarge
class as oilenng more immediate excitement. Thus
t^e Po^verfu. Fenian organization of An.rica, becan"

and The Canadian Party. Under these exigences, tl^

r".

i \

FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETYE3.

former held a Fourth National Congress, in KeW
York, January 2, 1866. Over four hundred delegates,
the largest representation of Fenians that had ever
met, assembled, from Australia, the Pacific shores,
British Columbia, Canada, and all portions of the
United States. The old Constitution was restored,
the Senate abolished, the history of the differences
reviewed, an address issued, and O'Mahony rein-
vested with the old oiiice of Head Centre. The pro-
ceedings of this Congress were accepted by a Military
Convention, which assembled in New York, on the
22d of February, the anniversary of Washington's
birth-day, and issued a spirited address signed by
eighty-five ofiicers and forty sergeants, nearly every
one of whom had seen service.

In the meantime there was no diminution of the
excitement in Irelaiid; and if anything would have
united the discordant elements in America, a contem-
plation of the state of afifairs there should have done it.
The arrest of Stephens in Ireland was a great triumph
for the authorities ; but his defiant course when brought
before the magistrates, and his subsequent wonderful
escape from jpil, soon turned the tables, and gave the
victory to Fenianism and the people. Notwithstand-
ing that the Irish Attorney-General, at the close of
the Special Commission, which tried the Fenian pris-
oners, boasted that " every single individual connect-

HISTORICAL INTRODirCTION.

)nderful
;ave the
tlistand-
close of
an pris-
connect-

ed with the Iruh PeopUr and every one of mavk,
.nd.cated m the captured correspondence of Stephens
and others, had been, witli one or two e.x-eyions
ai-rested and convicted;* still in the middle of Febru-
a>y, 1806, the suspension of the Ilahea^ Corpus was
deemed necessary to control tl>e wild current of con-
spu-aey wh,eh the Government could not otherwise

Tlie debate on tins measure, which took place
on the irth February, was rather brilliant, and'asi:
bears dn^eetly on the state of Ireland, some facts elicit-
ed m It very fitly fall into a brief narrative of the
times. In proposing and advocating the bill Sir
George Grey, the Home Secretary, traced the history
of Fen,an,sm, from his stand-point, up to the close of
he Amencan War, when it took a more threaten-
•ng aspect. In the papei-s and proclamations captur-
ed, he saw that the desire of the Fenians was the
disruption of the connection with England. The cap-
ture and conviction of so many of the leaders had
not produced any good result.

^xiiitiica, to tlie amount of

* Vp to tho introduction of tlie hill fnr th^ =,

thirty dx had been tried, convicted Ind son? '''T'"" °^ '''' ""'""' ^-/'"^
servitude. ' ''"''^'"^'l' ^nd sentenced to various terms of penal

■

! i

!:i

1 1

1 \ \

' ■

i [

FKNIAN HEROKS AND MAUTYE8.

no less than £3,000, arldressed to the leaders of the consph-acy
wlio were then in custody, were intercepted by the Govennneut,
Tlie Iri.sh Fcoide newspaper, wliich liad been suppressed in Dub-
lin, was ostentati(JUsly republished in America, and sent to Ireland
for circulation about the country. Of course, wherever that paper
has been found containing treasonable articles, it has been seized by-
order of the Government, and any person found circulating it is
subject, no doubt, to a prosecution ; but if this paper is brought
over, and privately ciiculated by the agents, who are constantly
coming from America, it is impossible for the Government, under
the existing power of the law, to prevent it. "

The Secretary justified the suspension, on the de-
mands made by Lord Wodehouse, the Viceroy of Ire*
land, whose letters were full of most significant testi-
mony to the power of the Fenian Brotherhood,
Writing on the 21st January, 18GG, Lord Wodehouse
says :

*' I hope that the presence of troops in some of the towns may
perhaps allay the general alarm. I am, however, by no means
confident on this point, and I wish to call the serious attention of
the Government to the state of affairs here, which I regret to say
becomes daily more unsatisfactory. When the People was seized
and the arrests made, the Fenians were for a while stunned by the
blow, especially by the arrest of Stephens, buf after Stephens' es-
cape their spirits-grea;:_. revived, and their activity was renewed.
At the present moment, notwithstanding the perfect success of the
Crown at the trials, they are more active than ever. I waited pa-
tiently to see would the alarm in the country subside, but the
alarm has gone on continually increasing. I am now disposed to
try what ellect can be prcxlueed by proclamations, and by detach-
ing troops to the more remote districts. With this view, we are
about to send troops to Tralee and Sligo, and to proclaim the coun-
ties of Sligo and Carlow, in accordance with the strongly express-
ed wishes of the magistrates. Other proclamati )ns will probably b«-

«ii

mSTORICAL rNTROTUTnoir. 71

zai ion lias its piiid a-onts in mn«f »f . . ^'''^ '''"S'"'^^-

return of men who scrv,.,! :„ .1 a recruits. I send you a

Cher. Who ccape Zf... iZe T ed J '™ •,■"■"' °° *"""'
tlie rest of Irelaml Tl,. ,r. J 7, '""''"' ™™" '"'m

skte them ;e know 1, "°'''' *"'-'"o"» class. Be-

«oancu.;r:;:or:rrr^^^^^^^^

asents of revolution >,n,l , '" '"■™' "«> Paid

o?.eo se..r:r;vii, Xa^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ';r ^""'r
v^rs-^:i:;^;r.hr^^^^^^^^ ^^ r -:::™u asr

the s„s,.„.io„ of ,ae /fcL "o,i;ro.1"f ' T™" "'
right to warn ,Ue Cabinet that, ia TL« T? "^""S" "
not fat- distant." JMgment, that moment is

He says thoy have arrested various agents from

tlietn the evidence necessary to convict tl.em." Tl.ev

usually had " .h,„.,oo,. " and ntoney. On the 4thlf

ohntary, h.s E.xcCIency has h'ttle hope of pacifying

i f '■"•7'' "'« »«^. he is in better spirits, look!

tng forward to " the suppression of the conspiracy

"'»°*'-T>^fH|llii ,

PENTAN HEROES AND MAETYRS.

by the moans at liis disposal," by " a judicious dis-
posal of the troops at his command ;" but, on the
14th, he finds he has not power enough to do it,
and that tlie only safety of the English interest
in Ireland depends on the suspension of the Tlaheaa
Corpus. Is othing would save it but " prompt, imme-
diate action." " Tlie state of affiiirs," he writes, " is
very serious. The conspirators, undeterred by the
punishment of so many of their leaders, are actively
organizing an outbreak, with a view to dostr«y the
Queen's authority." Sir Hugh Eose liad detailed to
his Excellency various plans of action he liad discov-
ered, and also that the American agents were getting
plans of detached forts and barracks.

"And he draws no exaggerated picture. Tliere are scattered
over the country a number of agents, who ai-e swearhig in mem-
bers, and who are prepared to talie the command wlien tlie mo-
ment anlves. These men are of the most dangerous class, Thev
ai-e Irishmen imbued with American notions, thoroughly reckless,
and possessed of considerable military experience, acquired on a
field of warfare, (the civil war in America,) admirably adapted.tr.
train them for conducting an insurrection here. There are 340
such men known to the police in the provinces, and those known
in Dublin amount to about 160, so that in round numboi-s there are
500 — of course thei-e are many more who escape notice. This
number is being augmented by fresh men c distantly arriving from
America. In Dublin itself there are several hundred men (per-
haps about 300 or 400) wlio have come over from England and
Scotland, who receive Is. Gd. a day, and are waiting for the time
of action. Any one may observe these men loitering about
at the corners of the sti-eets. (Heai-, hear.) As to arms we have

icious dig-
it, on the
to do it,
li interest
lie TLtheaa
pt, imme-
i^rites, " is
i by the
3 actively
»str«y the
ctailed to
id discov-

e getting

re scattered
g in uiem-
en the mo-
ass. They
ly reckless,
[uired on a
fidapted.t;'
!re are 340
ose known
rs tliere are
tice. This
living from
men (per-
ighmd and
n- the time
•ing about
IS wo have

mSTORIOAL mTRODtlcnON.

i«- Of co„«, wic, ;, J!r ? r '"''° ' """"■"' '"°'° «•

w™ i„. The .lisafeC of .h "" ™ '""^' """ ""^ "^ P««
Cay by day ^proaiLg Ij al7^„;f "''''"• "^ 'J»™'"«. "-d i. i«
■nen. IB tte attempt t„ .aducc tt^trol " r^'" ""' ''"='™' °'»™-

=o^^~:l- - ^^^^^^^ ":: :r. t; :-

Jd not believe the Secreta^ overstated t w" ' S!
the contrary, J,e believed that if tl,„

people of Ireland had tht";;ri:S':?!';
they would remove their island tl *, '*'

-est of England; that th^ ir; tb^ n "-

conspiraey, insurrection, or conrt'ut l T "' ' ^

Bl.ake oif English domination To^r ^''*"'

~ .rrtplfa"?:SrerC^ ««=^ «» yea,, of ,v.
land engaged ia a con^piracTrr'J " ""' ^''"Pl'' ■>' &e- '
Crown of Great Britain LnT to f„? m"" "■" ""'""■•"y «'■ '"o
from its connection with Enrfaad W ^ '"'""'"'' ""''' O""""^
-re and «ing„ar oceun-ence t ^ hi^":."?' T^ "'"""'"« »
■8 only an aggravated outbreak of an !?7^ f"""' ' ^«"ianism
memotyofthe oldest man in M,r "^^ t"^'^""' "" within the
from chronic di8afre«roa ".''"fi ''"■»""«»■"« been f„e
House undertook to govern Ireland T „-n '^ ^""^ ^ *''
circumstances under which the union ofTh! 7 ""''"« °' "»
place, save that they were disgracTfrand """'""^ «°*

^ ^^^^"^ and corrupt to the last de.

FEKTAN HEROES AND MAKTYR9.

■;'■ ' t

I !

r I;

•11
] ill!

gree. I will say notliing of tho manner in which the promlsci
made to the Jrinh people were broken."

During this peviotl, in liis opinion, but tliree acts
of Irish relief were pussed, while

"Complaints of their suirerings have been met often by denial,
often by insult, and often by contempt (hear) ; and within the last
f(;w years wo liave heard from this very Tr'^isuiy Bench obseiTa-
tioiis with regard to Ireland which no iricnd of Ireland, or of Eng-
land, and no jMlnister of the Crown ought ever to have uttered,
with regard to that country. (Cheers.) Twice in my Parliament-
nry life these things have been done — at least by the close of this
day they ^vill have l)een done — that measures of repression, meas-
lu'ea of suspension of the civil rights of the peoi)le, have be<Mi
brought into Parliament, and passed with extreme and unusual
rapidity. * * * If I go back to the Ministers who have sal on
these benches since I have been in the House — Sir Robert Peel
first, then Lord John Russell, then Lord Derby, then Lord Aber-
deen, then Lord Palmerston, then Lord Derby again, and now Earl
Russell — they did not all sit here, and I speak, of course, of thtir
governments, I say with regard to all these men, the dead and the
living, there has not been an approach to anything that history will
describe as statesmanship In this matter. (Hear, hear.) Coercion
Bills in abundanee, Arms Bills Session after Session — lamentations
like that of the right hon. gentleman, the member for Buekingliam-
Bhlre to-day, that the suspension of the Habeas Corpun Act to a
certain extent was not made perpetual by a clause which he regrets
was repealed — Acts for tho suspension of the Jrabras Coipus
Act, like that which we are now discussing — all these there have
been; but there has been no statesmanship. tHear, hear.) Why,
men the most clumsy and the most brutal can do these things ; but
it wants men of higher tern per, of higher genius, and I will even
add of higher patriotism to deal with the allhlrs of Ireland."

Recurring to the strong terms in which the Secre-
tary referred to the "unhappy tact" that* much of the

f§

lie promlscg
liree acts

by denial,
liin the lust
ch obseiTii-
, or of Eng-
ive uttenMl,
I'iirlianu'iit'
;1()S0 of tills
slon, mcas-

hdve bcvii
nd unusnul
lavc sal ou
Robert Peel
Lord Abcr-
d now Earl
se, of th(.a'
'ad and the
history will
Coercion
imcntations
ickingham-
18 Act to a
1 he regrets
IS Coijnifi
tlicre Iiave
ir.) Why,
hings ; but
'. will even
Qd."

10 Secre-
jli of tlie

nisTORioAi iNTRODpcmoir. 75

di^afToetion in Ireland was eent from t!,o TTnffed-
states, Mr. Briglit could take no consolation from it
It only added difficulty and .nuity to the question ;'
ior il the Irish have settled in Am...lca with 80 strong
an hostil.ty to England, " they have had their reasons •''
and If, with the feeling of aifection for their native
country, winch in all other cases they « admired and
reverenced,'' the American Irish stirred up the sedi-
tion winch existed, "depend upon it there is in the
condition of Ireland a state of things which greatly
favors their attempts." After rating the ministers for
lack of statesmanship, in fighting for office, and not
considering either their duty to the people or the soy.
ereign, hesaid:

the Home Secretary's 500 mon ?« ^.o. i . ^ " P^*

bers of tliia H„,..„ . '■"'-•"' '"^'"^■; Anil tliwe mem.

w! ?1 Ho„se_y„a„„,,r it may te than I am-,vho mav b«

ta^ of S """'• ""^ """ "'""-^ Mi„i.ry and another sltt!
taiy of State propostng to them another admmistration „t f^
same eyer-fam„g ,,„d poisonous medieme." """*''"™ °' ""=

Althongh the key-note of Bright's speech was how
by good governtnent to tnake tlie Irish as loyal as the
Scotch and English, yet Mr. Roebuck characterized it

PENLLN HEKOES AND MARTYRS.

tih i

; 111

fis meant for mero inlscliief, as " Trislmion luul no ^^^riov-
aii('(38 to coinpluin of." Mr. HorHiiian thou-lit Hri-rht^B
epeccli "valuablo only to tlio F(.nian conspiracy."
Mr. Stuart Mill did not blame her Majcrtty'B ministers
for the present state of affairs, as they could not be ro-
Bponsiblo " for the misdeeds and ne^Tlect of centuries,"
but he a^^^reed with Bright that the Bill was cause of
eharae and humiliation to England. The question
then fell into the hands of the Irish members. Mr.
John B. Dillon thought that Fenianism was exa<r-
gerated, because he was able to defeat its influence at
the last general election, but he perfectly well knew on
the other hand that whatever power the organization
liossessed, was derived from the general dissatisfaction
of the Irish people, arising out of years of misgovern-
mont. This conviction justified him in opposing the
measure introduced by the Government. He briefly
replied to Eoebuck's sneer that Ireland had no griev-
ance. They excused the necessity of doing justice to
Ireland by publishing for years that she was in pro-
found repose and contentment : and when she is not
contented, but seditious, they also use that as a
reason to withhold beneficial legislation. Dillon, for
one, could not aid them in any effort to quell that
discontent which, he believed, was caused by a de-
nial of justice. In his opinion, discontent and dis-
affection were not unmixed evils, as he believed that

i: -A

1 no fj;piov-

rirtpinicy."
ministora
not be re-
enturies,"
3 cause of
question
era. Mr.
►vurt exug-
flucnce at
1 know on
;aniz}ition
.tiafaction
iisgovern-
osing the
lo briefly
no griev-
justice to
8 in pro-
he is not
at as a
illon, for
ucll that
by a de-
and dis-
ved that

HiSTonioAL iNTnontroTioiT. ^^

n.:t;™ tr 'Y't """• """•" -""''• "- ^-n

of the com laws """^ "'"'"'• *''" ''""'''"

^n the H„s:r :r:rr;,r '^""" «-

Fenians to be the takinlont' /"''''"" "' *''«
O'Donoghue, though „„° a ^ „ '"'"'^- ""'"
defeneeandeoveJoCj/:X:r '-'-'

to that allegation, because he tocw"haLf„r ^^"''°'' "o ^"'s"'
made against all those who atTnv ,i!^! , . ' °'""'S°' '«"' b'™

^^ont a national n>„.emen.^'Xn7 Th '""'"™""' '" "^^
p'Connoll (hear, hear, from Mr S'tl ^7 .7^'" "^^ "S"'-''
ho might be allowed to say so-a^t '7 , '"'^ "^ -»«>«-if
tenny (Sir J. Gray), when he wl, *""■• "™''« »" Al-

mond Bridewell. ^leh ta^^) "^^'^'"^ '"mate of Bieh.
»» donbt useful m throwing d-rldi.o^T°'"' '''''''''«<' ''''"
maintained that when those stall™ ! movement, but ho

was dlsereditable to use them. '" (H^. le^r.^ ' '°"°^'"""' "

Coercion was not what Ireland required Th

O Donoghue belie vorl ,-f «, i^ «4uirea. The

•^

(111
if l!^

fV-fi

BB4

HII !]

|HI|

■

MH:!

FENIAN HEROES AND MAHTYES.

nal that tiie notice of tlio bill was received with cheera.
These came, he said, "from the representatives orde-
luders of the small Orange party of Ulster, who looked
upon it that the greatest blessing the Government
could bestow on Ireland would be to suspend the Con-
stitution, not for six months, but for ever." Out of a
House of three hundred and seventy members, but
six voted against leave to bring in the Bill. Hence it
was brought in and put through all its stages within
twelve hours. With similar speed it went through
the Lords the same day; the Earl of Derby taking
occasion to say he could not admit "that the Fenian
conspiracy was entirely due to the closing of the
American war, because he knew that in 1859, the
Phffinix conspiracy prevailed in Ireland, and had nu-
merous branches in America." The celerity of Eng-
lish legislation, in this instance, in bringing aid to
the English interest in Ireland was almost without
parallel.*

All of which was an acknowledgment to the world,
as plain as words and actions could make it. that the
perennial protestations of England to the effect that
Ireland was profoundly happy, contented and improv-
ing, was a wanton and heartless fabrication to shield

• Bat two cases of similar promptitude occur in the history of English le^is,
lation : cue when a bill wan passed to aid recruiting of land forces when GeoTge
i™ rrrth Y'"''T''' '"'^^^^^^d declared war against France, April 3,

iri nV T 4 U °° '''' ''^ "' ^"^' '^'•''' '° '^''' '^' grievances of the saj
era of the Royal Navy, which culminated in the " Mutiny of the Nore."

f,U

itii clieers.
ives or de-
dio looked
'vernment
1 the Con-
Out of a
bers, but

Hence it
:e8 within
; through
by taking
e Fenian
g of the
.859, the

had nu-
' of Eng-
g aid to

without

le world,
that the
fcct that
improv-
;o shield

nglish legi*.
i^hen George
Qce, April 3,
i of the sail-
ore,"

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 79

her continued mis-go vernmont of that country. This
preaching of Irish prosperity when there is dearth, of
contentment when there is discontent, of improve-
ment when there is impoverishment, is a very old sub-
terfuge. Swift strove to combat it. In his day the
coartier who wished to be successful, kept the Irish
question out of sight, by misrepresenting the state of
the country, and alleging it was «in a flourishing con-
dition, the rent and purchase of land every day in-
creasing." ^^'If," ,ay. Swift, in 1727, "a gentleman
happens to be a little more sincere in his representa-
tion, besides being looked on as not well-affected, he is
sure to have a dozen contradictors at his elbow '

In Swift's statement, Mr. Bright could find another
Illustration of his charge on the wilful .pathy of Eng-
lish ministers toward Irish rights, for the case is ex-
actly the same to-day as when the Dean of St Pat-.
nek s wrote his able but short view of the state of

( 1

1 1 '

ii !■

'i^

111

FENIAN HEKOES AND MAETYKS,

CHAPTER IIi;

THE INSUEREOITON IN mELANB-AMERIOAN SYMPAlTIT.

^^^'or%tZZ':\TSZV^^^^^^^^^ ^« A.erica-A.iv.

Canadian Party dirrJ ZnZ^^^ ^ 'etires-Invasion of Canada-The
Kerry-SeaS<:rsSs t pZ^^ " Failure-Rising la

Ireland-Prodamaurn of pL^SnTp '^ Insurrectionary Movements in
-Massey betrayTt^^e Mt«-ilf;™^^ *"«"^ "^^ ««^'^--

New York-Great Meetir.<rT^ ^"'^^^^'^y^" Amenca-Pifth Congress m

NegotiationslrlfonL'cL^^^^^^^ ^T '^'^^"^ ««^—

pathy reported bv Gon T^^L f I Congress-Kesolutions of Sym,

Ireland Tmnq ilL;the^eon7p f'^ '^""^ ^"*' "" "-'^'^<' ^"«°» d«-l'»^«
Bright-RenSable Speech ^f^ MrMcntrSt^'^r ''°"^^" ""'^ ^^^•
should not be TranqnU-Sixth N.Hn^^Tn ^ ^ '^'"''"■'' *»>"* ^••«^"°d
savage elected Chief lecS^emarki"^"" ''' " New York-Mr.

The suspension of the Rahas Corpus gave tho
sought-for scope to the English authorities in Ireland
Arrests were made on every side, and prisoners wero
counted by hundreds. The secret movements of
btephens were continuous sources of excitability, and
a Feman riot in Bradford, Yorkshire, at which the
Irish Republic was cheered, and the police severely
handled, was not calculated to raise public confidence.
In America, the news begat renewed activity all
over the countiy. Mass meetings in the open air and
in the prmcipal public halls were held in Kew York

OIPATHT,

erica — Arriv
Canada— The
re— Rising ia
foveinents in
: the Soldiers
Congress in
)r Hoffman-
ions of 8yin«
icon declares
isell and Mr.
that Ireland
V York— Mr,

:ave tho
Ireland,
!rs were
lents of
ity, and
lich the
severely
fidence,
^ity all
air and
' York,

HISTORICAL DTTEODtJCTlON. gj

^V^a^Ungton, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, Balti-
more. Savannah, Mobile, and many other cities and
towns, and a general clamor for action came from all
pomts to the headquarters in New York. The Insh
party and the Canadian party still continued to widen
the breach between them, and while the latter was
preparing to move on Canada, the former made a fu-
tile attempt to occupy Campo Bello as a military de-
pot. Soon after this event Mr. Stephens arrived in
New York amid great eclat, and O'Mahony withdrew
to give h,s coadjutor a chance to adjust differences.

trolTf TT T ""'■ """'"''^ """'-^ y-'-J t"^-^ »n-
trol of the Canadian party, as O'Mahony had retired

from that of the Irish party, and thus open thlw"
for a union of both under the lead of Stephens. This
hope, however, was without foundation ; and the ^-jv
mer making a move on Canada, and engaging the Ca-
nadian troops at Kidgeway, attracted universal atten-
tion. Thus becoming the "party of action" for the
moment, the Canadian party greatly distracted the
Feman element, and effectually inteifered with Ste-
phens purpose in America.

To counteract the eifect of the raid across the St
lawrence as well as to keep pace with a demand tor
a tion which he had cultivated i„ the public mind
Stephens made promises, which he was not able to
perform. He promised to eifect a rising in Irell^

?.:r»"

liii!

83 "^AK BEE0E3 AM, MAEWRS.

. by a stated time, and when that time arrived r.

' ® ^^^'^"^P^G of perhaps the o-reatP^f-

» dorn po„ieia„, O'Conne.l, for such' cou^l^t
a to be looped that the race whieh a quarter of a'cen
^"7 ago penodicallyeheered the announcement tilt
Jepea would be attained "in si. months" isTxti '

ZwTv "'y'-'"'' '° ^■"---- '"-•It"

nnally declined movino- in Trplnnri i . '

»xxij_| HI xieianu, and rpf-irprl in^^

pnvaeyi„P„i. His military frie^'^ds souj to C
h^^no redeem bis promises at any and e^very i^l
ana lailinc: in thm foni^ u i "^ '

the attempt. ' ' "^""^ '''^""'^- *» '-^o

On the faith of the pron 'ses of , ,;=•
veteran otHeers had /one tl tll^ ""ot ■ ' '
Ireland and England at th» I "™'''™* Po^ts in

-t-iuj^ianu, at the close of ISfic nr.! +i t.
ginn ns of 18(17 Ti, "'' ™« ^e-

fo s«i»07. -iuese were now joined hv ti,o •,•
tary staff of the ex-cbief »n^ *T. T ^ "''"•
these men to strike a 1 , -^^te^inatiou of

1 ro stiite a blow was soon illustrated 4
Fenian demonstration at the English ei v !f pt .
on the 11th February, produeed a1 f "*"■• '

England; but the intends of tb T" ^^'^ '» '

wrated by Corydi: c^^^ ::rrr" T

pay of the English a^horitie fl- mThe rt^f'

P-ious. Within aeoupleofdaysarelotlE ' '
m Kerry, under Colonel John / ,;^'^''"*«'^I':plaee

arrived, re-
ieemed this
the greatest
course; but
er of a cen-
3ment tliat
is extinct,
aihire; iie
'tired into
lit to force ,
^erj risk J
3 to make

imbers of
posts in.
d the be-
the mili-
lation of
ited. A
Chester, ,
panic in
sts were
8 in the
3tember
>k place
tnd the
} which

mSTORlCAL mTRODUCTIOir. ' 83

extended to Cork and Limerick. Military disposi-
tions were speedily effected unde • one of the " In-
dian heroes;" but O'Connor, a young veteran of the
Irish Brigade, out-manauvred him, retreated with his
band to the mountains, and completely baifled the
troops. On the 15th, the Government stated to Par-
liament that " Colonel Ilorsford's force was altogether
too small to follow the armed band of Fenians into
Toomie's Wood."

The rising in Ireland was to have been simultaneous,
but discovering that the plan for the capture of Ches--
ter Castle, and the troops in it, had been betrayed ; and
concluding, of course, that the Government was pre'-
pared ^vt all points, the leaders sent messengers coun-
termanding the revolt. Owing to his remote position
the order failed to reach Colonel O'Connor in time tj
prevent his action, which thus had the appearance of
an isolated movement. In a few days the " outbreak
at Killarney" wan declared "at an end" by the In-
dian hero, who thought, probably, that he had ended
it : and in a week telegrams everywhere conveyed the
blissful news, " Ireland is perfectly tranquil.'* Whilo
the telegraph was busy making news of Ireland's tran-
qnility, the authorities were pursuing another mode of
achieving that end, and of contradicting it at the
Bame time. Ev u; ;. vessel arriving at an Irish port was
searched by mta nrmed with cutlasses, and expert in

' i

1 i

■■

III

m I

(

'i' ■'

PKNIAN nEBOIDS AND MAWVB8.

tI.o sconce Of physiognomy. Any one looting like a
l^bcl was instantly seized, pinioned, and thrown into
pnson A conple of days' work will illustrate how
tranqud the Government believed Ireland to bo.

The tranquility, however, did not last long, even on
. paper. "Ireland again in rebellion" was the startling
i^ews whieh iu detail explained how a si.nultauoous re- '
volt had taken place in various parts of the island on
tlie th of March. The previous announcements '
gave the mtelligence a thrilling effect, and the public
mnd was wrought to a state of bewildering fermenta-
t.on by the confirmation of reports showing that an
evHlently well-designed plan of insurrection had de,
veloped Itself in throe provinces of the kingdom. The
leader, controlling the n,ovement promulgated this
proclamation simultaneously i„ Ireland and America,

PROCLAMATION

tlio Irish farmer to the Iri,h „J f '""■<■'"'"=■■; our lands pass tnm
owners Of ^.^^.^Z^Z^Z^X:^ IfZ

ng like a
Jwii into
ute liow
be.

5ed aboard
tor. Next
'id hy the
oon twen-
5 roll, and
nd iu tliQ

3vcn on
tartliiig
3ousre- '
and on
ements '
public
menta-
bat an
ad de-
. Tlie
d tbia
erica :

ts, our
3 fi'oni
ightful
o sup.

ITT8TORT0AL TNTRODmiTTOW. 85

ply tlie markets of England ; after having seen our skilled work-
men driven into exile, our men of thought and action to imprison-
HKM,t and the scanbld ; having no longer either lands to cultivate,
laws or acknowh-dgcd rights to invoke 5 in a word, having nothing

^afl^"rJ?r"' "'"''" "'" '"'"'^^ "^ «"^^""fe' "^ the determina:
nation to fight, wo cheerfully choose this last resort.

All men have a right to liberty and happiness. Believing that
there can be no durable liberty or happiness except upon the bal
hiSttV"' ""' "r'" "" '' ""^-elaborwhen'themlstf
80 I and that the Irish soil, instead of being in the hands of il,n

Boilby Lcl '" ^^^*^™'-^-- *° -1« ourselves of^'that

Considering that all men are born with equal natural rights, and
l.at by assoemting themselves together to protect one anfthe and
hare pubhc burdens, justice demands that such association luld

cicstioymg ,t-we declare that we aim at founding a Republic
based upon universal sutfrage. securing to all the intLic vXe of

We declare that we wish absolute liberty of conscience and th«
complete separation of Church and State ' ^

Oalor'beinff/T"'' ""'■' '' ^"' '^ « Progressive capitatiou "
^lanor bemg tree from any impost.)

Calling upon God and mankind to witness the justice of our

ti^M t 'T'r ^' ^" '""^''^''^ -^ ''^'-'^^^ ^- "^

"hrt ianT ."^^^^^^^ '^ recon,acring the inalienable

ri hts that all men receive at their birth, we take up arms to com-

^ised upon Its property, we will employ to destroy it every means

torn down if ftf f,™'' ""^' ^"^'^'^^ ^'^^^'^y it «^-" be

tor down, If It be possible, without fear or truce ; and we swear

11 «acred name of our country, by the suffering of tho e wh^

MOW endure the tortures of living tombs for the cause hwi T

and revered .ames of those w Jhave died ^^^ thr?:;ed^^'oV|j:

If i

mm m

FEmAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYKS.

land, by our honor and that of our children that this war shall
cease only when the Irish Republic sl,all be recognized, or wh u
the last man of our race sliall lie in his grave

Kepublicans of the entire world, our cause is yours 1 Our en-
emy is your ..emy. Let your hearts be with L As for you
^^rkmen of England, it is not only your hearts that we wish Z
your arms Remember the starvation and degradation brought to
your fln.Kles by oppressed labor. Remember the past, look well
to the future, and avenge yourselves by giving liberty to your '
children m the coming struggle for human freedoi 1
Herewith we pi;oclaim the Irish Reiuiblic I

(Signed)

TnK Ikish J'eople,

THE IRISH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.

The first report of the msurrection was made by the
attack on tlie barracks in Droglieda. The next was
from Castle-Martyr, in Cork, distant two hundred •
miles ; and these were rapidly followed up by armed
displays and conflicts with the Government forces in
the counties of Dublin, Limerick, Down, Clare, Wick-
low, Waterford, Kildare, Kilkenny, Queen's County, '
and Tipperary. The wildest rumors ac^itated society! ■
Kothing was talked of but attacks on barracks, con-
flicts with the military, midnight manceuvres, railroads
broken up, telegraph wires torn down, Fenian arrests
and " Greek fire." Fenianism in the army had created
jealousies and bickerings, which found an occasional
outlet in the form of a riot : and some of the soldiers
who fell in the open conflicts with the Fenians, were"

HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION.

not all l)ronglit to tlie dust, it would seem, by the peas-
ant jackets.*

Of the several "disturbances" which occurred, both
in England and Ireland, among the soldiers, one is es-
pecially noteworthy— it being a " serious fight " which
took place at Ballincollig Barracks, near Cork, " among
the British soldiers stationed there to protect the ex-
tensive artillery depot and government powder-mills.
The cause of the outbreak was of course Fenianism."
The Irish soldiers, assisted by some companies of a
Scotch regiment, attacked the English lancer regiment,
which had disgraced itself bf acts of brutality in Dun-
garvan, and "the result was that several lives were

♦ The following remarkable letter was printed in the London Morning Post •
f hi' ^^'~^ --f print of a letter which appeared in your journal a few days a-^o on
the above subject, has Just come under my notice, having been copfed In o a
DuWin newspaper. In reply, I would bog your permission to make a few re-
marks through the medium of your aristocratic, though apparently imnartia^
journal. The writer of the letter in question seems to have reac a ouerded aS
consequently false, account of the rising of the Brotherhood in dScfof Cr

ieenlCr ""^''- ?''''''' "' *^^ interesting Fenian Brotherhood have
been shot down m armed rebellion against their Sovereign. * * • i hone
he (Lord Strathnairn) will shoot many more, and hang and flog the remainder'
Allow me to inform the writer that for every one of our Brotherhood^hot sis
jnen of the British soldiers have fallen. Many of these, I Sow wl 'hot by
their own comrades in skirmish-not accidentally, but because^f Their perfidy
towards the cause of freedom, and their avowed determination to show the Fe!
Jians 'no quarter.' In a skirmish, in which I had temporary command I saw
^o f wer than s,x of the 6th Carbineers unhorsed by oni volley from o™^
These were taken away in wagons, and nobody has since heard of them I could
c.te many mstances of a similar kind, if it were necessary. Thefact"s sir he
BntLsh Government is most careful in keeping all these matters secret fo; o^ "
v.ous reasons; but should you publish this ktter, the IrSX e o/'^ 'c>"^

facts o tlie case, will fully corroborate my statements. I am sir yoTr obedient
aervant, A SKKaEA.x-M..oR o. xhb 19xa R.ax„Kxx, Ur.X^^^uo llT^''

|i|

i' iliii.

m !

FENLUf HEROEe AND MAETVkS.

luBt. All possiblo olTorts were made to keep this se-
cret ; but it leaked out nevcrtheleBs, and next day.
winle the Scotch companu., were marching throud.
the eity of Cork, they were loudly cheered by the peo-
ple. Th« ovation, says the account, was received by
the Scotchmen with very evident pleasure.

The infamous Corydon put the authorities on the
track of Godfrey Massey, a sort of adjutant-general to
Colonel Thomas J. Kelly, who had diree !o„ of affairs
in Amenca after the retirement of Stephens. Massey
was arrested on the night of the 4th March, at Limer-
ick junction, swooned, woke up in the Castle, and un-
dcr the influences of a vindictive, cowardly nature, and
his Wife, betrayed the cause. Tlie Government, in pos-
session of sufficient information to shorten the life of
the msurrection, lost no time in putting forth its every
appliance for its suppression. The history of the Fe-
man revolt of '67, cannot now be detailed; but the
world has already acknowledged the courage, dignity
and devotion brought to its service by such heroio '
Bpints as Peter O'Keill Crowley, Thomas FranciB
Bourke, and their comrades-some dead, like the for-
me^ and others, like the latter, reprieved from the
Bcaifold to suffer a living death in perpetual imprJs-
onment. *

^ The Irish party in America labored eamestty, im-
tirmgly, and to a comparative degree, effectivelj^, to •

HTSTORICAL INTRODUOTTON'.

Biistain the patriots in Ireland. The history of the
i>iotfierhood in America, if ever written, will disclose
as noble labors aii.1 sacrifices, made by men in so-called
"humble life," to ]; , the organization in healthy
existence, as ever refreshed the hopes of a struggling
people. Imm - diately after the rising in Kerry, a Na-
tioiial Convention (the fifth) was called, and assembled
in I^ew York on the 27th February. Affairs were in
a great state of disarrangement, consequent on the feel-
ings produced by Mr. J^-^phens' action. These were
adjusted, Mr. Anthony A. Griffin was elected Execu-
tive, and measures taken to carry out a beneficial plan
of operations in aid of Irisli Freedom. These were at
once inaugurated, and the cable- intelligence of the
simtiltaneous risings of the 5th March already found
the Directory at work. On the 10th, an appeal was
issued by the Executive imploring harmony among all
parties, in view of the fact that England was willing
to spend millions of money and sacrifice thousands of
lives to subjugate or extirpate our race.

A great open-air mass meeting was held on the even-
ing of March 13th, in Union Square, which, notwith.
etandmg the extreme inclemency of the weather^
a chill rain constantly falling-was attended by over
ffteen thousand persons, who were nddressed from
tm-ee stands. Among the letters of sympathy receiv-
ed, was one. from the Honorable the Mayor of the cit/

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, NY. 14S80

(716) 872-4503

-im

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETYRS.

of T^evv York, wrliicli has more than temporary inter-
est. It reads as follows :

! II

Gentlkmen : I have received this day your invitation to attend
a mass meeting to aid the Irish Revolutionists, now battling for lib-
erty, to be held at Union Square, on to-morrow evening, at half-
past seven o'clock.

I am aware that it is somewhat the custom of public men to ap-
proach the Fenian movement with a delicate regard for our neu-
trality obligations, and of the duties enjoined by the laws of nations.
Apart from my sympathy for the cause cf Ireland, I may be par-
doned if I do not iadlvidually entertain any high estimate of Great
Britam's claims on us to keep peace within her dominions. When
we were struggling for national existence, and the cause of Repub-
lican Government was on its great, perhaps, final trial, England
gave aid and comfort, the violation of every principle of neutrality,
on the side which it believed would work the destruction of our free
institutions. Her people gave sympathy, money, ships and men,
and munitions of war, to be used against us.

I do not counsel, nor will I countenance, any violation of the
laws of our country ; but I do not stand alone in the community
in feeling no very keen sense of our natioual obligation to England,
and an indisposition to go out of my way to seek safeguards for her
protection.

At all events, I feel no restraint in expressing, as an American
citizen, my most ardent sympathy in the struggle which is now
taking place in Ireland, and my hope in its ultimate success.

In the earlier days of the Republic, our Government did not
stand on ceremony in expressing its sentiments in behalf of strug-
gling nations emerging into freedom. More than forty years ago,
when Greece was battling agamst the domination of the Turk, Presi-
dent Monroe did not hesitate to make their cause a subject of a mes-
sage to Congress, and to express the '* strong hope long entertain-
ed, founded on the heroic struggle of the Greeks, that they would
succeed in the contest, and reassume their equal station among the
nations of the earth ;" and later, the Congress of the United States

HISTORICAL rNTEODFCTIOK. 01

did not hesitate to express its sympathy for the fallen fortunes of
the Revolutionists of Hungary, and to tender an asylum in this
country to Kossuth and his gallant followers.

Should we hesitate to send words of cheer'and encouragement,
and more substantial aid to the men who are now fighting for the
redemption of their native land, because the land is not Hungaiy.
or Poland, or Greece, but Ireland, and the oppressor is not Austria,
Russia or Turkey, buf England ?

To my mind, the ultimate success of the people of Ireland in es-
tabhshmg then- righis is a certainty. It is impossible that a nation
of men of courage and capacity, firmly united in the determinatiou
to be free, can long be held in the chains of servile subjection. Ire-
land demands the restitution of its ancient right of self-government ;
that It shall no longer be under the yoke of a power alien m reli-
gion, m feeling, in interests ; it demands freedom, equality, and the
rights which belong to manhood.

If our Government proves anything, it proves that these demands
are just and right, and cur history certainly indicates the validity
of revolution. But it should be borne in mind that revolutions
which do not turn backward are successful revolutions. Unsuc-
cessful revolutions rivet the chains of despotism, and give a longer
day to the oppressor. I know not what may be the moans of the
men m Ireland, or whether this is the fitting opportunity to strike
the blow. To give the onward word of command in such a cil«i3
of destiny to a people, involves the gravest responsibility.

Let us hope that they who are charged with the responsibility
have acted wisely and well, and unite in earnest praver for an early
successful and happy solution of the troubles of a long-suffermff
people. *

Regi-etting that the brief time aUotted prevents a more elaborate
reply, I am, very respectfully, John T. Hoffman.

The resolutions adopted were of a clear and forcible
character, pledging aid to the patriots, declaring it to
be the duty of all lovers of free institutions to sustain
those who strive to extend the blessings of self-govern-

W¥

■0:

' i ',

: !

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTES.

ment to the natives of every land ; and concluding by
most earnestly calling " upon every section and class
of our Irish -born fellow-citizens, to lay aside all parti-
san strife and personal animosities at this momentous
crisis of their country's fate, and to unite together, and
rally as one man to the support of their brave country-
men, now battling for their National Independence."
Negotiations were undertaken to effect a union with
the leaders of the Canadian party at this time, but
without success ; and the Irish party bent itself with
redoubled zeal and energy to attract public sympathy
and aid to the noble cause it represented. The sub-
ject of Irish liberty having been brought to the at-
tention of the United States Congress, the Chairman
of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Kepresentatives, presented a resolution on the 27th
of March, which though not as bold and broad as the
services of the Irish, and the baseness of England to
this republic during the war would warrant, is never-
theless of historical import, as putting on record a fact
to which England will not lovingly refer. The reso-
lution, moreover, received sufficient opposition to more
emphatically distinguish the remarkable unanimity by
which it was adopted. The interesting proceedings
are thus condensed :

Mr. Banks. — I am instructed by the Committee on Foreign Af-
fairs to report the following resolution :

mSTOETCAL INTRODrcnOIT.

Hrftolved, That this House extend its sympathy to the people
of Ireland and of Candia in all their just efforts to maintain the
independence of States, to elevate the people, and to extend and
perpetuate the principles of liherty.

Mr. Banks.— I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Robinson).

Mr. Robinson.— T do not intend at this time to make any lengthy
remarks, and yet I desire to make some observations rather than
let this resolution pass in silence. I presume I may say, without
any disrespect to the chairman of the committee, or to the other
members of the commHtee, or without referring to anything that
may have occun-ed in the committee, that I should have preferred
a much more decided expression of sympathy than this. But such
as it is, I trust it will pass as the beginning of good thmgs. Be-
fore this Congress expires I hope to have the privilege of mtro-
ducing a resolution not only of sympathy, but acknowledgmg
the belligerent rights and independence of Ireland. I throw this
out in no spirit of bravado. I bel'- e the independence of Ireland
will come. I believe that the train of circ ^ stances now in ope-
ration will bring about that result.

"Truth crashed to earth shall rise again."

Nor can England take any exception to our interfering in this
matter. She has no more business with Ireland than we have-
She has no right, title or claim whatever in that country except
that which had its origin in fraud and force. She took possession
of Ireland by force and fraud, and she has made that country
through seven centuries of oppression a howlmg wilderness. She
has inflicted wrongs upon that people which no other nation under
the sun has suffered from another. In conversation with the Chap-
lain of the House to-day reference was made to the parable of tho
good Samaritan. Sir, I maintam that we have the same authority
to interfere that the good Samaritan had, when he saw a stranger
by the wayside, who had fallen among thieves, and lay beaten and
bruised. There is hardly a government in Europe that does not
interfere with the affairs of other countries. Emperors and kings
are all the time making new maps of Europe, and runnmg new

1! ,.!

i »

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

boundaries of kingdoms and empires. I may bo asked what aro
Ireland's chances of success ? Iler chances for success are greater
than any other people ever had who have achieved their independ-
ence. They are all rebels in Ireland. There is not to-duy an
honest Irishman upon the face of the earth who is not a rebel
against Britisli rule in Ireland.

The sympathies of all the world are with Ireland, while England
has the sympathy of no human being except its office-holders and
garrisons. It is something to have the sympathy of mankind with
you against your oppressors. Now, we are told that Ireland can-
not govern herself. That statement is not true ; Ireland can gov-
ern herself. Irish intellect to-day governs the world ; Irish intel-
lect is good enough to govern England. Even the poorer sort of
Irishmen, like the late Duke of Wellington, proves good enough
for that business. Irish intellect to-day is uppennost in all the
transactions of England. She rules in her Parliament ; she directs
her press ; she commands her armies ; she fights her battles. Why
may she not do so herself? Ireland to-day has more disciplined
men than any nation in the world, men who have learned the use
of arms, who have smelled gunpowder ; they are all over the world,
in eveiy clime, in every land. Irish valor has bloomed into glory
upon every btittle-tield of this and other countries. In these United
States, upon this very floor, may be found Irishmen of the second
generation, whose deeds I need not recount, as they arf on every-
body's lips, and are a part of the history of this country. Look
through the history of the late war, and see how many of the gen-
erals, and, above all, oi the private soldiers, were Irish by bu'th or
blood.

To-day Ireland can raise the strongest army the world t /er saw.
Her sons have been disciplined in the British army, in the army of
this countiy, and of every country in the world. She has more
men now scattered throughout the world ready to come to her assist-
ance than would, under equal advantages, conquer twenty Eng-
lands if they stood in her way. I know the gi-eat difficulty is in
gaining the first success. But other ceuntries have achieved their
independence without the strength that is behind this movement,
and some time, in God's own time, Ireland will be able to take that

!l!l ill

mmmm

BI8T0RICAL INTRODtTCTIOJf.

first step in her forward movement, and then there will be no hold-
ing her back. Ihe Ih-st step gained eveiything else is easy.

It' there were no other reason for our interlerence in behalf of
Ireland, we have it in the fact that to-day no American citizen ia
safe upon the soil of Great Britain or in Ireland. Instead of the
name of an American citizen being, as it should be, a badge of
honor, a guarantee of personal security, it is, in Great Britain to-
day, treated with more indignity than that of the citizen or subject
of any other country. Two or three days ago, I received the infor-
mation from an American citizen, in Liverpool, that, without any
evidence to justify even a suspicion that he was implicated in any
crime against the Government of Great Britain, he was arrested
and dragged to jail, where, without even the form of trial, he was
stripped of his citizen's clothes, dressed in the garb of a convict, and
set to work to scrub the tioors of the prison. If this is the treat-
ment received by American citizens from the present Government
of Ireland, may we not be pardoned for sympathizing with a move-
ment which promises better treatment to our citizens under better
rulers.

Mr. Banks.— Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Pile) three minutes.

Mr. Pii.K here ollered some verbal changes.

Mr. Banks.— Mr. Speaker, it is the principle of monarchical gov-
ernments that once being States their continued existence as such
must be recognized. That is the universal principle on which such
governments are administered. We claim the same for republican
government3. Ireland had once a government of her own. That
government has been displaced by the English Government. If
they are contending against the English rule, they are contending
to maintain the principle of the independence of States, and thereby
I cannot accept tlie modification proposed by the gentleman.

Mr. Wasubuhn, of Wisconsin.- 1 move the following amend-
ment :

liesolved further, That in sympathizing with the people of Ire-
land, we deem it proper to declare that tlic picsent Fenian move-
ment must prove entirely abortive in bringing relief to that coun-
try, and that any encouragement to that movement by resolution.

FENIAN HEROES Am) MARTTE8.

unaccompnnied by force, can only result in involvinj? the brave,
enthusiastic, and patriotic Irishmen in dilBculties from which their
brethren are powerless to extricate them.

Mr. Banks. — I hope that amendment will not be adopted. I de-
mand the previous question.

The previous question was seconded, and the main question or-
dered.

Mr. Banks. — I am entitled to an hour to close the debate. In
reference to the amendment, I have only to say this : it was con-
sidered in committee, and it was not deemed advisable to present
it to the House.

Mr. Wood. — Mr. Speaker, the amendment is virtually a nullifi-
cation of the resolution itself. The countiy well knows as the
House knows that the present agitation in Ireland looks to the es-
tablishment of free government in that island, as the result of this
same Fenian movement. "We all know it is this Fenian move-
ment that has elFected military organization in Ireland, and that
every rebel in arms in Ireland, and all the preparatory arrange-
ments looking to the establishment of an independent govern-
ment in Ireland, have been promoted, if not originally prompted,
by this Fenian movement. It may be true that it will cost lives,
aye of hundreds and thousands of men in the prosecution of the
Fenian movement. All revolutions cost blood before they become
successful. In our own revolutionary war oceans of blood were
spilled before we were able to establish our independence of the
mother country. Therefore, when we say by this resolution w»
sympathize with the people of Ireland, in their present straggle,
we say well and properly, but when we succeed it by saying that
we are against the Fenian movement, we nullify the resolution re-
ported from the Committee on Foreign Affau's. I call for the yeas
and nays on the amendment,

Mr. Eldkidge. — I ask the gentlemar to yield to me for a mo-
ment ?

Mr Banks. — Certainly, sir.

Mr. Eldeidge, — I hope the amendment submitted to the resolu-
tion reported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, will not bo
adopted. I look upon it, as does the gentlemen from New York,

■■■^ jgg^^^^y^^^^^^

BISTOMOAL INlTRODTJcnoN.

peo le o^^^^^^^^ ^'T '''''''''' -->^ ^--"re which the

eiT o t!ll n f'/''' '^''' '^"^'^i'^tion. It is worse th»m mock-

Se wUh M '"" '" ";"' degradation and suffering that ^e sZl

The yeas and nays were ordered
^eas lu, nays 102; not voting, 62.*
* The following is tlie vote:

Bon, Donnelly, Driggs Sef S In p'n m i.^""""' ^''™""' ^"»°™' i>«ni'
GlossbrennerrGraveT'Swol'dtiSf'^f'f ■■"''' ^^^^y- ^'^>^«' ««*-.
Hopkins, Anahel W.l bba d c 1 or n n^^'f^ ''"'' *^«''"'^°' Hooper
ter, Ingersoll, Judd, Kerr K;tcC Stch^n K ' 'T^''^ """P^'-'^^' Hun!
rence, Lincoln, Loan Logan MaZ;vM.,,L°"'''' ^'""•' ^""«°> I^^w-
Mercur, Miller Moore mSscTm ,n m^' ^"'■'^"' ^^^""-"'y' ^^Clurg,
Orth, Perham Pile pL P?,;i'!rS T'"' ^ewcomb, Niblack, O'Nei!
Solye, Shanks Sitgreaves JmUh sf^w^. r ?"' ^"'""'°"' ^°"^' ^chenck
Twitchell, Up8on,1?n Auke; Burt vln l'''''^ Jf'^ ^'^^^''^ Trowbridge
Trump, Ward Ile^ry D WasSxrn Johl T wT' ^f""' ''• ^'^ Horn, v;n
aud Woodbridge-103. "^*"'''"'°' '^°*^° T. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Wood

g^Sjgg

)

iliii

fENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS,

So the amendment was rejected.

The question recurred on agreeing to the resolution, and it was
adopted. '

As these pages are going througli the press somo
documents of peculiar interest reach us ; one is a de-
bate in the House of Commons on the state of Ire-
land ; another is a speech made by John Bright, in
Birmingham, and a third is the Queen's speech, read
by commission, on the proroguing of the Imperial Par-
liament on the 21st of August. Every one read tho
Queen's speech which came by cable. Very few read
the other documents which came by mail. As the
two latter very flatly and authoritatively contradict
the former, and moreover, throw great illumination
on the speech from the throne, I shall have to place
them in juxtaposition for the benefit of American
readers especially for Americans who are in the dark
on the subject of Ireland, and who chiefly seek to be
enlightened from such sources as republications from
the " leading English journal." In announcing that
" the treasonable conspiracy in Ireland has proved fu-
tile," the Queen compliments the valor of the troops,
the activity of the police, and " the general loyalty of
the people." The general loyalty of the Irish people
is a sentiment of similar import to the announcement
60 constantly made that " Ireland is tranquil," or " im-
proving," or " happy and contented."

The debate on the Irish question elicited a variety

HI8T0EI0AL INTRODrCTION. 09

of op!„i„n, and facts discussing tl.o land, the cln-
cat,„naUnd the church questions as relati.ig to L-e-

and. _ None of the speeches were intended to present
a Jeman aspect, but all more or less were based upon

he facts of which Fenianism is the honest and fear-

i"/Trt '"" ''"' ^P^°* "' «•« o^-'-on was
^^0 by Mr. Monsell, an Irish landlord and a loyalist ;
but one who, upon the word of Father Lavolle, is " J
deep th„,ker, a man of great uniform action and
pnncely fortune." His position adds immeasurably
to the force of his words, which, coming from any
honest man irrefutable as they are, should meet the
attention of every American thinker and publicist :

Pariiamen,.^ Their e™ 1^7, ""^ ""'"'™" '» ""^ '"=«°" "'

^oo„ew„„ldd™v ba ifr™ ''"'™"' """"S the lower d«es
I do not refer to "*,'rplr "" T" '"«^''" '- *" '"«™' "'^'^e.

."i.y to Great BX^Mr-r'X":t;t°' "' °""^ ^

.^rinih^rr ° f - --fZet'^^h^-^'

i.. large to,™ arc „' , ' " ™"^ '"' ""^ ™'^''='- *"Pkeepe«
paperThlrrwaM for wm -'^ "'" "' '^'°' " "" """

Which is f„i, o"tmmZd .^Lr ;; "'""' ' ^"^ ^™'"'«''-

a Picture, .ou tina the%rr:^ i^orreS X:

If!

100

PENIAN IIBR0E9 AND MARTYRft

-fit 'II

mands for frames for General Bourko's portrait. You 8(!o i)laearclft
^n tlie streets of the largo Irish towns advcrtiMlng * Voices from the
Dock,' in other wordn, pamphlets containing spiu'clies delivered by
the Fenian prisoners at their trials. Only the other day, at Dungar-
van, many of the respectable peoi)lo showed the direction of tlieir
sympathies, by providing champagne and every delicacy of the wa-
sou for some American Fenians arrested there. At Waterford, not
jong ago, the mass of the people in one part of the town hurried out
at short notice, to rescue some Fenian prisoners who were marching
through the town (hoar, hear). Tliese were the sort of things
■which were taking place ev(jry day in the South of Ireland, and
■which demanded the most serious consideration of this house and
of the Governnvent. Has any cabinet ever devoted to that consid-
eration one-tenth part of the time it bestowed upon the compound
house-holder? Is any venflcation of the truth of my debcription
asked for ? Look across the ocean —

' CcRhim nor. antmam mutant qu! '

Trans mare currunt.'

Does not eveiy Irishman who lands in America at once become W
Fenian ? Does the voyage change his opinions ? Is it not manifest
that there he only professes openly the political creed he may
have concealed at home. Here, then, is the result of six hundred
years connection between England and Ireland — mlHtary occupa-
tion — suspended liberties — universal discontent, and a new Irish
nation on the other side of the Atlantic, recast in the mould of de-
mocracy, and watching for an opportunity to strike a blow at the
very heart of this empire. Now, let me ask what is the cause of
this disastrous combination ? Is it destiny ! Is it a wayward fate ?
Must we fold our hands in despair? Are we powerless in this
emergency ? Is it impossible for two distinct races, such as the
English and the Iiish, to be cordially united in feeling? Look at
Alsace (hear, hear, hear). There you have a population of German
race — speaking the German language, separated only by a river
from the rest of the German race ; and yet the inhabitants of Al-
sace are as thoroughly French in feeling as the inhabitants of Tou-
raine (hear, hear), and woe to the German who endeavored to tam-
per with their allegiance. Well, then, if race is not the obstacle

V, > ■

...j ;

;

tnsTonroAt tNTBoni'cTioif.

101

tl.» «,«• Im year n„ mrt 7f „ t™""'' """• '^'' ""« "'"""■ »

C.,„uli„„a„fi.„„4 "^ ^,*Z ," ?"""'"-''"*'"'"«
Justice ,m,l equality Imve « binrlit! /■'""'^.f '"""^« "le same lesson.
But, sir, let mo aak la« It th?? "'''*""''''"s™n destroy
W.h people thele ive IT.ZTr""''^ "'"'"'' *" «« to tl^
Of their dlsaffeetlon»2anet? "" "^"'T "'"" '» tt" causa
elve the same reasoa I ^m'^L^"" "'" """ """ '"«/ «" wlU
Wends who come from Inlnd^* ,'^'""" """ "^ '""'°' '"e
Tho people of Ird J^s^ ttatlhevr" "' "''"" "<* """^^"^
. . «.elr ow. wishes or fo Co m^ZZfTr" '^™"""« '"
wishes or prejudices of m!Z2^TZZ\ T '"""""« "' ""=
«.y U.cy have no effectual ZZoy^Z OoT' '"■'^''^- '""^
is controlled by Enriand and fhl, 1 Ooremmcnt, which

."ited to Ireland, rrlll^lrurre 1""''''^ ^"'' "'''
day is obliOTl to conform l.. „, """""" ""> Government of the

• . land alonC to the ^e™ oZl ' "^ *°'^ '"" "^""^ I-
• prejudices ot the peo" „ of Grtat 12"". T '" ""^ "™"-'
Whether this view Is riglrtor wroL tTr^ ""^- ' ''° "-" '"^
tte opinion, nay the convie ion nft' oroflr'* '°' "" ""='"«
the middle and farming classes in ,L^ . peasantry but of

. «o). I do not know who I" °No ZTr^ "' '""»" ("»■
«ot ve^. well acquainted with Irelind T „ """" "* '°°"' ""»
the right honorable gentleman , hi "'"' '''"' " '»• » "

The other day that lefZZ« ^""""'y-"™"'"' «»■ Ireland,
land were nof at a^l d^omSr ""^ ?' "" "^""'^ "^ I«-
be attached to the opWonlf . ^?, ' '"""'^- ^° "-aori'T ean
ment (hear, he^). I thTnk „ „T"'""' "'"' ■""<" '"* " »«"'-
fute his present contridWouhr.) "XT' '"r""' ""-
then, ask, is to be governed c™ dig .7* ir Z""" °- '"■'"™'^
, us „ the English and Scotch are accwdinl ,1 tt, "'i'"™™-".
the. respective countHea (hear. heaT Zdr; Xr^'

lOS

FFNtAN JIEKOES AND MAR?;YES.

markaWc in'^tanccs in Confirmation of tlie vle\/ that Irish interests
arc sacriflfHHl to English opinion. Tliey tuk'i the land question, an
olu grievance ; lor more than two hundred years ago Sir Johu
Davit.'s said, * No care is talten of the inferior people. Tenants
at will, by reason of the uncertainty of their estates, did utterly neg-
lect to improve the land.' They say that Parliament recognized
this gi-ievance twenty-two years ago — that it deliberately admitted
that the Irish law of landlord and tenant was not adapted to tha
wants of that countrj' (hear, hear), and yet, in spite of eloquent
speeches and <he exertions of eminent statesmen, nothing had been
done to redress the grievance (cheers). Over forty bills have been
introduced — not one that torches the admitted grievance has been
passed (hear, hear). They ask — not, I think, unnaturally — ^wouid
an English or a Scotch gi-ievance have been so dealt with (hear,
hear) ? Next they turn to the question of the Irish Church (cheers).
For a longer period even than twenty-two years, ever since 1834,
the most eminent orators and statesmen have declared that no griev-
ance like it exists or ever has existed m the world (hear, hear).
Nowhere elae, as Macaulay, Brougham., Lord Grey, C. BuUer, a
whole army of distinguished men hiwe proclaimed, are the funds
destined for the spiritual wants of a whole people appropriated to
the wants of a small minority (cheers) ? But eloquence, and reason,
and authority, and logic, have been powerless against prejudice-—
orators and statesmen have passed away, and the Irish Church re-
mains. Would, the Iiish people demands, such an anomaly hava
been tolerated in England or in Scotland (cheers) ? Do you won-
der, then, that the Irish people complain that they are governed
according to the feelings and prejudices of the people of England,
rather than according to their owa requirements (cheers)? Do
you wondfc.- that they resent tho deprivation of that which Guizot,
in his last volume, declares to be the end of representative govern-
ment, viz. : that p. people should have a constant direction and
etf(!ctual control in their own government; that they should be
ruled, not aci;ording to the abstract principles of statesmen who do
not know their condition, but according to the peculiar wants gen-
erated by their own special circumstances. If you nean to satisfy
them, then, you must give them what they reasonably and justly

HISTORICAL iNTRODtJCTlON. 103

ask for, not what those at a distance think suitable for them (cheers.

Let them be the judges in their own concerns. It is, bel eveTne

perfectly tdle to attempt to change the condition-the pe i ou Ind

me..acmg condition of Irelaud-unless you strive to gain the hearts

of he Irish people (cheers). These hearts you can neve gain un

less you remove the impression that English poUcy not iustlce J^l

your delibera W (cheers). No advfncem'entTrnlCp^^

p ty-no improvement in the material condition of the people

will do anytlnng so long as that policy of injustice ranldesrthe

mmds of the people (cheers). Indeed, the more educat hey be

fnTJ't : "r f" "^ ^'^^ '' ^«°^P-« '^'- '-' with tat of t

Mr. Monsell was led into this bold picture of the
state of Ireland, by a desire to make the Government
hold out some ^'nducement for those not Fenians tobe^
come loyal. " Make those/' said he, imploring the
Ministers, " that are mt Fenians loyal, and you need
not trouble your heads about the Fenians." What an
admission by an honest landlord who does not advise
coercion but concession ; not the rule of rage, but re
dress. The Fenians are ^^qoyal: Mr. Monsell says
the mass of people not Fenians are not loyal • in
other words the vast majority of the people in Ireland
Femans or not Fenians, are opposed from their heart
of hearts to the English Government. How does this
estimate of the people agree with the Queen's an-
nou icement of the general loyalty of " her Irish sub-
jects." Assuredly the self-delusive congratulation in

104

FENIAN HEROES AXD MAETTUg,

the Qneen'p speech cannot stand before the powerful
tniths in Mr. Monsell's statement.

" Ireland tranquil ;" the "consph-acj futile;" the
people " loyal I" Hear how John Bright, at Birming-
ham, addressing the majesty of the people contra-
dicts the " Majesty of England/' on Ireland and the
Irish ;

"Will you let me tell you that Ireland was once an independent
kingdom— that withiu the life-time of many here it had an inde-
pendent Parliament— that at this moment, united with Great
Britain, it requires about forty thousand men— soldiers and
military police— to keep the country quiet, and to prevent in-
surrection, and, It may be, revolution? (Cries of shame.)"

Impossible ! forty thousand troops to keep the tran-
quil, loyal Irish quiet. If they are so quiet with forty
thousand soldiers amongst them what would such loyal
people be without them. It is plain that her Majes-
ty's idea of loyalty and Mr. Bright's are not exactly
the same. The latter continues :

" What right have you to hold in subjection, by forty thousand
troops, paid out of your taxes, a people— Houd applause)— who
dislike your government, and who believe that you have not done
them justice ? (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I hear a talk— it is old
phraseology — it was common here about seventy or eighty years
ago— about our sacred institutions in Church and State {deHsive
laughter). Does any man tell me that the Christian religion, or
that the Protestant portion of the professors of that religion, have
any interest in the maintenance of a Protestant Church, compris-
ing but a handful of the population, in the midst of a great Cath-
olic nation ?— (loud cries of no)— and a Protestant Chmch, compria-

HISTORICAL INTEOBtTCTlON. J 05

(Crle"oflamet ,7"=™'""" P^P^^y "f te whoic kingdom,
hear b aS ?■ T ""'™«d 'Ws matter before in this haJl

. -"» aU:s™:rrtfe?;:e:r;r^ -^ -•

body were to attempt to set un in i^r,rr^ a i'^^*"^* ^<^ '^ any-
up b, Ireland, ^ Ja^^ ^ J^ft^ttl J.«<^°f ^ *»! '1
amrcAj, and comiant revolt, (hoar, heIrT" "/P'^'P^to'.'

Mr Bright's idea of a tranquil nation differ as much
from that .n tite Queen's speech, an their estimates
of what makes a loyal man. Moreover, the English

q>uhty qutte as forcibly as the Irish landlord shows
there is none. American journalists should note these
facts and be prepared to expect a suspension of the //o-
iea^a^^Act, as an echo to Irish "tranquility"
an attack on a barracks to be hidden behind every of-
ficial glortfication of " content" in "poor Ireland." and
to be morally certain that the jails are overflowing
when Ireland is complimented on her " loyalty."

B,r; ;*: ^""■^'^ '^'^"'^ -- ■'•^-^ -^'d, Ld the

aitish Parliament prorogued in London, on the 21st
of Augiist, the Sixth National Congress of the Fenian
J^rotherhood was assembling i„ New York. Delegates
representing the States of Maine, Massachusetts, Con- ■
nectieut, Rhode Island, New Jersey. Pennsylvania

^1 l

106

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYRS.

Oliio, Maryland, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Vir-
ginia, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, Washington, D. C,
New York City and District of Manhattan, Long
Island, and Counties and Towns of the State of Kew
York, and Canada, took their seats.

The administration of the affairs of the Brotherhood
since the last Congress was submitted and approved.
The great object of the Assembly was to consult on
some means of reconstruction to meet the altered as-
pect of circumstances in Ireland. To this end the
Constitution was slightly amended, and Mr. John
Savage elected Chief Executive. On the next day,
the 25th, Mr. Savage attended the Congress. The
following is from the official report :

Mr. Savagk briefly addressed the Convention. After explaining
why he was unable to accept the invitation of the Convention, and
be present at its sittings (in consequence of severe illness which
scarcely permitted his presence for a brief period to-day), Mr Sav-
age thanked the Convention for the high honor it had paid him in
unanimously electing him to the 'office of Chief Executive of the
Fenian Brotherhood, and said :

"Many of you are aware that I have for months persistently re-
fused to allow my name to be brought forward in this connection
As tar back as the last Congress or Convention, I declined the
proposition. If I consulted my own desire, I would decline it now
My habits are at variance with those of what is called an ' Irish
politician, ' a character with which I have no desire to be confound-
ed. My habits are those of a student and literary man ; and I have
been induced to accept this office on the urgent representation of
good men, personally and by letter— men who, speaking for locali-
lies thousands of mUes apart, have expressed the same request.

HISTORICAL tNTRODUCTION-.

107'

based upon the same hope. They have been pleased to say that
possibly through me a union of discordant parties might be eflect-
ed, and placed the matter in such a light as compeUed me to this
course as a duty. "

Mr. Savage spoke of the deep love of country which lay in tho
centre of every Irishman's heart, and which needed only mutual
respect among themselves, and a proper incentive to be made an
effective power. Without a knowledge of details, the movements
of the year were deemed failures. The world judges causes by re-
suits— meu.ures the character of attempts by their issues, but time
to use a journalistic simile, was a careful proof-reader, a sedulous
emendator, and revised the erroneous impressions left by contempo-
raneous judgments, often proving-what it wUl again prove— that
failures are but the openings to success.

Mr. Savage exc used himself on account of the state of his health
from speaking at length, but, in conclusion said he would mvoke
Almighty God-the God of the sorrowful and oppressed, as weU aa
the God of the free, to illumine his brain with the fire of wisdom
and cleanse his heart with the fire of truth, so that thus purified and
strengthened, he might be gifted with honesty, sagacity and cour-
age, to unite the scattered elements of the race, and fervently labor
to guide them to a beneficial result.

Such is, in substance, an historical epitome of Irish
wrongs for centuries; and of the efforts made, espe-
cially within the last three-quarters of a century, and
even unto this date, by Irishmen, at home and abroad,
to establish Irish rights in Ireland.

J. S.

FoEDHAM, 26th August, 1867,

THE ANCIENT FENIANS.

109

THE AXCIEKT FEKIAITS.

The Fen!an«_Who Were They-Thelr Duties, Manners and Cufltoms-The
OsBlaulc Society

Since tlio Fenian Brotherhood have become famous,
a power on the earth, and a terror to English minis-
ters and excited Parliamentarians, there have been
many speculations as to the origin, meaning and ap-
propriateness of the designation— Fenian. Some of
these conjectures were very far-fetched, others ridicu-
lous, and none correct. That tracing the name of the
Brotherhood to the Phoenicians who came to Ireland
in the remote ages, was the only one approaching ra-
tionality.

The era of the Fiann {Feean\ that is the Fenian
p3riod, was one the most romantic and glorious in
the records of ancient Ireland, and an account of the
Fenian Brotherhood who then made it so, collated
from the most reliable authorities at hand, will doubt-
less be interesting in itself, as well as furnishing the
origin of the designation now so widely recognized as
synonymous with Irish liberty."

* The authorities freely used in the compilation of this chapter, are Dr John
O Donovan's Translation of the Annals of the Four Masters. 1 vols; Owen
Connella.1'8 Translation of these Annah, with annotations, by Philip MacDer-
mon, M D., 1 vo].,4to; Moore's Ireland; O'Mahony's Translation of Keating,
JN. Y., 1860, and the various references made by all.

110

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

Tlio Fenians, called by the Irish writers Fianna
Eit'i(mn{\\\Q Fenians of Irolaml), are mentioned in tlie
Four Masters, nnder the title of Feiie, or Feine, wliieh
according to Doctor O'Conor, signifies the Phceni-
cians of Ireland, and they were probably called so,
says McDermott, from the tradition that the Plxcni-
cians came to Ireland in the early ages. Their mode
of life would seem to give some warrant to the conjec-
ture that the name was as likely to come from Fiad-
hach {Feeagh), a hunt, and to mean an order of hunt-
ers. Thus tlie German Liglit Cavalry Corps, Jagers,
means hunters. The Fenians seem to have done noth-
ing but hunt and fight.*

The most widely accepted explanation of the name
is that the Fianna Eirionn, were called after Finn
MacCumhal their great leader. This Finn is the
hero of MacPherson's Ossian, and is there called Fin-
gal. " It has been the fate of this popular hero,"
says Moore, " after a long course of traditional renown
in his country, where his name still lives, not only in
legends and songs, but yet in the most indelible
scenery connected v Ith his memory, to have been all
at once transferred, by adoption, to another country
(Scotland), and start under a new but false shape, in a
fresh career of fame."

Dr. O'Donovan says, " This celebrated warrior, who
had two grand residences in Leinster, one at Almh.iim,
now the hill of Allen, and the other at Magh File,
now Moyelly, in the King's County, was son-in-law of
King Cormac, and General of his standing army,

• See O'Mahony'B Keating, notes to preface.

THE ANCIENT FENIANS.

Ill

which, as Pinkcrton remarks, seems to have been in
imitation of tlie Roman Legion. The words of tin's
critical writer are worth qnoting here : 'He seems,
Bays he, ' to have been a man of great talents for the
age, and of celebrity in arms. His formation of a
regnlar standing army, trained to war, in which all the
Irish accoimts agree, seems to have a rude imitation of
the Eoman Legion in Britain. The idea, though sim-
ple enough, shows i)rudence ; for such a force alone
could have coped with the Romans had they invaded
Ireland. But this machine, which surprised a rude
age, and seems the basis of all Finn's fame, like some
other great schemes, only lived with its author, and
expired soon after him.' "* Finn, however, was not
the founder, but the great disciplinarian and most re-
nowned leader of the body.

The traditional repute of Finn and his Fenians was
imdoubtedly great, for, as O'Donovan suggests, their
achievements were handed down, vividly remember-
ed, and enthusiastically recounted, while their imi-
tators, the Kerns and Galloglasses of later ages, are
nearly forgotten.

The Fenians were the standing military force, the
national militia, instituted in the early ages long be-
fore the Christian era, but brought to the greatest
perfection in the reign of the celebrated Cormac, Mon-
arch of Ireland, in the third century. They were in
regular and constant pay, and their duty similar to that
of any modern standing army. They had to defend
the country against foreign or domestic enemies, to

• Pinkerton'B Inquiry into the Hietory of Scotland.

112

FENIAN ITEROKS AND MAtiTYRS.

Bny)port tlio ric^lits and snccesaion of the chief monarch,
and to be ready at the shortest notice, to meet any sur-
prise or state emergency. They guarded the sea coasts,
having strict eye upon the creeks and liavens of the
island, lest any pirates should be lurking there to prey
upon the inhabitants, and plunder the country. They
were to support the crown, defend the country, and
secure the liberty and property of the people.

In the winter time, that is from Samhain (All-ITal-
low-tide) to Beltani, (May) these troops were quartered
upon the people, and the rest of the year they lived
out of doors, being permitted to hunt and fish and pro-
vide for themselves. They received pay during the
winter season, and for wages during the hunting season,
the skins of the animals they caught, which brought a
good price. By this admirable arrangement the troops
were always kept in a state of athletic activity, and
was a self-sustaining establishment during the greater
part of the year. The hunting and fishing was not
permitted to interfere with other duties, as they were
enforced to perform their military exercises, and to be
under discipline. The officers were enjoined not to
oppress, but to defend the inhabitants from the in-
roads of thieves and robbers, and to promote the peace
and happiness of the people. It was their duty to
quell all riots and insurrections, to raise fines, secure
forfeited estates for the use of the monarch, enquire
into and suppress at the beginning all seditions, anc]
to appear in arms whenever the State required.

The account of the habits of the Fenians during the
hunting season, as well as the qualifications necessary

THE ANCIENT FENIANS. jjg

"lar: who,, tho^t^rZ ' •' T*' ^"^ ^'''•y P"""-
C"^tom iu the fi^-e In n^ '"'"•■■"«' ** ^"^ t'.eir

great fires, into wl.ich thZlT' " ''"'^ ''""'''ed

stones, wh'ere the7 ct£ ^IT f," '""•"••- "^ '-go
Tl.eu the, applied tl.omTlri'";^ """^ "•'"' >■<"•
tl>e earth, into one of J,vf '' *" S""""* P't^ '"

-od to hiyi: :ftho"e t'tT" *'" """'""' ^oy

"pon which thov wo„l,)^i ■ """ "' * payment,

-,, fixeS a„otl,o. lal 1", ': 'If ' "^''r "'-« ^-dles
of flesh, and this motiZ I '"'' *''™ " 1"™%

fit to eat and then * "* ^^ '''^"■^'^ '■'" i* was

diet, instead'of rt^" ' 2 ■'"" " '"'"^ ^ '"^er [heir

would roast irbShesel '""'>" ''"''"^^'^' ^^^
and wholesome "'' ""^ '"""^^ " P^'^table

As an undisputed evidence of these fire, ti
of them continue deep in the earth t' ', ""'''
the island, to this dnv fi? !i ' '"'"'^ P'^^^s of

burned ex'eeed n^fieTc; ZfZ """ "^ ""■^'^' ^"-^
^ now to be me?wM ; :' ^ ZTtT """ '^'^
^''^" -. '^-bandman in Ltd Z fpTh™^-

114

FKNIAN inCROTCfl ANT) MARTTRfl.

;,i -

.- 1

plou<;h any blm-.k \mrnt oiirtli, Im linnu'«liiitcly knowi*
tlu' »»c(':ision of it ; ftiid tliowoil ot'tliiit vo\ov in kiu»wn,
uitli jxi't'iit^^ i)n>i>rioty, by tlio luitiu; of Knlticht Finn, tho
cot»kiM<; pliu'Ort or kiU'liona of tlio Foniuiirt, to thin tiino.
AVhi'ii tlu> Ii-iBli luilitiii cmuo to tlio«o tlrcB to drortfl
tlioir moat, boforo tboy wont to oat tlioy wouUl Htri[>
tliouisolvoB to thoir Bhirtti, wbicb ihoy modoHtly tiod
about thoir nuddk^, and p) into tho otiior pit (biic in
tlio <;ronnd, which was vory hir<j;o and liib^d willi wator.
lloro tboy wouhl wash thoir lioadn and nocks, and other
parts of thoir bodies, till tboy had oloansod thoinHtdvcs
from tho swoat and dust occasioned by thoir huntini;;
and this custom was vory wbolosomo and rofroshinLC,
for they would rub thoir lind»s and thoir joints, till tboy
had fori^ot all thoir fati.ij:u(\ and bocanio as si)righl ly
and active as when tboy bei«;an their sport in tho morn-
ing: when tboy wore perfectly clean, tboy woidd put
on their clothes, and begin thoir meal.

After they had oaten they would apply thcmsolvos
to build huts and tents, where tboy made their bods,
and designed to repose thomsolvos for the following
iiiMit. These beds were composed and laid out with
groat exactness. They cut down branches of trees,
wliich they ]>hiced next the ground; npon these was
hiid a quantity of dry moss, and upon the top of all
was strewed a bundle of green rushes, which made a
very commodious lodging. These beds, in the ancit nt
nuimiscripts, are called Tri cuilcoadha na feinc ; which,
ill English, signities the three beddings of the Fenians.
Tlie constant number of these standing forces, that
weie^n; M -ored upon the kingdom of Ireland, was three

* t I;

THE ANOlliNT FKNIANg. II5

ov «lmut 1()(),0,)(, i„ ti,„„„,-"i f •■ " ," !"•"""""'!

rank, there, v., a", 1 """'" '^''"^•' '""' ''^ '"■ i" »

tho otl,or ,Z^ "'■ "'''"""'"' '■'•'"" '•'"" ton over

Evoiy Bddicr tlmt was received intn rt,„ •,-.• ,

>^^o„,.i;dii;ito';;;::;:,:t:::;^tfir'<

mercenary c,«t«,„ „f i,,,,,.,; , ^,7 ""'.'""'W tl,o

^i'o, but, witlK,nt re, a I to , '"T ^ '"""."" *''"' '
clioosc a woman tor Uovlt,l "' ''" "'""''''

•nanners. Tl.e secon I J. , ' '"""■'''*'^' ""'^ g"""!
lonco to a «. na„ T ' 1 " T"'"'' °''™'- °«"«^ ^^O"
ital,le and re eve tl,e 1' ' '"' ''° *""''' ^e clmr-

- ^-ar a. hiraiTimi fw ^^ T, ^ r't"? ^'V'"'"'^'
^e wonid not turn hie bac^^e JerS;'':^^'

FENIAN HEEOEB AHm MARTTE9.

nine men of any other nation that set upon him, and
oETered to fight with him.

It must not be siipposed that every person who was
willing to be enlisted in the militia of Ireland, would
be accepted ; for Finn was very strict in his inquiry,
and observed these rules in fiilling up the number of
his troops, which were exactly followed by his succes-
sors in command, when they had occasion to recruit
their forces.

He ordained, therefore, that no person should be en-
listed or received into the service, in the congregation
or assembly of Uisneach, or in the celebrated fair of
Tailtean, or at Feis Teamrach, unless his father and
mother, and all the relatives of his family, would stipu-
late and give proper security, that not one of them
should attempt to revenge his death upon the person
that slew him, but to leave the affair of his death
wholly in the hands of his fellow-soldiers, who would
take care to do him justice as the case required ; and
it was ordained, likewise, that the relations of a soldier
of this militia should not receive any damage or re-
proach for any misbehavior committed by him.

The second qualification for admittance into these
standing forces was, that no one should be received,
unless he had a poetical genius, and could compose
verses, and was well acquainted with the twelve books
of poetry.

The third condition was, that he should be a perfect
master of his weapons, and able to defend himself
against all attacks ; and to prove his dexterity in the
management of his arms, he was placed in a plain field,

THE ANCIENT FEKIjUfS.

iir

encompassed *,th green eedge, that reached above his

Bt"ke'int-''r *^ ,T " '^S"" ^y >'™' ''Id a hazel
Btake in h.s hand of the length of a man's arm. Then

mne experienced soldier, of the militia were drawn

ont, and appointed to stand at the distance of nine

ndges o land from him, and to throw all their jav^

1ms at him at once ; if he had the skill, with his tar.!et

and his stak., to defend himself, and c'ome off nnh S

he was admitted into the service ; bnt if he had the mi^

fortune to be wonnded by one of those javelins, he was

Thl tl.r ™T"'"f ' ^"'^ '"™^'^ o*^ -* -preach
This tual was to make snre that the claimant for ad-

m ssion was competent to fill the post of leader of a

ward ,rf ""^'•'" """'"^ P""''''" •'« ™' «=^P««ted to
wa d oft f,.„„ ,„, ^en, the javelins of an equal file of

attacking enemies.

..^^T'fl??"^''"'''" '"^' *''^' ^'' ^ho"" ra^i well,
and m his flight defend himself from his enemy and

and was obliged to run through a wood, with all the
m, litia pursninghim, and was allowed but the breadth
of a ti;ee before the rest at the setting out ; if he was

hldtnTb" ^'wl'"^' "'■ ''"'"'^ ^ -°™d before h^
had ran through the wood, he was refused as too sln^-

friS;;'^"' " ^^•^ -^^^ '-- -ng ti

It was required, in the fifth place, that whoever was
a candidate for admission into the mihtia, should hZ
a strong arm, and hold his weapon steady ; and if it
was observed th.t his hands shook, he was rejected

I !

118

FENIAIJ HEROES AND MAETYRg.

The sixth requisite was, that when he- ran through
a wood liis liair should continue tied up, during the
chase ; if it fell loose, he could not be received.

The seventh qualification was, to be so swift and
light of foot as not to break a withered branch by
touching upon it.

The eiglith condition vas, that none should have the
honor of being enrolled among the Irish militia, that
was not so active as to leap over a tree as high as his
forehead ; or could not, by the agility of his body, stoop
easily under a tree that was as low as his knee.

The ninth condition required was, that he could,
without stopping or lessening his speed, draw a thorn
out of his foot.

The tenth and last qualification was, to take an oath
of allegiance to be true and faithful to the command-
ing ofiicer of the army. These were the tei-ms requir-
ed for admission among these brave troops ; which, so
long as they were exactly insisted upon, the militia of
Ireland were an invincible defence to their country,
and a terror to rebels at home and enemies abroad.

The great Finn was slain by the cast of a javelin or
the shot of an arrow, at a place called Ath Brea, on
the river Boyne, A. D. 283. After his death, the Fe-
nians were commanded by his son Ossian, (pronounced
Osheen,) the Celtic Homer, who was a famous warrior
as well as a bard. At the great battle of Gaura, the
Fenian forces, numbering twenty thousand, eighteen
thousand of whom fell, were commanded by Ossian '3
son Osgar, who was also killed. " The tremendou8
battle of Gaura is considered to have led to the subse-

tn-E ANcmm: feu^ians.

119

quent fall of the Irisli monarchy, for, after the destruc-
tion of the lenian forces, the Irish kings never were
able to muster a national army equal in valor and dis-
ciplme to those heroes, either to cope with foreign foes
or to reduce to subjection the rebellioas provincial
kmgs and princes; hence the monarchy became weak
and disorganized, and the ruling powers were unable
to maintain their authority, or make a sufficient stand
against the Danish and Anglo-Norman in^^aders of

alter times."*

» • . ■>

The Ossianic Poems are replete with descriptions

ot the greatness, magnificence and glory of Finn and

the prowess of the Fenians. One of the poems gi^es a

ghmpse of the great fortress on the hill of Allen in Kil.

dare, the chief residence of the Fenian chief, and the

troops under his immediate eye. It is thus versified :

When I supp'd in the halls of Pinn,
At ev'iy banquet there, I've seeu

A thousand costly goblets brimming, ' •

Their edges wreathed with goldea rimnilas;

Twelve habitations rose in state, •• ' . •

Fill'd with the Fenian legions great.

In the son of the daughter of Teige's conauma.

At lair Almhuin of the Fenian band. '

Twelve great fires forever flamed,
In each of the princely dwellings namea,
And round, to be but in death sund'red.
Were Fenian heroes by the hundred.

The Ossianic_ Societ/s publications, ^re throwing
great light and innumerable picturesque illustration!

• Annota, Connellau's and MacDermott»t Four itasttrt.

120

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

on the customs and habits, as well as the political his-
tory of what is particularly distinguished as the Fe-
nian era of Ireland. This society numbers among its
members very distinguished, as well as somo very loyal
gentlemen ; and it is not a little remarkable, that while
they are sedulously employed in disentombing from
the dust of ages, the history, literature, bravery and
• gallantry of the elder Fenian period ; the Government
are not less busily employed in consigning to the death
of dungeons, and the obscurity of penal servitude, those
who aspired to bring a new soul into Ireland, c - -evive
the spirit of the old national guard, in the creation of
the Fenian Brotherhood. The Ossianic Society ought
to be encouraged in their efforts to illuminate the Fe-
nian history of Ireland. Macpherson, in his manufac-
tured Ossian, leads us to look upon Finn as a myth.
The history brought to public view by the Ossianic So-
ciety, show him to have been what he was, a great pa-
triot-general, of remarkable foresight, military genius,
and heroism. There is no greater inspiration to hero-
ism than the example afforded by the deeds of heroes.
In picture, poem and story, they should be kept before
the eye and heart of the people, to excite the imagina-
tion to noble actions, and to strengthen the will to
perform them.

i..^

fi-

ts
al
le

1 ;f •

r'ii

1 '*' *' 1

pi i

tf ' \

f (f - . 1

in.

I .

!!'

•^.

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOURKB.

121

COLONEL THOMAS FEANCIS BOURKE. ^

Emmet and Bo«rke_Movement« of BourkO Family in America and Canada-
#ar AUh.'.'^hf. l7 ' ^''^'"-'-Joi„« the Fenian Brotherhood after the
^!.i7nt w, ^^-''^re^s-Succes*, aB Organizer for Manhattan Dintrict-

Rc8i«n8-\VhyhewenttoIreland-A8Hij;ned to the TipperaryDintrict-The
R...n,^-Captured atlkllyhur.st Fort-Indicted for Ili^h Treason-Triai-Ev.
denceof the Informori Masseyand Corrydon-Great Speech in tile Dock-
rouclung Letters to hi^l9ther-De8criptlon in his Cell. x;

It lias been truly said that no words have so thrill-
ed the Irish heart, since the ever-famous speech of Rob-
ert Emmet, in the dock, September, 1803, as those of
Thomas Francis Bourke, in the same place, on the Ist
May, 1867.

No doubt the similarity of the scenes which go into
the immortal history of Ireland's martyroloi^y simul-
taneously suggested the comparison between them, to
many minds. It was natural. It would have been re-
markable, indeed, if beholding the one, the memories
of die other were not conjured up. Sixty-four years
almost had passed, since the devoted young Irish exile
went from France to revolutionize his country, and
give freedom and the means of happiness and prosper-
ity to her oppressed people. Uncontrollable circum-
stances baffled his devotion, waylaid his hopes, exposed
his plans, frustrated the result, which should have fol-

122

FE.VfAN IIEKOES AKD MARTYRg.

.. thor.ty, us administcvod in Ireland bv id -^^ ""'
Noi-burv lit, ,i-„,i 1 . ■".""" oy the nifainoua

able to Lli n ; at3l'" "^ r^''^" '-^ --
and " Readers "»l,r <'-"7 S>vo,i in school-books

enliven their .nental marr.,w w'th del „f T'"''"' ",'
strengthen them with faith in love o eo ,^7' ""
unto djing for her. country, ev,.„

The lioroisni and romantic disinterestcdnc, whi,.b

::ot:m;;r;:r;:!:' r'^^'--' -''■'-^- -"'<■'

. I'iiue, not less than onr mtv -nifi r.,*f,r +i

Irish dramatist tells us is "kin f . l^ » t F •^' ^^'^

^--ragaininti;;^:;^:;;^-:::-^^

Ihis tmie the hero went to Ireland, not f -om France

^'f ■"/'-'•'-;•«»'•''-' by similar desires, fed by «
l>ioad a iaitli, and enconi'aged by hopes born of f?

It IS not only a sonree of consolation, bnt of hopeful
nsp,«t,on, to see the effect prodnced by tl e b J d
tone nng words of an honest man. They a.^, 1 c '

no a,g„ nent to enforce their truths, or prove the char
acterof the man who utters them.' Thomas R.amL
Lourke, who had been scarcely .nentioned in the pi
lie press, before his trial, has leaped into a w , ely "c
knowledged pre-eminence; a position which ann't be

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOUEKE.

123

won Bimply by fortunate circnmstuncos on the one

Jiaiid, or appcnlincrly oj^pressive treatment on tlic otJier.

The viral spark ol genius, wlietlier it be nianit'ested in

letters, art, seience or heroism— for there is a genius in

heroism outside of that other reliable kind mentioned

in gazettes, and based on routine— must be there—

niust give life to the act or expressed thouglit, must

give that touch of nature which makes the whole

world kin. Robert Emmet was scarcely known until

he never could be known, save by the record whicli

his genius and his faith made. Tl'ie name of Thomas

Francis Bourke was scarcely known until it tilled all

mouths ; and he will, no doubt, be associated with his

day, when those who occupied public attention for

years before it, will be placed on the retired lists of

history.

It is those truths, which anticipate tradition and his-
tory, that lend an interest to the career, whatever it
may have been, which preceded the act which gives
or propitiates fame.

Thomas Francis Bourke was born on the 10th De-
cember, 1840, in the town of Fethard, county of Tip-
perary— " Tipperary of the broad hills and golden val-
leys ; Tipperary, where the rivers flow like Irish melo-
dies, dividing their chorus with the more rua'o-ed and
picturesque hills of Waterford, that seem to giw tame
with listening, as the ' rude sea ' erst did to the ' dulcet
and harmonious breath ' of Oberon's mermaid." Like
many of the very ablest men, wits, orators and poets,
Curran, Moore and Mangan, for instance, and most
devoted and effective patriots, like Wolfe Tone and

124

FENIAN HEROICS AND AtARTYRS.

■Willinin ]»utfiiini JMcCubo, Boiirko sprung fvovi tlio
people. We Icuni that both of liis pmviitB bcdonoed
to tlio most ivspcctuMe of tlioso families, kiiowiriu
• Iivlmul as "the middle class." Hi. father was a man
ot marked intellioeneo, and more than the averao-o
education of persons engaoed in trade. He carried on
the painting and decorating business successfully for
many years, and, as well from liis cleverness and in-
dustry, as from his family connection with immy of the
professional men and better class of fai-mers, enjov(>d
a large share of the contracts in his county. Nci u'lan
stood higher in his community, than the" good father
ot this good son, who was one of six children. The
results of the famine year, which were felt so heavily in
the south and west, materially affected Mr. Bourke's
busmess, so much so indeed, that emigration from
the isle of sorrow was suggested, and acc(^pted as the
only means of affording his young family that present
care and future prospect, which Ids heart prompted
hmi to give them. In 1850, Mr. Eourke and his fam-
ily arrived in ^'ew York, and commenced the world
anew. His days were spent in providing the means
ot physical sustenance for his children, his evenin^r
hMsure hours to the imparting of such literary aliment
to them as his early habits enabled him to bestow At
the end of two years, lie had ac(juired a modest compe-
tency, when the failing health of his wife demanded im-
mediate removal ; and the family, leaving Kew Yoi-k
settled in 8t. Johns, iXewfoundland, to commence lifj
lor the third time. Mr. Bourke's attention and in-
dustry produced their inevitable reward, and he had

COtONEL THOMAS PBANns notTUKB. 125

gave « a,) , u 1,1 „ elmnj;,. „-„i„ becino iu.c,.s»,„-y After

to loionto, Cunmlft West, where a 8uccc«rf„l nUtWo
a memberof the Provincial X'arlia„u.„t re. I I '

Meanwhile Tl.cnas Francis had not been illc II„
md put hi, l,ana to, and became skilled hU.ftH, , -
business, so much so, that he was per t «rtot ^^
'onlnsown responsibilities." Ill bent h st «7o

n.an,, independence tbrlS.tt a~: "2^
he nobly contributed to the family f„„d i tIJ .
tts fi.ther's health continued to b'rcl h ^X^

n 1858 he became helpless, and thenceforth we are
told the entire support of father, mother, three^ister!
and a boy brotlier, devolved soljly on the sZt !

:fthf:ke;r r'^ ^--'- y-t «::":!•:

01 this sketch, who remitted his bank cheque to
Canada with the regularity of Saturday ni.d.t's^^cces
Bion At length the father died, and LliTig o„ t It
pretty little cottage in the suburbs of Torento Jfr
Bourke and her children removed to nITyo^'
Here he girls, now approaching womanhood found
wo* tor their industrious fingerX and relicv^ Zr
brother in part, of the bui-dou he had so loyally and
ovingly borne. The family became very L"v
oge her, and Mr. M. J. Ileffernan, to whom w"''^
indebted tor many of the facts hore narrated, gives u'
a graphic and touching view of the sayings A;f doin^

126

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

was a

in their 111! mble but happy home. He says it ^

gi-eat treat to tlicir few and select friends to visit
them of an evpniiio;. " Poor Tom came in from his
day's work, witli Jiis pleasant smile and liis clieery
hiuo-h, and his little sister picked up her books and
slate and made way for Tom to kiss dear mother;
and then his grown up sisters come in, and they had
such welcome for each other as though they had been
all absent for years. And then they sat down to tea
m such a jolly humor, and talked over old times, and
old struggles, and old friends, and of the little brother
at school, ill Canada, under the guardianship of the
relative above mentioned; and when the tea things
were removed they read a while from books of the'ir
intelligent mother's choosing, and from the morning
papers, which Tom was always sure to fetch home, and
from some national journal, which they received from
an unforgetful friend in the old country. And then
they chatted a while, and their fond mother, and one
of the truest types of a true mother, told them stories
of a time and a country which the elder children
could not more than remember, and which the young-
er ones never saw; and she related passages of that
country's most melancholy history, and named the
books in which the episodes could be found, and they
rcad these books as soon after as possible; and she
told them stories of wrongs and sufferings, which
their race had been made to bear, some printed in
books, and some which were printed nowhere but in
the burning memories of the Irish people. She
explained to them how it came about that such a race

)

COLONEL THOMAS FR.VNdS BOmjKE. 127

had been so abused, wronged, degraded and despised,
and slie tJiere and then made Tom a Fenian ! And as
tlic evening wore on, some friend paid a visit and
heard a sweet song sweetly snng. (How charmingly
lorn s voice accompanied those of his beloved sisters i)
^ o silly rhodomontade, bnt tlie real thing-^ Cus/da Gal
Mackre,' and 'Who fears to speak of J^^inety-eight 2'
And, dear, oh dear, how poor Tom could sin<^—

♦The Green, O, the Green, 'tis the color of the truel'

And then bed-time came, and the favored visitor
having gone, this thrice happy little household knelt
down together to mingle their responses in the Rosary
and offer an united prayer for the repose of the soul
oi he dead lather. And then they retired for the
li.ght, under the shield of God's special protection-
tJns Irish ^^ndow and her Irish children, with their
hearts full of Irish virtue and Irish love »

After an absence of three or four years, Bourke re-
turned to ISew York, about M^y, 1865. In some re-
B].cc s he was greatly developed. His natural abilities
had been expanded by experience with tlie world but
his constitution, never strong, was radically impaired
However, he promptly set to work, and soon his quick
iiitelhgence was rewarded by the position of foreman
in one of the largest painting firms in the city, with a
Jiandsome salary. "^

^ The Fenian Brotherhood had received a wonderful
impetus during the war. The development of Iri.li
eluiracter and bravery, as illustrated by Corcomi, at
hullhun, ^ prisoner of war and subsequently, in

k-n

128

FENIAN ITEEOES AND MAETYE3.

commmid of the InVli Legion ; l3y MiilligaTi, in his fa-
mous dofoiK'c of Lexington ; by Meaglicr and tlie Irish
Ih'igado; hy Shields, wlio ont-man(rnvred and defeated
Stonewall Jaeksou ; by Bryan, who fell at the head of
his regiment at Port Hudson ; by Cass and his " Irish
l^Jinth" of Massachusetts ; by Guiney, who succeeded
him, and by Byrnes and his twenty-eighth of the same
State; by Caliill and his Connecticut Irishmen; by
Lawlor, of Kentucky; IVrcGroarty, of Oliio; Thomas
Smythe, of Delaware ; Matthew Murphy, James E. Mc-
Mahon, James P. Melvor, and many others, had a very
powerful eiiect on the Fenian organization. This was
augmented by the action of England during the war;
and the expectation that hostilities between the United
States and tlie former, would give the Irish soldier a
chance to strike at his old enemy, brought ligiit and
comfort on many a weary march, and nerved him to
survive all difficulties, in view of the h)ng exi)ected day
of retril)ution. This hope caused Eenianism to s])read
rapidly, as well in the army as out of it. The military
enthusiasm, bred of ex])erience and the self-reliance it
creates, thus infused into the organization, gave it great
hopes and vitality.

On Bourke's return to JSTew York, he found many of
his associates, both soldiers and Fenians, anxious to'i)ut
the knowledge of the former into the cause of tlie hit to •.
With the teaching of his good mother, under the shel-
ter of the Eepublic; with the memories of British be-
nevolence to Ireland, in the shape of fnniinc, fever-
sheds and oppression, it was not difficult to enb'st him
in the great old cause, with the older name. His syin-

j; i

OOI.ONEr. TirOMAS IfEANCIS BOTTBKE. Jog

ratbies once aroimod, Bo„rIcc's every energy foll„wc,l

the 8a,nedn.eetio„. C„„se,,„c„tly, with'),!,, ,„«iti,3

tale,,te and manly attributcB, hk i„-i,lo of n|„.H,tnosI

Ton IT f ^''^^'^'R"' '^« r.Ken.pidly i,i th c estin.a-
K,„ . „s bretl„.on of tl.o AVolfc Tone Circle, wl.ich
he had jomed. He was elected a delegate to the thh-d
J<.Uional Congress, held at Philadelphia, (Oct. 1805)
and strenuonsly strove to prevent the change in ho

House oi Delegates into the organization. His effort,
however, were not snceessfnl ; hi,t the ability and intu!
:: r ""f '" «- d*'tes,i„whieh heparticipat i
vveic not lost upon the anthorities then controlling the
i. otherliood, and on his return to New York hc^wia
selected as, and rc.nested to accept the position of, „"
ganizer for the Histriet of Manhattan.

Thomas lionrke at once gave up his excellent em-
ployment, and entered on that path of destiny which
he was so we 1 httcd to distinguish. A naturaf orator,
with that useful edneafon which is always eft'eetivei;
leady, beeause self^acqnired ; with a clear, pleasant
voice, and a manner not less fervid because graceful
and easy Bonrke .p.ickly n.ade hin.self felt in his new

.to >t, and brought home to the minds of his heare,; the
eterhng convictions which animated his own His sin
cerity and earnestness were strongly indi,.ated by his
words and manner, and gave assurance of unquestiona-
l)le patriotism and nature's nobility.

At the time liourko became organizer, there were
some seventy circles, with ten tlionsand members, in

130

FEiNIAN IIEllOES AND MARTYlig.

the Stuto of Kow York. In two moiitlM of liia
preaclimg" as lie iisod to call it, New Y„rk city
alone had one liuiulred and four circles and .hirty
tiiousand inend)ers in "jroed standin .-." At the
division iTi the Fenian ranks he reniaim>d with the
parent oro-anization ; was a dele-ate to the Fourth
J^ational Congress, JMew York, January, 18(10, which
abohslied the Presidency and Senate, and reinstated tlie
old const itntion ; and was nnaninionsly elected J)istrlct
Centre tor the District of ]\ranhattaTi, which end,raced
tlie Counties of JSV-w York, Westchester, Kin-rs
Queens, Suffolk and liichmond, in tlie State of Ninv'
lork, and Comitv of JJndson, in the State of JMew
Jersey. His days were taken np with incessant labor
HI his ofhce on the grornd fioorof the celebrated head-
quarters, opposite Union Sqnare, while his nights were
not less laboriously devoted to visiting the circles

The spring of 1800 was looked forward to by the
grea^ body of the Fenians with a sort -f restless
expectant enthusiasm. It was hoped that the risino-
m Ireland was close at hand, and the government of
the I^emans in i\ew York purchased and fitted out
Its first vessel for the looked-for Irish crisis When
tins was effected, Bourke's heart became lightened
Contemplating the prospect of active service, he
exclaimed, "Thank God, for I am tired of preach in.vl"
He was determined to go with the vessel, in strivhio-
to dissuade him from which, Col. O'Maliony, the Head
Centre, said:

"Why, jou can be of no use yet, you are not a
sailor.

COLONEL TnOMAB FRANCIS BOTJRKE.

131

"Ko niiittei-," said lioiirkc, "I am resolved to go,

and you nunst let me. Thei-e is snnily Bometiiiug

that r can do, 1 can keej) aceoiiiits for the paymaster."

" Very well, then," said the Head Centre, "be

paymaster yourself."

" TJiardc you, sir," said Bourke.
On that day, Bourke resigned his District Cen-
treship, hut he did not sail for Ireland then. Other
divisions following the Campo Bello adventure, proved
disastrous to the plans of the brotherhood. But
neither the faith nor the perseverance of Bourke
was shaken. He may have been disgusted, but he
was not disheartened. On the arrival of James
Stephens, Bourke again undertook the' continuance of
those labors in which he had been so wearied and
so j?uccessful, and throughout the sunnner he remained
at his post, making tours of organization, and assist-
ing Mr. Stophc!ns in his attempt to rebuild the
comparatively shattered fabric ot Fenian ism. He
liad set his heart too largely on the matter not to see
fui'thor into it. He had labored too zealously not to
seek with his own eyes a result. In the Winter, he
begged his mother's blessing, received it in the manner
he so proudly alludes to in his speech in the dock, and
started, hoping to aid or make an opportunity whereby
the leaders of the Fenian movement might vindicate
their ])romises.

The same friend, quoted above, Mr. Heffernan,
gives a very gra[)hic sketch, not only of Col. Bourke's
appearance before he started, but of the views wln'ch
inspired him to such a course. This is peculiarly

132

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

"itcrostiTiic, and cxliiMf. in a marlcod mnnncr tl.o
couiprol.cnsivo views of dnty, as well as of faith, <.row.
mg out of a dear liead and a fivsli heart.

"I inet liini," says Mr. lleil-ernan, «t],o exomn^
before he started for Irehmd. His bright, intenio-ont
iace was pale and snnken, and his dark, penetratin..
ejes gleamed with the addit-r : 'nstre 'of a viole:^
fover Ills soft, persuasive vc. iiad a deeper tone,
>vhich he tried to make as eheerful as he could, but he
was sick— very, very sick, and everj muscle quivered,
with yam Ilis health, never very robust, had beo-un
to fail early in the summer, just about a year ago,
and at the time of his departure, his buoyant and
iiappy spirit commenced to succumb to the disease
which liad slowly but too surely undermined his
constitution. His ringing laugh was growing mx)re
moistened, so to speak, every day, and there were
moments when his countenance wore that sad half
sorrowful, half resigned expression, peculiar to those
wiio /eel that tlieir days are not long in the land
1 tried to dissuade him from going to Ireland then,
because I knew that his declining physical strencvth
would not permit of his nnderg. -ug a military c^nn-
paign. ^ In order further to prevail on him to abandon
his design, I taunted liim that his only motive in
going to Ireland must be the desire to redeem his
character from the stain that bad men would try to
fasten iij.on it, on account of his persistent adherence
to Mr. Stephens while he conducted the affairs of tlie
±enian brotherhood in New York.

"* There,' said the gallant fellow, * you evince tlie

COLONEL TiroMAS FEANCIS BOTOKE. 133

...Islukon „„ti„„, peculiar to those wl.o Imvc not
stu,l,„ tl„, ,iuc.stio,i in all its l,«.rin,i,^. Tlie p.-osorva.
t'o.. of ...y l,»„or is l,„t one (and it ia tho least
i'"|;"rt.nt) .„„Mve, wl.iel, i,„,,el3 ,„e to the course
wlncii I am al.cut to take, and wl.iclil should Bpcedily
aha„,l„„ wen, there no higher principle at Btake. lii

Iv/ I ', "•' *\'"''' ""' "'"•" ""'t t''« movement
vnll he ahorfve. Providence ,na,y throw the neces-
Bjiry udvantaijes in our favir, and where there is even
the fri.ost „t a chance, tho present desperate state of
a hurs dcnian.ls that wo sh.,ul,l ruu the risk-. But
a IcnnuK tl,e hnpossihility of our attaiuiuf; the great
ohjeet of our hves at present, a 'rising' in Irelan,! now
cmnot be otherwise tlum a success, for it is indispen-
sable to the veiy life of tho cause. Lot us see how the
case stands. You know, as well as I do, that the only
bope of Ireland's redeuiptiou rests with the 'Irish
Nation ,u America,' an,l you know t],at that now
nation has tlie will aud the power to make Ireh.nd'8
freclon, a eertah.ty. You know that so far from
proving tins deetrine to be fallacious, tlie ill-directed
and ba,]ly managed Fenian Brotherhood has fully
domonstrated what an iinmouse power this new Irish
nation might be under honest an.l able guidance.
> .111 know, that 11, proper hands, it could tear Ireland
Iron, the muted grasp of all Euro],o. But to be of
any use whatever, in tliat .-irection, it is absolutely
KH«ss..i,y that a clear niid..,standnig should exis^
l-tw.'m the Irish exiles here, and the pahiots who
may stiU remain on their native soil. They should
regard each other with more than brotherly L-e, and

134

(

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYE8.

above all, they must have a firm faith in, and rcllaiico
upon, each other. It matters not now from what
cause, but that feeling of mutual ftiitli and relianco
grows weaker and weaker every day. It must bo
re-inspired and strengthened at any cost, or eftbctivo
work for Ireland will be rendered impossible. The
injudicious course hitherto pursued by Mr. Stephens
has left the men at home under a strong impression
tliat they have been abandoned by their brothers in
America. If we allow that impression to remain,
tliey will never trust us again, and then good-bye to
all hope for Ireland ! It must, I say, be removed at any
cost ! Now, who is to remove it ? The wily enemy
is now at work, in press and pulpit, aided "by many
an ' Irish patriot' (God bless the hearers !) to weaken
the faith of the people, here and at home, in their
leaders — to prove that these leaders have, through
sordid and other unworthy motives, led their confiding
followers into a trap, and then abandoned them. It
n-.ust be confessed that the conduct of Stephens has
given this villainous slander a very plausible appear-
ance of truth. He, having made that disastrous
pledge, should have redeemed it with his life. His
failure or f )lly must completely demoralize the people,
if it be not counteracted. It mnsthe. Kelley, llalpin,
M'Caff'erty, and the rest of us — 'his associates in
crime,' as we are Innocently called — must prove to the
people at home that their lives and liberties are not
trifled with by the Irishmen of America. ^Ye must
prove to them that we are in earnest— that we ai-o
ready to pour out our life-blood, not only to give them

COLONRT, Tiro^rAS FRANCIS iJOTJIsKE. I35

freedom, l)nt even to save the cininon cause from
B lutne ami dislionor. We ]iave Juid the name of
leaders,' and it devolves upon us to give tiie lie
dn-ect to those who would but too gladly say to Irish-
men: 'Your leaders betray you; beware' how you
trust them again.' Mutual trust and conhdence,
between the Irish in Ireland and the Irish in America
and between the people and their leaders must be
restored. When that is done, the game can be played
over again, with all the advantages on our side of
havmg seen the enemy's hand. To be sure, it will
cost some hundreds of lives, but h will be well worth
the purchase. The blood of her children is the only
commodity in ^vhich poor old Ireland is rich * '<•
But it may be objected that in ruining ourselves and
those who depend on us, we have no moral ricvht to
involve the destruction of hundreds of good m" n in
Ireland, who may follow us into danger and death
I am aware that quite a number of tender-hearted
patriots' would take this high ground just now, and
they would be perfectly right if those on whom they
lavish then- cheap compassion were of the same
opmion, which, unfortunately for that merciful aro-n-
ment, they are not. It would, no doubt, be very
pleasant lor those, whose malignant tongues and pens
are already prepared to vituperate us in any case, to bo
able to say that we ' draff ff.,P our poor, ignorant
countrymen to perdition, unshriven and unnrepared
111 order to redeem our own characters, or^ tlu-oucdi
some other less creditable, personal motive. The
tacts, however, of which we trust to you to o-ive a

136

FENIAN lIEnOES AND MAnTVlJS.

pUm statcmon , at tho proper thno, will ,„t,er]y h.lio
sdW. c,msuIcrat,o„ whatever, or even tl,at iLZ

tli.it wil.m the past two mouths wo have recoivca
Watches fro,u every district in Ireland, all b"
the same bm-don-all chorusing the .an o tuue-ali •
beseeclung us to go to them at onee, no mat c win
moans we possessed, and help them o fl," Uh "oo
fi^ht, wh,eh they would inm.ediately iuauRura ,vW^
o«: ns .n ease we failed to bo at tlu.ir head If e

1.1. m Jinieiiea. What will betio result « The
men at homo will never trust ns a..,i„ and tho,, t
>-epcat, farewell to Iri.h Kegenorationl The nit "^o
are>.««^ this business; but, God williu..- f t,l' o

as I im in 1, 1 »" to -iieland— teeble and prostrate
Ir w , ^' ^ "'"•" S" '» I'-"'"'"!, .•vnd wore I
tt fhM o TT'f ;','""°'' *''^ "^'''^' I ^''='" "o in

e u e^o to «•"' *''" '*'""'^'' "■"""!''' "^ "'"•l"'!/
cause, go to offer up our lives-not even for the

mnue.hate eonsuunnation of our dearest hope ,,?
Htrir;* '•"'"", "*' """ •^'^"■"^* -"I want'oTtr^^

r lo vo .^ "'° "'; ""' *■"'■ *'"= <=^*--"'l-lm,ent of
each W , '^r ,f™"'f !""! I-'^Uy forbearance of
each othoi s faults and fiJlies, without which the

OOtONEl TnOMAB FKANCIS BOFKKE. 137

on,-™!'"" T "! "" ""•"•'■« of r>"'i«-ati'm, timt
on ca„somHy bo clonnsod fron, tl,o poll„tio„ of i,,
c o„.,es-t ,at it ,„ay bo liftod fo,„ tI,o filtby slo,,:^
to wl„d. >t has boon cast, and placed as l,i,dfbeyond
ho toncli of tbo vonal and corrupt, as it is today
beneath «. notice of those wlj 'are sincere a^J

tTnttL f,-n ™:.^'."" ""0 i-on.ai„ behind to boo
that t MS w.lhng oftonng is not made in vain On
w.h the good work I Begin over again, and w"
%Utitowtonthiab-ne! FarowcUI" ""won

He went to give his yonng life as an " offering of pu-
.ficat.on," tor the "eradication of distrust," for°the'el
^Ahshment of mutual love and "kindly forbearance "
xheso par u,g words of Colonel Bonrke, show him to

st.uek the loy-note of Irish success. He went to a
saenlico to show others i,ow to go to a success

In the distribution of the district commands, Colonel
Bourko was assigned to the Tipperar.v District. The

llaich ISO. and nnder t!,at daK,was issned from the
"Head-Quarters I. K. Army, Linrerick Junction, Ti^
S f"f-"r";F proclamation, the main char c-

to r Z ': '"" """ '"'"' "^ *" «"• i° assigning it

to Colonel Bourke: ^ ^

Inst You w ,;!! ^ ! ^ ^"^ ''°" '"'™ '""S"" '>'" ^me at
an your race. You „„,a not expect material aU from without
un .1 you laave si.own ti.e friends of EepuUioaa Uterty, .,y d e^^
not worts, ftat you are worthy ti.ei,. sym,,„ii,^- ^' ^ '^"'^

138

PENIAN nEROE3 AND MARTTRS.

.;-<

" Ton am not bo wrll nrmod aa yon mli^'lit bo, ♦ ♦ ♦
but you will roiucinlK^r timt history nirnisl.cH no' InHlanco of revo-
lution, wl.eii tho iiKsui-onlHtook iho Udd as woll armed as tlioKov-
eruniont lorces opposed to them.

"You will carry on the Btru^rglo for Irish Indopcndenco accord-
ing to the usa-es of civilized warfare ; but whould the eaemy inau-
.sjnralo tho 'Blampins out' proeess, o; .hould they insult, injure or
violate any of the daughters of our Iiuul, let then your battlo-cry
oe war to the knife I

" Comrades 1 tho eyes of tho world are npon you, and thousands
or your brothers beyond the Allanlic, and elsewhere, will rush to
arms, when ;. )m- deeds proclaim that you are really «tho men in
the gaj). '

«♦ Irishmen I May tho wrongs and woes of centuries of oppression
and misrule, nervo your arms when you march forth to combat
with tho flag of you lathers above you, and tho light of battle hi
your faces."

TIio Government was prepared for the rising. It 1 1 ad
in its pay since the September previous, tlie now noto-
riously infamous informer, John Joseph Corydon, who
had been used as a dcspatcli messenger between tlio
leaders on both sides of tho Atlantic, for nearly two
years. This Corydon set tho authorities on the track
of Patrick Condon, alias Godfrey Massey, who acted
in the capacity of traveling agent, or adjiitant-general
of Colonel Thomas J. Kelley, the acting C. O. I. H.
He became likewise an informer, and his^evidence con-
victed Bourke, who was captured at the affray at Bally-
luirst Fort, near Tipperary, on the Cth Marcli. Bourke's
graees of manner won even the good-will of his cap-
tors.^ 0,1 his deportation, for tri'al, to Did)lin, Mnjor
Lind, of tho 31st regiment, sliook hands witli him,sry.
mg : " Good-hye, General Bourke ; I wish you o-^od

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS IJOFKKE. I39

fortune » B.nrlco ivpllorl : « I wisli yo.i tl.c Rnrr.o, Ma-
.l<»r, UM( thunk yon lur tlic kindiios8 you Imvo extended
to iru;."

Tho Special Commission Bat in Dublin on the lOtli
April when tho prisoner, a-ainst whom bills of indict-
ment had been found, were placed at tho bar, in order
to receive the necessary notice of trial, and to have conn-
Bel assigned them. ]iy direction of the Lord Chief Jus-
t.ce Ihomas .1, known as "General" IJourke, was tho
irs p aced at tho bar. II is Lordship then informed him
that tho grand jniy had found bill, of indictment for
Ingh treason against him ; that lio was entitled to copies
ol tho indictment, lists of the jurors, and of the wit-
ncsses against him; also, that he woul.l have ten clear
days to consider his defence, and was at liberty to namo
two counsel, who would bo assigned by tho court.
Colonel liourko selected Messrs. Uiitt and Dowjies as
his counsel, and Mr. Lawless as his attorney
^ The indictment found by tho grand jury, wliich con-
sisted of foiu- counts, may be hero condensed, as it re-
fers not only to Bourko, but to other noted Fenians
whose names it preserves, and who will be referred to
m subsequent chapters.

The first count sets forth the general charge against
he accused, as follows : " The Jurors for our La<ry tlio
Queen, upon their oath and atlirmation, do say and i)re-
sent, tliat lliomas Boiirke, (otherwise called Thomas F
Lourke,) John M'Cafferty, (otherwise called William
Jncksoii,) Edward Duffy, John Flood, (otherwise called
John Phillips,) Patrick Meares, Patrick Doran, Georgo
Connolly, (otherwise called Francis Connolly,) JarleSi

140

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETTES.

Mooney, Henry Filgate, Thomas Joseph •William
Clarke, John Hughes, Joseph Wheelan, Christopher
Byrne, Luke Fullam, Laurence Fullam, James Gor-
man, Terence Kelly, and John Beirne, being subjects
of our said Lady the Queen, not regarding the duty of
their allegiance, nor having the fear of God in tlieir
hearts, but being moved and seduced by the instiga-
tion of the devil, as false traitors against our said Lady
the Queen, and wholly withdrawing the allegiance,
fidelity and obedience, which every true and faithful
subject of our said Lady the Queen should and of right
ought to bear towards our said Lady the Queen, to wit,
on the 11th day of July, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and on divers
other days, as well before as after that day, to wit, at
the Parish of St. Peter, in the County of Dublin, mali-
ciously and traitorously, together with divers other false
traitors, to the jurors aforesaid unknown, did compass,
imagine, devise and intend to depose our said Lady the
Queen from the royal state, title, power and govern-
ment of this realm, and from the style, honor and king-
ly name of the Imperial Crown thereof, and to bring
and jput mtT said Lady the Queen to death; and the
said treasonable compassing, imagination, device and
intention, maliciously and traitorously did express, ut-
ter, declare and evince, by divers overt acts and deeds
hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, in order to fulfil'
perfect and bring to effect their most evil and wicked
treason and treasonable compassing, imagination, de-
vice and intention aforesaid, they, the said Thomas
Bourke, etc., as such false traitors as aforesaid, after-

^ , J

COLOHEL THOMAS FEAKCIS BOtTEKE. 54,

wards to wit, on the 11th day of July, i„ the year
oi ou Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-

day in tiie United States of America, did eonspire, con-
-dt o„,e„t and agree with James Stephens, John
O Maho.^, Colonel Kelly, General Cluseret, Doran
Kdhan James J. Rogers, General Mullen, General Vif
q.^m, General Fariola, General Condon, CoW IQ^n

M • A"'A ^^""'"^ ^•"""' «»1™«1 Patrick Leonard
Major O'Dowd, Captain McOlure, Captain FitzlZ'is
Captam Gleeson, Captain Burke,. clptain O'Brien
Major Delahunt Captain Kolan, CaptL Bible g1
an Ilennessy, Captain Mackay, Captain Decle Cao
tarn Moran, Captain Dunn, Capkin'^O'Keill cit
Joyee, Captam Corrigan, Captain Doheny CaotZ
G.bbons Captain Murtagh, and divers orel'faS
ors, to the jurors aforesaid unknown, to move and tt
eertam foreigners and stra„gei-s, to wit, certain cut ns
of the United S ates of America, and persons residen
m Ameriea, witli force and arms, to invade that pir
of lie United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
caled Ireland. And fnrther to fuliil, perfect and S"^
o their most wicked treason and treasonable eomna s
ng, imagination, device and intention aforesamTev
he said Thomas Bourke, etc., as such talse traitotls
aforesaid, afterwards, to wit, on the llth day of Feb
uary, m the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun.
rod and sixty-seven, and on divei-s otiierdaysta wd
before as after that day, maliciously and tiai oro si '
chd make divers journeys, and did go into that pa J^
her Majesty's dominions called Finland, and, to wit

142

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYE8.

I ■

at Cliester, in tlie shire of Cheshire, did collect and
bring together a great nnmber of false traitors, to
the nnmber of three thinisand, in order to raise rebellion
and insurrection therein, and to seize on, take, and
carry away a qnantity of guns, pistols and other mili-
tary weapons, the property of her Majesty, wherewith
they might the better arm themselves, and fight against
the troops and soldiers of our said Lady the Queen."

The next section of the first count charges that the
accused did conspire with the persons named, and other
false traitors, to raise, levy and make insurrection, re-
bellion and war against the Queen, and " with fore©
and arms, at the Parish of Tallaght, in the County of
Dublin, mah'ciously and traitorously did anu them-
selves with, and bear and carry certain weapons, that
is to say, guns, pistols and pikes, with intent to asso-
ciate themselves with divers other false traitors, armed
witli guns, pistols and pikes, whose names are to tli©
Eaid jurors unknown, for tlie purpose of raising, levy-
ing and making public ineurrection, rebellion and war
against our said Lady the Queen^ and of committing
and perpetrating a cruel slaughter of and amongst tha
faithful subjects of our said Lady the Queen, within
this realm."

The subsequent sections charge the prisoners with
having attacked the police at Glencullen, Stepaside.
Ivilmallock, Ballyknockane, Ballyhurst and Drogheda.

The second count repeats the same ovei^t acts as In
the first count, omitting the words " being subjects of
our Lady the Queen, not regarding the duty of their
allegiance," and the words " whally withdrawing tlid

S«

COLONEL THOMAS FEANCI3 BOTTEKE. I43

allegiance fidelity and obedienee which every true
and totl,t„ suhiect of our said Lady the Queen shouW

Queet" ""*' *" '"'"■ *°'™'''' ""'■ ^''l ^^'^y "'«

The third count charges that the accused and others

4d traitorously assemble and make war against the

Queen m the County Dubhn; and the fourth aga^

,, or " / >'- f *^ "'^"'"^ *° *'"' ""-ok upon the
pohce barracks at Glencullen, etc., where the aceusel

ani didT ^^Z"^^™-!™^ - a warlike manner,
and did hen and there make a warlike attack upo.^
and fire a a body of constables, then and there lawful-
y assembled m the due execution of their duty, and
then and there did make a warlike attack upon^a cer-
tam dwelhng-house and barrack, in which divers con-
.tables of her Majesty then were, and did call on and
demand said constables to snrrender to the Irish Ee-
pubhc and did fire upon said constables, and th n dhl
compel the said constables to surrender he said W
to them, the said traitors."
In the list of witnesses to be produced by the Crown

day, the 24th of April, when the trial of the Fenian
prisoners would proceed tbrthwith, were the folhW
persons connected with the United States of Ame a

Otheis: Patrick Condon, otherwise called Godfrey
M sey, formerly a colonel in the Confederate Army
Ot tlie Sou hern States of Kortli America ; aiterwarik I
oaavasser for » commercial house in Ne^ Orleal" d

144

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYES.

! f,

at present no occupation; formerly Phelan's coffee-
house,^ at I^ew Levee, in tlie city of New Orleans,
America ; afterwards Tavistock street, in the county
of Middlesex, in England, and now the office of the
MetroiDolitan Police, Lower Castle Yard, county of the
city of Dublin. John Joseph Corydon, formerly a
lieutenant in the United States of America, and at
• present no profession ; late the Commercial Hotel, Is-
lington, Liverpool, in England, and now the station of
the Metropolitan Police, Chancery lane, county of the
city of Dublin. John Devany, formerly a clerk in a
mercantile establishment in ]^ew York, and at present
no profession ; late Eidge street, New York, in the
United States of America, and now the station of the
Metropolitan Police, Chancery lane, county of the city
of Dublin.

The trial commenced on the 24th of April. The
following evidence was elicited j

It was proved by one Edward Brett, a servant
of Mr. James Bartel, of Thomastown, that having
been sent for bread on the morning of the 6tli March,
lie was stopped on his return, and from statements
. made to him he brought tlie bread to Ballyliurst Fort,
■where Bourke, who was lame, distributed it among
the men. Sub-inspector Wm. Kelly, who had seen
Bourke in the month previous, described him as " a
man with a broken up constitution, and not capable
of much physical exertion.

William Wood worth, color-sergeant 31st Regiment, examined:
I -was stationed at Tipperary, on the afternoon of the 6th March
last. I went out with about sixtj men to Ballyhurst ForW I sa^r

COLONEL TH0MA8 FEAMCI8 BOUKKE. 145

« largo number of men emerging from it iu twos and threes As

;:w"r: '1 'T'"" ™ "™ «'"" "p-" "^ ■"- - ^^ fo^

i «i>v a .mglo horeeman in the fort. lie moved away in an

° Xid ;r T"'" '"" '"' '" '"" ""*• ^ '•^ ~'" «w "

Hquu-c. and Dickens were under my command. With me thev
Z W?tf?^'"''''^ I'"™'''-^''-' person as Z^

Wm. RcLerts, oolor-scrge.ant 81st, deposed that he searched the

meuts In the poeket-book was inscribed tlie following oath ■
' In he presence of Ahnighty God, I solemnly swear th„° I w li

colfort rr°"'"''' "''^™-^"^ »^' Slve information, aid™
contfo, to the enemies of the Irish Republic, until regularly
reheved of this obligation. So help me God." The two S
ments were lists of names.

On cross-examination the witness stated that the man on horse-
back was three hnndred yards away from him when the mel
fired, and that at that distance he could not recognize him

Another acconnt, written oa anthority, varies little
f cm tl.o depositions on the trial, but sufficient to n-ive
Lonrke tuU credit for the position in which he was Ip-

therl n,1 T'' 7^'" ''""'' °' *'>« ''''' ^^'"''l' -"^^'^
tie e u, ,Ier Major I,ynd, did not at first fire a single

Bhot l„it charged up a hill against the Fenian insur-

Sents intemliiig to attack tliem ,vitli the bayonet

Ihe latter bolted away, a.id the soldiers, after a Ion.

rm. after them, saw them gathered together at some

chstatiee oft. Marksmen were then Ordered to the

liont, and knelt down and fired, and several Fenians

liG

FENIAir HEEOES AND MAIiTYES.

were woimded. li is not a fact that the rebel called
totonel Bourle surrendered. He was on a horse
trying to rally his men when a sergeant took aim and
hred at him, and it is supposed that he wounded the
horse trom which Bourke fell. Bourke was afterwards
tound on a truss of straw, and was arrested."

The evidence of the informers, Godfrey Massey,
and John Joseph Corydon, on the trial of General
J^ourke, referring to many other Fenian heroes and
martyrs, 18 given substantially in full from the report^
leaving out the questions which elicited the narratives'
The same evidence in its main features was given Ly
them on the trials of the others identilied and convict-
ed by them.

Patrick Condon, alias Godfrey Massey, was called
On the witness ascending the table, the prisoner. General Bourke.
changed h.s position in the dock, and looked Massey straight in the
ace, but the latter turned his eye aside. The witness stated that
he was a colonel in the 2d Texas regiment, Contederate service, after-
wards a canvasser for a commercial house in New Orleans ; that ho
became comiected with the Fenian Brotherhood about Au-u.t 1 805 *
and went to New York in October, 186G. He first saw Bourke'
whom he now identified, in the Central Fenian Office, 19 Chalhanl
street, New York. He met Stephens there also. He continued-
I was at a Fenian meeting in Philadelphia. Steps were there
taken for the purpose of collecting war materials and mon(>y An
ofHcer was appointed to take charge of the materials. The wir
materials were to be sent to New York, for shipment to Ireland
Stephens and I left Philadelphia and went to Washino-ton We
there met some men belonging to the organization, and consi.,,ed
them. I know that James Stephens was connected with the Fenian
Brotherhood. That portion of it which began with John O'.M'.ljo.
ny, was under his direction. - /I have known the prisoner, Bom-ke, us

COLONEL THOMAS FEANCI8 BOUKKE. 147

Colonel Thomas Bourke, or Colonel Thomas F. Bourke, in Amerir-a.
1 knevv vciy well a pc3rson named Colonel Kelley. I gave money to
Co onel Tliomas F. Bourke. I gave him about £10 in J.ondon. I
« ated to hnn when I gave him the money the purpose, which was
that he should come with me to Ireland to join the rising ; that was
some weeks previous to the 11th Febi-uaty last. He sai^ that he
had to leave London for Ireland on the evening of the day in which

nI-w' Y ; k"T *^"r^- ^"^^ ' ^^^* Washin^^on 'l went to
New Yo k. I amved there before Stephens by a few days. On
Stephens return, there was a meeting of the Fenians held at New
1 ork. About the middle of December, 1866, there was a Fenian
meetmg held. Some of the Irish Centres were present. General
Halpm was present. I cannot think of the names of all, but about
«mty were present. I am not sure whether the prisoner, Colonel
Bourke, was there. Stephens presided at the meeting. Stephens
made a stat(;ment showing the amount of war material held by the
Brothcn-hood at New York. He said that the amount was not one-
seventh ot the minimum fixed by himself. He said that the mini-
mum was thirty thousand rifles. He objected to open the fi<dit, as
he had pronused, but to prove his fidelity to Ireland, he ofiered to
come over and put himself in the hands of the police authorities,
and to be hanged. That proposition was scouted by every one, and
It was delernmu-d that thefight should beopened. I knew aperson
nanied Captam M'Cafierty. He was at that meeting. Some eyen-
n^^s alter that, Stephens convened another meetmg. About twenty
offloials were present at that meeting. It was purely a mihtary one.

d d not' n T '" '"°^ ''" ^''" °' '''' ^^"^l^^^Sn. Stephens
did not hke to mention it. I said that M'Cafferty was ri.^ht and
sn,)poried his motion to divulge the plan of the campaign t^ hia
officers That was what turned out afterwards to be tL campaio^
for Ire and. At that meeting several of the officers said that th:y
would leave on the next day, Saturday, for Ireland, and they did
There was a ist of names of officers who >vere to go to Ireland mad;
out. I got that hst ol names from Colonel Kelley. He then held
he position of CO. I. R. He was the deputy of Stephens. CO
I. H. signified -Chief Organizer of the Irish Republic." After the
time of the first meeting, some of the officers left for Ireland. I do

148

PENIAJtT nKEOES AND MAIiTYKg.

not r(!mcmbor the names of those wlio h-ft for. Ireland. After that
niee'ing I attended a nieetmg at Stejihens' lod-ings, West Eleventh
ftreet. Junios Stephens was present, so wen; Colons'] Kelly Cnp-
tmn O'Shea, and others. I know the district ot Manhattan. ' At a
subscHiuent meeting, Stephens was deposed and repftdiated, and Col-
one Kelly was put in his stead. I left Ni^w York ou 11th Januaiy
ot the present year. I took shipping for England, from Portland, la
the Satoot Maine. Before leaving New York, I reeeived from Col.
onel Kelly £550 in gold, (British money,) to be distribute.! among
the oiheers m Ireland. The Ijst I referred to a few nunutes ago, !
destroyed. When I aixived here I met the offleers whose nanies
Colonel Kelly diselosed to me, and in aeeordanee with instruetions
I gave them the moneys. I a-rived in Liverpool on the 2()th Janu-
ary ui the present year. I remained there for a day, and then i)ro-
ceeded to London, where I stopped at private lodgings until the llth
lebi-uary. Amongst the oiHcers whose names Colonel KeMv dis
closed to me, and whom I met in London, was the prisoner, Th'omas
J3ourke, who was appointed to the Tipperaiy district. Captain
O Bnen and Dominiek O'iAIahony were oflicers for Cork. Ca .tn-n
Beasy was for the Mill-street district. A man named Joyee wa. olli-
cer for Fermoy. General Ilalpin was for the Dublin district ' I do
not know that there was any one mentioned for Louth or Drogheda.
Colonel Kc.lv lodged in 5 Upper Creswell street, London. I saw
there Gc.u-ral Fariola, a Franco-Italian, and a person nmned Cluseret
I knew General Halpin well. I saw there Beu-ne or O'Beiru,. from
Bubhn, Mahony, from Cork, and Harbison, from Bc-Uast who
saul they were delegates or representatives of the Fenian Brother-
hood m Ireland. I gave them money ; £30 would cover what each
got. I statec to them that the money was given for the support of
the orgamzatzon. At that meeting an adch-ess was drawn up con-
jonu y by three. It was discussed as they went along-that is para-
graph by paragraph. It spoke aboutthe wrongs of Ireland, and
^■^^' - ;'!>;>» >H' people to take np arms, and invoking the sym .athy
and a,d oi the working men of England. I came to Dublin on ,1
1th lu^rmuy. There was a meeting of Centres held the n.^xt

tZn^^? T" rf '"'"''• ^^' ^''''''' ''^'''^ tl^^ ""'»^''i^-l
Btiength, material of war, and the number of arms held by each I

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOtTRKE. 140

ir.'^nblc.r'""" '"^'^^^'^^"^^ ^-1-^^ive Centres thon and there

icTZnl!:"' ''"'" '"' '""""'^' ^^""^'^^ ^^^^* ^^-* f"-

of anns-to consist of rilles, gnns and pikes. TJie next day I went
mo the count. Mayo, first to Castlebar, then to CS^lr
I stopped one night. I then retnmed to Dublin tlience to Cork
Where a P™ meeting was held on the oulski-ts^ ^tol^^^^^^^
vcmed by O'Mahony, the same I gave the money to m Lo u on
The numerical strength given me m Cork, was Lnty tho aTi
J^ an about one thousand five hundred weapons, the t m'
louty of them pikes. I left Cork the next day for the town of Tip-
peraiy, for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of the comitiy for
mihtaiy purposes. I next returned to Dublin, and then left for Lon-
don. I went to Colonel Kelly's lodgings. Kelly gave me some

tr.TTM'° ":" '"'"'"'"' ^' ''''' '"« *^« ^-^-^g was fixed for
the 5th o March, that being the anniversary of the day on which

some of the persons taken in Canada were sentenced to be executed.
Told me hat the railroad centres were to be destroyed, if they could
not be held by the insurgents. A guemlla war was to be maintain-
ed, and the railways destroyed by the msurgents. I left London on '
he morning after my an-ival, and returned to Dublin, for a day or
two. I then went to Mullingar, for militaiy purposes. On my re-
turn to Dublin a meetmg of Fenian Centres was held, at somcf dis-
tance from Porto Eello Barracks. O'Beh-ne was there. Told him
the night of the 5th March was fixed for the rising. On the iiext
day went to Cork, where I saw O'Mahony, to whom I said that
the 5th of March had been fixed upon for the rising. Soon after I
left Cork, and went to the Limerick Junction, where I was aixested,
on the railway platfonn, on the night of the 4th Mai-ch.

On tlie cross-examination, Connsellor Entt forced
Massey to acknowlcdoje the disgrace both of his moth-
er and wife. He proved he was the illegitimate sou

150

FENIAN mrnOTZa and WAUTYKg.

of t,],o fpiorby onel\raesoy,undlluxttlie..tter pressed
iiii'i to become an iiil'or.ner. pessea

Tlie Btate.n.nt of tl.e otl.er wrote],, Corydon mIiosg
cIc'oTudjition was as follows : vviia ms

I wag a lieutonant in the I'-cloral nrmv T i,.,
tho P,.„ia„ Br„,h,.r„„od in ,h Ir/cVig,.. ",'T " '"™,"'" "'

year., ta tl,o FcM Zv I^ r'^'-'' ' "''""'""•^ "'^'•'y f™^
Gln»..n, C„l.,;„.| ri , l„ """,'" "" ^'^'''■'■•■'' "™y i I met Condon,

Vork about a month a 1 M ""' """'"""' '" ^cw

i.™.ten«.yja.o:s,ep,,™ro.r:v:^^^^^^^^

know wlierc to fi „1 L ? ^^ ^""''''' """' "'"' '"« ™'M

low » ntrt to find us ; I romamod in Dublin I III Novoniber !««/■,.

w..e l„re I ,„,„,, of JauK. St.pbon', a™, ; I I '"o , I

lietnldme tl.at tlie purport of tlie dispatches was thai Slenl,„„I
would bo out Of jail in m,,, „,.,i, days; I utcanout o Rlcl Z
I went to New York by the Scotia on the lOth ^0^0,^^'^!^^

11^

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOURKE. 151

O'Mahony ftnd many other Fenian offlcers; we hrid a meeting
wlKMi I arrived, and we gave the tidluss of the expected escai.e of
hlephcns; the prisoner Bourke was there; I had been imroduced
toliinimUnion-sciuare; I came back to Ireland; th, announce-
montof Stephen's escape was made while I was there; Bourke
was an organizer for Munhatian, and ho urged the men to unity,
and said when Stephens could get out of an EngHsh jail what
could not people outside do in accomplishing the objects for which
tl...y were band,.d ; I came toQue(>nslown on the 22n<l D.-cenibcr j
I went to Cork, and from I hence to Dublin; I remained in Ireland
one mghl ; I delivered my dispatches to Colonel Kelly in IIeytes>
bury street; I got dispatches from Kelly to O'Mahony, and went
to New lork again, where I saw Bonrk..; in January, 1866 I
came to Liverpool, and thence to Dublin; I remained" here until
Aprd; IlaiowM'Caffeity; li« was introduced to me as a Fenian •
I last saw M'Catferty in the prisoner's van ; he was described to me
as an officer of the organization, and one of the guerrillas of the
feoulh(,rn States ; I met several other prominent Fenians, including
Kelly, Col. Bourke, John Flood, Capt. Doherty, Major QuinnT
&c. ; I saw M'CafTerty in Dublin, ir, the latter end of Januarr or
February; I met also Edward Dutly; in Aprd, 1866, I went to
Liverpool and remained thereuntil February last; I received pay
fi-om tl.e lunds of the Fenian bn,therhood; the paymaster wa^
Ca])t. O Korke, who went by the name of Beecher ; we received
orders to be prepared to move on to Chester; our orders were at
first to remain quiet until we would be told to move ; I next saw
the prisoner in the early part of Januaiy, 1867, in Birchfleld
street in Liverpool ; it was then stated that he came from Amer-
ica; I met persons who had come from America with him • they
were Captain or Colonel Dunne, Joh« Joseph Rogers, ILuTy
Mdedy, who went by the name of Shaw, and some others • I met
those people at a meeting in Birchfleld street; the prisoner Bourke
was at that meeting; he stat.d that they came over for the
purpose ot fighting, and it was useless' to think any lon.nT that
St(.phens would fight, for he would not; I met JohnVM'Caierty in
Liverpool, in February, 1867; I met hini on more occasions than
one; I remember a mcetin- hdn^i licld in Liyerpool in the latter

152

PEN! AN HEROES AND MAUTYRS.

Ir'

om of Jan,m,T, m7, or beginning of F..„ai,u-y, for tl.o n„n.o«e
of forming a directory; ti.at was af.or JJ..urkc,. h ui left; u o h r
man,.an.odJ3<un1<.. waHtlu..ancla n.an nanu-d Nolan C
Olt... ,. on,. B..,..her, was tl.ero, and presided; hi Ja he
came iron. London ,o Liverpool, to know if the An. -iem ■< '
were In favor of fonning a directozy ; he said they werti.
a directory and M'Callerty and he were in it, and he wan ' C

am 1 r ; T:"^ '''''''"•^>' "" '"^^^ '''^y^ »^^"--" t^- Chester
aia,r, Ilood and all the Anu-riean ofHcers in Liverpool were

.ore; the n.eeting was held at the house of a n.an nan ed vlh

nEd,ar street; M'Carteity and Flood said , hey were sen t

tluy s.1.1 hat the American ofticers in Liverpool w(.uld go to

a ti^'lei! ? '"^T"" """ "" ^" '^ '^^^"•'^'■^»' "- -•"- «^-^l.
a t un eized, and the anns put into it of course; the rails wer^

rnf r,T 'f "^' ™' ^^^^' "'"^ »^^-^ were to proce..d by
ram o Holyhead, where they would seize the nuvil boit and land
m Ireland; that plan was agreed to at the meeting; no arrange
ments lor canying it out were made; after the n.eeting sepa S
ajKl on the Sunday bef<.re the Monday, I gave intbrnt.tir;: tilt
a thontiesm Liverpool, I made arrangements to go to Chester-
all the Ameru-an ofllc-ers, about twenty, went to Chester; I saw
«em at Bu-kenhead ; I went there with them; I me Au 'il
Gibbons one of the American officers at Birkenhead; a ccm i^
mane of the order to march on Chester was given by Gib o Is-
h to d me that the thing was *' sold ;" that some one iLl intb ml
ed ; he sau that M'Catlerty sent to him to tell them all in Live, ^
hat he tlung was - sold," and they were to go back ; nfter t m
ate m Febioiary, I got orders to come to Dublin; 'l ,. ait^l
tec unti the mtended rising; I came to Dublin ; I knew a ^^
Godfrey Massey ; I saw him after I came to L-ela,Kl ; I was order-
.dto go to Millstreet, (Cork); I was so ordered by Massey and
Dully ; I was told to go to Millstreet and see the " Centre" there
a man named Kearney; that he would give me instructions hov^
to act, and through him to find my way to Colonel O'Connor in
Kerry; I was desired to teU O'Connor about the rising to take

COtONEL TiroMAS FKANCI9 BOtlRKE. ;i53

K™r„,.y w„M,, get mo l„„,„l,„.,.,l ,„ „,„ ..(,.,„,,. -, "„";"'

koalo 1,„ ; .ou, ' r ;■' T """ '" «" ■" •'"'■ "» «""-

411. ..f Marc, ; I ,aw K , v ,!• ,' , '" *'"''"''"' "" '"»

tola mo he was in Cuvh ..f ii. . .• , "^ "J^-^oiic, JVI Malion

eon„„„„<, a. Cori.; „„„,„;„ ^'^' J'^^Z::^ \" '"".'"'^
n Cork till Monday, .„o 4tl, of M^o ,," T ' ,1,/™''''''' ''

Castle Yanl, a„„ ,avo inr„,.,,,„,i,.n ";'';,,'„ .J",,^'^^ I^"™
Masscy next a prisoner; I (|r,t 1„.„.„, ,„ ■ , """""=^ I «'W
a..t,.„,,tiesin Uverpool'in Se;L,:£:; ^^f-""™-"- to the

On the Istof May, the Chief Justice chai-^ed th«
ury, wlttclt after l,avi„. beet ottt fretn i,„lf-pl: ,," ,'

sho tid not be pronottneed, the jn-isoner, says the i-e

154

FEmAN HEK0E8 AND MAETyES.

|i'''

Mr LoBDs, il is not my mlention to occupy much of your time
m answcrmg the question why the sentence of the court shonW not
now e passed on me. But I may, with your permissil ■ tiew
a h tie of the cvuleuce that has been brought against me. The lirst
cvulcnee that I would speak of, is that of Sub-L,spector Kelly, who
bad the convemtiou with me in Clonn.el, in Tipperar,. He tltes

.end Stephens,- and that I m,«Ie answer and said he was the mos^
d„b>ced man that ever had been, or ever would be, in America

ilmth ri f r '";■ '** "' "^ «'-^™' " *" >'--» o "^
P ,nv ,^ r '"'""-^"""'^ «<"'• I "'■""" ttat as being the foulest
pe.ju,> that ever man gave utterance to. No such conversation
ever oeeutTed. The name of Stephens was not mentioned I s aS
tC T " ■ 'T'. "' '""" '°™" °" '"^ "™'-- "f^"^'- He states
that I stood with hnn in the wagon or eart. That is also false T
™ uot 1„ the fort at the time at all ; I wa3 not tbo^^h n th bj
tilZ?"'*"'";"- I---»ft™ds. Both of these l:'

mvinsteT "',""" "'"""'''•"' '° ""= ™™ - v.bose hands
my l.fe tested, as evidence, made on oath, by these men-made

™ 'tc:^' '"' "r ""'■""" °'«'™= -■'■'-*■ '° -■">«-*

g ave (The prisoner here, evidently to refresh bis memory, looked
a a lutle bit of paper in his hand, on which he had taken a LuZ
o the evidence duriiig the trial.) There are many points, mj Icrf

aets. It has been alleged I took part in. I, is dot my desire now
my ords, togiventteranee to one word against the vcrdetwhrh
has been pronounced upon me. But fully conscious of n^y w

can go ntotv "T '"" '"""S-O-f'ly o"-ci.i thaU

can go into my grave with a name and character unsullied-I can
only say this : that these parties, actuated by a de.^irc eith ■ ,b, tl*
own aggraudizement, or to save their paltry, miserable 1 v tave
pandered to the appetite, if I may so speak, :,f Justice and mvl^e
Shall ,,e the forfeit. Fully convinced and silisf^ed f t'l.c !l to
me, t 7 77 r '" "°""""™ """ '^« ""-= -volutiona,; move.

Tall tlr T: """""^ '" ™^'-»«"»g".at I wouldl t
do agam-nothmg that would bring up the blush of shame to man-

,«4

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BorRKE» 155

ff2 m'"'' ' ""^ ,T^"'* '"^^ '''''''' ^°"^ ^''^ ^^'^ i« America-
of frial i irr ^"'^^"!-^^'^ ^^^--^ y«"' -°d even in this my hour
I w r iio ,"; '"l^^f ""^"^«« °f l^^ving lived an honest man ; and

I wiU die proucUy, believing that if I have given my life to rfve

S of hb 2^^^^^^^^^ '^^""^ "^^ ^'^^"^^ -^^1 t^^-b« -th a feel,
mg o hbcaty should do. I, my lords, shall scarcoly-I feel I should

ZZ^:!:T''''''Tr'''-'''''- ^^--^I'^ouidnot^on '

my hps wuh the name of that traitor, whose illegitimacy has been
proved here; a man whose name even is not known and who I
d^pcnnt-blank ever wore the star of a colonel i;r^::^e'

::tr:Ls onhttrt^"-^^*- ' -'-' ^-^ ^-^ -^^^ ^^

" May the grass wither from ins feet • ■ -

May the wood« deny him shelter-earth, a homes
Iheaslieaagrave; thesuuhisiiglit; ' ■ ■

And Heaven its God." '

Let Massey remember from this day forth, he carzies with him as
my learned and eloquent counsel (Mr. Dowse) has stated, a s^'en
that wil gnaw his conscience-will cax-ry about with 1 im n his
breast a hvmg hell, from which he can never be separated I my
lords, have n. desire for the nameof a mart.x I sc'knot the ie"h
of a martyr; but if it is the will of the Almighty andOmnin^ nt
God that my devotion to the land of my bhth slLd be t2d "n '
he scaffold, I am wilhng there to die in defence of the right o men
ofreegovernment-therightof an oppressed people to thr-owff
he yoke 01 tlu-aldom. I am an Irishman by bhth, an Ame Lau
by adoption, by nature a lover of troedom, and an enenty to tba
power that holds my native land in the bonds of tyranny. It In so
often.been admitted that the oppressed have a right to throw off the
yoke of oppression, even by English statesmen, that I deem it unne-
cossary to advert to that fact in a British court of justice. Irehmdl
clnldren are not-never were-and never will be-willing or sub-
nu..ive slaves, and so long as England's flag covers on^ inch of
Irish soil, just so long will they believe it to be a Divine rl-lit -to
conspire, imagine and devise » means to hmi it from power and
erect m its stead the Godlike structure of self-government. Before

158

FENIAN lIEEOirS AND MARl'Yug.

•■ I go any further, I Lave one Important duty that I wish to dispose
of. To my learned, talented and eloquent counsel, I offer that jioor
gift— the thanks^the sincere and grateful thanks of an honest
man ; I offer him, too, in the name of America, the thanks of tho
Irish people. I know that I am here without a relative— without a
friend, in fact—three thousand miles away from my family. But I
know that I am not forgotten there. The gi-eat and generous Irish
heart of America to-day feels for-to-day sympathizes with, and does
•liot forget the man who is willing to tread the scaffold— aye, defl-
antly^proudly conscious of no wrong— in defence of American
principles-^In defence of liberty. I now, to Mr. Butt, Mr. Dowse,
Mr. O'Loghlen— all my counsel, one of whom was, I believe, Mr.
. CuiTan-~aud my able solicitor, Mr. Lawless— I return to them,
individually and collectively, my sincere and heartfelt thanks. J
shall now, my lords, as no doubt you will suggest the propriety of,
turn my attention to the worid beyond the grave. I shall now look
on to that home where soitows are at an end— where joy is eteraal.
I shall hope and pi-ay that freedom may yet dawn on this poor
down-trodden country. That is my hope and my prayer; and tho
last words I shall utter will be a prayer to God f.)r forgiveness, and
a prayer for poor old Ireland. N(nv, my lords, in relation to tho
.• . other man, Coiydon, I will make a few remarks. Periiaps before
. .1 go to Corydon, I should say, much has been spoken on that tablo
Of Colonel Kelly, and of the mec-ting held at his quarters or lodgings
in London, I deshe to state, I never knew where Colonel Kdly°3
lodgmgs were, and I never knew where he lived in London, until I
heard the informer, Massey, announce it on the table. I never at-
tended a meeting at Colonel Kellys, and the hundred other state-
. ments about him, that has been made to your lordships, and to you
gentlemen of the jmy, I now solemnly declare, on my honor as a
man— aye, as a dying nian— these statements to have been totally
unloimded and false from beginning to end. In relation to the
small paper that was introduced here and brou-ht against me as
evidence, as having been foimd on my person, in connection with
that oath, I desu-e to say, tliTJt paper was not found on my person
and I knew no person whose name was on that paper. O'liyrne'
Of Dublin, or those other persons you have heard of, I never savv

COLONEL THOMAS 3?EAKCIS BOURKE. J 57

not met. That paper has been put in there for some purpose. I
can swear positively it was not in my Hand writing; I can also
ewcar I never saw it, yet it is used as e^ . lence against me. Is this
Justice f Isthisriglit? Is this manly? I am willing, if I have
transgressed the laws, to suffer the punishment ; but I objeet to this

be r' T TJ ."'' ' '"''' '^ *'^^ "^^^^ "^« ^^' °f a l^"»«an
«r;n*.ct^T' ' "^ "''''^- ^^^ P^''^^^^^* om,.cMoa foi-m-

niy constitution somewhat sbattered-it is better that my life should
^e_ brought to an end, tban to drag out a miserable existence in e
. pnson pens of Poitland. Thus it is, my lords, I accept the ve d
ourse my acceptance of it is unnecessary ; but I am satisfied
V. if h It And now I shall close. True it is there are many fecliu.s
that actuate me at this moment. I„ fact, these few disconnected
rcmai-ks can give no idea of what I desire to state to the com-t. I
have ties to bind me to life and society, as strong as any man in
this court. I have a family I love as much as any man in th^
court do s ms. But I can remember the blessing received from an
aged mother s lips, as I left her the l^.t time. She spoke as the
Spartan mother did-'^Go, my boy. Return dther with you
Shield or upon ,t." This reconciles me. This gives me heart I
Bubmit to my doom, and I hope that God will forgive me my past
«ms. I hope, too, ,hat inasmuch as He has foi- seven hiuuh-«
years, preserved Ireland, notwithstanding all the tyranny to which
She has been subjected, as a separate and distinct nationality He
^Mll also i-etricve her fallen foitunes-to rise in her beauty and her
mujesty, the sister of Columbia, the peer of any nation in the world.

The prisoner liere ceased, and stepped back from the
front ot the dock, just as cal.nlj as he had advanced
to It, bnt with perhaps a slinjht additional histre in his
eye, and a heio-]itened cok.r. Throi.o.bout he never
hesitated for a word, but s]x»ke slowly, distinctly and
delibei-atel V, to the end. He was listened to thiiuo-h-
out with breathless anxiety. A mnrniur of applanse
and delight witli liis eloquent and touching address

* ~^'^"1!BaBl!BT2 V

158,.

FENIAH HEB0E9 A»D MAETVES.

. arose am,d the audience, as lie stepped tacT. tut it
was of eourse, instantly suppressed hy the offlciu
The sentence of the law for high l/eason was ea

■raZri wir rr "^ "^"»"<^''' '^^^ -^

quartered, on Wednesday, the 29th May
_ In appearance, Thomas Francis Bouie was strit.
■ Ten S "°', "'f''''^ "^ *^'^^-^- About L&e
BD nf 'i ""'' '"•■'™'^' save his actions a

occuld isV ,• ""' P^"'"-'*)- when anything
oceuued to stir his natural genius. He was dcei.lv

action. ^0 1 the night before his trial he wrote dm
following strong, touching, and beautiful letter :

%^'H-^ ~■^"^^,V4tJ

and what that sei,l«„ce m.„ h„ T 1^ ! ' ^"""'^ "y '"■>''

a,u. prepared to me ."I, i^'rlrj^ '"""'" '""'^'"^^

Who was o.,y happy i„ ,.„„ ,,p,, ^,„ --• ;:^'^ , ;, •

iTv M° r'""?^"""" *-"''=''""' ""^P'^akable allliotion? ,r"

"X£^n^ ^? "" '■" »''-» S"" 'o c™cm.i„n ;
III, r.demption of man's hnmortal soul; and *p wi,„ ,-.

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOURKE.

159

last Easto Siiiulay I paiinok nf H„l„ r. • ''''

I countal the dl(ror™rnr , , C"'""'""""! at a late Mass.

SaeramontaretlXfoal':" "''™ ''-' P««W"g of tl,;

u.ato..sotuswet^tair:i:':':;™r" ""-^ -"'^•>'

As anything relating to tlie young liero is enter

natu c tlio fol owing .■etniniseeneos of onewl.o obt-.in
cd adnttssion into Ins cell in Kiltnainl.am jlV wi '"
under sentence of death, wiU be particularly a^I
pnate and interesting : ^ "tppio-

"A warder paced without in the passage. I went
over and looked within on,l i, • ,

with ». 1,'tn . \ , , °', '' '•>'"« »" " hammock,
with a little table beside him, tipon which stood a
c n.cifix, a vase of holy water and some boo s Is
the nearest^ of the ' Irish felons' to death. ' ''

in his 13 tT',"-!,'"' T '"' '""^- '^' '--3 " book
a eoid attached to the lower end of his couch I
wald^ "" ""*"""" '" ^"'-' -'i I "-Wd the
"The door was unbarred, and I walked forward

! "i

I",

ICO

FEN1A2T HER0E8 AJSD MARTY118.

Tlie book wliicli lie lia,d been reading on my entrniico
lay open npon the coucli. I looked at its hetuliiig,
and it was the ' Preparation for Deatli,' by St. Alphun-
sns Lio;ouri.

" I saw no change in Thomas Bourke the condemned
and Thomas Bourke on trial. Self-possessed and
calm as ever, he spoke quietly, firmly and gently.
His observations were given almost invariably in
reply. In the life of the informers he could see noth-
ing worth living for, when they had outlived their
honor and foreswore their oaths ; so he gave his dictum,
and I believed him. I spoke of his worn and enfeebled
state of health, for I had special reasons for so doing.
He told mo it was his souvenir of a miUant fio-ht ; two
bullet wounds had passed through his leg near tliQ
upper tliew of the thigh. The hospitals were crowd-
ed with wounded, and although he got as much 'card'
as possible,' still he w^as not so well cared as, ' under
other circumstances he would be ;' and the muscles of
his leg slouglied away, until, he said, when the wound
healed, " the skin alone covered the bone." And so,
truly, it was; from his thigh to about ten inches
aliove the knee there was only the bone covered with
thin and seamed skin. There was one topic more
tipon which I started, and that was the most import-
ant topic — death was near him. I shall not tell how
I neared that great subject, but well I remember his
reply. 'There is a little book,' he said, Svhich has
taught me much, and one thing it has taught me
beyond all ; the longest life is not the best life. You
read,' he said, *the Imitation of Christ,' An hour

< *1

COLONEL THOMAS FEAHCI8 EODEKE. JQl

goes by vory fast in tl.e cell of a man whose hours are
m,,, horcd l,y the law, and my hour with Thomas
1 ..urko fleotd faster than I dreamed. Much he spoke,
d u,„ch i learned from others of him, but all he
""' ":''{ ^,'""^ "'« Pi«t'>>'e I drew of him deeper in
my m;"d, that a better and nobler soul never existed
upon tJie earth.

"They have spread reports of In's bcarin- an,l
WtTle'r "^ ""'"•'—'' ->->' are neitr,.
that he has left a wife and family in New York ■ that
he has 1, eon allowed every delicacy which he re,;,ir ,
a u otl„n. has been refused to him ; that the Sister
ot Chanty were m constant attendance ujion him- .
and to al those as.eHh,.s I yi„ a flat contradiction.
J o mas Bonrke never was married, he has no wife, no
dn hlren. I e leaves behind him in America a dear
and venerable n>other, and as dear siste,-s, and of aU
of whom he was the prop and stay. When he was

wd'elT h t ";f """' 'f ""^ P'^"*^^ "P- «- diet
.U ,e the law allows, and no more, and that diet is

hut Ireud and water: Afterwards, he received tho

d e of he ordinary prisoners, and no other delicacy.

The Sisters of Ciiarity never were in attendance upon

him; but the Sisters of Mercy, from Goldenbi";

VI. ted him upon one of the last days of his stav -,t

Kilnnunham and I believe did so at L r^^L^JZ

Very I ev. Mr. Kennedy, the chaplain of the fa

Now, ,,tt,e as all those items in the strange eveiUf i

Imtory of G^ieral Thomas Bourke may se^m, the e

a necessity that there should be no mistake aboj

^i :*

162

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

them ; and when I add that his manner, his kindliness,
his gentleness, and his unobtrusive courage impressed
all around him with a high idea of his character, I
have given to public record much, though not all, of
what I learned in an hour in the jail and cell of Thomas
Bourke when he lay there condemned to die." Subse-
quently the sentence of death was commuted to
perpetual imprisonment.

I f

•v i.....

'. t

' ■ •••• ••. •!-■.• . . • ./

f.^..... ... .... .... . ; • •' ;•• • ./■•■';

• • •••..• .■ ■ ... ; . •• .- '.'••■■

..... s ■■ . • ' ■''''• ' ■:.• .-

•■'■/•• ■■'■ ','■•.:><■ :^ .., ,„ >,.

..•I, ^ . .. ' ' '•• •■'» .i.V;:ii. J— 7

I .1 .

.''''■■'■{'.:' >}..\t-m U\:i*;\ V k,v.'- -ifi;;

t • J

■' • •• .••:,■>

- I •.•;•■:•..,

•

"• vv- >-... ^

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY,

1G3

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY.

Woanded-Promotod-8l,.„ar otZTlf ,'^'" ^'""^ "^ Cincinnati-

Tour of rnBpection-8uporvI«rst.nwl^ i ^'^ ^'^"^"^ ^° Ireland-On
Difloronco w th Htophe s-Rohl^r^ f. r,f''''P'~^"'^°''« ''^ America-
Aima Of the .' Lvill QovZn,i"" ''''"' ^" ^-'-'^-^«"- ou the

Colonel Thomas James Kellt, whose name is so
frequently alluded to in the evidence of Mas^y and
who became Chief 0.gani.er after the retiJi^ "f
Stephens ;s a man of u.arked ability, various resources
and unt,„ng energjs a clear thinker, and a sa^ac ol

ad^'ita'essin '" '''^° '''"'''''' ' ^'''^ -'"*"

i.as baffled «.°wat:hftrs: irt 2^::^':^

even when his residence was betrayed to the Go™ L^
ment, he managed by that restless foresight wllh
amounts to intuition, to cl.ange his whereaboutr and
to evade up to the present the attentions of the poCe
The dangers through which he passed in America aJ

.ated tl e self-rehance which has been of such use to
Inm m the service of Ireland. A follower of the art
preservative of all arts, the knowledge gained a. a

164

FENIAN HEK0E8 AJSTD MAETYE8.

r. I'

printer and journalist has stood him in good need on
the emergencies into which his patriotic duties led
him.

Thomas J. Kelly was born in Mount Bellew, county
Galway, in 1833. His fatlier belonged to the farm-
ing class and brought up his son for the Church. On
this account he received a better education than is
generally the lot of young men in similar circum-
Btances. 'Not having a vocation for the clerical
profession, his father wisely bound him to the printing
business in Loughrea. Finding the prospects before
him too circumscribed for his aspiring mind, young
Kelly started for America, and arrived in New York
when but eighteen years of age. Like most young '
men on their first arrival here, he had to encounter
those buffetings which almost invariably fall to the
lot of the inexperienced in a new country ; but with
his usual persevering industry, he overcame them, and
got good employment at his profession as printer. He.
soon rose in the estimation of his employers and in
the good opinion of his brother craftsmen, among
whom he was quickly distinguished for his integrity
and ability. He was a prominent and active member
of the Printer's Union, and members of the craft now
refer to him as another evidence of the ability which
distinguish Printers when they enter public life. The
eminence to which the followers of Guttenberg and
• Faust, of Etienne, and Caxton, have arisen, is a favor-
ite and prolific theme v.dth the crafts-brethren. This is
not to be wondered at, or checked, when we consider
the philosophers, poets and historians, on the muster-

■^i i

I I II IM..HUMi

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY. 165

roll the Franklins, Berangers, Micl>elets, and in our

t e haton 01 France, distinguished Inmseif by drivin..
the Enghsh and Eussiam fro,„ Holland and J2l ^
Anstnans on the plains of Italy. Truly C" o
pnnters be proud of the men who'havo done hlr to
the profession, and it was extremely pleasin^^n h^
conneofon to hear so.ne of the eraft';e£o |2 a
one who illustrated the fcrce „f character itdv
resources sagacity and honesty, which are cla media
chai-acteristic of it. best representatives
On his an-ival in New York. voun<r Kp11„ i, •

Gi™^ id " ^' ™"'»g«^ oftered by the National

Guaid, and companies of Jtizoa soldiery. He of
course joined a military organisation, an'd m time

^ bife :r:rtT^ -" '-^^

The monZT!? '" '°°''''' """1 "'"'■''l ''"ale.

bis h^d Ws fir r^^ •■ °"r ^"*'"''" sets a weapon into

fie learns the use of it, the more intense is his desire

feel :: irbr' ^"''''''■. ^""^ '-^ «'- -'::

leelmg, and became an active member of the Irish
Society which had produced the Fenian Brotherhood!-
tl at known by the significant title of "ThTEmni^
Monument Association." i-mmefc .^

m''v'u' "* "'" '■<^«<""'"<"'<'ation of some friends
Ml. Iielly went to Nashville, Tennessee, vvheie t
soon >^tei-wards started the xXa^hville Demo'JliiZiZ

f J

166

FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETYES.

al)ly supported the Presidential claims of that nohle
patriot, Stephen A. Douglas, during the exciting polit-
ical campaign of 1860.

Mr. Kelly contiimed to be a warm and fearless
supporter of the Union cause, and when the rebellion
broke out he was oblis2;ed to leave. These were the
terrible days when terrorism ruled in Tennessee, and
when the Legislature in secret session, and without
waiting for the people to vote on the question of seces-
sion, placed the power of the State at the disposal of
the " Southern Confederacy." By the machinery of
mobs and vigilance committees dextrously worked,
night and day, thousands of Union men were forced
to tly from the State. " We have seen scores of the
best men of Tennessee," said a competent authority,
writing at the time, "within the last few days, and
they all bear witness that in their belief, the reign of
ter^'or now raging and maddening in that State, has
had no parallel in modern history. There is less of
personal freedom, there is more of atrocious and horri-
ble tyranny in Tennessee at this time, than woidd be
found under the worst and most wretched government
of Asia, or the savage islands of the sea." At thisj
time, Kelly was the la^t man to fly the starry flag in
Nashville, over his printing oflice, and he had to fly
so precipitately that he was unable to save liis proper-
ty, and therefore was again thrown on the world with
nothino; but his own strono: will and industrious
perseverance to rely upon. But he was not disheart-
ened, lie saw that a great war was in its inception,
and that patriotism should meet its just reward. Hia

ff-:

»• I

OOIOSEL THOMAS J. KELLT.

IfiT

■>

Ilia

military spirit added to the feelings engendered by his
teatmeut as a Union man. The deelaration of
Colonel Coreomn in New York, tendering the 69th
Eegnnent for the defence of the Union, and ealling for
recnuts, reached him, and he started with the irtien-
tion gomg to New Yoii and joining it. When

■ioined . ^ ' '™ ^"* '•'^Siment, and immediately
joned Its ranks as a private, and at the expiration of
the three months' seryice, he re-enlisted for the war
_ lie had seen some active sei-vice in Western Virginia
in his first campaign, and was severely wounded in

ty piomoted to a Second Lieutenancy tor gallant and
mentonons conduct, but his wound rendered him unfit
for servzce for Pome time. When able to return to his
ttgiment he was selected for duty as Signal Officer on
General Thomas' staff, with rank of Captain, a distinc-
tion which speaks for itself, especially when conferred
by so able ana discerning a commander

The signal service was one of great importance and
imminent danger. From the n<,h,r» nf if "™'"'' .™"
Hi-tlo „.,ir •» ■^'^■" ™e nature ot Its proceedings

little pubbcity was given to them. Taet, sagacity

were tr™'' •' v' "'"' P"''^^'''^"! «"der all obstacles
were the requisites to make or distinguish an officer in

mnieroTb °'^*'"" "" ^'°"^^ "«--' -=--

oUted po ition on a mountain or hill, to telegraph

heir signals or respond to otliera. These po^tils

were frequently exposed to rebel raids, and the offlZ

were otteu oveipowered or killed. ,

168

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYE8.

Captain Kelly discharged the duties of his jiosition
to the entire satisfaction of General Thomas, -who
covi23limented him for his ability and zeal. In camp
he was a great Livorite with his brother officers, on
account of his ap-eeable manner, in their social hours,
and his daring disposition in timi^s of danger, made
him relied on by the men. His /egiment was fiucally
mustered out of the service, having served its time
honorably.

Almost broken down by hardships and exposure,
Captain Kelly was unfit for active duty, and he retired .
with his regiment to recuperate.

About this time when he had helped to save the
Kepublic of Ins adoi)tion, circumstances led him to
place his experience in the cause which designed to
make a republic in his native land. By so doing he
doubtless interfered materially with his future pros-
pects, as he was oftercd promotion in the American
service, and declined it to further the cause of Irish
liberty. Being present at the Chicago Fair, to raise
funds in aid of the Irish movement, he received much
information concerning the progress of republican
ideas in Ireland, and the desire of the Fenian Broth-
erhood there to take the field. He was so much
impressed witli what he heard, and believing he would
be of positive benefit from the training he had under-
gone, he made up his mind to join the struggling band,
came to New York, and placed himself and his expe-
rience at the disposal of tiie Brotherhood.

The result was, Captain Kelly was dispatched to
Ireland as an envoy, the first who was sent in a inili-

.-d^ \

■\vlio

MNIAK HEEOES AND MAETTE8. (M

tZ 77''^'- ^.'"=™'^i'«d to Mr. Stephens, the inter-
^: w J,.d a special in.iuenee on the future of both

KeOv h'l '■ r , ""'"'^'"•'i'^'y ^'^•"^k tvith each other".
c.n I-t ' '" "'""'"'S' ^^^""^^ conspirator, with
capacity to sivay men's minds, in Stepliens ; Stopliens
^tnowle gedthe bh,nt, honest and cUle^oS, in,
i«il.y. Beconung convinced of the power and influ
ence of James Stephens, and finding^nm mastefof

o~,-Kol,y became his devoted acCen
ilc was a once sot to woric, and depnted to malje

re" 'XT "' 'T-^''"'' °' *'""^^ - I-'-^'l, atd
,.„ ... ^.'^ ,. biaiea tliat lie was amazed at the
noU, ;"r "' f" ^f°«'-'->din Ireland, and co, d
not h we believed it, only he had convinced Limself by
actual observation. ■'

In all his transactions Kelly exhibited such a clear-
ness of perception, and vigor of thought, 8,:ch inte.- ,ty
of purpose and energy, that Stephens quickly r^co ^
n..ed him as an invaluable agent in clryin. o„ his
o.^an..ation scheme. He was emplovec iirvario
ohces, sometimes in visiting circles iifdifferent sec ^
of the country, at other times in assisting Stephens in
the executive management of affairs at iLne

-Unring these trying and dangerous missions the cool-
ncss and courage of thp si.mol „«,•
Lro„..Lt ;„f„ 1 "?,"«"'"■' oftcer, were constantly
111 ought into play, and he labored with a secrecv and
caution that baffled the most vigilant deteZs!'
Uu the an-ost of James Stephens, Capt. Kelly had

me:";,:;'S* T' "--■"« abUlty! He h'ad '
meet xk. difterent centres who were impatient to

iii;ir-f

mSsassmmam

11:^

170

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY.

commence operations on the occasion,, and to calm or
make controlable the excitement that existed. Tlie
promises of support from America were so flatterin<^
that he did not think it prudent to give his consent to
a rising then, Stephens, too, was opposed to an out-
^break under tlio circumstances.

Captain Kelly supervised, if he did not originate
the plans for Stephens' escape, whicli were so success-
ful. The arrangements were admirably prepared,
and Kelly, with a few friends, received the liberated
prisoner outside of the jail walls, and conducted him to
a place of safety, and baffled all search for him.

Most of the leaders were now in prison or sentenced
to penal servitude. Kelly's activity bordered on the
marvelous, lie had to meet the different centres from
the country to make their reports for it would create
suspicion if too many were seen to visit the retreat of
the Chief.

Of course, the particulars of the transactions of this
period, or of Captain Kelly's important services
cannot now be published. Suffice it to say, that he
did good work which fully met the approval of the
leading minds of the Brotherhood. When it became
necessary for Stephens to visit this country to try and
heal dissensions and unite all lovers of Ireland, all the
preliminary arrangements were made by Captain
Kelly. How he effected his object is fully stated in
the following interesting letters :

, Paris, March 21, ime.
Mt Deah — , When I parted from you on Tuesday night, you
Lad nt mucb idea of the heavy task befcfre mc. Yet now that all

FENIAN HEROES AND MAHTYE8.

lie

«.KI, s„i.o „f „„ tl^viZ™ 'of Br, " """'■' ""'" "■"' ■""'"'
on an o„„u,oea, soUnZLl v ™ 'L'Tl'lr '"" '"' ""'""^
«n English port. ™ '^" ^'""yi »"<1 saiM for. ,

Scolland, *pt aU niSt ta c I ^° f """"•'y '"•■'oM a port ta
n-t <lay from t/.erofo Lonto "rf'- T '" ""^ ■"'""">"■
:"''";'%Sintaobeanof.,fo XfP ■\^»'>». ™'l (in ...o
in a liotolacross tlic street from Z- ,' "™P'"e "" n%l"

Hotel), Bta«ea ly the mot^rt!^ ?""r ^'"»™ ('" '"oPai:™
D„vor. ' '™°S ""^ f™ tte Victoria Station for

Wo sot on board tUo Frenoh m„ii ..
o'clock on Sunday, and f^^^ frct^^™ .'f'= ■"»-' *™
"atcty. Wasn't n,y „i„d happy ZZllZ^'fj'' """"=<■ '"
saw tl,o eiucf Oisanizer of tie Wsb T) T,^ ™'"' '""' """^

-.. at tbc b,in.uy.ad, ^^^^^i^T::: ^:::;2
co.:::rr "tfor^; jon^r ™ °°*'^ -^ - ^-^

affair w,^ companuivcly ca,v T '™'y "'o^nicnt, that the

tonches the Irish soil, i^. "v u'show","' n •""" """ ^'"'''' S<ei4ens
treatment of Irish patriot b„, , I, ,° f ',"* """ "'™ ""'tarons
"I'-uly kindled all 'r,t''f "'/"I '° '"« "»"onal flam„ .

- ".cy propose to do. Jritot iT r;:;^i°' ?r''"'^' " -•'"

to commit snch devilish barl,nr;«„. .^ "" *''™ ""= "'tonpts
taMi-o, that he has notSepm- ' olT-.f ''J"^'"'" ™^ 6""'^
fioldiere to butcher women 1 e. , ^- ^"' '""' "'*>' Ins

(as he threatened to cWamlh,"" '"" S'^y-l'^i^l old meu
»>o„,h-,et him da e c Iry':^.'!™;;"*; T""" ''™" '"° »""»»'
.1.0 women Of Ireland, amlhc'e wH M ""*," ""™"""' '°™'*
"lone in Ireland, bnt in tlie , eato ■ r> '"'* " ■^""''■lion, no, .
. bo pa..lieled to history. tIT ,1"'" ^'""" -"■»-. - -ill not' '
•nak.! ns light before wo were rea^". "^i ' T '""" """"«' '»

«";i lost. Just wait and so u,e 2c't , fib '''■'"','' ""'P""'" ""'1

enect of the arr.v.al of Mr. Stephens

.i:4 i

172

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY.

■

In America, and you will see I speak correctly. All is well for
Ireland yet. Next Christ mas I have confidonce I will dine with
you as a free and independent citizen ot the Irish Republic. Kind
remembrance. Yours, etc.

TuoMAS J. Kellx.

Dear Mks.

Paris, !March 21.
I have been remiss in not writing- to you

before this. Mr. Stephens and myself ari'ivi'd here on Sunday
last. We were enabled to make our tri]i with great ease. Just
think how horribly stupid the enemy's agents are, when we were
enabled to travel in the open day through Scotland and England—
to embark at eleven in the day from the harbor of Dover.

After all the ship-searching, we started from the qunys in the
city of Dublin. Mr, Stephens left his lodgings on an open car,
and, on my honor, undisguised. We had no easy time in the
Channel, as we were kept there three days owing to adverse winds.
We were driven to Carrickfergus Bay by stress of weather, and it
was amusing to think how much the Mayor of Belfast would give
to know what a distinguished guest he had. However, as the
wind changed after behig anchored all night, we did not make a
call or leave our cai'ds. Yom-s, Very Sincerely,

Tuos. J. Kelly,

Arrived in America, Colonel Kelly was tjie riglit
liaiid man of liis cliosen cliief. On tlie transfer of the
management of Fenian afiairs, Kelly, by circular of
tlie IStli June, ISGg, took charge of the Central Office.
Towards the close of the year, the most intense anxiety
permeated the Feniaa body. Arrests continued to be
made in Ireland, ii\e hopea of an outbreak were rife.
Its necessity was argued by the great majority,
especially of the military men. Among them Colonel
Kelly was prominent, and when Stephens did not

l^MAK BEE0E3 AND KAEms. 173

dee-nod offici,.,, irLele Ij^^l^. '"'^ "' ^''-" "^'S

>nent of the aff 1 ' . ,f "'"^ ""= '"»'"'^°™ » Btatc^
account of Jame's Stephet' "'S?'^"''""' g'""S an
. P--d when action I';": '"I,!' ^''« '^"«-l
same time that the wort wT ' P'«'^S'"g »» the
and that the prospect, „ffl, P™g>-es8mg favorably,

The detailsVri ,t?":r ""■7''°'"'^"'^'
not made p„Wic, but'the stat" !? tf t"'°,f '^'^ '""''
received, were employed n cZ '" """"y^

work of Ireland's redemnt on 71^ ""' "'^ S'-<'^»
cient men were reldv T h ' ' "' '™" ''"'^ ''^■
a-igned, gave he^f and p "rl '^'" "" ""*
present. Members of the T -M *^ ™*'™'"='^

present who stated H,nf /i ' organization were

willing and ^Jl ed • try?'" f '^"^ -™
and hereafter, they wo I, !, '"'■"»'"' *'''*' "ow

words of this leTder '£r aatT'^^r''^^
come what may were dnt! •' , '''"y *" ho™c, '
J>omes and nai^; X; t rZ' '° ««''Vf» «->
for the manhood of I,e .nd Iv '''" """""" '''''^
the enn-grant shin . t^, !f .!• r ^'''''P''''' graves o.
their liv^s were Ln ; V ' ^"'^''' "'°"- '»™°« ™d
in driving th E g, .tC f '""?' I''"' ^"""-'"'J

tl.e attempt would be n " ^''''"'"^ ' =""'"'»'

Nothing, tL, sai, 'eol't'loribar:!. ''^ ^^^ '
condition of Ireland on.i ^i ^^ ^'^^ present

ai-e the uJoVelZ t7 T •^'^"'™'-d, and so
iieJand, to put an end to it. The

^^i'Sottcn or hn', ^^'^ ^^"se of hohL ''^^

tioii of thn ^ """^ '^ t^e disaDoni-nf '''®^® not

- Jork and vidnitv" to tl, '" ""^' '""00.^ of W„
^as hold on 1„ , ' ""- number ,.e a , ■"''"'

e™" to main"!?'""" ''""■" '"»-*..•*", ''"' ■"* k""™. •

01 tile nsnio- in t,.„7„ , "'^ ^"^oerte, at'tov fi.

ft ^" ^1 eland, on the 5H. i\r , *^® ^'^sulfe
SiK : Permit m ^'^'■^^^-

''--/' err: crc^--^^^^^^^

"the frno^f
'ct of severe
)ast services
'^ were not

^ of Kew
' hundred,
^j's action

if^e known.
Iiac] ahcady
' a Vote of
I to sustaia

s of the

' 'n the

it only

* better
3 result

entfflc^
in fliQ
\ tho
plans,
>n Ten-
ure
'roach

ice— ■
•age.

PEiriAN HEROES AND MARTYRS. j ^r

liri-UU Note J • ?"""" "■"" ""' P'-"S"""""' of John

you say we, u-e vanquished? Did nL p. .• ^' therefore do
tlcfeals ? Did it nc t liW , Chnsiianity commence by

itH martyrs. Our" «^^^^ Wood of

-ul if fh.i,. vo^es tfl^e^^^^^ *? ^hose of the prin.itive ages,

--.or cHuic^^fr .srt;^:; r ^^-^ ^*^"

tliat wliich I use to von »t h • ^ '^^ language thtm

'"-■"'*>g, and is not about to fl„i»,f .? 7'"/°"' ,'' °"'^ '=™-
a /a/< accompli; if you douhf it ^ Rofonners, it is

.1.0 revolution, f„„Ls t„e Z^Z.,^^'T' ""^''Z
or an instant by .,,0 „„ski„„, .„„, o ' ™„ l^L ^wZT"""*
lore to give battio, it Ijas rosun,,,! fi. ^ ^^ ' '''"' "'•
more , lie of hunger and colcHir n ;'""'" "™''' '"™ "o
and the reform ofshj Bri ^t T ''"^"'"' *"'S '""""""';
.1.0 organization Lm bei,,! Iw;,!":' r™,' "^ """*" »'
conformity with tho orde , of ., ' ' "^ '''""S '''' <•"•>■ "'

eoaerous people of F^nee in favrrflreat. 7^1:' '^^

. ■ ■ . . Thomas J. Ksixy,

:* / 1

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Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTSR.N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-45C3

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3®0

ir>

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLY.

Many details of Colonel Kellj's devotion to tlie
cause of Irisli Liberty cannot be given, as lie is fortu-
nately " at large " yet, and their relation might com-
promise others as well, whose services in the future
will doubtless be needed.

the
rtii-
om-
ure

FENIAN HEROES AND M.VKTYE3.

177

•e

CAPTAIl^ JOIIISr M'OAFFERTY.

Arrc8ted-Tried-Half-Mien Jury because he is an American-Acquitted-En-
r. M V", « *" America-Address at the Great Jones' Wood Meeting
in New york-Goes back-The Afl'air at Chester-Second Arrest-In the
Dock-Corydon's Evidence-Found Guilty-Speech In the Dock-In his Cell.

Scarcely less attention has been directed to Captain
M'Caffertj, than to any of tlie Fenian prisoners. The
fact that he is an American by birth, and the legal
measures taken, in consequence, by his able counsel, to
eifect his liberation, have kept his case constantly before
the public, which has lost nothing eith'er by the manly
style in which the subject has conducted himself.

The excitement immediately following the seizure of
the Irish People party, 1865, and the fear of American
aid, led the Government to watch the steamers. On
the arrival of the City of Limerick at Qneenstown
ISth September, Captain John M'Cafferty, announ-
ced as "late of the Confederate army," was arrested
From his person was taken a waist belt, with two six-
barrelled revolvers, a rifle, and four works upon drill
One was Brigadier General Silas Casey's Infantry
Tactics, three volumes ; another. Lieutenant Colonel
Phihp St. George Cook's work on military move-
ments, with illustrations by Colonel George' Patten
late United States Army; the third, the "A B C "'

[!'■

178

OAPT.\JN JOHN M CAFFEUTY.

of Skirraisliing and Movements for Infantry, by Wm.
Malton, late Second Eoyal Middlesex Rifle's ; and the
fonrth, a School Mannal, by Stepbeii Pinckney, Colo*
nel Ninety-fifth New York National Guard.' These
appearing, as the officials sagaciously said, " to con-
tain every information necessary for the management
of troops," the authorities regarded the ex-Confederate
Captain as a very dangerous character, if not a walk-
ing arsenal. He was remanded, put in prison, bills
found against himy 1 sent for trial to the Special
Commission, held in 1805, in Cork, charged with felo-
neously compassing and intending to depose the Queen
from the style, honor and royal name of the Imperial
Crown of the United Kingdom ; also, with feloneously
intending to levy war against the Queen, and of mov-
ing foreigners with force to invade Ireland.

The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and his counsel,
Mr. Butt, claimed that as the prisoner was an alien,
half of the jury to try him should be aliens also. The
Attorney-General requiring to see the foundation of
the claim, Mr. Butt read a certificate from the District
Court of Michigan, United States, that the prisoner,
who had been in the Confederate army, had taken the
oath of allegiance to the United States, in May last.
He also read the following letter from the United
States Consul, at Queenstown, to the prisoner, who
after his arrest, applied to him for his interierence :

United States Consulate, Queenstown, i
October 9, 1865. }

J. M'Cafferty, Esq. : Sir--T am in receipt of youi' communica-
tion of 7th instant, and in reply, I beg to inform you that, upon

FENIAN nEROES AND MAETYE9.

179

examination of your case, I find, first, that you were bom in San-
dusky, State of Ohio; second, that you ddiberately entered the
rebel army duiiug the war ; tliird, that you took the amnesty oath
in the month of May last ; fomth, that you left New York in Sep-

'tember, to go to Paiis, to get permission from Southern men to go
to Mexico ; fifth, that you were aiTcstecT at Queenstown, with re-
volvers and treasonable documents, involving you in a suspicion of
complicity with treasonable movements in Ireland. Now, whether
your statement is true that you were on your way to Paris to con-
sult with men still disloyal to the United States ; or, whether, as

■ suspected, you are an agent from America, combined with the Fe-
nian organization to raise a rebellion in I d, in either case, you
have entirely forfeited nil claims to either sympathy or support from
the United States Government. I retm-n you yp.ur oath of allegi-
ance, and am your obedient servant,

E. G. EASTMAN.

Under these eircumstancos, the Government could
not resist the suggestion, and the jury was formed as
the prisoner's counsel desired. On the 16th, counsel
having, at the invitation of the Justice, dibcussed the
manner in which overt acts alleged against the prisoner
had been sustained, Mr. Justice Fitzgerald said : " Hav-
ing carefully considered the case last night, the Court
iiad come to the conclusion that there was no evidence
to sustain an overt act on the port of the prisoner,
after tender arrived in port. They would direct the
jury to acquit him." The jury, in accordance, return-
ed a verdict of acquittal. This fact is important, and
bears upon the case of Stephen J. Meany, who com-
mitted no overt act after his arrival in Great Britain,
but was found guilty of acts done in America. Captain
M'Catferty was released on his own recognizances, and
was cheered by the people on his liberation. Subse-

■f

180

CAWAIN JOHN ll'cAFFEKTf.

quontlj, on his way to Diil)lin, lie was tlio oLjcct of
much attention and sympathy wliorevcr, aloiig tlio
railway lino, the fact of liis presence becauio known.
Men and women pressed forward to sliake his liand, -
and conejratuhate him on liis release from captivity.

^ On his release from prison, Captain M'Calferty put
himself in communication with the Fenian Govern-
ment in Ireland, and was despatched by it to America
to explain the extent of the niovenieirt there, and the
reliance placed in the promise of assistance. At the
great mass meeting hold in Jones' Wood, New York,
after the suspension of the Ildbeas Corpus Act, in Feb-
ruary, at which two hundred thousand persons were
present. Captain M'Calferty was introduced as " the
envoy of the Irish Republic, with important despatches
for the order in this country." He implored his hear-
ers to stand by the Irish revolutionary army, which "
amount to two hundred and fifty thousand men. All
they wanted was arms and munitions of war. lie
spoke of the discipline which existed, and in the cour, o
of his remarks said: lie could not speak to them as
eloquently as other <:jentlemcn present could. He was
only a soldier ; he desired to light, not to talk. Ire-
land was not even his native country, he was an
American by birth ; but Ireland was now his adoj^tcd
country, and it was her cause he was now pleadlu"-.
He was dealing in no extravagances, he was telling
them plain fiicts. Another consideration he would
impress upon them. In carrying forward the strngglo
which had been inaugurated, tliey might fail of tmc-
cess. lu that case, it would be worthy of every Insh-

PEitlAN 1IER0E3 AST) MAKTYEa. IgJ

man to have Bomctl,l„g to sl.ow tl.at wl.on tho Btru-
tZ *"'",«,":"•' ""; ''° l'"J patriotic,,! onou-h to aid tha
cause oJu. „at,vo l.nd to tl,o extent of his power:

lone toT Tf *"''"" "'■ ''" "•*'°"«'" "' ^1'=^ «">'='■'

Mities of f r '""'^ I^°^^'^"i''«^. thongh not proba-
b.l t,03, of fa.lure. No one could look into the future

issue of th 3 contest ; but if, perchance, they should
fo.l, the a,ders of this movement in A.neri^ wo"ld
Lave the assurance that he would, like many' of h s

'J V

At this great meeting, resolutions Avere passed con-
dcnnatory of Mn Aclau., the American AmbassaZ,
at Lon Ion, and Mr. Eastman, Consul at Queenstown
for dechuMig to interfere in the case of Captain mS
ler y, because he had been in tho Confederate service
and notwithstanding that the said " Captain M'Caffert^
has taken the amnesty oa'h required by the rresidenf
who thereby cast into oblivion all former acts against
tne Government or authority of tlie United States
and restored said Captain M'Cafferty to the full and
entu-e rights of American citizenship "

Captain M'Cafiferty attended and addressed the mass
meetmgs hold in Washington, Philadelphia, and oTC
leadmg c,t,es. At Philadelphia, he said t'here To h

s^r He- "''"'' '/;" "'"" ''"" ^'"- *»•"" io

of tV „ n ?'T "* ^"''''^ ^"^ "<" to ^'^ «'OU"ht
o£ It would take three years to compel the surrender

182

CAPTAIN JOHN m'cAFFERTY.

of Quebec, and to obtain tho control of tbo St. Law-
rence. He expected to return to Ireland. lie prom-
ised to do 80, and ho would keep liis promise. Most
assuredly ho did. As ho said, ho was a soldier, and
only believed in iighting ; consequently he wa? one of
those who adhered to tlic military programme, when
Stephens refused to fight in Ireland, and immediately
started for the theatre of operations. The Attorney-
General, charginof M'Caiferty with being tho chief in-
strument, if not the originator of the contemplated
seizure of Chester Castle, gave an outline of his move-
ments, np to the date of his second arrerit, based on the
information of Corydon.

The attack was to have been made on Chester on
the 11th of February; but on Sunday information of
the design was given by Corydon to the authorities,
who were enabled, in consequence, to take the neces-
sary precautions. « If that project," said tlie Attor-
ney-General, " had been carried out, it would be im-
possible to exaggerate tlie disastrous consequences to
this country which might have followed." M'Catl'erty
went to Chester some days before the coiitemphited
attack, and took apartments at the King's Head, in
the name of Frederick Johnstone, and remained till
Monday. On Sunday morning, the 10th, he was vis-
ited by two men, and later in the evening by seven
more, "who had all the appearance of Yankees."
The Government stated that between one thousand
four hundred and one thousand five hundred strangers
arrived in Chester, by train, from Crewe, and other
places, but the authorities there were not unprepared.

St. Law-
lo prom-
3. Most
licr, aiul
■19 0110 of
le, wlien
lecliately
Lttomey-
cliief in-
Mnplatcd
lis move-
id on the

lester on
lation of
tliorities,
le neces-
le Attor-
d be im-
ences to
'Catlcrty
nnplatcd
Head, in
ined till
was vis-
)y seven
ankees."
;lioTisand
itrangers
id other
repared.

FExXIAN HEROES AND MARTTRS. 133

wZZy Io7 " ^'-^W-^^^d- J^^cforo leaving,
mv^aneity sent a messenirer ono Anstin riiM T

..m,,„„j ,1. .„„„ i' - ^— «*"•;«•

r«i, ., .., .riiiH,,,!,,,,, ,.4 ,„ s. 7,'. ;;

f].o AT -n anival, and a watch was kent on

*»7 1««, id ™S J:, ■;";: f™ *"• I" •

S!sj;r^,,f ;2t,r,r sl^^'^^^^^^^^

identified at Mountiov m-ison ri 1 • '^ '' '''"^

+1, . • -1 .1 """iji>/ piison. On bejMo- sojuvhorl in
tho ja,l, tI,o,-e was found between tlie chT^fZ

ers, as a token of esteem Tv.f,. -^ a 7, "^^^ -^^^th-
Whon fl,. • -L^etroit, April, 1866."

Bo n. ! .1'^"'^ ''^"''^' ^'^ *^^^ ^'-^^^ of Thomas F

-bourke, on the 1st Mav ^vn^-fv , J-^omas I^

« J-ai May, J\l Cafferty was brought to

184

CAPTAIN JOHN M'cAFPERTr,

tho bar for trinl. Mr. I3utt nppHed to tlio Court for a
postpononient of the trial to tho liist of tlio Commission.
Tho appliciitioTi was ^n-ounded on an allldavit ^vhic•h
was verified by tho prisoner, and wliicli Bct forth that
ho was born in tho 8tato of Ohio, in tl;c United States
of America, in tlio year 1838; that he was indicted at
the hist Special Commission for tho Connty of Cork,
wlien he was tried by a jury half of whom were forcio-n,
ers, by whom he was acquitted ; and that there were
certain official docnmonts of the Rei)ul)lic of the United
States of America, which he believed he would bo able
to produce, to authenticate his affidavit, and which
were material and necessary for his defence. The At-
torney-General, for the purpose of the trial, admitted
the prisoner to be an alien ; when Mr. Bntt withdrew
liis motion for postponement, the object of the applica-
tion having been attained. Tho trial was proceeded
with on the following day. lie is thus described in
conrt : " Captain John M'Cafl'erty is put forward. I
look down at him, as he comes up from where Thomas
Bourke and Patrick Doran passed in, with his hat upon
him, which he now removes. lie sits down in his ac-
customed place, and the case goes on. Few men have a
face in which determination and symmetry are so much
blended, as that of John M'Cafi'erty. It is bronzed,
too, with the light of battle-fields, where it gleamed
amidst the lines of Morgan's troops, as they dashed
along in many a desperate charge. lie fixes his gaze
always intently upon whoever speaks. A witness, or
a lawyer, or a judge, or a juror, whenever he opens his
lips to speak, will meet M'Cafferty's eyes. Yet I see,

^'**&semmmi

oiirt for a
niuiBsion,
v'it -wliich
urtli that
cd StutG8
idictod at

of Cork,
3 forGij2:Ji-
lerc wcro
e TJiiitcd
1 bo ul)lo
d wliich

The At-
admitted
I'ithdrew

applica-
rocoeded
ribcd in
vard. I
Thomas
lat upon
n liis ac-
n liav'e a
BO miicli
3ronzed,
gleamed

duf^licd
his gaze
lies;?, or
x^ns h'lB
it I Bee,

FENIAN HEUOES AND MARTYRS.

— 1 fi r

T'O pnncii,al evi.lonco is tlmt of P , .
continuation of that Riven on Tin 1 F '^''"" ' " '« »
follows: ^ ' ^""'-ke's trial, and is as

'tofl.«, in D„,„i,„ inJVb 17; "«;'''» '»«"> dock; I saw
the America,, „f||cc,-, l|,.,.„ ,■„ ch;,.v'<, ! ' , ," ™' ""™'»™<1 to all
""■» of all ,1,0 A,„c.,lca„ o/li,",^' i^, , ""■'= " ™ "'" lt«a,lquar.
"■"""«' "> n- a. Cap,,,;, jrel^'^^f;"";' f "-' time; b,Z in-

attl,a. .ncc,l„g„,„cl,-,„il""^ '"•■'" '^'■"""•'■'"'«l; a" I knew
General IJ„|„i„, Colons, m' V"' '"»'"""•. Caplain D„„o„y.
vety oa„a at Pc„ia„ „,,,,Jl „"'^'„" Pf 7 ■»""'1 John Flood
llie,c; Iiewaso,gai,izerlbrli;„ J ' ^ ■"'■' ^^Jwa'd Du(r>'

tain D„„„c a. t,;.s. .nC^Lt^™';" "' Conna,,,,.. ,. I-"«Cap-

«;ero; I also met n,.„„ls l!,,;^. „, ?' „ '""''™ ''•''"'°'' 0'°""""^
•^^'■ived pay, „,,„„ t,.,^; ;■ ™P'°^;"W Fenian b„,mc.,s; Ire-
0'Ko.ke; „o went by he"!,,:' "" ''^ » ''""*• *""' C^P'ato
Pel.,ua,y, 1S07, in LiverpoJcf t'^ "• ' •'^"' "'CaTer^ iu
p«, Colonel Dnnae, InCh^rs t" '^'.'™" ^''"*''. '• J- li -
faBi,.ehfleld snect, ta Uve^o •«:,*'* ""»• ' «-' -w 1,„„
Fen.an B,„,„c,.i«.d ; „„ „'„<,t"^^ T^ " '>-d<„,a,.,ers of ,„e
Stephens did not mean ,„fl„|,t "^ Z *"',f='^""h. «aled ,l,at
no,,sonse any ,„.„er, since he dM ,,«T ' ""' "'" "" '>"" ""

».-«was.ldla.ein.an„ary:r-;„-^.-^^^^^^^^^

186

CAPTAIN JOHN JiVaFFEMT^

I 1^

toHcn ; nrlthnr M'CafTorty nor V\oa{\ were present ; Cnpfuin O'TlorTva
Itrcsidcd at it ; tho meeting eamo to tlie nnderHtaiidiii^' tliat, Bl<'i»l'"ni
did not Intend to fljilitatnll; O'Uorkc; slated that now tlicy had,
tliereloro, formed a directory, wldeh wius to de|)oso Slepliens anj
const Itulo themselves as tho autliority of tho Iilsh Republic; ho
further stated that tho Head Centre in England TFlood) had joined
this directory, as well an Captain M'Cuderty and hiniHclf, and want-
ed also to know it tho American olllcers then in Liveriiool, would
sanction Flood's name and M'CalFerty's name as members of Ih9
dirtictory; tho meeting agreed to hr.vo Flood and M'Callerty on tha
directory ; I saw the prisoner after that, in Liverpool, from tho 1 llh.
to tho lOtU February ; there was a meeting of Fenians ; JMV'atlerly
and Flood attended; they Bald they came from London, represent-
ing tho directory ; that they had brought about twenty ])oun(ls to
bo divided among tho officers there, to pay their way to Chester;;
they stated that at Chester tho castlo was to bo seized, tlu; arms
therein to bo taken and put into trains, the rails were t> be destroy-
ed after tho trains had started, tho telegraph wires to be torn ; tluty
were to go to Holyhead, seize mail steamer, and go thence to Ire-
land ; the way Captain M'Callerty statc^d these plans to tho meeting,,
in company with Flood, was— tho night of tho following Jlonday
was fixed upon to carry out tho plan, all the American ollicci-s
in Liverpool were to go to Chester, as well as tho Centres in Liver-
pool ; a Centre is a colonel ; ho has got that raidc ; he conunands a
regiment or company ; he is a connnander of a circle ; the majority
of the meeting assented to the plan proposed by Jolm JM'Cad'erty
and Flood ; some of tho men went to Chester on tho IVIonday I
gave information to the authorities at Chester; I had been giving
information since the September before ; I saw tho Fenians going
to Chester by Birkenhead, thence to Monk's Ferry, and on to Ches-
ter; I went to Birkenhead myself, and remained till one o'clock;
I saw at least five hundred Fenians starting from Birkenliead for
Chester; while I was getting my ticket at the railway station, a
man named Gibbous beckoned me to go back ; I went to him, and
he told me he was directed by Captain M'Callerty and tho Fenian
authorities, to go back, as the affair in Chester was sold ; all who
liad nut gone ou to Chester then went back ; there was then a meet-

timiAN ITEROES AND MARTYBS.

foffofAeJlniPrirano/Tlrcrs <-ftll(.rTn»« »
tor; and wo were thn, d ^ ," "'° f T'"^'"'^^ ^'^'''^^"«' ^^'"'-

^'>'- <l.o final instruction a otl." " 'r''""'' """ ^^''^ >'»^"»-o
Ai't"HlIc,rty H,al„ till I aw ,im 'T' '" l'''''^'^ ' "'" ""^ -«

announced the rising would taico n,n ' *^ '"'"''^ '* ^^''^a

"""« to go I. Hill.t.t.ct/Tn 1,0 o, r r""/''" "'" ' ^ ^"* ^"«^'-"«-
a.at d^.... . tl.at .as id^ ;:^;f^;:-'^ - -^ Centre of

rercrrcd to. ' ^^^ J^^'usuies projected at tbo niectii.g

The Court ruTrcT from tl,o Crown.
-fc'XaiiunalionrcsunK'd — *f ti.a», .•

^dl," says tI,o ywiZr" a ^T""""?- " ^ '""'^
'^ cental pLotog^ai^^To •],!,„ ^Z^J;"' '7'/"'" ''"™

b;-o™, «..c trx:i r c :: "Br™; ^*' "^^

'•I'm, and shai-rlj an.n.lar 1^1,. ^''^ating

!^ the type of a work It 'n'™'''' T*' *"" "^

witU the c„„h,e., <^'« ™ In tf I", '"' "•"''^^

vectran, and endeavors to im-

188

••f.<:i

CAPTAIN J(^IIN m'cAFFERTY.

>' ■ • •'

l. ,

it!

ii '

" !

!■

con-

press us w.tli the belief that he is doing what he _„„
sidcivs an act of virtue. lie is not believed ; and when
Mr. Dowse cross-examines him, he is made to feel that.
> He asks him questions, under which he winces and
writhes, but in vain. Il(; pins his shame to him in his
despite, and makes even the hardened informer blush.
There is, however, a variation iji the scene. There is
an argmnent about a law poiiit, and Mr. Dowse dis-
putes with the Attovnej-General The Attorney-Gen-
eral finds fault with Mr. Dowse's manner, and Mr.
Dowse retorts tliat he is not to be taught manners by
the Attorney-Gene.-al, that he is as good and stands as
high as he doe^, though he has not the harness of Gov-
ernment on his back. The Attorney-General subsides,
and is decidedly and unnubtakably snubbed."

In his address to the jury, Mr. Butt alluded to his
client as " a m.an wlio had won an lionorable charact r
on fields of fame, and who had only done what Eng-
lislimen gloried in, when they went to tight with Gari-
baldi," and held that there were no two witnesses to
prove the only act of treason which affected him, as the
informer's statement was not corroborated. At the con-
clusion of Mr. Butt's addi-ess, Judge Fitzgerald eaid: •

i li

ill: ;

i: i

John M'Cafferty, I have to apprise you that row, after your ocui}-
se) has spoken, you are entitled— the H^v also gives you the privi-
loge, of addressing tlie jury ; and if you have anything to say to
the jury, this ]r the proper time to make it.

Captain M'Cafferty said ; I have hat one staten.ent to malie, and
previous to making tlia' svatemeni,, I feel ^)ound, by private feelino.s,
to return my deep, and bounden, and sincere thanks, and to both
of them I do so, to Mr. Butt, whom I consider the star of the Iii,sh

<:-..*•■;

.-.iv^-

A . *

-t he con-
iiid when
feel that.
iices and
im in his
er hhish.

Tliere is
)wse dis-
loy-Gen-
and Mr.
nners hy-
stands as

of Gov-
rahsides,

d to his
haract r
at Eiip-
th Gaii-
lesses to
n, as the
the con-
[ eaid: •

3ur ooui}-
;he privi-
to say to

lake, and

leclings,

i to both

the Iri,sh

PE.VIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS. 189

I was acquitted by tt ,Xs „b, """'^T"' '"^""'' '*""""•
«.. oviConce W L , ! ,^:ro <,'! f ^' '*""'"' ""-
omor. Tbey discharged m wiulrj """ "' "'" """"' P'""-

to the Charge o.o.J^.^'' ^^J..';?''"^ '"™''«'' -' S..il.y
milled no overt art ,.f ,t , . ^^ ** '™"'- I ''ad com-

I again returned witir he reX anl^ "™,""^ '"'""' "^ """""'^l-
I l.avo been led to bcl evi^l ,d J ™ J™f<Ii«ion of a-eat Britain,

fiom my conseic„ce_I have'een W Z"" ';"™»«. ^''"■"iug
■"".«ont of n,y arrest, the q1« „f ° f .I":' ''-' f™™ ^e
tend to d,.al fairly wi h me ITnn , ? ""■" "'* "<" '"-
l™n>osc of gainings 4,«hy "'" "" ^'"™^'" '°^ ^o

Mr. Eutt, Q. C—You had belter not stite that V ,,

Mr. E.itt— I really and sincerely hone tl.^t n . • ,.,
will not use any strong langna.-o l-ains tl e P ""' "^""'^'''y
paid .ne a complin.ent: and^I ^Sult ^ . riTfr^ 1 '^ '"
no attack upon the Government nv , Z ' ^^°'"' *° ^^^ke

M'Cafforty-I beg t^eTphr' ';^'"^"""= remarkable.
«^e ..nneri whll I ^!;nt br^^I "^^^^^^ r^^^

Chief Justice-If you have anything to .av in fh«
l^ear you, but th. is a general discursive sfZont v'"'/' ^""'
ter confine yourself to observations uZ^Ta « " ' '^'■

After consulting with Mr. La^vless for n ih.^

t.addre.ingthej„^.said:zh::™;::"rir*:

t'f

[•Ill

V. ■*

:!|l

190

CAPTAIN JOHN M'cAFFKliTY.

cent-t mt I have not commuted any ovo.t act, with wl.ich I am
*l.Hr,^c(l w.thiM , lu, reain; or junsclicliou of Great Britain.
Mr. Butt- TJ.at is quite right.

On irondaj May 6th, tl.e jury returned averdic^t of
guilty on all the counts. Sentence was postponed for
Kiveral clays, to liear arn^ument before the Couit of
Cnnunal Appeals, on points raised by Mr. Butt, wh'>
declared that in the whole range of state trials, perhaps
there was not a single case which involved, he would
not say so many intricate questions, but questions goin..
so directly to the root of tlie law of high treason It

7'-'' ^rvfi::'' ^^' ''^ '''''''^- ^^ ^^'^ 2()th of May, Cap-
tain M Cafterty was brought into Court, and beino-
asked what he had to say why ju<lg,nent of death
Bhouhl not be passed upon hitn, in a clear, unhesitat-
iiig voice, he said :

"My Lords, T have nofhLig to say that can, at this advanced
|=ta,.e ot th.s irial, ward otf ti.at sentence of death. I nn^ht asTeil
hur my o.npI.uut, if I have one, at the orange trees of^ ^
Sout , or the lotty pine of the great North, as now to speaK to tl.o
que t.on why sc..tence should not be passed upon n.e, a cordhig to

of that sentence. I ],ave been brought to trial upon a char-, of
high treason against the Government of Great Britain, and'^uilt
has been brought borne to me, on the evidence of one wUness,1 d
that wuness a perjured informer. I deny, distinctly, that there bavo
been two witnesses to prove the overt act of treason against me!
I deny distinctly, that you have brought two independent w
nesses to two overt acts. There is but .ne witness to prove 2
overt act of treason against me. I grant, and freely grani, tint
there has been a cloud of circumstantial evidence, to slfot m;con
necon if I „.ay please to use that word, with the Irish peopk in
then- attempt for Irish independence, and I claim that, as L luv^X

FENIAN nEROES AND MARTYRS. .()■[

can, and as an alien, I have a right to sympathize with the Irish
peop e, or with any otlxor people who may please to revolt agah.st
c' Ivir^ 1 ^'T™* ^>^ ^^'^l^ they believe they, are tyranni-
Li 1 ■ .1 «ynU^athized with America. She not only
ZT^'f r ^''' ^""^ ^'"^' '"PP''^ ^« ^'"th parties. Who ever
In f ^;'f l''^^'^^^ ^«"^S ^«-r««ted by the United States Govern-

sZ ' ^"' t'"^ Z ''''''' ^'^ ^'^^^^ ^^ ^'^^ confederation of the
Sout hern Stntes, or of being placed upon his trial on a charge of high
ticuson ngamst the Government ? No such case ever appeared.

I do not (teny but that I have sympathized with the Irish peo-
rlc. I loved Ireland, and I love the Irish people. If I were free
to-morrow, and the Irish people were to take the field for independ-
ence, niy sympathies would be with them. I would join them if
they had any show whatever to win that independence, whUe I
would not give my sanction to the useless effusion of blood. I have
done It, and I state distinctly, that I have no connection whatever
din^ctly or indirectly, with the movement that took place in the
connty of Dublin. I make that statement on the brink of my grave
Agaui, I chum that I have a right to be discharged on the charge
that has been brought against me, by tlie nature of the law by
which I have been tried. That law distinctly says that you must
produce two independent witnesses to prove the overt act of trea-
son against the prisoner. I claim, and claim loudly, that you
have not produced, according to that law, these two independent
wilnesses. This is the only complaint I have to make. I make
that loudly. I find no fault with the juiy. I have no complamt
to make agamst the judge. I have been tried and tbund guilty and
I am perfectly satisfied I will go to my gi-ave. I will go to my
grave as a gentleman and a Christian. Although I regi-et that I
.should be cut off at this state of life, still many noble and generous
Irishmen fell on behalf of my Southern laud. I do not wish to make
any llowery speech in this court of justice ; and without any fm-ther '
remarks, I will now accept the sentence of the court. "

Tlic dcatli sentence was tlien prononncea by Jiido-o
Fitxgoruld, after wliicli the prisoner, «Btili iin«halceii>
fipokoasfoUowa: '

192

CAPTAIN JOHN M'cAFFEETY.

ni I

"I will accept my sentonce as a gentleman and a Phv?of
I have but erne request, and that isf aft r" e exeluion of 7' ""^
tence, my remams may be turned over to Mr T I °^ "^^^ ''^-

iiiipssiii

■-M r,.. i,,.., . .. »Ji"~»~;',':';-

Mr. Lawless then shook hards with the prisoner

who immediately retired with a firm stop ^ '

The gentleman who visited Colonel Bmirke in his

ness. I passed bevonrl u « ^ ^ y^" '^^^ eyes, of ebon dark-

John M-Catay, dros.ec, as Z hs.can^S^Jr^ttrlMr^:,' '•"'';
fomi as ever, but now knec-liiitf wifi, 1,1. ' ^'''wait

Ms hands Caspec. bonoaftrje Lrun'r,,""'"'"'''''"'' ""^
Bclbro Ms J,„mUocl brow r«e antoa^rlT , "' /" •^™^'"-
eyes. fl,e mos. hopeful .o CbMarhlc H' T '° '''"'"""'

orucmea. The ,oa, b,w of <^z.j.::::zs:'^

Christian, and
»n of the scn-
5, to be inter-
possible can.
to Mr. Butt,
on prisoners.
I also return
cl manner in
called to my
nd yet some
ot^ hope that
d then sank
ful and sin-
Jis now for

prisoner,

•ke in Iiig
, himself

Mltnm the hand a„a f„„t ,„i ', '"''"'^ S"'"' "»' gore tlm,

mwmurs reached my ear ti,. ''"'"">■' Presence r™

doa-tte prayer of TI; abouTt::,"""™"'""^ P™^- Id p 7

- '"o';^^^^^^ was eo.,„„.

«>e news with composure o„H ^"'''"<''' ••«<='^ired

--. escort to the kr^:;;:^ ,™;r ''"^- "

"gh many
The door
^ew was
3bon dark-
ice on (he
trap-door,
w Captain
1 stalwart
•lied, and
prayer,
> Catholic
geofthe
ned witli

^ ■■

COLONEL JOHN J. O CONNOJB.

COLONEL JOim J. O'CONNOR.

Born on Valentia Island— Emigrates to America— Huns off and joins the
Union Array— Long Service— Promotion— Gallant action at Spottsylvanin—
Wounded at Cold Harbor— Firt^t Lieutenant— Captain— Seriously Wounded
again at Petersburg— In Command of his Regiment-Mustered out— Goes
to Ireland— Organizes Kerry— The Rising- Statement In the House of
Lords— Reporter Arrested for Telegraphing Military Disaffcctions— O'Connor
Bent to America— His Address to the Public— Organizing Tour.

ALTHOTJGn one of the youngest of the Military
Chieftains of the Brotherhood, Colonel O'Connor has
had very distinguished experience ;• and his connection
with the movements in Ireland, being the first to raise
the flag of revolt in the mountains of Kerry, in Feb-
ruary 18G7, gave his name a wide-spread prominence.
After the ftiilure of the intended demonstrations on
Chester, the insurrection in Ireland was postponed
but the messengers not reaching Kerry in time.
Colonel O'Connor proceeded to carry out his previous
instructions, and in so doing, showed that he was a
man for the occasion. His movement followino- the
Chester affiiir created great consternation, and the
telegraph wires conveyed his name throughout the
British Empire, over land and under ocean, to this
continent, where it was welcomed and toasted by his
countrymen, who then heard of the gallant youn^
soldier for the first time.

Joins the

tsylvania —

r Woiuulcd

out— Goes

Honse of

—O'Connor

Vrilitary
mor has
mection
to raise
in Feb-
linence.
ions on
tponed
1 time,
•revious
was a
Lno- tlie
ncl the
3nt the
to this
by his
joung

:.^^^

* m&.

^:f^m

' ! i

IV 11.

'JOU>NEl- JOL

C'^T/)?- ■ roK^

!:<>.r:

', ''. ■ '' . •'. rti ..»f tl.., galk. i-

O.-*'

"ENUN nnoEB ANB lUKTVM.

''"o^ni Tames 0'P,.>. '

"•Hi fii.nine ],ad su-ont 1% /"■'''''''' >«"-' o*' lever
«"'.>atecl to the IT e g^te '' "'1^^^'' '"'^ '>"-"''
» 7 "ch vicinity tl.e b„ C r''^' "' ^-'o".

ilaving Kew England '^.^ , ¥ " "P'
-.tl'o natural ardor of f ?""'"'''« ^™-^"K.-aftcd
<l«a-e<I toj„i„ the army of thllT ' ^T^ O'^""""--
«™ •■ei.ellion brolce out „ ?'"°V'''"" "'« South-
opposed the idea in consol 'J'^'""™ "solntoly

o''«'capph-ea„, lWeX"7 ^ '''? y'-'>^'M,Js
ie could not be dissimdo I^tt '""''"'° ''«"«!,
--'.»o„.ed. Lii.eTot'.iu^"^ ''--

. , , ® "'"^ """" W' sire denied."

-^t last Jie mnrln. i.'

'°-o™.-ng in the no aTs''?''T' """^ ""^ ^"S^t
acquainung in's fricn V «£:"'"' ''"^' ™"'-'
h>^. home, in Braintree to t , nv" ^"'"'"''^'"^ fr^"
enhsted in the 2Sth E 4mc^t%r"^' f ''°^'"" »d
Volu.'teers, under the n.mr„fT ""••''"•'««« (I''fel.)
^ng. tl>e assun,ed ua„,e 1 f i^^"^^ ^^nnors, think-
»gam»t the pursuit of ]„» itil , "'t'p •'^^^"'^''^'"^"t
ever, discovered him and oT f" '■'''•■"■^««. ''oiv-
to ■■eturn, i,„t to no ^u" tf'T'''^^ '° P«-"-lo him

^fe. was jnst seventeen years om'"'' '"■"l" »"•"
^eg.ment departed for th^sel Uf w^r ""'' '^''"^ ^'^

■:if !

19G

COLONEL JOHN J. OX'ONNOB.

a , V

Tlio 28tli MiissuclniRotts wart destined for South
Can liiiH, and tlioro, a?iiid tlie Hwainps and nnndy
]»ljiinrt, tlio ri'niincnt, atU'i'wards bo eniiiu'iitly distiii-
guislicd, learned tlio duties of Holdier lite. O'Connor
was determined to be a soldier, and a u;ood ono. Ilia
first act was to send home to his motlier for military
books, on the receipt t»f which, he studied ; and, com-
bining theory and ])ractice, soon mastered many ditH-
culties, and made himself eminently tit to rise. J lis
yonth and quiet disposition, acted agaiiist the desires
of his ambitious s[)irit, and kept him in the shade for
a long time. It was two years before he achieved his
first step upward — a corporal's warrant, which, ho
often said, he was prouder of than a commission after-
wards. During this time the 28th — besides the move-
ments on Dawfusky and Tybee Islands, and an attack
on Fort Munson, James Island — had gone through the
camj^aigns of the Kapidan and Happahannock, and
the still more momentous campaign in IMarylarid,
«haring the gloom and glory of the second Bull Eun,
Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam and other
fights. On the 23d November, 1803, the regiment
was transferred from thcKinth to the Second corps, and
assigned to the Irish Brigade, under General Mojigher.
A year passed, and O'Connor secured another pro-
motion in being made sergeant. Next year came the
great campaign of 18G4-. At the battle of Sjiottsylva-
nia Court-TIouse, in the memorable charge of Han-
cock's corps, of which the brigade formed a part, the
ambitious young soldier greatly distinguished himself.
When the color-sergeants were ytm^k down, O'Connor

■-RmAlf HKPOKS AM UAHTTUB.

197

«l"'nni;f„nvnnl, ,„„1 ,,„•„•„„ ,

Tl.i« <i,.t drj; ;,,;:''''''• ^"' "- '■^- ...• the fi.o

-'■ who, a woeic ht^M^n r :r "'"'' ";t'^^^

• noblo rcj,„,,„t ' ^? "™ '^'«'"' <" tl'« Lead of hi.

C^'i tJie 3d Juno O'n
at the buttle of Cold JhT"'' ""? '""'"•'-•'•>' ^<»""M,

'"■•"'o.'^"t.„„ti,tl::\■l':i:tcIr'''•'^'"-

BoIJier had won li " '," ""-'"toiant, the jo„„k

On rejoiai,., I ^ Ij '"■; :^™"» " ^jl"' ''i^ Wood!

ob..vod, owing to th:r;-;:: fxL« ^'-""'- -

two eomi,,„iios. I„ N„v™,|i>- L ' <"""'"'"'J

tain. But one offieer of' tl n I'' ."^ '"'"'""""^ ^^P-
on the muster-rolT a,d t ! °' n',"'"''"''^''''"" '^"^

Boston, the tenu of service I " ''--Wnient to

December, 1864 The 1 ^^' f^''""^ "" '''« '^0*
liad not expired .„dtb ? "'"' '"''" *l'-«e term
to the eomrn 'd ; O-c::::"" *°" '« --"-t, feu

consolidated his com L^^ "^ ^Z^V ''T'"' ^^«
panics. *" " "attalion of iivo com-

In about two montlia Wii,^,- i?i„ •
■■onnded, returned, and S ^f Ov' '"' ""''" '''"' ''^■''"
ehargo of his conn any IV,, ,0""'' "«""' *""k
again advanced totto,™ tlt\v„ : I' ""^. "" """^
and here again Q-Connor wa ™ r . it", ''"''"'"'
from which he still auffe... H r^^^ !17t^' ^""."*J.

lejomed his regiment

I . I|i:j

COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOB.

a few days previous to the grand review by President
Joluison and General Grant, at Washington, on the
return of the troops at the end of the Wcir. He was
scarcely able to be present, but he could not deny
himself the soldier pride of being present on so splen-
did an occasion. After the review, the commanding
officer who was also severely wounded at Petersburg
returning home, the command again fell to O'Connor!
The battalion was mustered out on the lield on the
last of June, arrived in Boston, July 5th, and was
finally mustered out on the 22d of that month. Owing
to some negligence on the part of the State official^
the gallant young soldier did not receive his promotion
as Lieutenant-Colonel, to which he was entitled,
although his name had been duly sent to Massachusetts
for the purpose in May.

O'Connor had at least a part of his ambition grati-
fied. He had won his distinction, but his health was
greatly impaired. His wound was" open, and a
relapse taking place, he was again prostrated, and all
hope of his recovery given up. But he was destined
for other service.

He had become a Fenian while in the army ; and
six weeks after his return home he signed the Koll of
Honor, to serve his native land ; saying to himself " I
have fought for the stranger— surely I could not do
less than fight, and if need be, die, for the land of
my fathers."

He went to Ireland and landed in Dublin, whence
he was immediately dispatched to the County Kerry,
where his people were known, and for which, though

fii

PENIAK HEEOES iro MAETOiS. 199

he had little i-ecolleetion .^f ,v 1 ■ 1
^-ith those feoli,""str.I, ' "•' '?''* ''"' •™'"-"*^"
inspire. Tlu're ± f r""-'' '»'■"'-'"'■»« «ver must
notnptotha ti-no ^^ ^' ''">'™« i" Kc"-,y, audit l,ad

rjght He orga„i.,.d the cou'r Id t "™. '"'
closely watehed, managed so as' Z M^ ™'^
for a long time Aftr.^V • ""1 suspicion

l..eK-, he tvas Wd t" e rtl,! ^ "" "'"^ "™'" ^^-^
eonnti,, where the p opTe t ndeTr: i™' '*^ '" *''«
and were constantly on the Too , /^ T'"'^ '™°''
The police were oVn on , jT " i^ ^^ '''''^•

. »,^W-^bythefaithfXessof lepetleaSdr ""
celerity, to evade them until ill ' 7 " °^

continual watching, beS. a Lor n "^T" ^'*

wound coming agf nst hhn 1,.^ ""f"'' ""'' ^''

Pelled to leaveCsc""^ «•''- "''"*'^''""^-

England. "' '"'^ ^'^ operations for

With returninn. henlfli i,„
I^ovember, and ente 3 ]i I I . '" "'^ '^'°<'l^''* in

adetective'ofHce He again :r r""'^' '^''^™« -
and instructing the «cli? , ° ''''"■''■' P'-cP»ing
Jy desired to ifn wl!a7, ! " T '^' '.'-^ »-' -'-ous^

H.entl„.siasticl.t:,t"::Sfr^;:'':^^■TT•■

military experienoo «?.^,.. ^- ™^* ^^ ^"s

in view, from want of money or o he! ' '"°^^"«"
nor would replv • " M.^^T ■ "*''""'"' ^'Con-

thc dauntlesslLge^-Je^w';;* f , 7 ''''''' >">'
^e'vestoa .use which the;^^^ r I^ «-

If,

■">;&

U&^SSSSiSift.

200

COLOITEL JOHN J, O'CONN-OK.

I I'

Is fv

Buccessfal, hnt whose graves will form the ramparts
over which ollicrs will achieve victory."

At last O'Connor received orders to commenco
operations, and immediately, and with cool deter^
mination, issued his orders.

For the reasons previously stated, the Kerry move-
ment was allowed to die out ; but not before the most
wide-spread excitement and anxiety had been created.
This was widened by the statement made in the
House of Lords on 14th February. In reply to an
inquiry by the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earl of
Derby said ;

" I can entirely understand the anxiety which the noble Marqnis
and your Lordships must feel with regard to the unfortunate cir-
cumstances which have occurred within the last twenty-four hours,
and I also recognize to the fullest extent the duty of withholding
nothiug from your Lordships. And though the information which
we possess is only such as can be received by telegram, and is,
therefore, m the highest degree meagi-o and unsatisfactory, I mx
perfectly ready to state, without reserve, all the circumstances
that have come to our Icjiowledge. Yesterday afternoon wo
received information by telegi-am that between Mallow, Valentia,
and Killarney the telegraphic wnos had been cut ; and by telcrams
subsequently received we learned that they had been repaired, and
that the Company were regularly patrolling the line for the piuposo
of its protection. Last night, a little before 11 o'clock, wo
received telegi-aphic mfoi-mation to the effect that an outbreak had
certainly taken place— we do not know in what numbers, or how
fai- armed— but that at Cahu-civcen the Coast-guard stalicm had
been sacked, and that a messenger, a mounted policeman, hud
been shot by a body of insurgents. We received information this
morning that, although the man had been shot at, he had not beeu
IdUed, but his arms and horse were taken possession of by tho
mob. Our information further went on to say, that great appre-

rENlAIT 11EE0E8 AND MAETrRS.

. , 201

tensions wero entertained in the town nf T-n

it ^va, said that the ,uob ZoZ T , Iv.llarney, npon which

' Haninls knows, is di Hn Z nT "^- ''^^'*' "" *^« ""^^°

etoly fof tho movement of vn ''^ ''"^^"^° mstmctions imniedi-

■ T.alee, and also W e c, T t:^'"" T'"^ ^'^^ ^-^'

tim night three subsequent ";L«.r^^^^^^^^^
' ^^thatth. first detalnont ta .If^^ of which informed

jndthat tha second was ox,^cL There L T"" ^* ^^'"--^3^»
tom-a. 1 learned to-day fron Lord S L '""''' "' ^ ^^^

Itientof five hundred mc^w re orlnT' ''''' ^ ^^^^^aeh-
atid ah-eady aiTived at ^017 '"^'"^ ^'^"' ^'^« Cmragh,

these measures ufTord d ^ ' ^^^^^ to learn thai

Killarney, .nd that no furt er o^^^^^^^^^^^ "^ «- P-Pl« of

we understand, that tha poh'e MnaH^^f '^ ^"'^^^^^ '"^^P*' ^«
the same party which StlT r! ^'"' '^''^^ ^"acked by

that they apprLhefan;^^^^^^^^^^^ We have not heard *

Of Bny symptom., of dlslurhnnl • '^^'""™^>'» ^^i' ^'-^ve we heard
It Will aIso'b« saHsfaoto^ tr: '" T ?'" ^^'^ "^ '^'^ -""^^y.
Wan-estedLomr^t^^^^^ *" ^^"^^ that wa

When arrested, Ls proc a^^^^^^^^ «^ ^^^'--veen, who.

and was taken with LZly ^ 'ilt '"""'"' ^' '''' "^«"^=«^ts
I believe that the fee ^^ of I "T ^'"'''''' "^ '^^^ P^^^^'^^^on
outbreak produced tgr^L?^^^^^^^^^ r^ ^^^^^ this suddeu
^'It It my duty to hold iT^T^ nf rTn"" ^^^^^^^ ^
Commander-in-Chief, the Secret of St! % T^ "^^^^^"^^^ *^«
ment, and Lord Kaa's. Chief Setaiyfrj" "^^^^^'- ^^P-'t-
thatLord Kaaa ehould proceed to T,. "'"' '^ ^^^^« ^'^^^led

ingly did 50 at n ver/c.^vTol ,/ ''"^ ''!* ""^^ ' -"^^ ^^« ^^cord-
Wl Strathnairn staL tft he " ^o^ ^ 'S.I r^ :'''''^ '^"^
l>Ight. I have no reason to beC thx h '' '^° '""'^ *''-

outbreak; atthe same tin.e notte Ins hi '' '"""' '''" '"^ ^"^^'
that «.. utmost vigUanc. il T^^Z^" " ""■^' '"■^^^^-

la reply to the tclegrapl,, troops were ritshorl .
KiUame^ by special train. Six li.dred n^fof tiL'

K ——III jujr'j-T

if il

202

FENTAIT HEROES ATTO MARTYRS.

Forty-ciglitli and Sixtli ro.c.|mcnts arrived from Ke^r-
bridge in a special train of ni.uteen carriages, also
three hundred ot tho Fourteenth foot from Fermoy
and one hundred and iifty of the Sixtieth rifles from
Cork, under Colonel Palmer-the wliole force beinc.
connnanded by Brigadier Sir Alfred llosfo rd
^ The correspondent of the Cork Herald, who c.ot
iiinsell into trouble, gave the following idea of tho
insurgent chief:" " I l.ave not heard that they have
made any arrests; and if the current rumors be credit-
ed, It IS not likely that the young man, O'Connor, who
commands the Fenians, will allow his men to be arrest-
ed He has the character of being a brave, resoluta
soldier, who served with distinction in the Americau
army, and that he will make his band of followers-to
use the words of an old song-' conquer or die.' O'Con-
nor IS said to be as great an artist in personal disguises '
as Stephens himself, and though moving aboitt the
country for many months past, he all through eluded
the vigilance of the police, who were most desirous to
meet him. He is by birth a Kerryman. Captain
Moriarty also served in the American armv, and
Sheehan who is lodged with him in tho county fail,
fought in the Papal Brigade, and was wounded at
feiJoletto."

^ The rising, indeed, as was natural, gave the publio
journals extensive business. Every one of them seem-
ed to have a special correspondent in that Count v
and amid the abundance of rumors, picked up froni
the soldiers as well as the people, and circulated freely,
so.ne amusing and interesting scenes were embedded! '

COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOR.

203

insurrection nor xvlZ \, "'^ ""S^Kcd in the

ook possession of tho lino, of 1, ?™"""™'
juaiciously or othorwiso T !„ ''''''S™pl!~wl,etl.or

-d noth,^, haf;ry::;7:r:.n '■^^"'°^--

-hatever ca.no throngh tZroLCZT'lT'
leanicd, Iiowevor fhnf ,'« i , viands. 1 have

cut, so ne o I 'o F : ","T '-^T *^ ^^"'^^ ^^''^

J-l>t up' „ l:tl .rt^^T'^T ^°^^'"^'
Dublin. Just fancy a olffT ""t'^oritios in

-no sn^oLin. and^t^X^^l^ '^f '" %'r
more practiced Juinds arc busHv . , " "^ *«

>nossage li,<e tno followi:: to BSli^^'o ir'"' ^
"P in arms, led l,y Captahi Moria ty" all ! t?'"*'
espocalJy in the mountainous dsto T' ""y-
send ,yord what troops are c.nni,,, . a" ^l"-'"'"' ""<!
rants for tlio arrest of m" ^""wer-' War-
.lespatohed hy s;:.c t l^;!:;:'^ ^"^' «'«»-■• -e
i'-o.n Currash, I)„bi;n"nd™ork '" "^^ '"" "''^"''^

A reward of £250 for O'Connor faiJe f • «
tlic ,)eo]ile, save in doulilfn^ tl,„ «• '° '"flnence

authorities' and sln'dd tSS^f '"'^ '" '"■^'-d tho

completely nullified the eCttiftoIr wt

204

FENIAN IIKROES AND MARlTRg.

I I I'j
li I H

" i

made by his incarceration, and gave extensive expo-
sure to tlie trepidation into whicli the officials had
ftillen tliroiigli fear of military disatfection at this
time. The following, trom the Cork Examiner, brief-
ly sets forth the fact, and the state of feehng it
aroused : ,

. *' A new feature in Irish government has been exhibited by the
police magistrate who has charge in Killarney, and one winch, we
thmlf, IS calculated to set the public seriously thinking wheth(,r
here really is any liberty left us in this countiy. As the matter
has reached us, a reporter employed by the Cork Herald was
arrested and has been imprisoned, and is still in close confinement
because, m the discharge of liis vocation, he offered for transmis-
sionby telegraph a message bearing tue heading, ' Disatfection
amongst the Mihtaiy.' If this be the case, then the suspension of
the Hahcm Corvus is not the only indignity the country has to
suffer. The liberty of every man is placed at the disposal of the
resident magistracy, and there needs neither Act of Parliament
nor warrant of law to render Irishmen as liable to the caprice of
the stipendiary, as the Oriental of the Arabian Nights is to that of
his Cadi. There is added to the stoiy a statement that Mr Tracey
was only saved from the indignity of being marched to prison
handcuffed, by the interference of a military ofticer TJiis is
merely a circumstance in aggravation of the insolence of the
outrage, but it does not m the least degree affect the principle
Under the despotic government of France, the transmissi(m of false
news is punishable by law; but it must be remembered that that
state of things existed only at the will of an autocrat, and latelv it
has been very much modified. But under our glorious constitu
tion the Press has been supposed to be free. We certainly wro
under the impression that it had a license to disseminate news as
accurately as it could be gathered, and that the questi.m of truth
or falsehood was left to the unfettered discretion of the conductors
But we are rudely awakened by this act of the police magistrate*
It appears that there is vested in Mr. Greene, R. M., and Ms like

OOIOUEL Joim X, O'COMNOB.

205

oe 8u,tul lo h.s lastc or not puUiahiHl at all. We thou.^ht it wa,
g".ng protly far whon the m.«agos for the pros, were aU "bLZ

fir r "'=' ™'"Pl"">' "■! tliat s<»ro. It is, however dlf

f reut when t ho personalliberty of members of the Pros^TsIte^

wh. ttlie fuc .were to tlie contrary, notwithstanding^
th^t any of the troops were diBaffected, a,rd Mr. Ma-
thew Tracey was only released from prison npon liis
givms; £50 bail, and two sureties in £25 each to a,,
pear at the Tralee Assi.es, in answer to the cha 1 S
hS: W^^"' -^""-^ ..^^represented^er'
Colonel O'Connor baffled the troops and police
and was despatched to the United States by the par!
jes dn-eettng affairs. He arrived in New York abont
the mzddle of May, and, having reported to the Execu-

r.Lr.o>y-Cot™TM.^_No doubt many of -on will thlnkm;

pcJ^lenoe B, T,T''", '" """'' ™ *" «'™a"« f"' I™h inde-
8U o„„, officers, ,„ asic you for the help which we need, and whieh
was pr„„„sed to us by m;u,y amongst you before we emb.arire7ia
^ZZZT -T" "«','■""«'"» -«™ce that we we."

206

PENIAN HEKOES ANT) MARTYRg.

i '

lUil

When I left Ronton, in the fall of 18G5, the Fenian Brotherhood
W s u un. ed and w.-ll organized body, When I reached Irehnd I
set about he duty assigned to n.e, and since then I have fulfilled i
to the bcs of n>y ability, We, in Ireland, could never understand
^ hy a spht could occur among our friends-why, at the last n.on'^ ,
^hen we were ready to commence a great and glorious struggle-
when there were over three hundred American olHeers in all ^arts
of he country_of all ranks-men trained in many a hard foug' t
battle against slavery, and who were willing and ready to lead L
n-n o Ireland to victory or death. Brothers and fcllow-eoun.ry!
men, these men were not fools, as some represent them ; they were
not earned away by enthusiasm. They knew what they had to
contend agmnst, and they knew our advantages. They lc>ft ihia
country with the full consent and counsel of all Ihe Trmherhood

3. M n ' "^'^ ''"'■'^' '^ ''''^ ''^^•"^•«* ^"« l'-«t man I saw

was Mr. Roberts. - Go, " said he, - and God bless you. Tell our
fnends at home that before three months are over we will all mee
on Insh sod.'' I never saw bin. aft.., nor did we in Ireland eve
receive from hnn one dollar, one musket, or one man. If he is an
honest man, if he is a true man, why did he, at the eleventh hour '
cause a disturbance in the camp ? Fellow-countrymen, do not ibr
one moment imagine that the cause at home is lost or broken up
or in danger of being so. Though our hated foes are expending
millions to accomplish that end, the spirit and principles of tli^
men are as buoyant as ever, and will be while there is an officer
left to lead them. In our ranks at home, there are men of all classes
and professions. . The real thinking men, and the men who lovo
th ir country, are with us. There are many men of high standliL
an position who would like to reap the advantages of a revolution
w. hou having to encounter its risks. These are always hesitatin!"
under the plea that the time has not yet come, wait till fa .^e'
When our undertaking is crowned with success, they will bcAvllI*
mg to take sides, and share the glory and victory. Until then 4"
xiuist be content with their sympathy. From them we expect n'olh!
;ng, and will get nothing. . -Fellow-countrymen, do not believ l
newspaper reports from Ireland. With a few honorable exceplion
they are aU u, the pay or in the interest of the English en my

COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOB.

207

f f kT^r.^^^^^^^ " "" '^""^ '^^ ^•^-*^' '" ^^« "-« of Ireland,

nsoncr to the tender mercies of PentonvlUe. Do not wait until

mv word imri T otni- ,.r ""t-^ion. jjut I am a man of

^.. a:;it:i\r :r':fe:r err r^^^^

a at.m»„tl:,„vo madoin roferoncco Ireland; a„dTiZh°e"who

° "r7? 7'"""° """''^ """ ~l"'->.«'.>s of an army h v
a . c,m,„,„„t tl,:.t if our co„,»,.y,„™ in Ammca do W«" Itv o

ft ly a 'd ,, us „,« '"™, "• ™" ""''" >''" "'" •"> «° f«'--

a,:;;:.; :f „o7 , r™: "reT:? ""' '"™"" -- '"'"

.an., and a. ,.,.,,.., .o ,1.303 I^a'^^S trll
better prospects of success. We have the luUo.t n ^

Wdl ,1,0 risk I an. ,. 'iTlVT T? "^ '"=""■ ""■'"■'"«

Who w.,e .0 long ,;, ,- "X ' "" """ "''^•^om.s

those noble men now suffi.-ino- in RHH.h '"''"'" "^

.an. or „,y ,„„a„ eon.-ad:;.: ^ llX:',- 1:' C ^^
idnrn. You can assist us il' you will Let r,lm „,i T ^

a. ho,ne, .,,adi„g tl.e aeeounts'of our „'l 171?"""^
on the hill3, paliently waitin- for the cxnected ,; I i ^' . "'*
beware of the everlastln, .h^e a^^ diC^ a^illT^MtT i'ft;

208

FENIAK HEROES AND MARTYR8.

cannot say that ho has done his part in the noble work— the over-
throw oftlu! vumplre that now mcks tlie i;te-l)lood of our people.

To tlioHc who were memberH of the F((nlaii IJrotluirliood wluin I
went to Ireland, I partieularly appeal. Contiiling in youi- assist-
ance, I went to risk my life for my comitry. Whatever may be
the inducements held out to you, which caused you to give your
assistance to other parties, I ask you now to be no longer led astray
by false lights and specious speech-makers.

Return to your allegiance, and unite with those who are willing
to give their all to aid us in the fight for liberty. In conclusion, I
can only say that, whether you aid us or not, we will not abandon
the cause. We will not leave our comrades to rot and die in the
dungeons of Pentonville and Mountjoy, williout making an elfort
to rescue them, or share their fate. The straggle has only com-
menced, and it will end only with the death or imprisonment of
the last of us, or we will leave our country better than we found her.
Yours, ever taithlully and fratenially,

John James O'Connor,
Colonel I. R. A., and Charge d" Affaires for Kerry.

Previous to Colonel O'Connor's arrival, Mr. John
Savage had made arrangements for a tour through
Massachusetts, in aid of the Irish cause, and to instil
among the Circles the necessity of union among Irish-
men for the love of Ireland. Colonel O'Connor visited
many towns with Mr. Savage. Subsequently, the Col-
onel went on an organizing tour in Michigan, and the
shores of Lake Superior. He was also a delegate from
Massachusetts to the sixth National Congress, which
assembled 21st August, in New York, and acted on
some importt=int committees.

CAPTAIN MORTIMER MORURTT.

209

lin

CAPTAIN MORTIMER MORIARTY.

ot hi. Am»l_Wtat mLJS-T°MEl ' '? '■"'"■ c„n,m«„d-<?a,„„
Gunty-Seatcnce. "~^''"'"'"'=« »' ">« Sp, Tulbot-Foiind

Ufe for it! '^ ^ '""^^"'^^ *^ ^'•^^^'^«^e his

. Mortimer Moriarty is a native of the Parish of P
hirciveen, Coiinfv nf Tr^, ■■ " '^^ ^^-

denci.., led ,.™ to the eo.^ltf a ^^ ^^^^^^^

join t„e a™ed Zts^a ct^' ^^ ™i^; ^-^ '»
weeks in confinement, MoHart/ anXn-p^lS

ft "''

fll

ll 'II'

210

FENIAN UEKOKS AND MARTVttS.

tlunr escape— mncli to the horror and cha«?rin of the
Canadians— throiicrh an iindornjroiind i)assa«j;c, and, af-
ter further adventures, reached New York. Captain
Moriarty Bailed for Irehind in Decenil)(a', 18(50, and
was despatched by Col. T. J. Kelly to take O'Connor's
place in Kerry, in the belief that the latter, according
to report, had been captured.

Meeting O'Connor, he was induced to remain in
charge of the locality surrounding Cahirciveen ; and
took up his residence about four miles from that place
under the assumed name of O'Shca, which seemed a
very important fact in the eyes of the Solicitor-General,
who traced up Moriarty's movements in these words :
"From Christmas, 18G6, till February, he lived at
Connor's, and had no ostensible employment whatever.
He made frequent visits to Cahirciveen, and said ho
came to Ireland for the bcneiit of his health. In Ca-
hirciveen there is a reading-room, where dances are
frequently held, and I think I am justified in stating
it was used not only for the purposes of innocent re-
creation, but as a place where Fenians resorted. On
the evening of the 11th of February, Moriarty was at
the dance there with O'Eeilly, who had been convicted
as a Fenian at these assizes. About the first of Febru-
ary, J. J. O'Connor was stopping at the house of a man
named Kelly, a quarter of a mile from where Moriarty
was living. O'Connor, as I am instructed, was " Cen-
tre " for Kerry. We have thus brought into proximity
the prisoner with other leading members, and we have
him in the immediate neighborhood of the Atlantic
cable. On the 12th of February, the morning which

CAITAIN MonmiEB MORUKIT. 21 1

prccodc.l tI.o attack o„ the coast-ffuarf .s.atf,,,, at TCdls

m tlo s,oot,n. of I),,.,a„-,l,o ti.no fixe.1 to., t "j

>'>'ing to ako place Kcerally i,, thh cotuitry-Moriartv

proeeeded on the ,„ail ca.-iVo,„ Cahircivooi to K .^

" J D SlU p' 'T'"" "'"' '■"'""' " ••^"•'^ directed

to meet you, I „,„, ^ ever, j. j. o'CONNOli!'. *

The Rev. Father Lavelle gives thotbllowino-aeeonnt
o he cause of Captai. Moria.t/. arrest, a!,d o '
excitmg cu-cnmstanees attondins the Kerry risin-.-

less girl came to a Mr. Galway, J }> „,„.„, ,„ r ,
Castlerosse, at Killarney, with'^ an .y. ,„'' , .i:" I
say that 'Captah, Murty Moriurty ' i„„i.ne"„'h
way ne.xt day or actually was „„ l!ia„eom's ea"fr ,
Cah,re.vee„ to lu h.r„ey, bearing in.portant despatch
fiom Gonend O'Connor,' Head Centre of the South,
to a brother 'na„>ed Sheehan, in the latter town
The agent and J. P., ,vit,.3ome Mr. Coltsn.an or other
took the alarm, and sent off a posse of police to meet

paity thus informed against. This was easilj accom-

1( )l

212

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTTES.

pliBhed, as liis distinctiYe features were described, he
having' lost a portion of the nose in the recent Ameri-
can war. Unfortunately, he had on his person papers
from O'Connor, introducing him to Sheehan as deputy
for that part, and jirescribing an immediate plan of ac-
tion. At least so the story is told. Sheehan was, of
course, arrested, and, with Captain Moriarty and a man
named Garde, conveyed to Tralce jail. The same niglit
the wires of the telegraph were cut simultaneously at
two places, forty miles assunder — ten miles to the east
of Ivillarnev, and twentv-eiii;ht miles to the west, on the
Yalentia line. The coast-guard station, eX Ivells, was
attacked, and the arms found therein seized, but no in-
jury done to the men. ISText day and niglit the magis-
trates met, panic-striclven, at the Railway Hotel, Killar-
ney, and kept tejegraphing, like very furies, to Dublin
and Cork for ' more troops.' And so troops have arri-
ved — arrived next day from both places, to the amount
now in all of one thousand, and under the command
of a Brigadier-General Ilorsford. This officer was sent
especially, from Aldershot, to take the command.

" On the arrival of the Cork detachment, at 3.30 in
the morning, they were told off to meet, and beat, and
kill and capture the insurgents. But no insurgent had
they the good or bad fortune to encounter. At night
other squads, accompanied by the young Mr. Herbert,
M. P., (I think,) set oif to surround the wood of the
Toomies ; but after passing a dreary night, no insur-
gents did they meet, nor does it appear that one has
been encountered yet by any of the detachments. '

" But on the arrest of Captain Moriarty, an orderly

CAPTAIN MORTIMER MORIARTT.

213

was despatched with instructions to Yalentia, and be-
ing 'net on the road by a number of armed men, was
re<iuested to halt and deliver his papers. He refused,
drawing his sword and striving to make away from the
assemblage. He was galloping off at full pace, when
a ball on the hip bi-ought him down. He was then
taken to an adjacent house, when, fearing he was about
to die, lie called for the priest. One of the party— call
them ' insurgents ' for the moment— went forthwith for
the clergyman, who attended him as usual. But here
the Eev. Mr. McGinn, after acting as the servant of
God, thought fit to do a trifle in the British spy way ;
and so proceeded forthwith to the police barrack of Ros-
beg, and there warned the police to ' stand to arms.'
He subsequently met the insurgents— I cannot as yet
call them Fenians— and told them to desist, not to ap-
proach the barrack, for that the police were ready to
receive them. ' Then you have informed on us,' said
one of them. " Yes,' answered he, ' I did so, and would
do so again, and am prepared for the consequences.'
"VVithout further parley, they left his reverence and
proceeded their way, whither it has not been since as-
certained. But it woulc^ appear that on Wednesday
some of them were seen, wearing green uniforms, pass-
ing the ' Gap of Dunloe,' and taking the direction of
the mountains. So much for the facts, as far as they
have hitherto transpired.

" The panic, as might be expected, was extreme
among the loyal West Britishers of the 'Kingdom of
Kerry,'^ during the excitement. Mrs. Herbert flitted to
the Railway Hotel, with several others from the neio-li-

'ffl

1 1

214

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

boiliood. Lord N'aas, the Irisli Chief Secrettiiy, wa9
telegraphed to at his very seat in tlic House of Cuiii-
iiioiirt, and had to come across to see after this part of
her Majesty's dominions — leavini^ his Irish Land Bill,
which he was to move next night, to its fate. ' The
Irish Office,' in London, was up all night on Wednes-
day, seeing what to do ; and on the whole, whatever
may be the nature or the result of the commotion, it
has rather fretted our most benign and paternal Chris-
tian Masters.

" Some persist in denying it to be a Fenian move-
ment at all. I would I could bring myself to believe
so much. But I fear that utter hatred ofthe intolera-
ble yoke, with extra enthusiasm, not guided by j^ru-
dence or fortified by sutHcient means, may have driven
some noble spirits to a deed of rashness, wdiich, if un-
dertaken in auspicious circumstances, and with pros-
pects of success, would entitle them to rank with the
nobles heroes and apostles of Liberty."

On Thursday, 25th July, 18(57, "Mortimer Shea,
alias Captain Mori arty," and Jeremiah Daniel Shee-
han, were indicted, because " they did, on the 15tli of
January, 18G7, and on divei^ other occisions, feloni-
ously conspire and intend to depose her Majesty from
the royal style, title, and (pieculy dignity of Sovereign
of Great Britain and Ireland, and did feloniously ex-
press divers overt acts," Sia. The prisoners pleaded not
guilty, and were " put back."

Captain Moriarty was brought to trial, at the Kerry
Assizes, lOth A ugust. The great object of the Govern-
ment, on the trial, was to connect the prisoner with

CAPrAIN MORTIMEfi M(jRI\IiTY.

215

Colonel O'Connor, and prove, from some experience
in naval matters, that he was to take charge of the At-
lantic cahle. One Talbot, who liacl joined tlie Fenians
to be a spy on their movements, said he heard tliat
Moriarty was the Fenian chief for Kerry. This Talbot
was a head constable, and appeared in court in uniform^
decorated with two medals and clasps. On another trea-
son-felony trial — that of John Goulding^-— the same
day, the testimony gWen by him was of interest, " if only
true." He said part of the plan was to seize all the arms
from the coast-guards and police stations, and from all
the gentry who had tliem, and there was a list of these
prepared for the night of the rising. On the lOtli or
11th of February, it was settled in Dublin, tliat there
sliould be a rising in Kerry one day after, to bring the
army here, then break the rails and leave them here.
I was so much engaged hi the business, that they would
not hold any meeting, night or day, without me ; tliey
were to have made me Commissary-General ; they took
me to be the head of the whole thinir.

On his cross-examination, Ta]l)ot declined to state
whether he was attending Fenian meetings at that
time. lie declined for "ijtate reasons." Neither would
he give the name of the place where their meetings
wei'e held in Dubl n, (where the Kerry rising was
agreed on,) as "matters were passing there yet."

The Solicitor General — Meetings connected with
this conspiracy are still held in the same places?

]\rr. Waters— Do you swear that, Mr. Talbot 2

Talbot— I do.

• Sentenced to five years' penal servitude.

21G

FEXIAN HEROES AND MAETYRg.

IH '

Judge Keogli-IIe niaj tell the locality without
names.

Talbot-Francis street and Ward's hill ; they also
March '"^ ^""""^ ^'^'''''^ *^'^ ^^''''''^ ""'"'"^ ""^ *^^ ^^^

Mr. Waters-Until you came here as a witness, you
were never in Kerry ? "^

Witness — No.

A Juror-Did you take the Fenian oath ? . No
i hen how did yoii arrive at tlie position of Head

be such '''' "'^ ^'''^''' ^"* ^^''^' *^^^ ^"^ ^^

Mas.ey had seen Moriarty in December, 18G0, at
the l^eadquarters, in New York, and had heard
him say "he Moriarty) escaped from Canada after
the Campo Bello raid." Corydon identified the letter
oiind on the prisoner as being in the hand-writing
01 O Connor- had been introduced to the prisoner a^
the headquarters, New York, by Colonel Downing., " as
a man hoklmg a high position ; frequently heard him
epoJvenot at Fenian meetings, in Liverpool, in con-
nection with the Atlantic cable ; he was well known
in that locality, being accudtonied to naval matters •
he was supposed to know how to sever communication
between Ireland and America." "

On the trial, three witnesses from Caliirciveen, who
had deposed as to the prisoner's hand-writing, and Avho
i^tused to support their depositions, were ordered iw
the court to be arrested for perjury.

CAPTAW MOETLMEE MOEIAETT. 217

muci, oft ,Zi, : "'"' r'""'"'"" *° "'« ^<'""-^-™ of

jubLiy treated, and olnimprl fi^r.^ i "

the case, he would boTnHH f ""' *">, ''°"'^'^' "<-'^^ of

The leaned gentoLn' !ff r'™'■'^'"'''*■'''='J■""='l■
Tlle next d»v T 1 ?. '' '™'"''' ''"wever, vain.

lengthened cW.eanf aft "f *"^"=' "^'^ J-"-^ *° '^
tion, they eo3e'd rtf: '"'{ '"'"•'*''^' «°°''»1'^

i:M

mm
' 'PI

>lil

'"' I

J i

B i"' I'm'

218

I'BWIA^ HEKOES AND MAJBTJTRe.

JOSEPH NOONAK.

"Out " with O'Connor— Arrested in London— Marvelous escape from his cap-
tors -Re-arrested at Atherstane— Brought to Dublin— Riot in Killaruey—
Trial— Sentence.

The case of Joseph N'oonan, one of the Kerry " in-
surgents," might have passed over with not more than
the usual local attention bestowed upon such matters,
if liis desperate attempt to escape fi"om the police in
England, by leaping from a rail-cai speeding at the
rate of over forty miles an hour, had not drawn upon
him commingled feelings of wonder and admiration.
He had " turned out " with Colonel O'Connor, was
known to have done so, and to have been probably the
main instrument of managing the escape of several
leading Fenians from the hunted district. He evaded
the authorities, but was finally traced to London, where
he was arrested on Tuesday, the 30tli of April, 1867.
by a Constable from Ireland. This Constable, Gun-
ning, and a Sergeant, undertook to escort the Fenian
prisoner to Dublin. The former says in his evidence :
" Before leaving London, I went with him to the Lon-
don Bridge Kailway station to look after his boxes.
He told me he was after arriving from Havre, and his
boxes were there. "We got the boxes and brought liim
to the police-station that night. The next day we

JOSEPH NOONAK.

219

the

[

took him to the Euston station, where we all tliree
took through tickets for Dublin. There was no room
in the second class, and the station-master put us into
a first. We left at five in the evening and arrived at
Kugby that night. About half an hour after leav-
"ig Kugby,he took a hold of the window strap,
dropped It, put his foot upon the seat, and went out of
the wmdow. The train was going at forty miles an
hour then My companion and I were talking at tha
tnne. We telegraphed back when the train stopped
and went to Tamworth, and the following day to
Atberstane, where we got a clue."

After Noonan's escape, the Sergeant and Constable,
both of whom were as much chagrined as astonished
at the daring which had taken their prisoner from
their veiy grasp, instituted an active search in the
neighborhood, being also efficiently assisted by the
railway officials and the local police. The officers
gained no information on Thursday, but, on Friday
n.ormng, they ascertained that ]^oonan had been to a
pawn-shop at Atherstane, pawned his coat, and bouo-Jit
a cap. "

Nothing further was brought to light until nig],t
when he iodg.ng-houses in tlie town were searched b;
the pobee. Tliey iound the fugitive prisoner in one
of these houses, in bed, about ten p. m. He at first
demed that he was the man ; the offleers, however
had tound a letter in the bouse written by the prisone.^
to h,s ir,ends, asking thorn to supply him with money
whieli, „n being made known to him, he at onee ae-
know.edged hnnself to be the man, and answered any

nl '

220

FENIAN 1IK110E8 AND MAKITKB.

quostioiii^ freely that were put to liirn. There is no
doiiht that but for the M'ant of this niouey Noonaii
would have made i»;ood his e^^eape.

From his own Btatement of his esen]>e, it a])pear3
that he left the train ahout three miles north of
Tamworth station, inst(>ad of south, as the ollieers
Buruiised. lie says he watched his op])ortunity,
dropped the carriai^e win<low down, and, phujin^i^ his
knee and hands on the sill, with a eat-like si)rin,!j;, shot
throun-h the window ; he ali«j^hted on his feet, and then
had a few rolls and o-ot np— heyond the shakin<^ and a
sliirht scratch on the ridit side of his forehead, noth-
inir the worse for his adventure. As the train at the
time was traveling fifty miles an hour, it is a most
miracidous circumstance how the man escaped with
his life ; " and, incredible as the feat seems," says one
of the reporters, wdio saw him on his arrival in Dub-
lin, " any person, after seeing the man, wonld feel quite
ready to give credence to his statement, which corres-
ponds in every particular with the statement of the
olHcers from whom he escaped. In appcjirance he is
just the man one would expect to find capable of ac-
complibhing any snch rash feat."

The prisoner arrived in Dnblin on Snnday, the 5th
May, and w^as lt)dged in Kilmainham jail. It was ex-
pected that he wa)uld be brought to Killarney, and the
people assend.)led to welcome him, and probably to
attempt his rescue. He did not appear, however, and
the populace took the opportunity of making a demon-
stration against the nuxgistrate and police, an account
of which is given in the London Times of 13th May :

&■*'■

iOBim NOONAN".

221

"A Fonian riot occui-rc! at Kill„r,icy on Wcl.,..,-

u tl,c,a,l vH,ys at,,m t.MvitnoHMJ.camvul ofNo,,n,m
to a lo«o,l Fo„ia„, wh,«o oxtraonlinary e^capo Ih m a

tl,o 2,V,n r" r''"''""^"' «■'■» woro i„ waiting at
tl,e.tat, n, n,dcr tI>o connnand of Mr. Gallwoy", J.
i. IJio display was continued until th„ . i-
roaoLcd tl.oir l.arraolcB, aftor wl.ieh " 1 c „„ * ' ■ '"
downward tVo,„ the barraok a^Lle i ^ I "a;;^
wo,, hootod and yollod at ],im, and J,o wa^s sul ice ted
to almos as mucli ill-treatment as the police. W
«;g .nto lus hou.,0, they throw stones at him, and son o
ot his wmdows wore broken."

Mr. Noonan ^«,s enhserjncmly confined in Naas jail,
w th Captain Mor.arty and Thomas Garde* and
when >t was necessary to remove him to Tral .0 e

tZ' "/"T "' '" """"^^ P^-"-''-' acco i',i d
thonco by a heavy escort of police. lU was ind "ted

for treaso^felony and brought to trial at the Ko y

Assizes 16th Angnst. lie was identiiicd as one o^f

tluTr?' "''" '"°*™'''S °f «- 15tl, February
that had rofresliments at the hotel at Glonheigh and
a having got a boat at Glenagh in wliich lie wUh'tha

c dents ot the rismg were given in evidence, which
wore not alluded to on the others.

Jnrur;;s:M« "t\s:r? ''''°'»° "»'^'''° »»«""-■

thejiiry. ' "" .'''"^'"' "»' snilly. and was acquitted by

ooo

PKNIAN IIKUOKS AND MARTYRS.

-:*='lt

M-jg

C(>iistjil)lo Win. l)n<>:ii;iiii, who was sliot wliilc ciirry-
iiiii; (Icsputclios tVoiii Jvilor^Iiii to (yiiliircivoon, and fell
from hiri horsi^ Htatod, after l.yin<^ (luict for sonic tiiiio
tliat he got hold of liis Bword and walked to a cottage,
into which, after some parley, lie obtained entrance :

"I said I was woniulod — that I wasu't able to do anything,
TlM'y tlicn calhid for Colouc;! OX'oiiiior to conuj in — tliat tlicy had
this man insid(!. I Haw a revolver with one of tiicm. Tliat man
waid, 'I am the man that fired at him.' lie came up quite cIoho
to me and prea(!nted a pistol at me. I asked for a drink of water,
and they made an old woman l)elongin<5 to the house go for it. I
got aonve brandy, too, from Colonel O'Connor, who had Mr. Anke-
tell's (S. L, Cahircivcen) Bword on him. Colonel O'Connor took
the despatch I had with me out of my pocket, and read it, and a
purse I had with -is. in silver in it. Colonel O'Connor examined
my wound, and tokl me to cheer up, and said he got worae himself
hi the American service. He promised to send me the priest and
doctor as soon as he met them."

Mr. Shea, the proprietor of the hotel at Glenbeigh,
was acquainted with Noonan, and said that O'Connor
gave him a slip of paper in acknowledgment of the
bread taken for his men. The daughter deposed that
she " gave refreshments to twenty or thirty armed in-
surgents on the 15th of February, and got a bond of
the Irish Republic from Colonel O'Connor as payment.
Got the money afterward."

jSToonan was convicted and sentenced to seven years'
penal servitude.

--M^™^ -^^J'L|

OAPfAlN MICHAEL o'rorKE.

223

CArTATN MICHAEL O'TIOBKE.

"^'.WM^-Vt "•'r^"'"~"''"*"~*''''""y*='"'^'™^ t" New York-Memories
«> the I^.y Make him a Uebel-.IoinH the Pha-nix UriKa.lc EnterH the UnT ed

auu r Kil C.1- 1 aken I'riHo.ier-M UHtenul Out-GocB to Ireland-IIlH I),itle«
1" England and Ireland-Narrow EHcu„e fro.n Corydon-Se^Uo No w Yoik!

In tlie evidence given by tlie arch-informer, on tlie
trials of Colonel Thomas F. lionrke, Captain M'Caff-
crty, and otliei-s, tlie name of Captain O'Horke, '' alias
Beeclier," is constantly alluded to. He 18 spoken of
m connection with the most prominent men and movc3-
ments; as having been present at important consulta-
tions, and as being the pay-master of the Fenian or-
ganization in Enghmd, through wliose hands the funds
went to officers assigned to certain duties. Sufficient
alhision is made to him to suggest a man of energy
and rehahility, in whom an abiding trust was placed by
his superiors and comrades. Events have shown that
Captain O'Eorke was wortliy of the confidence placed
m Inm. A trusty soldier of his adopted country, he
was a no less efficient agent of the cause of his native
land.

Michael O'Rorke was born in August, 1841, in Ros-
common, Ireland, and is, consequently, now 'twenty-
six years old. His family-father, mother, three sis-

001

FENIAN rrKUOKS AND MAUTYK8.

tci's and a younger bn>tlior — cmi^nittjil to flic TTrn'-
ted Stiitos in 1854, ai'd arrivt'd in Now York in tlio
full of that yeiir. Tlioiigli leiivin<^ lionio at tliis early
age, young OMlorl^o was not insensibki to the causea
which had driven tlioiisands, as well ati his own family,
from the loved scenes of their nativity. JIo liad seen
and remembered from childhood the "crow-bar bri-
gade," and other barbarous appliances of oppression.
Witliin liis own memory, the once most hapj)y and
comfortable homes of liis ncighborhooii were razed to
the ground, and ho had S(Xmi grass growing on the
hearths around wliich liis young heart nad been made
glad with merry laughter. Tha hearth sides were
cold, the voices gone — 'Some hushed in pauper graves.
Such scenes made boys men in si)irit; and the boy
O'Rorke wondered why such things were, and if there
was no remedy for such gigantic evils. Ho naturally
thought there must be some corrective, thougli he could
not then see what it was; but the thought had sutH-
cicnt inspiration in it to make him an ingrained ene-
my — even unto death — of the causes of such fraud and
oppression.

With these feelings uppermost, he became a soldier
of Ireland. In the Spring of 1859, he joined the Wolfe
Tone Guards, Company A, First Ecgiment, Pha^nix
Brigade, commanded by the lamented Cya])tain Francis
Wel])ley, a brave and devoted son of Ireland, now, alns,
numbered among the thousands of true and bravo
hearts lost to her while gallantly fighting for the integ-
rity of this Republic. The Phrenix Brigade was at
that time being organized, and had for its chief officers,

CADTALV MrOIIAEL o'liORKE.

225

T^olionj, Corcoran, ami Colonel INfuttliONV Muroliv
U ith these purn„tic spinfs, OUorko wuh not then ue-
qtmn.ted. It wus enon-h t:,r hi.n, however, to Knirn
that the bri-iide ^va8 to be a body of Jrishni.'n, ready
to do duty in Irehmd. The dreann of iii. boyh„od
lushed his imagination, and with almost wihl delhdit
lie hastened to join, vvitii heart and han<l, those zeahms
men, whom be learned to love for their unlirinL' devo-
tion to the cause of the oppressed.

With unremitting attention, as private, corporal and
ftrst lieutenant, bo served four years in the Wolfe
Tone Guards. In 18(52 the oi-anization ollerred its
eerviees to tbe ( Jovernment, as a regiment, and with it
O'Rorke entered the service of the United States. J Jo
was commissioned as first lieutenant in Juno, 18(52
and captain in December following. Of Captain
O'Rorke, as a soldier, nothing more "o bis credit can
be said than that oiten (cheerfully expressed by those
with whom be served, irom tbe General to tbe Colonel
and ollicers of bis reginujut— that be was an intellio-ent
brave and efficient ollicer. Many illustrative instaiices
migbt be adduced, but Captain O'liorke's career sbows
■tbat be sougbt more to do bis duty than to court
eulogy or notoriety. His regiment— now tbe l(54tb
^- Y. v.— was ordered to tbe Spinola JJrigade, and re-
nianied witli it until General Corcoran arrived from
bis Soutbern prisons, in New York, (August, 18(52 )
and couimenced organizing tbe Irisb Legion' for tbe
war. l)y tbe unanimous rerpiest of tbe'officers tbe
l(54tb was transferred to tbe Corcoran Legion, of wbich

fcit>l

226

FENIAN HEE0E8 iLtTD MAETYieS.

oftTlllC^' "' -J-HngadiuncMo the close
It 19 outside of the design of this work to dwell on

Hon Welpley, Butler, Abraham, Egau, O^clnoll
O Sulhvau Marouy, Hickey, M-Calfrey Flood ad'
Ws hundreds, rank and tile, who yearned f'; the
day they would strike for Irish, as they struck for
Amencan, freedom. Captain O'Eorke Lved wM
h,s reg.ment without inte™ission ; was with it ^^Z
brightest and darkest days, shared in its every march
bivouac and battle. There is one field, howe^r on
winch he was an actor, to which we are drawTbv Z

Eorke received a wound, more deep and lastinsr
more exci^ciating than any given by bfade, or b, 1,^;

01 ball. Death was preferable to his agony on that
day of Spottsylvania, 18tli May, 1864, ^hen.Tn he
heat of action he caught the almost lifekss body of i!

enemy. To he near his son in danger_to see him-
not to have to wait to hear from him-this lovin„
father entered the service. The son had but time to
press the dying father to his heart, rest his held ™ n ^
the side of a ditch, and take his position with the ad

guish ol O Korke, who deeply and wholely reciproca-

CAPTAIN MICHAEL o'eoEKE. 22T

ea, „m. The duty which tore him from the side of
d ath- 'ta T\''r f ""^'"^ °' ''f«- He courted
Jiis agonized desire was not granted, nor did he even
receive a wound during his entire serVice.

At Eeams's Station, 25t)i August, 1864 he was
aken prisoner, after seeing his fl?st militar; instiu^ '

h 11 wif r 7*^^ '^' '""'^"y »°™ assun^der bya

T, u ;• ^- ^•' "^ P"'''™ "<' tlie same shell

a so ],.ih„g another brave officer, Lieutenant Sweeny
o: the same regiment. "wctuy,

„f;*'";;' "'"^f f i°g "ntold hardships in the prison-pens
of the "Confederacy," for six months, CaptaL O'Rorke
was exchanged in February, 1865, ;hen he returned

W^'T*'™' ™-^'-<i-tl^ it to the close of
the wai. Tlie mustering out day at last arrived and
p..t 01 eight hundred who answered at the muster

ng in, more thrn seven hundred left their bones to
Ueach on many a well-contested aad bloody I Id
or to rot in some confederate prison yard. The other
-Stents of the legion-the 69th, 155th and S
IN . i; . V .—sustained about similar losses

About the iirst of July, 1866, Captaik O'Eorlce re-
turned o Ins home, in New York, ^hen the Gotei^

nd il 1 "^"'I'-'g''' "'"'«'■ tlie circumstances rola-

ted a love, he might have been justified in remaiii^^
with his family. Ins sense of the duty imposed on him'
was paramount. Declaring himself ready, he re ived

r ^ ^

¥: I

'i '

228

FENIAN EEE0E8 ANt) MAETTrv9«

his inritnictions, left Kew Yorl^ on tlic l4tli of
July, and arrived in Dublin on tlie 27tli.

About three months were spent visiting the various
parts of the country, principally the west of Ireland.
After the seizure of the Irish People, and in view of
the numerous arrests of active Fenians then made,
Captain O'Rorke was called on to perform several
offices for the organization. Some of these duties led
him, almost daily, for months, to visit houses most no-
ted, and whose residents were already watched by tho
authorities. Still, he succeeded in eluding the vigi-
lance of the detectives. Not only then, but throughout
the whole period of his labors, he was so successful in
his management, that he believes he is personally ua-
known to the spies and police up to this day.

When the Habeas Corpus Act was suspended, arrests
made by the hundred, and Dublin ablaze, Captain
O'Korke had not only to see, almost daily, every offi-
cer not arrested, but to visit the lodgings of those who
•were, to look after their effi3ct8, and settle any claims
against them which might have been left unpaid.
When Mr. Stephens was leaving Dublin for the Uni-
ted States, in March, 1866, he ordered (Captain O'Rorko
to send all the officers not arrested, then in Ireland, to
England. This was done, and fimds being placed in
his hands for their support, he received the appelhitioji
of paymaster, or, as tlie informer and detectives havo
it, "Fenian Paymaster."

It would not be prudent to enter into details of tho
Captain's sojourn in England. Suffice it to say, he
remained at his post, providing for his charge, about

OATTAm MIOHAEL o'eoEKE.

229

fifty officers, and sometimes more. Witli others, lie
lioped, and lived with the hope, that an open move-
ment wouhi take pLace in Ireland, in 1866 ; and left
nothing in his power undone to further this design.
The sequel of Mr. Stephens's unfortunate promise,
which bred such distraction in the home organization,
is before the world. Oaptain O'Rorke was now called
upon to perform other, and even more important du-
ties, of which little can be said, save, indeed, what has
been already indicated by the evidence. Ilis new du-
ties led him to visit, at various times, almost the whole
English organization, and Dublin at least once a month.
During the very fever of excitement and vigilance of
both the Irish and English authorities, he successfully
performed all this, and kept himself and his where-
abouts unknown to them, until the informer, Cory don
gave the latter, and made a bold attempt on the former.
But on this, as on other occasions, he escaped the snares
of that wily wretch. Acting on the informer's instruc-
tions, a posse of detectives and police, led by Major
Greg, chief of the force, proceeded to O'Rorke's lodo-.
ings, in Liverpool, to arrest him. They took eveiy
precaution, approached the house from three sides
guarded all the entrances, and captured everythino-'
from the cellar to the garret. The only trace they
found of the " paymaster," was his trunk, which they
broke open, he being safe in Dublin, whither business
had called him the day before.

At the time— September, 1866— he had not the re-
motest idea who gave the information ; but the search
convinced him that all could not be right. When

""SFyjmr

m ... - -t
If I

' Hi

M:\

1 1

230

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYBS.

therefore, he returned in a few days to Livcq')ool, he
removed his residence to a town a few miles distant,
where, fortunately, his exact whereabouts were never
known to the execrable Corydon. To this circum-
stance, is no doubt attributable the fact that Captain
O'Rorke was enabled to go on performing all his duties
as before, and meeting Corydon, with the officers, almost
weekly in Liverpool. O'Korke's suspicions, Mnthout
being centered on any special person, were awakened,
and he took the precaution of making his visits to Liv-
erpool rather irregular, without previous announce-
ment, and of such short duration in any one place, as
to defeat any covert enemy. And he had, indeed, a
treacherous foe, one unknown until he saw him on the
informer's stand. At the Fenian trials, this monster
acknowledged that he was receiving pay from the Fe-
nians, through, as he said, " their paymaster in Eng-
land, Captain O'Rorke, alias Beecher," and that, at the
game time, he was using his diabolical efforts to sell the
life of that gentleman, his former companions, and his
country.

Notwithstanding that Captain O'Rorke traveled to
all parts of England, meeting hundreds of persons
nightly, known to all, each having the conviction that
his betrayal would insure a large reward, yet it is a
healthy evidence of uprightness of purpose, to know
that he experienced no peril, but, on the contrary, was
Bhielded with devotion. Within four months, it has
been stated that he was as many times arrested ;
but it is gratifying to remark he was safe in the hands
of his friends, in ]S^ew Yci'k, having been sent there on
the business of the organization, in June, 1865.

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANY.

231

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEAKY.

Birth-Early WritingB for the Press-Publishes a Volume of Poems at Six-
teen-O Connell'9 Reporter-Establishes the /ri.s-A yational Ma^^azine~In
the Clnbs-On the Irish Tribune-Brenixn and Meany Test the Ri^M of th«
Police to sen the National Jonrnals-Arrestod nnd Jr the Sus^Sn of i'!
^Z^rT^' lS«-Rek-ased-Journalism-Emigrate8 to the United States-
Editor of the Toledo romm^rcm;, Ohio-Centre-At the Third Con-ress-A
^nator-Address to the Parent Trunk of Penianism-Resolutions al Jones'
Wood-Goes to England-Arrested-Tried for Treason-Felony-Fire Speech
in the Dock-Exposes Overtures made to him to Betray the Feuians-Sen.
tenced.

The case of Stephen Joseph Meany has attracted pe-
culiar attention, and thrown L'ght upon a public car-
reer of devotion to Ireland, which it is gratifjino- to
record. On the National side of Irish politics from
boyhood, Meany was up to every progressive move-
ment which, in our day, lifted politics into the domain
of patriotism. He does not now suffer for the first
time for entering wisely and well into the agitations
exposing the misgovernment of his country, or advo-
cating measures to achieve her independence. In 1848,
he shared the hopes and penalties of that brilliant band
of poets, authors and journalists, whose writings, not
less than their aspirations, chivalry and sufferings,
were sufficient to make that year an ever-memorable
epoch in the annals of Irish intellect and progress.

Stephen Joseph Meany was born at JSTew Hall, near
Ennis, County Clare, Ireland, in December, 1825. Af*

■Ml

232

TKNIAN nER0T:8 AKD MAllTYRS.

ter preparatory studies, he adopted the profession of
reporter and joiirnah'st, and became distinguished as a
most capable short-hand writer when little more than
fifteen years old. A vivacious and romantic intellect
naturally found expression in poesy ; and the kind re-
ception given to some contributions to the Clare Jour-
nal and a Dublin weekly, bearing the signatures of
*'Abelard," "Werner," &c., induced the author to
print a volume, which he did in 1841, with the title
*' Shreds of Fancy." This book, which was dedicated
to Sir Michael O'Loghlen, Bart, Master of the Eolls,
is in some respects remarkable, as evincing, not
only a facility, but a felicity, in diction and versifica-
tion, of more than usual maturity in one so young.
The tender affections, of course, were the main inspira-
tion of the youthful bard ; but love of country found
expression happily proplietic of the author's patriotic
future. About the same time, young Meany an-
nounced »' The Terry Alt ; a Tale of 1831," in three
volumes, wliich necessarily embraced illustrations of
the state of the country.

Durino- 1843-4:, the era of the monster meetings,
when O'Connell convened the people on Tara Hill,
at Mullaghmast and Clontarf -beacons and battle-
grounds of Irish glory and retribution — and inspired
them with feelings never to be gratified by him,
Meany was entrusted with the position of chief of the
Freeman's Journal staff. His tact and lacility in re-
producing the " Liberator," caused him to be distin-
guished as " O'Connell's Eeporter." The enthusiasm
of his nature, not less than his literary leanings, as a

^11

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT. 233

t].an8ix montU """"""e probably mora

In 1848, Mr. Meany becamp «n »„f
i" the Confederate Clubs IT T P-'^P^g^^'fet

prominently onthe mth'„fi ^"""^ "^"te'-ed- ^tiH more

powerful weals tSdwittrLcf" ""j'^'^^''^
the EiiroDean rmL. • . excitement bred of

• eaders-al»ost against thei w 1 l-i^ he T'-, ""
.on of revolutionary means and n^.a", 'e ' Ih "■"
ted on his trial, Mitche] provoked the v' " '''"

courts ofjUBtice-as places of tt V 7 "■"•'' """'"^
forced the Government ™ kv^ ""^ "'" ^^"<^d-and
pack a jury to c^hirS tl °'"°™":'^ *"
permitted to leave the island InT "°""''"'' "'"^
spective lette. published '::;t th: "uVt^f °f T'
Conquest of Ireland, (Perhan, V M-7[ , ^'^•' ^.ast
of the sense of duty ~ln^ t, t ^'™' ™ '''''*

cause. He says • * ^"""""'S tl^ose who took up his

do;;Med\f:::n;"r:r: ^Tr r-'r^- -- -

if they were restLnSn aS ^^'l^' '^^^' '''-^t-
.ood end, with some ^^^^Z^^^:^:^

• " I-ast Conquest," Letter XXXH, p. 281.

234

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

^'S '

!!!

and there were many thonsands of men then in Ireland,
who longed and burned for thiit end and that })urposc ;
to earn an honorable death. How the British system
disappointed them of even an honorable death, remains
Btill to be told. A man can die in Ireland of hunger,
or of famine-typlms, or of a broken heart, or of deliri'
v,'ni tremens ; but to die for your country — the death
duloe et decorum — to die on a fair field, fighting lor
freedom and honor, to die the death even of a defeated
goldier, as Ilofer died ; or so much as to mount tho
gallows like Robert Emmet, to pay the penalty of a
glorious treason — even this was an eutlmnan'm which
British policy could no longer afford to an Irish na-
tionalist.

" Yet, with all odds against them, with the Irish
gentry thoroughly corrupted or frightened out of their
senses, and with the " government " enemy obviously
bent on treating our national aspiration as an igno-
minious crime, worthy to be ranked only with the of-
fences of burglars or pickpockets — still, there were
men resolved to dare the worst and uttermost for but
onp. chance of rousing that down-trodden people to one
manful effort of resistance against so base and cruel a
tyranny. The Irish Confederation re-constituted its
council, and set itself more diligently than ever to tho
task of inducing the people to procure arms, with a
view to a final struggle in the harvest. As it was
clear that there was nothing the enemy dreaded so
much as a bold and honest newspaper, which would
expose their plots of slaughter, and turn their liberal
professions inside out, it was, before all things, neccs-

, I

IrelaiicI,
>ui'poso ;
I system
remains
liini^cr,
)f deliri-
he death
iting lor
defeated
onnt tho
iltj of a
la which
Irish na-

the Irish
t of their
)l)vioiisly
an igno-
th the of-
ere were
rt for but
pie to one
id cruel a
itnted its
/er to the
IS, with a
\.8 it was
readed so
cli w^ould
sir liberal
igs, neccs-

BTEPHEN JOSEPH S'KANY. 235

•SS*!:'"^'^''"!'^' »"""'««'« I"- of the

" It was a breach as deadly and imminent aa ever
yawned m a beleaguered wall; but men were iCd

t'hl'T cV-Tr V- ^'*'" *- weeks after" my
tual, tU Irish Tnhm^e was issued, edited by O'Doher-
tr^^and Wdbams, with AntiseU and Savag/a. coZ

Meany became connected with the TnlyuM as suh
cd.tor and contxibutor, and at onee attractedTe watch
lul attention of the authorities. IKs writin.^ It bt
cns,s were peculiarly forcible in style, and more tl^n
usually po„.ted in suggestivencss/ Take tre fol „t!

once free" wlw'",; ? f ,"°' "■""'™ "'"="™« « «™

pnrtor., wrolc Ihc paper, . . , 7 °™„ ^X''™ ■'• """"J. with tho pro-
tl.8"l',,lrlot" Id April which th, „„l"i,.», ■".""' ""'' "">""" ^4 l»«uo,l

M !

2.^6

PENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

Cokf'fl, and Blaokstones, and other jurists, speak as if our right to
froodoni depended on its possession by our iineeslors. In the com-
mon cases of morality we would blu-ili at such an absurdity. No
man would justify murder for its auticiuity, or stigmatize benevo-
lence for being novel. The genealogist who would e.oblazon the
one as coeval with Cain, or denouneo the other as Ui>start with
Howard, would be disclaimed even by the most frantic po'lisan of
aristocracy. This Gothic transter of genealogy to tnith and jus-
tice is peculiar to politics. The existence of robbery in oi.e age
makes its vindication in the ni^xt ; and the champions of freedom
have abandoned the stronghold of right for pn.'cedent, which is
ever feeble, fluctuating, partial and equivocal. I repeat, it is not

BEOAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FUKE, BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE A RIGHT TO
BE FltKE, THAT WE OUGHT TO DKMAND FUKEOOM. JustiCC and Lib-
erty have neither birth nor race — youlh nor age. Lot us hear no
more then of this ignoble and ignominious pedigree of freedom—*
let us hear no more of lier Saxon, Danisli, Norman, or Celtic an-
cestors — let the immo'tal daughter of Reason, of Justice, and o*
God be no longer confounded with the spurious abortions tliat
have usurped her name.

"Primary politioal truths are few and simple; it is easy to
make them understood. A government may be made to be re-
spected, not because it is ancient, not because it has been estab-
lished by barons or applauded by priests, but because it is useful.
Men may easily be induced to maintain rights which it is their in-
terest to maintain, or duties which it is their interest to perform.
This is the only principle of authority that does not violate justice
and insult humanity ; it is also the only one which can possess
stabil ty.

"Is this principle an ingredient of English rule in Ireland?" •

The week following we find Meany reviewing, in a
trenchant manner, the political incidents of the day.
He deals plainly and boldly witli them. " "We will

* " Tracts for the Tribune."— //-isA Tribune, July 1, 1848.

flTEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT*

237

not, he Rays, "indulge in homilies of moral mj-s-
ticisin, better adapted to the airiusement of a peoido
tlum to their iiistrnctiun. Such things are not fitted
. for the time. Men do not leave their hearths and
homes and expose thems^.ves, their fortunes and their
children to imminent p'x'ii, without deep and dreadful
cause. Anything like a general or national move-
ment must bo the result of long misgovernment."
He implores the people to train, to drill, and to arm f
and concludes his timely exhortation with these words,
pointing to something niore than

**Tho Tribune's tongue and poet's pen t"
"With organization, confidence, strength and arms
—with a training and drilling, not only of the animal,
tut of the intellectual man, with our harvest already
ripening in a July sun, with everything in our moral
ftnd physical condition to insure success— why, with
these things let there be but one simultaneous excla-
mation— * Now T one shout of triumph, and then-
God be merciful to the rampant ruffianism of Eun-lish
kwa and English Government 1" ^

A circum^^tance occurred about this period which is
illustrative of Meany's maniy sense of justice, as well
as vf the violent state of lawlessness which the Govern-
ment was forced to adopt in its conflict with the pa-
triots. Mitchel was right when he said there was
nothing the Government dreaded so much as a bold
and honest journal. The Ins/i Tnhme was quicklv
followed by the appearance of the /risk Felon, so tha^t
there were two fearless national journals in the capi-
tal, besides the ^fation^ which had received a healthy

238

FENIAN IIER0K8 AND MARTYR9.

impetus by the necessity exliibited in the popularity-
of its youn<i;cr rivals. Every possible obstruction wad
placed in tlie way of the circulation of tlie Irihune
and Felon. The news venders were seized by the jx)-
lice and detectives not in uniform, and the papers for-
cibly taken from them.

On Monday, the 10th July, two days after the ar-
rest of the editors of these journals, a large force of
[)()lice proceeded to Trinity street, where the ofRcea
were located, and made a foray on the news venders.
The same system having been pursued on the Satur-
day previous — and to such an extent that private indi-
viduals of the highest respectability, as well as
the poor venders, were forcibly deprived of the
papers they had bought — greatly irritated the gen-
tlemen connected with the papers, and suggested
to some of them the necessity of testing the power
of the police. The action of the police attract-
ed a large crowd. Meany, on the part of the
Tribune^ and Jose]:>h Brenan, on the part of tlie
Felon^ procured copies of the respective papers, and,
exhorting the venders to resist the confiscation of their
goods, boldly went into the street and oftbred the pa-
pers for sale. The matter was taking a tangible form,
and numbers went forward to purchase, and thus show
their antagonism to the illegality being enacted. The
police interfered, and demanded the papers. Meany
and Brenan peremptorily refused. The excitement in-
creased; the journalists offering their wares, thepolicio
demanding them, the former resisting, and the crowd
cheering. The detective police, by their own testimo-

STEPlIExV .roSEPn MEANT.

239

ny, wero Icickod and eufTod and dra-ir(,d In tlio excite-
nierit, and Meany and Bronan wero arrested for an-
sault and conveyed to the Colleiro Btreot station, tbl-
owed by considerable number., wlio repeatedly and
loudly clieered the.n. The excitement before tile Ma-
gistrate lost nothing in interest, Brenan defendin..
linnsell; andit being generally snpposed-from the
iisa.<res of those days-that the gentlemen were
al><>ut being committed to Newgate, under the
Gagging Act," for their writings. Brenan's talent
tor satire, which he leveled at the " authorities " in
the court room, did not benefit him. It was decided
to accept bail, but to send his case for trial ; while
Meany, being legally defended, was set free on his own
recofrnizance.

Both parties had thoroughly aroused the vindinctive
watchfulness of the Castle officials ; and havino- loft
Unbim on the suspension of the lla-beas Corpus Act
and the consequent scattering of the leaders to the
bills, were arrested together in the west, while seekin.r
some sphere of action to precipitate revolution. ^^

Meany was in the clutches of the Governinont for
about nine months; a prisoner in Belfast, Ts^ewgate
(Dublin) and Kilmainham jails. The friendship which
kindred sympathies suggested between Meany and
Brenan in the streets of Dublin, was strengthened in
prison, and some poetical illustrations of it have been
printed, which have an additional interest, now that
J>renan, (one of the brightest intellects of the era,,) is no
more, and that Meany-re-enacting, as it were, the
earlier phases of his life which brought tkem- together

1. I

240

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

may ponder on the association whicli brought a " gleam
of sunlight " into his cell while tenanting it years ago.

After ]^fr. Meany's release from prison, which took
place on 3rd March, 1849, he became editor of a pape,]'
in the South of Ireland, and subsequently followed liis
profession in England. He was for several years asso-
ciated with Mr. "Whitty, of the Liverpool Daily Post
a/nd Journal^ as chief of the staff of that journal, and
was iirst president of the Liverpool Press Association
before leaving the Old Country — a position "for
which his honhommie and graceful talent in a social
sense, as well as his professional experience, well
fitted him."

Mr. Meany emigrated to the United States some
seven or eight years ago, and proceeding to the West,
settled in Ohio, at Toledo, where he became editor
and proprietor of the Commercial, and subsequently,
Centre of the circle of the Fenian Brotherhood of that
locality. In the latter capacity he attended the third
National Congress of the Brotherhood, held at Phila-
delphia, October, 1865. On the appointment of two
from each State and District to form a Committee on
Government, Constitution and By-laws, Mr. Meany
was one of the two selected to represent Oliio ; and on
the adoption of the new Constitution, creating a Presi-
dency, Senate, and House of Delegates for the Govern-
ment of the Brotherhood, he was elected a Senator.

"When the division in the ranVs of the Fenian Bro-
therhood occurred, he was one of the three Senators
who refused to secede ; and when the fourth ISTational
Congress assembled in New York, January 2, 1866,

8TEPUEN JOSEPH MEJ^y . 241

tl,.i,.l^. ^-f' ^1 T^ 7 ' ^^' ^^anj received the

■" ? "' Uiiio. He almost immediately started on »n

to™i„e<,,y for Uer fro=d„,„ J'^:XZZ td"' '" ^""'" "'=-

a JS^^a tsir. :;t :r: tr-. ^- ^ ,.rfee. .„n .0
be free ; and whereas dm-i^ ,7 ? "^ ""^ P'^^'" ''"^'"-S to

the Hotunda of Duhlin an w I „'^,7 ""T""" "" ""''"' »"
and e^cprcssed the hop of at . ""^ 'Wathized with

Sutes; therefore "°'"^ "^-"■''™ "^ the American

patriots of IreiL, ..Z^^Z 17:^2,,^"^'"^
imie receive from us enconragin.. words and ,T„ " """ '"

to the very extent of our aburiy°„™d ™ "'^ ''"'''°'=»

».i irc^rorEiXnd i:s:ir °"' ^-^"^ •'^" ^"''-

t.e fact .hat Ireland is In a s^rTf 'T Z tX.T'-™™' "'
c-...ed warfare, entitled .o aii the ri,,:' ^^Litl" ;.'tio'r "'

* * * jfc

6. That as England assunias the ri<rht bv v\vu^. f • *
Clare war agauist the Irish p-^oole Z.'^ °^ '"'°^^^ ^° ^^«-

reiterate our right to exterou ~^^ ^^^^^^ «^'^^-S

nationality, and with the cause oTZ t t """'' °^ ^"^'^

the Irish Republic 1 '^' ^''^ P^^^"^°^ ^-^^S Hvo

FENIAN HEEoES MSD UkXtTtOk

On St. Patrick's Day, Mr. Meany addressed fh©
citizens of Pouglikeepsie with eloquence and earnest-
ness, giving an interesting sketch of his early experi-
ence of the festival in his native county of Clare, and
conjuring up the tender associations of the day whicli
fills the breast of every Irishman. He subsequently
spoke at a series of great demonstrations in Philadel-
])hia, and proceeded on his tour thi'ough the great
AVest, where his energy was conspicuously effective.

Mr. Meany's predilections for journalism and en-
thusiasm in the Irish cause led him, in July, 1866, to
start a journal for the advocacy of the latter in Hew
York. It did not prosper; and after settling hia
business, Mr. Meany went to England to visit some
members of his family.

He Avas arrested in London, conveyed to Mountjoy
prison, Dublin, and committed for trial on the chargo
of Treason-felony. The Commission of Oyer and
Terminer was opened on the 13th April, 1867. And
Mr. Meany was arraigned on a chargo of Treason-
felony. He plead not guilty. Mr. O'Loghlen applied
for a bill of particulars of the overt acts, which
was denied by the Attorney-General. Mr. Meany
was found guilty by the jury of making certain
speeches in New York, and offering Fenian bonds
for sale. The wretched creature who played tlie
role of informer in his case, was a Joseph Devany,
who lived in Hew York for " eighteen or nineteen
years ;" became a member of the Shields' Circle in
October, 1865, and was subsequently Secretary of a
Circle, and was sent to Ireland in January, 1867, to

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT.

243

give the needful information, by one of the agents of
the British, who have been watching events in New
York and elsewhere for the past few years.

The presiding Judge, Baron Hughes, refused to
sentence Mr. Meany, on the ground that the court had
no jurisdiction in the case. The points raised by
Baron Hughes were subsequently argued before tho
Court of Error, when six of the Judges gave judc.
ment affirming the verdict of the jury, and four dit
sented. As a consequence, Meany was brought up
for sentence; and on Friday, 21st June, 1867, in an-
swer to the usual question, at the Commission of Oyer
and Terminer, he delivered tlie following exceedingly
able speech, which, from tlie peculiarity of the c^se
and the probability tliat it will be the basis of somo
international action, is worthy of careful perusal. It
is, moreover, a worthy and able culmination of Mea-
ny's efforts in the cause of liis country. It is scarcely
necessary to draw the especial attention of the reader
to the base overtures made to the prisoner, in his diffi-
culty, by the British Government, the officers of
which had asked him to give evidence for the Queen
against the members of the Fenian party just arrested
at Dungarvan, in the County Waterford.

As Meany almost madly scorned the insulting pi-o-
position in the cell, he manfully exposed it in the
dock ; and also the prospect of liberation in six months
tendered to him, if he would plead guilty to the
charges in the indictment ; which he, as a man and
an American Citizen, would not and could not do-
knowing he had committed no crime.

244

tENUH HEROES AKD HARTYE8.

i;»flH t!

Ic I r

Tlie Cleric of tlie Crown asked if the i)risoner had
anything to say why sentence of death should not be
passed upon him I ■ ■ ■ . • •

Mr. Meany— Most certainly I have. I have much to say. There
arc many reasons I could offer why sentence slioulcl not — cannot—
he pronounced upon me according to law, if seven months of ab-
solute solitary imprisonment, and the almost total disuse of speech
during that period, has left me energy enough, or even language
Sufficient for the purpose. But, yielding obedience to a sugges-
tion coming from a quarter entitled to my respect, as well, indeed,
OS in accordance with my own feelings, I avoid everything that
could bear the aspect of speech-making for outside effect. Be-
eides, the learned counsel, who have so ably represented me during
these proceedings, and the learned judges who, in the Court of
Criminal Appeal, gave judgment for me, have exhausted all that
could be said on the law of the case. Of their arguments and
opinions your lordships have judic".d knowledge, 1 need not say
that, both in interest and in conviction, I am in agreement with,
aud adopt the constitutional principles laid down by the minority
of the judges in that court ; but I have, at the same time, suffi-
cient respect for the dignity of the court, and sufficient regard, I
hope, for what is due to myself, to concede fully and frankly ta
the majority a couscientiouri view of a novel, and, perhaps, diffi-
cult question.

But I do not seek too much in asking that before your lordships
proceed to pass sentence, you will consider the manner in which
the court was divided on the questiou— that you will bear in mind
tliat the minority declaring against the legality of the trial, and
the validity of the conviction, was composed of some of the ablest
judges on the Irish bench, or on any bench— that one of the
learned judges who had presided at the trial in the Commission
Court, was one of the most empliatio in the Court of Appeal in de-
claring against my liability to be trieil ; and, uioreover— and sui-cl}-
he ought to have known that there was uot a particle of evidence to
Bustain the case set up at the last moment, and relied ui)on by the

'•ff

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT. * • £15

p im.ii.ies or law— for the question was unprecedentf.fi hnf ,

Tnae, a loos a.d dreao- topriso„„,en._ta. away lom at^^^!^

protests can acgativo-no denunciatlou of .1 ""2 rL'T
jmd .t may be as I have said, wo.e tbaa useJs vl atd .S
to question a nght where misM is predominant. ^

But fte mvitation just extended to me by the offloer of the court
-If It mean anytbmg-if it be not lilie the rest a solemn Zl T
-gives me. I presume, stiil ,be poor privilege tfcrmpTlr 7^
I do complain. I complain that law'and Justice hTvetaen a^ke

rett^hiir^^^LTrtraX""^^^^^^^^^^^^

the pleasant fletion known in the hm,K »! * ' ','=™'""'»'" «■'"
l.a.l a most unpleasant ^S^.Z.TL^.^ZZTuV'

uuvo \n wiiai aie lanetinus'^ fovm^fi <iii. _

.J vvixxavQ lue aumoiities," I have

24G

»ENIA» nEKOES AJfD JIASTYK3.

been kidnapped in England, and brought to this country, not for
trial, but for condemnation — not for justice, but for judgment. I
■will not tire the patience of the court, nor exliauat my own
strength, by going over the history of this painful case. But, be-
fore I proceed further, my lords, there is a matter which, as sim-
ply personal to myself, I should not mind, but which, as involving
bigh interests to the community, and serious consequences to indi-
viduals, demands a special notice — I allude to the system of man:-
facturing informers. I want to know if this court can inform me
t7 wliat right an officer of the crown entered my solitary cell at
Kilmainham Prison, on Monday last — unbidden and unexpected —
Uninvited and undesired. I want to know what justification there
Was for his coming to insult me in my solitude and in my sorrow
—ostensibly informing me that I was to be brought up for sentence
on Tlmrsday, and in the same breath adroitly putting to me the
question if I knew any of the men recently arrested near Dungar-
van, and now in the prison of Kilmainham. Coming with a de-
tective dexterity, carrying in one hand, as it were, a threat of sen-
tence and punishment — in the other, as a counterpoise, a tempta-
tion to treachery. Why would a responsible officer of the crown
suppose that seven months of imprisonment had so broken my
spirits as well as my health, and that I would be an easy prey to
his blandishments? Did he dream that the prospect of liberty
which newspaper rumor and semi-official information held out to
me, was too dear to be forfeited by a '* trifling " forfeiture of honor ?
Did he believe that by an act of secret tuipitude I would open my
prison doors only to close them the faster on othera who may or
may not have been my friends ; or did he imagine that he had
found in me a Massey, to be moulded and manipulated in the ser-
vice of the Crown, or a Corydon, to have his conscience and cu-
pidity made the incentive to his baseness ? I only wonder how
the interview ended as it did ; but I Icnew I was a prisoner, and
my self-respect interposed for his safety and my patience. Great
as have been my humiliations in prison, hard and heart-breaking
as have been the ordeals through which I have passed since the
1st of December last, there was no incident or event fraught with
more paiu on the one hand, or more suggestiyeness on the other.

STEPIIKX JOSEPH MEANT.

247

than this sly and secret attempt at improvising an informer. I can
f'^rget the pain in view of the suggest! veness ; and, unpleasant as
18 my position here to-day, I am almost glad of the opportunity
which may end in putting some check to the spy svstem in prisons.
How many men have been won from honor and honesty by the
secret and steaUhy visit to the cell, is more than I can say. How
many have had their weakness acted upon, or their wickedness
fanned into flame, by such means, I have no opportunity of know-
mg. In how many frailty and folly may have blossomed into
lalsehood, It is for those concerned to estimate. There is one
thing, however, certain : operating in this way is more degrading
to the tempter than to the tempted, and th-^ Government owes it to
itselt to put an end to a course of tactics, pursued in its name,
which, m the results, can only bring it to humiliation. The pub-
lie are bound, in self-protection, to protect the prisoner from tho
prowlmg vists of a too zealous official. I pass over these things
my lords, and I will ask your attention to the character of the evi-
dence on which alone my conviction was obtained— the evidence
of d special, subsidized spy, and of an infamous and ingrate in-
tormer. I need not say that in all ages, and amongst all peoples
the spy has been held in marked abhoneuce. In the amnesties of
<var, there is for him alone no quarter-in the estimate of social
hfe, no excuse; his self-abasement excites contempt, not compas-
»ion-his patrons despise while they encourage; and they who
stoop to enlist the services, shrink with disgust from the moral
leprosy covering the servitor. Of such was the witness nut for-
tvard with the design of corroborating the infonner, and stiii not
corroborating him. Of such was that phenoiPeuou-a police spv—
who actually declared himself on that tabic an unwilling witue«=s
for the Crown. Did anyone believe him ? There was no reason
why he should have been reluctant; he confessed that he had not
known me previously, and there could not have been personal
feeling in the matter. But I have no desire to speak harshly of
Inspector Doyle; his bread depended on his acquiescence • he
swore in presence of the Crown Solicitor, and was not contradict-
ed, that he was compelled by threats to ascend the witness-table.
The man may have had cogent reasons for his reluctance, in hia

248

FKNTAN KKUOKS AND MARTYRS.

own cons(;ionoo ; God will jnd-o 1,1m. r»tit how shall I npeak of
th(> Inlbmior, Mr. J„I,n Dov.uiy ? What lunffua-o should b(! om-
ploycd (o dosciibo the traitor ai)y— tho man who adils to thy guilt
of perfidy to his assoc. vtes, tho dcop and danminir curse o( porttdy
to his CJod-tho man who, nvting ofyour bread, sharing your con-
lidcnco, and holding, as it wore, your very purso-strings, all tho
tune meditates your overthrow, and j ursuos it to its a(-c(^mplish-
mont. How proud the wretch who, under i)rotoxt of agreement
in your opinions, worms hims(>lf into yo.ir secrets only to betray—
who, upon th(! same altar with you, pledges his faith and fealty to
the same imnciples, and then aelia faith, and fealty, and principles,
and you alike, for the unhallowed Judas guerdon. Of such, on
his own confessinu, was that distinguished upliolder of tho British
Crown and >overnmcnt-Mr. Dovany. With an cfTrontery that
gid not f,. or, and knew not how to blush, he detailed his own
particinat' ,a in the acts for which he was giving evidence against
me as a participator. And is evidence of this kind— a conviction
obtained upon such evidence— any warrant for u sentence depriv-
ing a man of liberty— of all that makes life enjoyable or desirable
—home, friends, and family? It is needless to describe a wretch
of that stamp— his actions speak his character. It were superllu-
ous to curse him ; his whole existence will be a living curse. No
necessity to use tlie burning words of the poet, and pray—

May Hfo'B unblessed cup for him

Be drugged with treacheries to tho brim.

Every sentiment, in his regard, of the countiy ho has dishonored
and the people he has humbled, will be one of hate and horror of
the informer; every sigh sent up from the hearts he has crushed,
and the homes he has made desolate, will be mingled with execra'-
tions of the very name. Every heart-throb in the prison cells of
this land, where his victims count time by corroding thought—
every grief that finds utterance from these victims, amidst the in-
dignities of the convict gangs in the quames of Portland, will
ascend to Heaven freighted with curses on the Nagles, the Deva-
neys, the Masseys, the Gillcspios, the Coiydons, and the whole

ITEniKN JOBKVll SrKANX

240

cat to n.nr ,,nn,.,pl.s, l.uvc (..arnphmsin. tl„, wohIh c.f Moor.)

t u..r God ; wn.(cl..s who, lor paltry pay, or fro.n pnllry (n.r, l.avo
emrnhnodthnr nK.,„on,.H in i„.p,.i.,.al>l. in.a.ny, ancf.on i-."
thcr aceurBcd a,am.H to an inglorious innnortaiity. Nor wH
«poculato on tl.oir c.-arccr in t,l.« futnn,, Wo have it on ti.e b s
- u>r.ty oxtant. that a diHtin^nishnl i„(V>rmc.r of antiquity, I ^
^^U. n.nHM.0, I row away his h,oo<l n.on.-y^his piece o/;i:v^
and -wen forth and hanged hin.self with a halter.- Wo know
that m modem times-even within the memory of «omo still livi^
--a governn,ent m this country actually set tl,o edifyin.r and
pra>soworthy example of hanging an informer when they hil no
further use of his valuable services-^^/.u. droppir^ry his i-r' J
«nce ^m.^.t, God knows I ,,ave .o w^sh for ILHI t
any of the mformers who have cropped out so luxuriously in these
atter duys-a long life, and a troubled conscience would perh.ns

ncKlent eompensat.on, a poetic justice, in a temination so exalted
to a career so brilliant I leave these i.counclrols, and turu for »
moment to their victims. *

And here I would, without my reference to my own case^ar,^
regard to the fate before n.yself-^earnestly imp Jo that Z^Z
Vjith pohtical prisoners should not be merc'y lelescopfc in U^
character, distance lending "enchantn.cnt to tl^ view;' Ld thtj
When your statesmen sontimentali.e «pon. and your iournals e.
nounco ar away tyrannies-tho horrors of Neapolitan dun^c^n.
the abridgement of personal liberty in Spain, and the exerdso of
ai-b.trary power m other European count ries-they would turn
heir eyes homeward, and examine the treatment of liieir own p<^
htical prisoners. I would, iu all suicerity, suggest that humane
and well-meaning persons, who exert themselves^ praver .n ne
.tion for the remission of the death penalty, as V^I^^XZ "
ather pray and petition that the long death of solitary and • I-n^
cap ivity should be remitted to the more merciful doom ot imme
^ate reu, , ^..^ering by immediate execution-the oppo u"
ty, at least, ot an immediate appeal from man's cmelty to ( od'3

250

PENIAN HEROES AND MAETTK8.

■ ;

i ■

Justice. I speak strongly on this point, because I feel It deeply,
my lords ; and I speak not without example. At the Commission
at wliich I was tried, there was tried also, and convic; d , voung
mail named Stowell. I well remember tiiat raw und dreary mom-
111^', the 12th or March, when, handcufied to Slowell, I was sent
Irom Kilmainham Prison to the County Jail of Kildare. I well
remember our traversing, so handculled, from the town of Salins
to the town of Naas, ankle deep in snow and mud; and I recall
with pain our sad forebodings of that morning. Tiiese, in part
have been fulfilled. On Sunday after Sunday at chapel in the jad,
I saw poor Stowell drooping and dying. One such Sunday, the
12th of May, passed, and I saw him no more. On Wednesday,
15th May, I accidentally heard of his discharge— mercifully disl
charged, as they say ; but the fiat of mercv had previously gone
forth from a higher Power; the political convict merely reached
his home in Dublin to die with loving eyes watching by his death
bed. On Sunday, the 19th May, his body was conveyed to his
last prison-house, in Glasnevin Cemetery. May God have mercy
on his soul. May God forgive his murderers I May God givo
peace and patience for those who are bound to follow. Pardon
this digression, my lords; it was wrung from me— I could not
avoid it.

. Eeturaing to the question why sentence should not be pro-
nounced upon me, I would ask your lordships' attention to a fact,
showmg how, even in the estimate of the Crown, the case is not
one for sentence. On the morning of my trial, and before tnie
terms were oflTered to me by the Crown, the direct proposition was
conveyed to me by my learned friend and Solicitor, Mr. Lawless
by the learned counsel, Mr. O'Loghlen, who so ably defended me'
ftm! by Mr. Price, the Governor of Kilmainham prison-by all
three separately, that if I consented to plead guilty to the indict,
ment, I should get off with six months' imprisonment. Knowing
the phancyof Dublin juries in political cases, the offer was, doubt-
less, a tempting one-valuing liberty, it was almost resistless in
view of possible penal sei-vitude-but having regard to principle I
spumed the compromise. I then gave unhesitatingly, as I would
now give, the answer that not for a reduction of the penalty to six

in^fTT^N josEpn meant.

251

boon wonM Ignrrendcr laith— that I need never look, and could
Bever I(H,k wife or children, friends or family, in the t\uo again
Wilh H consciousness of manhood, if capable of such selfish cow-
Mdico. I could not, to save myself, imperil the safety of others.
I could not plead guilty to an indictment, in the overt acts of
Which six others were deliberately charged by name ns co-conspi-
mtor* with me— one of these since tried, convicted, and sentenced
to deuth-~^I could not consent to obtain my freedom at the risk of
theirs, and become, even though innocently and indirectly, worthy
of fjvnk wilh that brazen battalion of venal vagabonds who have
mado the Holy Gospels of God the medium of barter for that
waholy gain ; obtaining access to the inmost heart of their selected
▼Ictims, only to coin its throbbings into the traitor's gold and traf-
fic on ltd veiy life-blood. I stand at this bar a declared citizen of
the United States, and I protest against the right to pass any aen-
tence in any British court for acts done, or words spoken, or al-
leged to be done or spoken on American soil, within the shadow
Of the American flag, and under the sanction of American institu-
tlon^. I protest against the assumption that would in this country
bind tiie right of thought, or control the liberty of speech in an
assemblage of American citizens in an American city. The United
Stales will, doublless. respect and protect her neutrality laws, and
Observe "the comity of nations," whatever they mean in practice
—but I repeat, I protest against tbe monstrous fiction—the trans-
parent fraud^that would seek in ninety years after the evacuation
of New York by tlie British, to bring the people of New York
within the vision and venue of a British jury in a British law court
I protest against the "supposition " that, in ninety years after th^
last British bayonet had glistened in an American sunlight— after
tUe last keel of the last of the English fleet ploughed its last fur-
row in tlie waters of the Hudson or the Delaware, would restore
tiiat city of New York, its pen] e, and institutions to the domini-
ons of the Crown and Government of Great Britain. That is the
meaning of this case. And so, disguise it as the Crown may, will
It l)e interpr(!led in America. Not that the people in America
would care one jot that Stephen Joseph Meany were hanged,
diawn, and quartered to-morrow ; but there is a great Drinciple

252

FEXIAN IIEnOES AXD MAKTYRS.

involved. Ppisnnnlly I am of no consoquniro In tl.o affiUr-no-
lUinilly, I ropn-scnt In this rourt the Irish u.loptcl citizens of
Americu-for if, ns tl.c miw York Herald, willin- on tl.e Hub-
jecf, has ohscrvcl, the acts done in my regard are held to he jusli-
flable, there is nothing to prevnt the extension of the same juslico
to any other adopted citizen visiting Great IJritain. It is, there-
fore, m the Injustice of the case the inlhiencc lies, and not in tlie
importance of tlie Individual. Law Is called " the perlenion of
n;a..on." Is there not, really, danger of Us being regarded as the
very chmax of absurdity, if fictions of this kind can bo turned Into
realities on the mere caprice of p„wei' ? As a distinguished Eng-
lish journalist, in reference to the case, has suggested— " Thou-h
the law may, doubtless, be satisfied by the majority in the Court
of Appeal, yet common sense and common law would be widely
antagonistic if sentence were to follow a judgment so obtained "
On all grounds, then, I sul)mlt this is not a case Tor sentence.
Waiving for tfie purpose the international objection, if I may so
term it, I appeal to British justice itself on the matter. Tue pro-
fessed policy of that justice lias ever been to give the benefit of
doubts to the accused. Judges, in their charges to juries, have
uniformly theorized on the principle; and surely judges themselves
will not refuse to give practical effort to the theory. J\Iy lords, I
Lave now done, with this exception, there is one more observation
with reference to myself wMch, with your lordships' permission, I
will reserve until my sentence is pronounced. It is one simply
putting forward a matter of fact, with a desii'c of placing myself
light before my country.

Judge O'Hagan intimated to the prisoner that
whatever observations lie had to offer, sliould be made
before tlie sentence of tlie court was pronounced.

Mr. Meanj said there had been much poetic iiction
circulated concerning him. Before his trial bj jury
he underwent a trial by journal ; but there was one
fact to which he should especially refer— he alluded

STEPHEN JOSEI'U MEANY.

253

to tlio language of the Attorney-General, when he
said that lie (the prisoner) was one of the liost of plun-
derers tliat were living on the money of the Fenian
Brotherhood, and other petty charges of that kind.
In that court he should ])rotc8t, and before a higher
and more just tribunal, tiiat never, directly or indi-
rectly, was he the recipient of one penny profit or
emolument, in any shape whatever, from the Fenian
Brotherhood, or any other political organization, nor
was he ever a paid or salaried officer of the Brother-
hood. He came to this country on private and family
business, and that the Crown could not prove that he
had since November, 18Cu, by word, act, or writing,
taken part in any proceedings that had taken place fn
the country. He was now done, and was ready to
receive the sentence of the court.

Mr. Meany was listened to with the utmost atten-
tion by everyone present in court, and after a short
address, of a somewhat complimentary nature, from
the judge, Mr. Meany received the sentence of Fifteen
Years' Penal Servitude.

254

FENIAiJ HEROES AIJD MABTTBS,

CAPTAIN P. J. COKDOK.

Youtli and school dnys— Emigrates to America— Enters the army— In the TrJsb
Brigade-Goes to Ireland— Arreeted-Correspondence with U. S. Consnl—
Liuerated— Goes a second time tolreland— Arrested again— Tncd— Acquitted.

Pathtck Joseph Condoi^, one of the most efficient
officers of the Brotherhood, and wlio was lucky enongli
to escape the chitches of the British Government, was
born at Craves, near Cahermojle, County of Limerick,
on the 16th February, 1831. Tlie Condons had con-
siderable possessions in tlie locality; and the father
of our hero, having received a portion of the paternal
estate, cultivated it until the Summer of 1839, when
lie sold it, intending to emigrate to Australia. An ac-
cident to his wife altered the intention of the family,
which removed to an adj-icent town, where the father
extensively entered into the business of a builder, to
which, conjointly with farming, he had been bred.
After attending the best English schools of the neigh-
borhood, young Patrick Joseph was sent, at the age
of twelve, to a Greek and Latin school at Shanagol-
den, from which he was transferred, in 1845, to *the
Classical Institute of Kilmallock, where he remained
until the '48, when he hastened, though but seventeen
y^ars old, to join the Tipperary insurgents. About

CAM'AIN P. J. CONDON.

2o5

this time he learned that his father destined liim for
the priesthood, an elder brother having been already lor
some years in holy orders. Not agreeing with the
fiimily vie\vs regarding his future, young Condon
passed a creditable examination for the Dublin Medi-
cal Hall, in 18i9 ; but owing to pecuniary circum-
Btances, he was unable to prosecute his ambition in the
medical profession, and consequently adopted his fa-
ther's business. He emigrated to America in 1852.

When the civil war broke out, Mr. Condon's de-
votion to rhe integrity of republican liberty inspired
him to en,^.er the army. He joined the Emn'iet Guard,
a company of the 2d N. Y. S. M., then commanded
by an old and valued friend. Captain John Kennedy.
His attainments soon asserted themselves, and he was
nominated for a lieutenancy before he had served two
months ; but, having carried a hostile message, he was
detailed on recruiting service to New York. He sub-
sequently raised a company for the G3d Eegiment, N.
Y. Y., which joined Meagher's Irish Brigade and
greatly distinguished itself throughout some of the
most brilliant and bloody scenes of the war. With
this^ command, Captain Condon was most honorably
distinguished, never having missed a march or a
battle in which the Brigade took part from its forma-
tion to the consolidation of its regimental remnants.
He received a bullet wound in the thigh at Antietara,
commanded his regiment at ilie battle of Fredericks-
burg, and was placed in command of an important
post, Banks' Ford, at the battle of Chancellorsville,
"Which he held with seven officers and one hundred and

256

FEXIAU HEROES AND MATvTYES.

« K

i\J

fifty men for five days and nights, while the fighting
raged furiously all around him. He was finally com-
pelled to swim the river, in the middle of which he
lost jiis horse from under him. On St. Patrick's eve,
1SG3, CaiDtain Condon was presented with a sword of
honor by citizens of JS'ew York, in appreciation of his
gallant services in the field.

After the consolidation of the Brigade, Captain
Condon received a confidential position in the United
States Engineer Department as inspector and shipper
of materials for fortifications, and was giving the full-
est satisfiiction, when he received an order, in the Sum-
mer of 18G5, to proceed to Ireland to take a command
in the anticipated uprising. Captain Condon had
joined the F. B. soon after his first landing in Ameri-
ca, and, as became an earnest and zealous member, he
at once obeyed the order of his superior officer in 'the
organization. He accordingly resigned his situation
m the U. S. service, and even sold property to go. He
left [N'ew York for Ireland in September, 1865, and
was arrested at Harold's Cross, a suburb of Dublin,
on the 23d February, 1866, on suspicion, under the
suspension of the Ilaheas Corpus act. From ^n ad-
dress made to the President of the United States^
inclosing a correspondence with, and complaining of.
J\Ir. West, the United States Consul at Dublin— a nar-
rative of Captain Condon's imprisonment may ba
found in his own words. Writing from liilmainham
jail, March 9, to the Consul, he sayss

OAPTAm p. J. CONDON. 257

• Han,,.,. c..„., L^;?::^:'t izrrr .Ta r 'ts "

l-spccor Clillbrd and a s<,„acl of tk, dcoo^e forcf ''l L *

some cell or nnv^' witlmnf on,r „i • o ^ <* "uii_y, lodui-

it not fnv fUn 1 ' ^ sleeping accommodations. Were

the risk of di missal "= ?" , . '^'''"""^"entions shown to us at

Blu-uldluavepird iw! ;"'""f ^^"^ "^^ ^^"^'^ t^^* ^«
of the 2Gtl, nit 7' r "^^^"^y^d ^o this prison on the night

tTon of Z ''""^ '^' ^"^^"^^ Consul here the protec-

lion ot my government," iJ^oiec-

nant to 1i,b case ; and on tlie 2Sth, further says, the Vice-

Z^atT'^'T 'f "''"'"'^'» - "-"--^ of a-

abWe , °'- ?°, *''' '*'"'' ^«"<^»" ^"-""^ l>e ^^-i'l
t.IeV ,."™^' ^.^"-'"S that his Government will
take a bold and dignified stand. He says anv condi

z 1m r f '"' i '"''""'"''' '"•■" *» •^^- «" -

the C„r I , T^"''- . ^y '''''"' "^ f™" ''"d «™^ion
P son of Capta,n Condon nearly five months ia
Pnson. On the 4tl, J„ly, as if in mockery of the

ea) th,.t the Lord Lieutenant will order his liberation

StaL". r"". '^VJ '"""•" <'"-^»' *o «^« United
btates.' Captain Condon replied 1

■^nwwmPWWBMIR

258

FENIAN IIEKOES AND MAKTYE8.

MouNTJOY Pkison, July 10, ISGffi
Mr. "William B. We8T, United States Consul :

Sir— On the 4th inst. the Governor of this prison read for me
my conditional discharge, wliich was in substance as follows :^.
That I should go from here to Queenstown uuder police escort,
and t])iere take passage in a packet ship for the United States di-
rect, and not return to Ireland within a reasonable time. I imme-
diately refused to accept of my release on those conditions, and
informed the Governor that I had business of considerable im-
portance to myself to aiTange in this coimtiy and in Scotland before
leaving Europe, and also that I wished to go under medical treat-
men*, for a short time, as my health was much impah-ed by con-
finement. Your letter of the 4th reached me on the oth inst.,
which left me no other alternative than to recall my non-acceptance
of release by acceptance of tlie conditions oirered. Now, sir, I
wish to be informed by you if those conditions are accepte i of for
me by the United States Government ? If they are, I c- all con-
clude that grave and pressing reasons have urged upon it the
humiliating necessity of consenting to have its citizens (who are
neither charged nor convicted of any crime) marched like common
malefactors through the thoroughfares of a foreign country, to its
very confines, and thence banished. I say if such necessity exists,
I bow my head to the stroke, but if not, I shall sooner find a grave
here, which I am very likely to do if I am kept much longer in
confinement, as my health is bad, than accept of terms which '
would lessen me even in my own estimation. I respectfully de-
mand that you send this letter, or a copy of it, to our J\Iinister at
London, the reply to which I Avill anxifjusly look for. I prefcT
adopting this com'se of sending to him through you than writing
to himself direct. Very respectfully yours."

The Consul writes on the 12th July that " the terms
of your release, that you should be escorted to the ship
i)y police, which I learned for tlie first time from your
letter, are accepted for you by the United States Gov-
ernment," and two days after informs him that Mr,
Adams approves of the same.

•'

mt:

CAPTAIN P. J. CONDON.

259

ties twf "^^^7'^'^''' ^'^y^ Captain Condon, " by the British author!,
cented J.^ \-^^''''^'' ^^' "' ^^^^"^ ^ ^^^^^'^^^ doing, and ac-

spo..dod ,0, not alone by cvm- UnUed ^^t ?■" ""'', """""^ '^

the middle of December, 1800. After trave'.ins m

lingland and Scotland, he arrived in Ireland in tl e

beginning of Febrnaiy, 1807, and ™s again an", ed

m Cork, 2d March-through the instr.mien li " o

Corydon, who knew him well, having been a private

n h.3 company and transferred from ?t, for cowardice

hospital duty. True bill, were found against p.'

am Condon on the 2Ut May. He was aiTaigned f«

iigh treason on the 32d; tried on the 29th and 30th

.equated By a strange ehai. ,- circumstances, Cap!

noted actors in the late Movemeut. He k married to

260

FENIAN riEEOES AND MARTYE8.

oVpcTJ oSr ^"''",^f«?"- ■' ''- '•-".r and that
over To ■•f.r f '^ ''"™ '^'''" «™"««ted f»

n-ime l|„s last circumstance gave the subi-ot of o„r
Bketeh ,„te„.,e pain; and he cried witl jov in Z
presence of his lawyer, and a fellow pnW, Kon v

volume of excitmg romance.

■> I

r-^

C3E0WLEY, KELLY AUD m'cLUEE.

261

PETER O'NEILL CEOWLEY, JOHN- EDWAED
KELLY, CAPTAIN JOHN McCLUEE.

Three Fenians give Battle to tlie Waterford Column and Poiice-Sltetch of Peter
O'Neill Crowley— Martyrdom of his Uncle, Father O'Neill— The Martyr's
Heir-His High Character-Sketch of John Edward Kelly-Goes to School in
Halifax-Emigrates to Boston -Becomes a Printer—loins the Fenians In
New York-Passion for Military Knowledge-Instructs the Emmet Guards in
Boston— Goes to Ireland— IVlilitary Instructor in Cork— Views on Irish Revo-
lution-Duties as Agent of the I. R. B.-Plans at the Time of the Rising—
Sketch of John McClure— Native of New York— Joins the 11th N. Y V Cav-
alry-Service—Mustered (Hit— Goes to Ireland-Attacks Knockadoon Statio; :
—Crowley, Kelly and McClure in the Mountains— Fight in Ki'cloony Woods
—Capture of McClure and Kelly-Death of Crowley-His Funeral— Popular
Sympathy- -McClure and Kelly in the Dock— Manly Speeches— Sentence.

Where there have been so many individual instan-
ces of gallantly as the personal adventnres of the Fe-
nians exhibit, it is difficult to assign the palm of par-
ticular distinction to any one; but it will doubtless be
conceded that the fight at Kilclooney lYood, between
three 1 enians and the British forces, was the mo'?t gal-
lant and remarkable conflict of the rising. Indeed it
is well calculated to add a special glory to the canse
associated with it, and to indicate a lasting reputation
for those engaged in it. That three Fenians should de-
fiantly resist and offer battle to one hundred and
twenty soldiers, besides the district constabulary, bor-
ders almost on the marvelous. But men, inspired as

d&j&y

2G2 ITKNIAK IIEBOES AND MABTritS.

tl.cy wore, are capable of any sacrifice-even life itself.

r e "o'y -n r' "r '"'/--•'«-"«. ^I-ing men, are
rote O Ne,ll Crowley, Jol,n Edward Kell^ and John
1 oUure; and tlieir example and record may be hand
ed down o the admiration of tho«e who honor noble
deeds and wdl strive to emulate them

1830 '!'; ?,' n"" ^T'-^ ^••'' 1-°™ on tlie 23d May,
1 8.32, at Ballymacoda, in the connty of Cork His fa

ther was a respectable farn.er, living in t fe loca^^tr
nd h. mother was the niece of Father Peter O'S
=.., flogged m the City of Cork in the year '98 was
.erwar.l. sentenced to transportation for life fo'r ^
.Ibged comphcty in the rebellion of that year. WMe
J-'H young, Peter Crovvley's father died, and hi grand
uncH the pr est, who had been liberat'ed fromfd at
tcr hve years' mcareeration, took tl,e boy under ht
care, and at the time of his death directedVat d, et
tent,on shonld be paid to educate him in all the mod
ern branches of education. "*

As the wrongs suffered by Father O'Neill wer«
treasured bv the fimllv i., • y^'i-in were

patriotism „„ „ *'"'>«'''""'"« ™ inspiration to
patuot sm-aud as they receive an additional intei-cst
from the blood poured out by young Crow yt'
avenge them a brief accnmt of them,'fo„nd „^.<A
Cnfcal .™l ILstorical Review of Fox' Book of Mat
tyrs by Wdham Eusebius Andrews," wiU pro" of
sad „,terest. Most of the „a,-rative is ouZZf
F.itbpp fj'^ToMP, i,r> ""'"'"i* c.ui acted from

23 1803 T r Kf,'"-"'*'™n«e." dated October
23 1803. The extract will speak lor itself; we shall
only premise that it was wi'ittcn iu roolv to . 7 7 ]'
^l^o had spoken of Lather iTnlm^ ^^^

•a

CROWLEY, KELLY AND m'cLIIRE. 2G3

liave been guilty of sanctioning the murders of 1Y9S,
transported to JJotany J^ay, and since pardoned Ly tlie
mercy of Government." After denying in tlie most
solemn manner that ho was guilty of the offence
charged against him at his arrest, in 1799, he thus
proceeds :

•'It was my peculiar misfortune that the charges then made
a-ainst me were not only withheld from myself, but even my
li'icnds had no intimation of them, except by common repoit,
whic-h then was busily employed in disseminatuig the various
atrocities supposed to have been committed by me ; but nothino-
specifically authenticated had transpired ; the very committal was
BO vague as to have excited the astonishment of a professional
friend ofmine in Dublin, and to have eventually led to my dis-
charge. I shall now proceed to the particulars of my case:
•Immediately upon my arrest, I was brought into Youghal, where*
Without any previous trial, I was confin(>d in a loathsome recepta-
cle of the bariack, called the blaek Aofc— rendered stiU more
offensive by the stench of the conunon necessary adjoining it.

*'In that dungeon I remained from Friday until Monday, when
I was conducted to the Ball-alley to receive my punishment. No
trial had yet intervened, nor ever after. I was stripped and tied
up ; six soldiers stood forth for this operation ; some of them
right-handed, some of them left-handed men, two at a time (as I
judge Irom the quickness of the lashes), and relieved at intervals
until I had received two hundred and sevcnty-iive lashes so
Vigorously and so deeply intilcted that my back and points of' my

shoulders were quite bared to the flesh But I had

not hitherto shaken the triangle; a display of feeling which it
seenis, was eagerly expected from me. To accelerate that spec
(acle a wire cat was mtroduced, armed with straps of tin or lead ■

. . . . Whatever were its appendages, I eannot easily for-
get the power of it. In defiance of shame my waistband was c^
tor the imishmg strokes of this kcerating instrument. The ^eiy

264

FENI.VN HEROES AlH) MARTYR3.

I r
i'l'

first lash, as it renewed all my panga, and shot conmlsive agony
throui^h my entire frame, made me shal<(! the triiinglc iiuleciil. A
seeond intlictinn of it penetrated my loins, and tore tli< in excru-
ciatingly ; the third nnvintained tho tremulous exliioiiion long
enough — tho spectators were satisfied. "

After detailing the several means to wliicli the offi-
cers — comniisBioned and non-commissioned — had re-
course, in order to force from him a confession of
guilt, Father O'Neill proceeds:

"After I had answered him (one of the ofllcers) in the corner of
the ball-alley tiiat I would sull'er any death rather than acknow-
ledge a crime whereof I was not guilty, ho told me that I should
be set at liberty if I would agree to a certain proposal which he
then made ; but justice and truth commandfid me to reject it.
When conducted to jail, after a lapse of three hours, I was pre-
sented with a refreshment. It appeared to be wine and water, but
must have had some other powerful ingredient, for it speedily
brought on a stupor. The same ollicer soon roused me from my
lethargy, with a renewed effort to extort this avowal from me ; he
drew his sword ; he declared he Avould never depart from me until
it was given in writing ; he threatened that I should forthwith bo
led out again, flogged as before, shot, hanged, my head cut off to
be exposed on the jail-top, and my body thrown into the river ;
that he would allow me but two minutes to determine. Tlien,
going to the door, he called for a scrip of paper, while the sentinel
swore terribly at the same time tliat he would blow my brains out
if I persisted any longer in my refusal. Under this impression I
scribbled a note to my brother, which they instantly cried out was
•what they wanted ; the precise expressions of it I do not at this
moment recollect ; it purported a wish that my brotiier might HO
longer indulge uneasiness on my account, for I deserved what I got.
The olficer withdrew ; my sister-in-law then got admittance j she
told me she had just heard the sentinel say that during my entire
pmiishment, nothing was against me ; however, that the paper X

&m^i

CBOWI T, KELLY AND mVlUBE. 265

the, afomaM note. • L.»,k ■ s^ , , ^., I "' '''«'''»""'8

-Pe; your t,-,.a.n,„„t shaM be vo « „ , 7"'™.' "'°'"'"""'
whatyouwrotf v,-M,.r,I,v. .?,?• , """" " y™ disown

to got free rim w ' '"'« """ " ™ ""' '» my power

«-,'^idhe, •.oe.e„,pa,eyo„r«,f"a,'.thea"„red TZ*"

K0.es. n,i.,u appear after »; death ""''* •* """""''' ""^

■ After thia martyr onr hero had been namej and the
^ vandnnele waa very much attached to his no^ lew
On Father O'Neiir^ rl^nt], , t. nojiiievv.

under his will al that tl!' ^7 ^"''' '"^'""'^
i» wjii, aij tliat the priest was wort] i \u ih^

world, n,c luding his residence' The mante„ ntof
■e property was assnmed by Peter Crowley's cIdo"t
s.ster, who, some years his senior endeavorni L
out fi.ithf„l.y the be,„est of the d^tXt ;r J
Time rolled on, and Peter attaining his maCitv'
worked w,th great energy on the farmlhich h^d S
left to him, and, by industry and persever™ee 1
converted it into a valuable propertr He 's '.

<I.unk a drop of spmtuous liquor since he was teS
years of age; and when his day of toil was eXd C
applied himself to study, I ' ""

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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266

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYES,

• I

Well vei'&ed in the history of his country, and deep-
ly impressed by the dreadful punishment to which his
granduncle had been subjected, he was imbued witli
feelings of the deepest hostility towards the English
Government. Peter Crowley's grandfather was like-
wise mixed up in the movement of '98, and for two
years he was a proclaimed outlaw ; in short, he was
descended from rebels. It was natural for him to be
national; and, joining the Fenian Brotherhood — of
which he was a member for several years — he threw
himself heart and soul into the movement, fostering
its designs and extending its ramifications. His na-
ture was high-toned and loveable. He was most wor-
thy and excellent in his family relations — the best of
brothers ; and, rather than cause those with whom he
lived any uneasiness, he was accustomed to steal out
at night, unobserved, with a view to forwarding the
cause which was so dear to his heart, returning in the
morning to his work, apparently unfatigued by the
loss of his night's rest. The blood of the martyrs
was in him, and gave him strength.

Mr«:

The second of this trio of heroes, John Edward
Kelly, was born in Kin sale, County Cork, on the 6th
July, 1840. His parents emigrated to Halifax when
the child was but two years old. He went to school
there, and when young, displayed a talent for drawing,
for proficiency in which he received a premium.
When about fourteen years of age he removed to Bos-
ton, where he served an apprenticeship to the printing

OBOWlEr, KEILT Ajm M'cLttEE. 267

St; '* ''"."'^l''™^"" «f Which he ca,ne to Kew

at that time, numbered among its memhorf c i'

OShea, and Francis Welplv TIip fwn , ' , '^''"""J

•Iteams Station; and all the others were more th„n
once, severe!, wounded while attesting therdevo ton
to the cause of human freedom Uevotjon

spWhT *;/"*<^'!S<' »*• Captain Thomas Kiely-a
splendid military instructor of the United /,.i
Army, and a whole-souled Irish paWot-Kellfsoon
became a proficient in the use of Ihe rifle and W?
not. lie ,™ indefatigable in acquiring miHtC"
hnowledge both theoretically and practically-^ J
he was seldom without " Hardee's Tootles "ir,
pocket. In the winter of 1800, he went " b" '^
and became instructor of the Emmet Guard whic^i'
was organised by the Brotherhood soon after 'his a!
iival So highly were his services am.recinted th-it
on his expressing his desire to go to' irelaii ul n^
Pnrpose of aiding his compatriots there in „" ij !
preparations for the work before them, his friends in
Boston insisted on defraying his e.pens „'

268

FENIAH HER0E8 AND MARlTRg.

ii i I

After remaining a few days witli liis old comrades in
New York, lie sailed for Ireland in tlie month of April,
1801. Since that time, up to tlie ontbreak in March,
1807, he resided principally in Cork, where his ser-
vices, in imparting military instruction to the young
patriots of that city and its vicinity, under harrassing
difficulties, will be long fondly remembered.

Mr. Kelly opposed the proposition for tlie Emmet
Guard to volunteer into the American service, believ-
ing they would be wanting immediately in Ireland.
But when in Ireland, and seeing the tendency of events,
he was a most earnest advocate of the Union cause.
Kelly, it appears, never had much faith in aid from
America, always contending that the men in Ireland
were able to work out their own freedom , and it was
only, says his most intimate associate, " after the 5th
March, 1867, when he saw all the branches broken for
want of a common trunk or centre to rally upon, that
he admitted that an expedition from. America was ne-
cessary for success." After his arrival in Dublin, he
put himself in communion with the authorities of the
I. II. B., and went to Cork, where he obtained work
and made friends, even with Oi-angemen, who were
employed in the sanie establishment. He subsequent-
ly went to London, but, disgusted with England and
the English, returned to Dublin, and obtained employ-
ment on the Irish People when that journal was start-
ed. Here his talents were observed, and he was sent
to Cork as an agent of the organization. He soon
raised a company, and was commissioned a " B."
During this period, his means were often at alow ebb.

■

#it-

CKOWLEY, KELLY AKD il'cLtTlK ^^j)

but he found welcome and a l.onie in the fumily of Mr
and Mrs. Jdm Bucklev devnf.ul P ■ ^ '

.1^,,* x" T.r ,, "^'^it-y, aovoted remans, hoav rom*.
dcnts ot Maiden, Ma^«<aclinsPtf« Tr .> .

lever he, a Protestant, experienced the neatest cars

w^t.f rf ' '''-'"' '-Server;;::

the appalling scenes of the first s'pec 1 'fi J .^^
were being enacted around him. lie alv.v T^
with such systematized ca„uon, t he co^ d Z'^"^
on bolder undertakings than e^n thole wh tl "e™
known At this time Thomas B. Henne^sr J "

swing thern^ ,he ^^^^IT^Z^^::^
pomts. It was about this same time that ZmT
nessy writes, "a batch of Western oiHcers Ift P T
recalled by Mr. Scanlan. Their de.b* rdtec^to
utmost depi-ession in Cork; and Kelly took h Boston
fnends to the meetings "of the Brotherhood, and intro
ducmg them to the diiTerent officers as ,m.d T
that numbe. of others were on thei,: l^Z^ ''^Z
acfon contributed, in a great measure! to re' ass„t
*e Centres, who were bogi„.,ing to get dishearte "d
when they saw the men on whom they depended for
leaders deserting them." J "H'-uuea lor ..

After undergoing many privations in Dubhn and

>, :i

FEXIAN HEKOEa AND MAETYRg.

Liveri.ool in 1 SOfi, we find ICelly, in the Fall of tluit
year, engaged as a printer on tlie Cork Herald^ still
kee})ing up the discipline of his men, although he had
misgivings as to any movement taking place. Among
the nationalists of Cork " Kelly's Men " were known
as the avant-garde — all " dare devils like himself." He
was only dissujided from going to aid the Kerry rising,
in February, by being reminded that he had " no or-
ders ;" but he made his mind up to make a certain
inovement to rally the people, if the leaders gave no
sign of action.

On the Saturday before the rising, he called on
Crowley, who was in the city, and, taking a walk with
him and Ilennessy, unfolded his plans to them. Crow-
ley thought them rash ; but Kelly's eloquence finally
won Crowley's consent, who agreed to take part in
them if something else did not occur. That " some-
thing " was the rising of the 5th. Crowley, grasping
Hennessy's hand, said : " Mr. Hennessy, when we
meet again it will be on the battle-field I " Ilennessy
promised to join Kelly's plans, but he was assigned to
other duties, with the Cork forces, by Massey. lie
never saw Crowley again.

The youngest of the Kilcloony heroes is John Mc-
Clure, who was born iTth July, 1846, at Dobbs Ferry,
Westchester County, State of New York. His parents
were both Irish, his father, David McClure, being a
native of Tipperary, and his mother, who was of the
O'Donnell sept, hailing from Limerick County. They
had emigrated to this country several years before, and
were in respectable circumstances when John waa

CBOWLET, KELLT AND M'cLrRH 27t

torn. He was their fifth child, and growing «p =.mid
the s^ple scenes of country lite, in^bibcd ifs Wrtues,
and surrounded by the magniticence of Nature, ac-
q>med ,tB innate nobility. When able to learn he
was sent to the " district" sehnnl ^e *i i 1
u-InV, !>„ ,1 • 1 ". ""''"o' of the place, from

tinned a? > f ' ^ "'" ^"S''«'' ^'"o^fon He eon-
tmued at school until about sixteen years of age when

and adviee of Ins elder brother, William James he

tt:":.: ^^'^^t-™'"^ ^■-■'^->"p. "- whid. o::;;:

time tLT ^'J'"*'^''*."'." to '™ «"Ployers. At this
time he American evil war was at its height, and
the uhosyncrasics of the lad began to exhibit t'hem-
seives.^ On the morning of December 5th, 1863 he
was missing from his post ; nothing was known of' his
whereabouts until a note from him. of the 10th inst
stated that he was bound for Washington, havin<. en-'
listed as priyate in the 11th N Y V r„ i
('.'Scott's 900.'>) The efforts of Ms faml^ to t^'

thrtSre ofTr^^ — '"«' -' - '- —

After some months of duty at Washington, part of

rI ""?!,! ""P^"" '' "'■^'■'^ '" '^' Court Martial
Kooms there, he embarked with his regiment on hoard
a transport s np for New Orleans, where they were
quartered, making occasional incursions into the Con-
federate country, and checking the guerillas, who wero
rampant. Eyentnally his regiment was remoyed u,!
the Mississippi river, and many vyere the raids made
by John and his comrades for supplies; and many
hard rides and skirmishes he experienced through Mi*.

i' I

272

FENIAN HEKOEg AND MAETYBS.

Bissippi, ArTcansas and Tennessee — now ffn-ngiiirT^ now
overawing tLo guerillas. It was a wild and iucjtj life,
vith but little of bitterness in it; and it is a lUet tliat
young McClure was never engaged in any of the
pitched battles of the war. He was appointed quar-
termaster sergeant of his company, (" L ") and sub-
sequently quartermaster sergeant of Company " B "
The war ended, and the troops marched home. John's
regiment was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., and
discliargcd at Albany, N. Y. On a bright day, early
in October, he walked into his brother's place of busi-
ness much the same kindly lad as he was twenty-two
months before, having doffed his military gear at Al-
))any, and purchased a civilian's dress, " more service-
able than elegant." Again he took up the pen, and
labored very constantly for over a year.

The strength of the Fenian organization had been
great, its hopes high, its disasters many, and in tho
Winter of '66-Y it arrived at the most ominous period
of its vicissitudes. Young McCliire never by act or
word expressed any special predilection for the move-
ment, and it was not until two days before his depar-
ture for the British Isles, that his family knew of his
determination to cast himself into the breach, and
make one of the forlorn hope of Irish patriotism.
There is no doubt but that he was influenced to this
course by association with some of the Fenian leaders,
who met together occasionally at the house where he
resided. Their anticipations were bright as their de-
signs were daring, and awoke the youth's susceptible
spirit of adventure. On the 18th day of December,

CEOWLEY, KELLT AND u'cLtJEB. 273

18CC, 1,0 Bct sail, with i,i3 older and moro cx-nerien,.ed

Fonian eomiia.iiona, for the K,.,.,in „f I,.i .1 ■ •

Umy amved at fJla«g„w, Scotland, early i„ Janu-.rv

and seattered to different parts. iLci.™ wen ' ^

Wa^govv to Liverpool, and thenee to Cork, from wl c^^

latter c.ty he wrote to his brother in Ne v York Ij

«-«. about the middle of Februar,, that, notwi 1 1:, d-

ng he fadureof the i\ B. in America in ar.nin. tln.ir

bro hers at home, thcj.vove resolved to precinitSo o

death-strnggle for independence with tl e sc n Jm "

S; ' n • •^''^ "'■'^ ''PI'""'*'=<i '« command ho
Middleton District, in Cork Conuty

Such were tlie antecedents of the three gallant spirits

hi°r Wl "'f ' °^ *' '"^ ^"'•<'''' Sl^™™ Tuesday, a
a ge body of men, armed with rilles, guns, revolvers

"jed in m lilary order, they proceeded-aceordin. to
a p.;eeoneerted plan-to the Knoekadoon coastgua,!^
station. Captain McClure was in command of this

After sacking Knoekadoon coastguard station the
party proceeded to Killeagh. and we"re to ha™ tin ed

it^ta^ r, '™' ,?^*'-»-*vV contingents. 'b^I
nistako-whicli conld only be accounted for by «,o
loss o their leader, Timothy Daly, who was knLb^
the latter party did not meet the former; who tld
of waiting, proceeded direct to the Tippera.^monntls
Katm.n,„g from the Galtees, the Ballymacod^ Z;

274

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

••!'»'

tingent (which tenaciously lield torrother, notwith^
Btaiiding Boiuo detections, settled down in a remote
part near Mitclielstown. Here in the defiles and
gorges of the chain of mountains which extends beyond
Fermoy, towards Mitclielstown, the insurgents passed
their time. Some days before the fatal encounter, hav-
mg been made aware that the Waterfurd flying column
were on their trail, they changed their position, and
separated into small knots, with a view of being
better able to elude the vigilance of their pursuers. I^
18 stated that Crowley was in Cork the Thursday prior
to the affray ; and that, disguised as a carman, lie was
enabled to avoid detection. We are also told that the
men had amj^le means of escape to France or other
places, but, hidulging in the hope that aid would come
sooner or later, they determined to the last to stand by
the cause Mliich they had embraced, and which they
were confident would succeed.

The exact circumstances under which Crowley was
in the wood, may not be without interest. By pre-
arrangement, a friend of his (who was in full possession
of his whereabouts all through) was to have met him
at Kilclooney Wood on Sunday, March 31, or follow-
ing day, for the purpose of supplying him with some
essentials. Scouts anxiously watched, lest their visitor
should by possibility pass unseen. It is supposed that
they were observed, and that information was in the
meantime conveyed to the authorities. Acting on this
or other information, the resident ]\ragistrate of Mitcli-
elstown— Mr. Neale Browne-collected the district
constabulary, and sent a requisition for the assistance of

f*-

'ii!

CEOWLEY, KELLY AND m'oLUBB. 275

the County Waterford Column. Tliis was composed
ot a troop of tlie Sixth Carbineers, two companies of
the 8Lxth WarwiekHliire infantry, some of tlie military
tram, and Royal Engineers— in all about one hundred
and twenty men— commanded by Major Bell. Guided
by Mr. Browne, Mr. Redmond, resident Magistrate of
l>ungarvan, and Sub-Inspector Rudge, the troops
reached the romantic valley of Aharfoucha at day-
dawn on Sunday morning. Here the collision took
place. Here Crowley, Kelly and McClure resisted
the combined forces ; and the military are said to have
been greatly impressed by their extraordinary pluck
and determination.

A stream flows through the valley of Aharloucha
towards the banks of which Kilclooney Wood slopes
down. Forty men, commanded by Major Bell, sur-
rounded it on the south and west sides, in skirmishino'
order ; the cavalry were posted higher up in the
valley, while the constabulary took possession of the
Western Mountain, and the carbineers surrounded the
houses on the east. The skirmishers were directed to
let no one escape from the wood. One of them per-
ceiving a figure moving among the trees, challenged •
a shot was the reply. The order was then given to
advance into the wood, and a sharp fusilade com-
menced. Finding their hiding-place thus invaded
two ot the Fenians who had been concealed, made a
i-iish for the river, firing rapidly at the soldiers as
they emerged from the trees. The military returned
the fire wit/i vi^or.

At this moment Mr. Redmond dashed through the

t,.

27e

FENIAN HKIIOKS tlTH ttAKrTBM,

nnl.tary linos, under firo, \n pnisutt of the fncrltlvea.
lie overtook Cuptnin MeClure as the latter readied
the river, and .i-rappled witli him from beliinO.
AlcCluro tried to shoc^t Mr. Ile(hnond over his slioul-
der, but in doing so lie left himself open to the soldiers,
who rushed up to bayonet him. Mr. Redmond com*
nianded them tr. spare his life, and just succeeded in
chocking the direction of an outstretched rifle. The/
Btruggled for a short time in the water, but McClurd
was soon overjiowered by numbers. His companion,
Crowley, was more unfortunate; as he was also jump-
ing into the river, some shots struck him and he felt
mortally wounded. The soldiers plunged in after
him, and drew him to the bank.

It was found on examination that one of the shott
had struck the lock of his musket, breaking the third
finger of liis right hand, and then rebounded, making
a large welt across his stomach. Another shot had
entered the middle of his back, and passed out through
the right axilla. He was laid on the ground, wlifle
the surgeon tried to stanch the blood by pressure. Aa
he lay on the grass, with his eyes devoutly raised to
heaven, few (says one account) " could withhold an
expression of admiration and sympathy from one who
had, in many respects, the qualities of a hero."

Kelly was observed by Ensign Meredith crouching
behind a ditch, rifle in hand ; he was summoned to
surrender, and, seeing the uselessness of further re-
sistance, threw down his gun, which was afterwards
recognized as a coast-guard's weapon. He had a
haversack containing a few pounds of raw pork, also

CRoWtET, 'lucttt awn M^cLUPE. 277

fomo aTntnnnition. In his p(,ckoM)ook were several
entries, headed as his ^'journalof the eampui-n ;" and
the hist entry, when five were tc-ether, was made on
the ah of Mareli. He had also a {j^reen silk fla-, with
white fringe, n green handkerehief. and map of tlie
bounty Corlc, ' ^

An elevating fnterest eontres on the martyr-liero
farmer Crowley. The priest was sent for, and the
military surgeon, Dr. Sngrue, wlio staunched liis
wounds, read the last prayer from Crowley's own
prayer book, whieh ho always carried about hi'tn. Tho
dying man was conscious to the last. When asked
how he was, he replied, " I I'eel better now— you were
about an hour too early; if you were an hour later I
wonld have given you a hot recei)tion, and a very nice
morning." What ho intended to convey by the re-
mark may not be obvious ; but it was believed that the
remainder of the pai-ty, who were not far off, had ap-
pointed to meet at Kilclooney Wood at six o'clock
that morning. Had they been allowed an opportunity
of concentrating in the plantation before the military
assembled, there can be little doubt that a tierce and
desperate encounter won Id have ensued. He hud been
conveyed on a litter to the nearest farm-house, but the
people not wishing him to die there, he had to be taken ,
to Mitchelstown, where he received attention and spir-
itual consolation.

The last moments of ttie wonnded insurgent were
most impressive. For half an hour beforl he snc-
cuinbed, a clergyman was present, ministering to the
dying man the consolations of religion ; and the rev-

278

FENIAN HEK0E8 AND MiRTYRS.

erend gentleman, writing to a friend, describes liim in
the following terms: "Ilia death was most editying.
Never did I attend one who made a grc.vtei impres^
fiion upon me. He begged of me to tell his sister not
to be troubled because of his death, which he hoped
would be a happy one." The body of the deceased
had been removed to the workhouse, and when it be-
came known who it was, a large crowd collected out-
side the gate of the union, and insisted upon getting
the remains, in order that it miglit receive tiie last
rites in proper form. When the sister of the deceased
arrived, she had some difficulty in obtaining admit-
tance, owing to the commotion outside. The martyr
' was laid out in his " habit *' in the dead-house, and the
loving sister immediately recognized her biother. Her
request to see his clothes t . at he wore on the fatal
morning was complied with. They were the disguise
which he had worn in his expedition, and she did not
identify f;hem as his own. The police endeavored to
detain them, but Miss Crowley iiibisted upon claiming
them. Besides the scapulars which he wore, lie had
also tittached round his neck a large bronze cruciiix
and ahttle medal, the emblems of a Christian " order."
The crucifix -as shattered in two places, and the
medal w-is bent, plainly indicating they had been
Btriick by bullets. On the chest of the deceased,
where the religious tokens had been worn, there was
an Indent irion in the skin corresponding with the size
of the medal, as if it had violently pressed against
that part of the breast.

An ini^uest was held the next day, and the jury, af-

!s liim in
Bdi tying.
: impres-
lister not
le hoped
deceased
en it be-
lted Ollt-

gefting
the last
ieceased
J admit-

martjr
and the
er. Her
he fatal
disguise
did not
ored to
hviming
lie had
criuilix
order."
-nd the
d been
?ceased,
ere was
the size
against

ury, af-

OHOWLEY, KELLY AKD m'cLURE. 279

ter exhibiting some doubt, as to the right of such a
large body of men tiring on tlu-ee fugitives, ultimately
returned a verdict of death from the etfects of a gun-
shot wound intlicted by the military while in the dis-
charge of their duty.

The funeral took place on Tuesday, the 2d April
and awakened the strongest feelings of sympathy!
About one hundred women and children, each can'y-
ing branches of laurel, formed a procession four deep •
then ollowed a scattered group of female Iriends •
next the hearse. The cofHn was strewn with branches'
of laurel. The sister of the patriot walked after the
cothn as chief mourner, her head covered with a dark
hood and being supported by three priests. The love
in which Crowley was held by his neighbors, and tlieir
sympathy for his hero-death, -v^as exhibited by the
closing of all the shops in the town. At Fermoy
durmg the interval that elapsed for resting the horsci'
ttie phimes and hearse were decorated with ribbons
and green boughs, and a representation of the Irish
harp ^v_a8 placed on one of the panels of the hearse
ior mdes the coffin was borne on men's" shoulders •*
and It was only when the " shades of evening " had •
la len, that the corpse was placed in the hearse. The
lollowmg day the remains were removed from his late
residence to the place of interment at Ballymacoda
In consequence of^a request previously made by the
relatives^of the deceased, there was not a renewal of
luesdcys demonstration; but the mournful procession
^vhlch toliowed the corpse expressed their sorrow and
regret ior the deceased in another and more pathetic

E'»

280

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETVES.

form. Among the persons who attended the funeral
a hirge body of stalwart, yet respectable young men,
were present. After the burial requiem had been
chanted, and the prayers of the people offered for the
soul of the departed, all that was mortal of Peter
Crowley was deposited in the earth, amid the sorrow
and weeping of some, and deep expressions of ven-
geance from others.

Crowley's comrades, McClure and Kelly, were con-
veyed to Cork Jail, and were arraigned at the Special
Commission held in that city on Monday, 21st May,
1867, by Chief Justice Monaghan, Justice Keogh, and
Jastice George. Their appearance in the dock is thus
described : " The demeanor in court of Edward Kelly,
as wel] as that of Captain McClure, was marked by
c*n air of the most complete and una3sumed indiffer-
ence. When called on to plead, each rose from his
Beat, and in a gentlemanly, firm manner, answered
" not guilty." Kelly and McClure looked remarkably
well, and appeared to enjoy the change of scene from
the cell to the dock. No one, looking at them in a
casual way, would suspect them of having taken a
part in a most daring and memorable incident of the
late insurrection. They are accused of being two of
the three men whose bravery, wlien surrounded by the
soldiers arid police in Kilclooney Wood, called forth
the admiration of the military. The third of that
brave trio — Peter Crowley — was shot dead whilst at-
tempting to cross the river which outskirts the wood,
liooking at the boyish ftice of Kelly, and the almost
equally youthful and quiet countenance of McClure,

t^WlET, KELtV a™ m'cLCBB.

281

"•ittcdly, displayed " «°<iu.-ance aa t%, ad-

^ft- p";' ^iSrr'- - induced,

Consul, Eastmai, ™d Ws soH •^' '"' "' *<= ^- «'
with the "distinct ,? sohcitor, to plead gnin.

giving security to leTv ' 'he" ??' 'f ''^ ^<^'-^^ «"
day Kelly was'^foundgJu; On f, '''' *'" ^=""°
day, 2fith May, they were ^t 2. ! '""'' ''^y- ^''i-
of tlie Crown haviLf ^ l ""'"''^ *»d, the Clerk
)'ad a„ythi,rAo siv ^, "■>' ''''^«<' *^«CIure if he

-^ting his 'hands on'tirfr 7-^ 't ""'''' »'^
Court i. a lood, cahn, „:4:„\;/ ''^f^-ed the

".- 'eoi '"ii" r ;ir Lrr- °' "• -'^ '-^ --.ee or

make a [„ remark, in r",ation f T" ""*' ' """^ «<=»'« ,o
«-™ff-ins people of S ^nf "^, "V^«'™ «" beta,,' „f
":'" ""l^vor^ ,o obtain the "ntn,:;;^ """"« *™ i» «'■* ear-
Although no, born on the e^i ofS T' °' *"* """^ '»■"!•
from history, and the tracUt.^s of ft^fl "^ -^ '""'™'' "«^' "*
M' with this countr^.s nd IZ °' *''«™'"*. ^ became convert.

as the human breast Jossel" ho,: roS™'"''' "''"''''°«<1; '"cl
»eu feel for ».*ring'n.anki:a j f* ^^^^^^^^ -"-h n.aka

her moral degradation, and I felt .hit r ,1^" ' ™"e»' "n" ''or
tl.oir attempt ,0 right hose C,^ ' 'L k' """ ''^^ P™P"= ^

I slmli no. now state to whTC j T! " '''''"" *««'«"!"".
■atomsurreetionary movement ZlClT '""''''""" <"' "-
Bot feel with regard ,0 my own condtf , '"T " "°"™ ' "»
the righteousnes. of m» .reryll!™ .' '" '""^ «»''fi«<l of

i I

< 1

282

PEinAN HEROES AND iLlRTTRS.

lutionary movement, having bceu actuated alone by a holy desire
to assist in tlic emancipation of an enslaved but generous people.
It affords me more pleasure to have acted as I have done in behalf
of the Irish people, than any event that has occun-ed to me during
my eventful, though youthful existence. I would wish it to be
distinctly understood — and I say it here standing on the brink of
an early grave — that I am no fillibuster or freebooter. I came to
this country with no personal object to gain — with no desire to my
own advancement. I came here solely out of love of Ireland and
sympathy for her people. If I have forfeited my life in having
done so, I am ready to abide the issue. If my devotion to an op-
pressed people be a crime, I am willing to receive the penalty of
that crime, knowing, as I do, that what I have done was in behalf
of a people whose cause was just and holy — a people who will ap-
preciate and honor a man, although he may not be a countryman
of their own, but still a man who is willing to suffer in defence of
that divine American principle — the right of self-government. I
would now wish to tender to my learned and eloquent counsel, Mr.
Heron and Mr. Waters, and to my solicitor, Mr. Collins, my sin-
cere and heartfelt thanks for the able manner in which they have
conducted ray defence. And now, my lords, I trust I am prepared
to submit to the penalty it will be now the duty of your lordships
to pronounce upon me. I have no more to say."

The prisoner then resumed liis seat, his firm, though
gentle manner, the mild restrained enthusiasm which
marked those parts of his address which referred to
his love of Ireland, making a aeep impression on his
audience.

Edward Kelly having been asked in like manner if
he had anything to say why sentence of death should
not be passed upon him, then rose and rested his hands
on the front of the dock. He looked rather pale, but
his paleness was evidently not caused by trepidation,
but by the effort .to collect his ideas. His keen, flash-

«'OWMT, KELLY ^D M-OLOSE.

283

• "nd then they weTe rait) ^ ,'"'" *'"' ^^"'""•>^t,

world to wh4 he w^ "oon t k" "'""*^'" '° *'""
said: ^"°" to be consigned. He

"My lords, the mveltv nf ™„ •. .
"f flu™. „„e,.„oe, .If I ae"f„r:r "'" •"='<' '''" »^ «"'
aocessarily tedious. I tliank /h. '^^^ ^°""' ""'»'S™ce if I am

aon to „e«y, Which toTw L ur. ?T """ '■-"■»™-r

1 10, What thatmercy will be rrl 7'' '""'"=<' '»™i"& as
"^enclalio. wi„ ,ot be acceW 1 wf "*""" '"«"-;„.
What U death I The state of njL T'^ """"" ' f™'' 'I'-H' »
I trust that God will mZnl^Z'J"'"' ',"'' "''° """ «""">"•
cause to fear entering L pC'ce of TV' °" """ ' ""' ""^ ™
ful Father. I do not recofctTv ™"' ^"''"^ "-»»' M^i.

■^eing intentionally, and t^ 'Z'lZZ'"" '"'""" " '™"'»

fear dcafh. I leave the dread of d™fl, . ^, ™' ' '"J"' """■!" I
a» Corydon and Mas.,ey. Con,do„ T'l """ '^'"'''"""'' "*hes
eweetness-now the .epresSiv ' „, T °°'='= "" »«^^«ve of
-bere be anything that eL" w o Con' „"„ f'"™" "'"*'■• 'f

Chief Justice-" We are „ l • , ? ' ''''Sedation-"
cannot sit here and aliow ;o?:f ^^^rj"" ^7-''"""'"e, but we
been examined as witnesses. S,,M ° " "' ^'"'"' ™"» '■""
«ay why .entenee should not be paied uln '? T "" "'"'' '"
lime we are very unwilling t„ l.m ^ *°"' ■>"' « 'he same

not allow you .o cast impu't , ' "^^^ ■'™'. but we c^

others, whomaybeexa^iuMlXv '■;? ""'*'' """-»». °'
Pnsoner-" Well, as near then as I ,.™'
, ^ nje, I shall say that, remenre. g ZTJ: *^ '"'^*'' »-
England obtained a fo„(i„,, i„ t,.,,, "® 'r"' ^'y Seneration since
nUe-remembering ,ba, ' ^ ^elta bT "^■™ "■™ "«
agan,st the occupation of „„..nalke!oibvF„T T° '" P'"'-"
-. .ba. is an answer to the ^ue^tior^Tf ^ I'lh^ n'„"Z

284

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYRS.

passed on me. In the part I have taken in the late insurrection,
I was only conscientiously discharging my duty. Next to serving
th(! Creator, I believe it is man's solemn duty to serve his country.
[After a long pause he continued.] My lords, I have no more to
say, except to quote the words of the Psalmist, premising that you
will understand me to speak of my country as he speaks of his—
'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cun-
ning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof
of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jenisalem above my chief joy. Re-
member, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem,
who said— Raize it, raize it, even to the foundation thereof. O
daiigliter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed, happy shall be he
that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.' In couclusiop, my
lords, I wish to return my solicitor, Mr. Michael Joseph Collins,
my thanks for his untiring exei'tions in my behalf. To Mr. Heron
also, I return thanks for his able defence of me. My lords, I have
no more to say."

The prisoner then sat down. At that part of his
address where he referred, in terms so aprojm, to the
informer, Corydon, tlie soft and serene expression
which his face hitherto wore, changed, and his ejes
flashed scornfully and wrathfully. After the interrup-
tion of the court, he paused for a while, and then, in a
voice of deep emotion, and with an air of sudden in-
spiration, he repeated the beautiful words of the
Psalmist, " And his soul went forth with them;" and
when he had concluded the quotation and lowered his
eyes, he appeai-ed exhausted from the rush of thought
and feeling which the words produced. As he repeat-
ed the psalm, the Chief Justice leant his head on the
bench and appeared deeply moved— in. fact very few
eyes in the court-house were dry. Sentence of death
was then pronounced.

CROWLEY, KELLY AND m'oLURE. 285

McClure is al)out five feet seven inches in height,
light and active, with dark complexion, and reserved
manners. In social life he was generous, good-natnred
and temperate. As a member of the New York Mer-
cantile Library Association here, the books he usually
applied for ^ere on military and kindred subjects.
His chief study, just before he espoused the Irish
cause, was " Campaigns of Napoleon," and Doheny's
Felon's Track." ''

Kelly is about five feet six inches in hight. slio-htly
but compactly built, with a ^ir complexion, ovaf face
and ^blue eyes. He was " a swift and clean compos-
itur, a proficient French scholar, and had a habit of
insisting on everything being done well and to the
mmute. Sis temperament is highly poetical, and he
possesses considerable literary talent. Among his other
avocations in New York he was writing a tragedy
and had it nearly completed, when his passion for mil'
itary knowledge absorbed all his faculties. He was
brought up in the Protestant faith ; but his joining his
comi;ades in the "Rosary of the Blessed Virgin " dur-
ing their lonely vigils in Kilclooney Wood, shows how
little he was actuated by religious prejudices

FENIAJS HEROES A2<D MAltTYUS.

MICHAEL DOHENY, GEKEKAL MICHAEL

COKCORAN, JOHJ^ O'MAHONY, JAMES
STEPHENS.

Bar_NaLnai on L . !!! London-Writes for the Pre^s-Admltted tothe
Cv «nHVV u r .u° *•'" 0'CounellMov«ment8-^oln8 Y.ung Ireland

SZ; to AmS I i/^ 1 " n"""-" f"' "^''^"-"-^-«P- to France and
nn ;° ^"""^'ca-Life In New York-Hopes for Ireland-Death. Sketch of

Exchanrof P r ? "' ""''''=° '°' " Privateer-Cabinet Council on

fhtt Tt °^'''"~^'^'™**^'--«'«'^t Ovation-In the Field Ac^ain wilh

o^-Dtafh "'"k^fcf fi "^'"'"r ' ''"^^^ I-o'^^-treot-Defence ofCJ^l'
his Pol Uical c!fecr n ."" ^'^^""y-Positiou in •48-What Influer.ced
ms roll (ical Career-Hereditary !)i8,,ute8 Between the OMuhoiivs and the
Ear30fK,ns8ton.-Dca.hofOmhony>Father--LeavingtheFam1?;r^
Oufln w ""^^^'k '"'"' °" "^^ ^^"'^ Question-Sheltls the ^oj^nT S
t^^h "^ '.'^ ^^ Savage-The " Reaping of Moulough "-Ri.ings n S
tember-Project8 the ReleaBe of OBrien-Perilons Escape-To Wa]c8-To

?r8°Chart':fS^D''T ''^^''^^'^^-"^

T«Hrr if ?A? ^ ''^"^""'""^^ *°^"^^t^ O'Brien-Remain, with the

Latter-At K, lenanle and Ballingarry-On the Hills-Escapes to France-!

Oa^fTr «?'?^'"''"'''^''^-^"^"^««^"'"^i«°'''^y««ciety-0'lroS
Gaehc Tutor-Stephens the French Tmnslator of Dickens-O'Mahon v ^es to
America-Stephens to Mand-Arrested-Repudiates British Law Before the
Magistrates-Escape from Prison-In America-Retirement-O'Maiony dt
fines hi8 Present Position. ^auuuy no-

The extension, if not the very existence of modern
Femanism, is indebted to the men whose names head

DOHENT, COEOOBAN, o'mABOITT 4 STEPHENS. 287

this cl,ai,ter. The existence of Irish disaffection is not
o vn,g to any one man, l,„t to the sufferings of many

that the disaffection of Ireland is immortal." But
tliere ,B none the less honor due to those who comb „e
«.gam.e and direct disaffection, so that it marcope

l.teclom. Oi those fosterers of disaffection, foundera
ot the Brotherhood and propagandists of th; org^^^^
at.on, two are m the grave, and two in retirement
The memories of the dead are eloynent with treat
truths nobly spoken, great deeds nobly done iTet
amples which cannot be buried with ftem. ' f 1 e 1''
the livmg speak for themselves. The life and tr
v.ces of either of these four men might a Hy T. dt
struc .vely be extended to a volume; but^ brfe
Bketch IS all that ean be furnished here. Being widelv
known, iiowever, there is less necessity for defaU tim
in the ease of othe,^ treated of in this book

Die name of Michael Dolieny is intimately associa-
ted with every movement suggested by the i Is ofll
country, or projected for their amelion.tion. lor m re
than a quarter of a century before his death. IliriTfe
wa. an evidence at onee of the untamoable natu e of
m .genoi. ability, and of the eares which unconqil^.

tlis iii,t twenty years were as remarkable in their un-
ettered throbbings, as the remainder were aethe I

the rostrum, at the hustings, in the journal office I„
Iiose latter years he was but putting into enei^geti"

and eloquent service the visions and impulses that vis-

288

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

Mi i'

n fe:

itod liim at the })loiio;b. Actually, he was an insi)irod
pl()u^^h-l)()y."»^ Doheny boasted of the transition, was
l)r()ud ofalludinf]^ to his yotith ; and looking at the po-
Bition he attained, the speeches he made, and the vari-
ous writings, both in prose and verse, from his accom-
plished pen, there are none who can deny the assiduity
and energy that must have produced such results.

Doheny was bcn-n 22d May, 1805, at l^rookhill, near
TVthard, County of Tipperary. His early life, like
that of so many eminent men, both dead and living—
who have loft their deep track on the road of renown,
like Jackson and Clay, Webster and Douglas, Corwiu
and Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson — was occupied in
labor — learning those needs which they, in after life, so
eloquently advocated for the masses. The son of a
small farmer, young Doheny's days were chicily spent
at the plough, not always attentively driving it, to be
sure, but ostensibly so; drinking in the memories
which every hill and stream, the clouds of sunshine
and shower overhead, and the gray ruins about him
presented, so typical of his country's gloom and glory.

His early education was scanty, but a natural desire
for books, and the unappeascd hunger for knowledge
which their perusal created, soon made a suggestive
foundation for the future orator, writer, and patriot.
He had closely approximated to the age of manhood
before an opportunity presented by which he could
approach the classics. With his usual energy, he at-
tacked and captured Latin and Greek ; and fortified
with them, he graduated from the field into the study

• '98 and M8-p. 847.

«>.mNT, concoHAN, oVa„o« * s^,,,,^^. ^gg
«9 a tntoi- nii,I w„8 thus ciiaWcl t„ s„i;,iif, i

tor «...>o :|lC ,2': "•;'"■••'»«■''.'' •'-' I-. : and aft

a« a Student oflli T *'"'" "' ♦''" temple

in London neltrilv „ T ';'•'"" "''"'"«<' ''"'■ " ""ng
i"« men who rXd &/«''■"" " T""'' "' "'« '«'«''

public speaker flj hi,n info " '"'"' P""'*^" "^ "

try^f ;?«:',!: ;;;: t\'' '•«"'™«<' '« '- -five co„„.

OasLel, he wlf ever 1ft '"'™ '"" "" """"" <=''^ "'^

J'"" "Of onlya pTfonf „;:7-T "'^ "''''"''''"' """ie
"ation. liver fhX: Wfh ^^fT"'^' """' "' "'«
I>le, 1.0 became one of tireTnl? ?'"'«" "^ '''« I'oo-
day, at ti.nes rival n^ etn O c^ t'' *f "'"^ °''<"-
tl'o Catholic A.,„eKti,n ?, ,■ ^" "'o days of

Slieil and Q-Connell -Z' 7 '*'"'' ^''^ ^'''ol'ard

t.-i,cl,ant logic, «,«";::• '"Tr"^ '" •^•^ «-"d the
0';y, the poeti a ;::;"!? 'T' '!f l'"l'"'aren-
I'rinciple, Jhe bold n ecH f 'tl , ^r'"^-™"""'^'*^"
l;ho-to suit the moo^or .1 ;:« 'T''''-^^ ''I-tro-
«>e Klowin, heart and ^r...a:^^St^

2d0

VKSt&JX UFAioEA AND MAUTrUd.

ITia pfttriotic cnor^io;^ expanded with the IncrcnHinji;
liccortsities of the Uepuul cuiirie. lie vvuh »>iu) ot'tliu
most ready uiul reliable of the <^it'te(l band whieh cir
clcd"Tho Liberator" throu<i;lu)Ut the j^reat Kepeul
movement; and niixin*; with the still yoim<:;er blood
•whieh infused itw paswion and pow(M* into the national
cause, in prose and verse, tlirou^h the eoiumns of tlu?
JVation newspa[)er, eoutribnted many ])owerful and
timely essays and poems to that then splendid o»\t:;au.

His prose writin<!;s were eharaeterized by a su<i;f;('st-
ive foree and simplieity of ar«;-ument wliieh quickly
supplied the j)opula(^e with ready reasons for national
diseussion ; while his occasional poems breathed a lov-
ing and strong elfulgence of ijispiration caught from
the hills and vales of his dear Tipperary. In every-
thing he then, or indeetl ever, wrote, there was a direct,
unswerving, hopeful purpose, growing from or guiding
his intense and devoted love of country, lie touched
nothing but to draw a lesson of perseverance from it,
to incite to noble passion in the j)ublic mind, lie was
the author of that apothegm which became one of the
world-honored shibboleths of the "Young Ireland"
p.^i-ty — " Educate, that you may be fkee ! " and by
every means he sought to iUustrate the ennobling sen-
timent by pen and tongue.

In addition to his constant labors in the F-anetam
and on the rostrum, he was a member of the cciobiured
'82 Club, an active member of the Council of the Re-
peal Association, and the important sub-committees
to M'liieh were variously referred the questions of
liuaTiC*^-: Parliamentary duty, internal resources, which

id I cir-
Kopoul
I* blood
uitioiiiil
\ of tlio
t'ul tiiul
[ o''<:;!iii.

(|iii('l<ly
liitional
d a lov-
it IVoiu

I cvery-

II direct,
guiding
touched
from it,
lie was

e of the

rehmd "

and by

iing sen-

■•anotam
iobiured
the Re-
iiniittei'ri
ition-s of
IS, which

nonrav, comicitAN, o'M.um^v 4 8TE..,niOT. 201

Sr;:;;i.:';:;;r ;::-■- « «-'-.....

'"III till' n.' It to (lirt'cr Ti. n, •" iH,(, B|i((.(.|,

i.Ni,,|M , altiT the pivwccution of (i'i> ■

jearninjrH of h^ k„„i „ ""„ I*^!*'^' ^iie passionate
J ^,H < I J118 feoiiJ, as well as the endcavoi-H ..r i •

associates, have hoPTi n<. *' . ^ *^"<'^hvoi8 ot Ins

anow-.;,,..,::, ;;:;:i!r;::;'"'"'""''"^^ -"""

It 18 not the time for im tn f<ji i •

;;■" "";■« •" !■.», ij ,mi, „ ■' to n ™',':, :;■

8tates~hindinL^ • -^ , Jtotnconited

SSSiSUMB

292

fENlAN fiEEOES AND MA11TYR8.

known in politics <iiid letters, as an able spealcer and
locturei', and otherwise endeared liiniselfto his friends
and many m^n of distinction by-those loveal)le char-
acteristics of head and heart which we can but faintly
analyze here.

Amid the many vicissitudes surrounding the exile,
Michael Doheriy kept "the whiteness of his soul."
The same star that shone over his hopes in Ireland and
led him into exile, was his beacon and his glory in it.
His brain was ever liiuminated by it. It was to him
the eternal and unquenchable lamp in his temple of
immortality. The liopes and feelings which bent in
liomage to it, found vent in participation in various
Irish societies and military organizations, and in the
constant use of hio pen and tongue, whenever oppor-
tunity presented to expound or give aid and comfort
to the darling projects of his manhood ; in all of which
he was lovingly and enthusiastically seconded and ani-
mated by a devoted wife, and by a sister-in law — now,
alas, no more — to whose untiring solicitude, under all
circumstances of his career, he has left us most touch-
ing and ennobling testimony. He was a member of
every society started in Kew York for the dissemina-
tion of Irish principles, or the aid of those who kept
alive the patriotic fire in Ireland. His connection
Avith the Fenian Brotherhood has already been noticed.
His soul was centered on it. It presented to him a
])rospect which would more than repay his life-lonir
labors — under every change of fortune — to the great
cause. But he passed away before it had assumed the
gigantic proportions which set the world wondering.

«>•"'•-, COKCO..., o-^„„„ ^ ^^^^^^ ^^^

-"t a th.il, tl..!„„h tl l; ' f:"?f «'• '- decc;.e
inends, as well as S,e com'". ," """"'"''''^ «"<1
»»' yet, even after five "'" / ^ "' ^^'S"' ^^""^^ !'««
a ealm comprehension oi tt; ;'" "'"'f "'•'^'' "^"^^ '»
:vl.o knew and loved him Z T'*"^ *''"'■ ^''ose
'" his faith, can scareeT; vet r ''"' ""■'' ''"I-
I^ol'^yis no more-thtf t L , "' ''"" ^''-''"'^^
q«ent to„g«,, ,,j,;,,, once in • '?!r^' "'"'«^ ^"^' «'»-

vithm our circle to cnlive" u v ^ ?" "" "'""'^ ^'"'"^
"^""ifi-eminiscences, and "xaU T ",' """""" ""d
Pofes in which he alone lived "'"','''« ''«'y P"'-
^<""g- Boheny was one of .f' "''''''' '»«' I'ad a
">-. whose de^ar're th?" 'T'^"'^-'' "--^y
•■"ely permit onrselves to thW- of '"'T^ '""'l" -e
»"• .1" Ws h>st„nce, the lo a„d^.ff "! ' '<^^^ '" "well
and mnocence of heart inst, vC^ f "''"»" ''^ P'-'-'tK

Eichard O'Gorman, John S, ^^ "''" ^''^hhjy'
liavanagh, Patrick b'l)'! . > f ' ^^'P'"'" J-./in
"^■•^^'iV-ciatesinir '"^'" ^^"S'-. whl

294

^^mm HEH0B8 A.^ „^^^„,_

to the faith of the Irii;^'''' "'''''' *"""'"'"■« ^""^ion
chad Corcoran. "At ft if ''^P-'e^'ented by Mi-

^aid, "was the nobt IIh'', f'' ^"'^ "'"H"'"'
'ant officer, to wl.om 7™! ^f .r't' ""' ^^'■
W.3 due-a descendant Tt °^ "^ ''ft<''--d>»acter
ilJustrioua Irish soldier P., •', '^^""'^ ''"^ "^ t^at
tnean, whose name s idrnr«1 ^^''^'^'^' ^"I of
I'-Wek, and whT ta, ' tit' aT'! f f'^^"^ '^^
bnsade upon the Moody le d ff t *''f ''""1 "*' t'"'
Colonel Corcoran ,•= . , I-anden. # • »

Southern retaliat In but T'7, '"' '^^-S^^"!
doling that he owes his "ad b ^ '^'^''^^^^tion of
to having acted as be le\ i ^T^ P-'e-eminence

made Sar^field im,„„,t^, ^^^ f^ I^"ner,ct_which
^•ere not without a reprise L °"''7^" ^ "f Shgo
•nuseofCarolan InT'T ^^ '^'"' '^Pi'-^d tha

f-n the Irish, comCncrnl'' '°""' " ^"^"'^ -"S ^
O'Corcoran. thv fimt- >.« v •

in honor of one of tlie lieroes of f]..f . ,
as Corcoran, ,n offieei Tn ^f t ' :"^^^^- '^^<>^
tnnied from the M^,,, Incl^^s ard^"''-^' "''^'"'^ '^
^'^^H^J, was, in t]ie ycni IS04 ^"^ ^'^^"'^^ ««

HeDono^rh Of tin'. ' ^^vn^d to Hiss JVfarv

2l8t September, 1827, at Ca^

! .

s^ Brigade, and
d to the " Old
niching allusion
•esented by Mi-
(tlie 69thj,» ho
irited and gal-

after-cliaracter

e line of that

'field, Earl of

the siege of

e head of his
len. * # «

lis of a rebel

^r revengeful

satisfaction of

pre-eminence

3f Sarsiield.'*

3rick-~which
'^'s of Sligo

inspired the
of the iHs^
heaxty song

■i

<:■ ■. <i^.

''■*■'-

lim,**

le. Thon>
service, re-
I'etired on
^iss Mavy
Corcoran,
^, at Caiw

m^^

' ,y

m I

Via.

f.'Ml(

l: :.

'OuIy-Wade-i

r-;

Jvhh

> •*

i< . •

I it t t

■';>a ui(*

'^''■^^ ^^^'t proiid |.

• . I

• . . '1'*

• J.

' ' I * -♦.<.'

I'-;

'!.U

. .'0 Kl(

■ . • '1'.*

M >,

>, *

»t;otan nmoE3 Am MAnrras, 295

mvfeol !n the Oo„„ty of Sl,>. After rcceivin-. .„

J isl. Constabulai-y establishn,ent-resi,4d tins o
■ , ^ on and emigrated to An^e.-ica in im. G t d

TJie military career of Corcoran may be dat^d f,.
l'..s entrance into the 69th Kcgiment, N Y g m'"^

trtted :^.t .-■'.'■r '^-'^ -'^'eW^

r,"'t^iiea by early aisciplme, developer] nn^ i
Dccanie Orderly 8o7-«rpnnf t- ^ ^^veiupea, and he

Which Posuion\,tXhi :rsrji;::T^ -■-

General's iep,^tUd ,"""'"*' ""'^ "'" ^"^P^'«-

ins Company A aTt! 1 * ?■" ^°'''=°™"' command-
not. addT'ht' lit :^r ""'^^'^'^^, would

among the best, if nte'veT: it ::^' 'V'^'' »
the first division." On "5 iV A . ?* '""'""'^ ™
Corcoran was elected CoS ^T' ''''' «^P'-"
from that time his name an ' hat ofMT R?-' "'
were synonymous Tl.o f, "egimcnt

the whole eoTnt T on he •" ^"l ''™"S'" before

I-Mnce of WatZto ^1"° "c'"' ""' 5 "'«
^.."Pathized with the cause o/'Lh kShJ^

'¥

rf "" it

20G DOIIENY, CORCORAN, oVaHONT i^ STEPHENS.

was the prisonal frioiul of Bf.voval of tlio cxlloa ^v^lO
were in-o.uin.nt i.i ^48, and, last-not Icast-waB ono
ofthcfouiulerHof tliO Fcniau Urothorborxl. Ho c c-
clinod to parade the IviBh-boni citi/ons under liis irnli-
tary conunaud, to do honor to the b*.u of a Sovereign
under whose rule and in wliosc name the best men raised
in Irehmd for half a century were banished. He was
consistent with the heroes with whom tradition associ-
ated his blood, not less than with the corps he com-
man<led; his own theories, and the principles ot tho
• Brotherhood he souo;ht to extend. This action brou^dit
Corcoran under considerable censure and a court-mar-
tial; but there was a speedy clia.i^^e in the opimon of
those who thouj^ht the ruthless conduct ot Grea bntam
to tho Union durino; the war a base requital lor tho
hospitality extended to the heir-apparent.

Colonel Corcoran's action at the breakino; out of tho
Rebellion was quite characteristic of his patriotic
character. His unselHsh and upright course was one
of the most severe blows the sy mpalhize.-s with -eess.on
in the North received. Many of the othcers ot tl;e G9 1
. were doubtful of tlie propriety of " turning out while
their Colonel was undergoing a court-m.u'tial for an
act which they justitied. Lnmediately, Corcoran, ,n
a publicletter, implored them not to take hnn into
any account, brt to stand by the flag ol the Umou
and the sacred principles involved m its sustamment
The court-martial was quashed ; the Umon sentiment
of tbc IriBh rushed like a torrent into the ranks ot he
army ; and the 69th left for the seat ot war, attended
by one of the greatest demonstrations recorded m the
history of New York.

PKNIAN HEIIOE8 AND MARTYRS. 207

^ Tn tlio pron.,.0^3 of tho ard.iouB labors n^^hmc<] to
MB corrm..uwl Colonol Coroorun won tho ostcom <,f tho

ho Jn.tcd States ofKooPB with whom ho co..,,e..ato<l.
As the bulwark and .,mnt.;arde of tho briptdo, hav-

ng in spoc.al chari.0 tho dofonoo of tho principal avo-
mu3S roni V.rp-nia into Washington, tho G<Jth w<.ri
enduring h.>nors. All through its so;vice-at AnL'
poliH, along tho radroad to tho Junction ; at Geor,..

tovvn ; durnig the buihiing of l^rt CVu-coran-a namo
conlorrod by tho War De,>artuu.nt-along Arlington
He.ghts; at tho roliof of tho Ohio troops at tho
radroad near Vionna; tho various midnight alarms
and preparations in and out of camp ; and tho
8ubsc.juont movements at Centroville, ending at
the battle of Bull Ituu-tho indomit^lblo Coh>nel
gave h.3 regiment unceasing examples of counu^o
and patr,otism. Ho greatly distinguished Inmself
at Lull Run, and wo believe was the only ono
othcially chronicled (see General Sherman's /enort)
as having brought his ivgiment off the field in a'hol-
iow square.-^ In this duty Corcoran was wounded '
and soon after captured. For some time ho was pri!
soner m Richmond ; afterwards at Castle Pincknev
Charleston Imrbor ; and in anticipation of an assault
by the Port Royal expedition, he was removed to Co-
lumbia, in tho interior of South Carolina. Soon after
his capture, he was offered liberation on condition that
he would not again take up arms. Indignantly repel-

* SCO "Notable Men of tho Time," &c., 2d Edition; Franlj Moore N Y
G. P. Putnam; from which this sketch is condensed. *

■'w-

• f!

298 DOnENT, CORCORAN, o'MAnONY A STEPnENfl.

UnjT the overture, ho avowed liiB faith in the Union,
and dochired he wonhl take up arms just as s 'on as
cn-cunistances would ])crinit.

Upon CoU)nel (Corcoran, j)rohably more than on any
other of the Union prisoners, was public attention
fixed at that tiuie. The announcement that ho was
chosen as one of the hostages for the Gafety of the
privateers, condemned to death as pirates, sent an in-
dignant thrill of pity and shame throughout the North,^
and iixed more intently and impatiently tlic minds of
thiiddng men on the 8ub;ect of a general exchange of
orisoners ; and a connnission, composed of llirani
Barney, Esq., Collector of I^ew York, Judge Daly,
and Messrs. Richard O'Gorman and John Savage,
Esqs., was induced to proceed to AVashington to con-
fer with the Cabinet and Congress on the immediato
and humane necessity of such a proceeding. For
several days the Committee were actively engaged
canvassing tiie leading minds at the seat of Govern-
ment, and on the lOth December, they were invited
by the President to attend a full Cabinet council.
Their efforts were satisfactory in an eminent degree.*
In August, 1802, Colonel Corcoran was exchanged,
and immediately commissioned by President Lincoln
as Brigadier General, to date from the day of his cap-
ture. The progress of Corcoran from prison to New
York, through camps, cities and towns, was a brilliant
and marvelous ovation, and served only to bring out
more fully the dignity of his character, and to develop
his dormant talents in a very remarkable manner.

* " iJotable Men," &c,, p. 5^,

•SP'

FENIAN TTEnOES AND MAnTTRS. 200

ITI^ B]W(Oi(vs in ro|)lj to ninnIoi].al nddi-osfios and pop-
ular outhui-f^ts, aMnictcd iiiiivtT.sul adciition to him us
a i.iun of iH'oiiipt tliounlitBtiiid folicitiou8 cxprn^sion,
as well as of uiillinohin.ir oonrn^^o and decinivo action. *
Iiinnodiately entoriiig on Lis now duties, ho recniir'-d
and orgunizcd the famous " Irish Locrion," and was in
the iield by tho middle of Novond)or, ro})ortin"- to
]\rajor General J3ix at Fortress Monroe. He innne-
diatoly encamped at Newjmrt News, and towards the
end of Decinnher ])roceeded to Suff'olk. In January
General Corcoran, in comniaiid of several details from
the various regiments of the division, was sent to check
a movement of the rebels, under Cieneral Pry or, across^''
the r»laclvwater. At four o'clock, on the morning of
the 30th, tlie troops structk the enemy near a deserted
house, from which the light tliat onsue<l took its name.
Ihe rebels were repulsed, and the General command-
ing, JMajor-Gencral Peck, issued the following order:

"TTeadqtjartkrs, Suffolk. Va., Feb. 6, ]863.
*Tlie commanding General desii-es vo thank Bri-adier General
Corcoran and the troops assigned to his conmumd,' for Iheir cro.^d
conduct and gallant bearing in tho engagement of the; ;50th Jan-
uary, 1803, at Deserted House, which resulted in drivhig the enemv
to the Blaekvvater. " -= j

In April Longstreet and ITill invested Snifolk with
over thirty tluHisund men. During this seige General
Corcoran, who had been assigned to the command of
the iirst division of the Seventh Corps, made a i-econ-

u.iH^r'*'!"-"?"'"'^^^'^*^'''' "'^'l'-'"'"''*'- «"^ especially Mb corroBromlnu.o
w>th tmu Jam.« B. Kirker. auci other fiends portions of which have ouni
their way into print, will br collected and give,, o niB countrymen enth^

300 DOriENV, CORCORAN, o'mAIIONY & BTEPIIENg.

noisnneo, with nhoiit fivo tlioumiul men, to fiii<l out
the posiHon and Bti'cnj;'th of tlio oiKMiiy, aiitl had a
brisk (Miga<5enient on tlio K<lenton Koud, imcovuriiij^
tlio enemy's position and driving him from tlio breast-
works. This galhmtry a«j;ain drew fortii tlio specMal
congratulation of the l)ei)artiiient Commander. In
conseciuenco of the <lisal)ility of General I'eek, who
was c<mtined to his bed, the chief command devolved
on General Corcoran, who com[)letely hailled Long-
street, who raised the siege after a inontirs vain efforts,
and after the raisinir of most extensive works to eifect his
object. The rebels driven over the Blackwator, Long-
street being comi)elled to retire, the evacuation of
Sutfolk was decided on ; and the inqjortant duty wa3
assiirned to Corcoran, lie was now placed in com-
mand of the defences of Portsmouth ; thence to the
Department of Washington, and assigned an import-
ant position for the defence of the Capital. His head-
quarters were at Centreville, and subsequently at
Fairfax Court [louse, where occurred the sad accident
which deprived (on 22d December, 18(53,) the army of
the Union of one of its most devoted oilicers, and tho
future army of Ireland of an efUcicMit leader, who
hoped to culminate his military career on an Irish
battle-field for Irish rights.

General Corcoran was, as stated, one of the foun-
ders of the Fenian Ih'otherhood, and through the days
of its trials one of its most ho[)efiil workers, lie saw
it spread to be a power, to vindicate Its military chnr-
'acter on the field for republican liberty and the Irish
name J was ono of tho Central Council, and gavo

ill I

FENIAN lIEltOES AND MAUTYRS.

801

ev.ry facility to exten.l it. runiificatioM^ tlu-un..]. tlio
ann.v, so thut tl.o b.st nnd l.ruvost noldiurs might bo
enlisted ill tho cuiKso 80 dear to Ids Jioart.

On tho bank, of tho Snir, at a placo called Mnl-
<>"«h,.n tho County Tippomry, there lived, in the
b^^-nn.n. o '48, a ^entlen.an fUr.ner of a.nple means
and horon^^h edueat.on, of unassuming manners and
c ovoted pa riofsn., in whoso warm so.rthern nature a
deep knowle,li;e of the ancient Celtic ton<.uo and mis-
lortunes broode.l and tinet with a nih-nt hut lofty ven-
entt.on and enthusiasm, the hopes and aspirations
wh.eh at the period n.anifested themselves in tho
loun- Ireland party-who, in a word, was a " rebel-"
apure-souled,hi,i.h-hcarted, oourai^eous, and in his diV
tnet-wh.eh encompassed the counties of Tipperary,
Waterford, and K.llcen,.v-most powerful rebel His
name was John O'Mahony. *

O'Mahony was born at Clonkilla, a lovely spot on
the south bank of the Funcheon, as it flows out of
JMitehelstown demesne, and reared at JCiibenny with
which the pleasantest associations of his early life are
connected. With it also are connected memories
w u(,h are deeply and intensely reflected in his politi-
ca. career. Kilbenny had been the first restincr phice
ot the branch of the O'Mahony's which settled'in the
noi-hborhood. They held it of the Earls of Kinc.-
ston; who in turn held Clonkilla of the O'Mahony''^
Their families were hereditary and bitter enemies, and

* '98 and '48» pp 352-3.

•

302 DOHENY, COEGOEAN, o'mAHONT A STEPHENS.

on tlie death of John O'Mahony's father, who had
been a powerful Nationahst, and with whom the lease
of Xilbenny expired, the iiat went forth that the
O'Mahony's should be exterminated, as there could
not be "two lords" in that neighborhood. To be
thus compelled to leave the hearth which had become
sacred by family associations, at the will of an upstart
Saxon lord, was like tearing out the heart of O'Maho-
ny. It was in 1840, while pacing for the last time
the deserted rooms of the old house, which still stands
over the weird town Loch-na-Anna, that John O'Ma-
hony iir£t conceived those ideas on the Irish Land
question, which he has since brooded over and advo-
cated until they have become a distinguishing charac-
teristic of Fenianism. He learned to feel for the
other victims of the Irish Land law by the poignancy
of his own grief and indignation. Against such
wrongs he did not see the use of what was called
" Constitutional agitation ;" and it was not until he
saw the young Irelanders about to take the held that
he exerted the influence which his family wrongs and
his associations with the people gave liim.

When the leaders took "to the hills," he succored,
aided, and cheered them, and when they were arrest-
ed, wandering outlawed througli the island, or seeking
the shores of America and France, O'Mahony still
brooded over the wrongs and sorrows of the fatherhind.
He could not leave his native hills. He looked down
the golden valley of the Suir, and said, as Cromwell
said when gloating over the same scene, " This is a
country worth fighting for." Looking for O'Brien

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTTES.

303

and Meai^her, John Savac^e met O'Maliony, and tliey
remained togetlier, organizing the coiintiy while any
hope remained. Dolienj says, " tlicy spent many
anxious nights in omnel together, when it was sup-
posed all spirit had left tlie country. The first os-
tensible object that brought the people together under
theirimmediate guidance and control, was the reap-
ing of a field of wheat belonging to O'Mahony. A
vast crowd, amounting to several hundred stalwart
men, assembled. They had scarcely entered on their
labor when the approach of a troop of horse was an-
nounced. O'Mahony and Savage were compelled to
retire. The military cavalcade rode through the peo-
pie and the corn, but the reapers desisted not, giving
no pretext for any arrests or further outrage from the
soldiers."* The time for defiance and resistance was
yet some weeks ahead. Savage at once threw the in-
epiritmg scene into the following verses, to a popular
air •

THE REAPING OF MOULOUGH.

^i>— " Irish Molly O."
If Nature gave to human life a centuried length of years
And with them gave the strength of mind for which' age only

ril bless that glorious harvest-day, and chronicle the date

For 'tis a smile 'midst mem'ry's tears for sorrowed 'Forty-eight.

From far and wide the Reapers came, through love our cause they
bore, -^

From Commeragh's wild to GUevenamon-from Grange to Galtee-
more ;

• Dohenv'8 " Felon's Track," p. 157^. »

n <

I ' J I

804 POllKNV, CORCORAN, o'mAIIONV & STIIPIIENS.

liikd stroiiinl(^tH malilnp; to tlio scft, liko wrcclcM men t"o a rock,
Tlu-y limruHl down, iiiul guthorcd at tlio lloapiiig of Moulough.

God bless the sturdy ili'iip^'i's ' and God bless llio mind lliat, gave
The thoughl, lliat, made their sinews aid and help the outlawed

bravc! 1
The minds that live in noble deeds, all carlh-mado vauntera mock.
And souls like yours are Freedom's hope, yo Reapers of Mou-
lough I

Oh 1 bond the R(>apcrs joyfully 1— the hook with fervor plies,
And maidens of tlie sminy soutli bind up the falling prize 1
Oh I may the tyrants of our soil ho fall before our wrath.
And wives of Irish victors aid to bind them in their path I

Bright thoughts of Freedom 'woke my mind, as bound was stook

and sheaf;
There thousands not loss noble souls aroujid the nobk; Chief,
And eager waited but the word to make ea(!h stook a rock-
To plant the Flag of Freedom at the Reaping of Moulough 1

The orgJinization of tlic disaifectod districts resulted
in the iiisiirroctioiiiiry moveiiicnts in Tii)perai7 and
AVaterford, which couuiieneed on the 12th Septem-
ber. O'Mahony, hy a series of really startlin*^ adven-
tures, eluded the vigilance of the police, lie was in
Olonmel during the trial of O'Brien, organizing a
force to attacli the Court House, when he was dis-
covered, and saved himself by heaping from a back
window. He ultinuitely escaped from Island Castle,
between Bonmahon and Dungarvan, in the County
AVaterford, in a collier, and was laiuled in AVales,
where he remained for six weeks, until an oi)i)ortunity
offered tor his conveyance to France. He resided in
Paris for five years.

FENIAN HEB0E8 AND MAETTRS.

305

James Stephens is a native of tlic City of Kilkcnnv
ZtV''' T'"''"'''^' ^''""'" '"rty-tl'ree and forty!
fZ.l,T7 '^•- "" '•'^™'^«<^ " g-d education,

^^a8byJ„•oesE.on a surveyor and civil engineer and
durmg tl,e latter years of O'Connell's repeal a^ h^tion
he was engaged ou the groat Southern and Wste™
Radway works, at Inchieore, Dublin. About tli!
mo pol,t,es connneneed to throw their fascination o

clubs In the early part of '4S his professional duties
brought h„n from Dublin to Thurles, in the Co 1
of 1 pperary, and in the S.unuier he took advantage

While m Iv.lkenny an incident occurred which

changed the whole current of his life-that was he

an-est m that city of Mr. Patrick O'Donohoe wl

was entrusted with dispatches from Dublin to Mr

,,'™"' ^ J^" P''"'='^«dcd on his mission to Kilken!

clubs. He was known to none of the members and
became at once the object of suspicion. It \va7
accordmgly, determined to send him the rest of his
journey under arrest, and Stephens and another mem-
ber were appointed to that duty. They proceeded To
Cashel, w ere Mr O'Donohoe was wa,Uy welcomed
by M.. O Bneu whose fate he thenceforth determined
to share. Mr. Stephens came to the same resolution •
but the other guard refused to commit himself to for-'
tunes wluch apposed so desperate. With Messrs

btepheus and O'jJonohop tl,;« «„,.,. ^ ».-.. ,'

— ... ,^^j wcB^ciauoa acted

306

DOIIENT, CORCORAN, o'mAHONY A STEPHENS.

as the most ennoblin- and irresistible iiiducemf nt.
Tliey clung to him to the last, with a fidelity the more
nntirinj; in proportion as the circumstanees povtended
immine"it disaster and ruin." * AH through O'Brien 9
movements Stephens exhibited an earnestness which
won the approval of all who witnessed it. At Killui-
aule when O'Brien's party threw up some barricades
to intercept the passage of a troop of dragoons, young
Stephens suddenly raised his rifle and covered the
oflicer in command ; his finger was on the trigger.
« One moment," says Mitchel, " and Ireland was in
insurrection." Dillon sternly ordered him to lower
his rifle, and the oflicer, pledging his honor he was not
seeking the arrest of O'Brien, was led through by
Dillon himself. At the Ballingarry afl'air, Stephens,
with McManus, and the late Captain John Kavanaugh
of the Irish Brigade,! was clear-sighted an efficient
After the failure of O'Brien's movement, he had
many adventures with O'Mahony and Dohcny, and
finally escaped to France.

At this period, the Continent of Europe generally,
and Paris particularly, was inwoven with a network
of secret political societies, at once the terror and the
offspring of the sway of tyrants. Tliey had peculiar
fascinations for those whose former attempts at rebel-
lion had proved failures, simply for the want of previous
organization of the revolutionary elements. . O Maho-

• "Felons' Track," p. 96.

♦ This gallant officer, whose first wonnd for liberty was received In Ws natlT*
Jd at Sliarr,. fell defending hi. adopted country on the field of Antletam,
17th September, 1864.

FENIAN EEE0E8 AND MAETYBS.

307

ny and Stephens soon conceived the idea of enfcrinc:
the most powerful of those societies, and acquirinfr the
means by which an undisciplined mob can be most
ijeadily and effectually marched aj^ainst an anny of
professional cut-throats." Accordingly, they became
enrolled members and pupils of some of the ablest
masters of revolutionary science which the nineteenth
century has produced. In one point alone they ne-
lected to copy from their continental instructors-they
devised no means of visiting with summary chastise-
ment such members of their organization as were led
by ambition, arrogance or cupidity, into the unpardoii-
able crimes of treason and insubordination

^ Stephens was an accomplished linguist, and, in time,
his knowledge of the French language enabled him to
contnbuteto the feuiUeton Go\mnm of the Paris news-
papers. Every succeeding effort of his astonished
those who were aware of his foreign birth and educa-
tion ; but his great triumph was his success in trans-
la ing Ijickens into French. Those translations,
which were published, we believe, in La Presse.^l
tracted the attention of the Paris literary world, and
were a source of extreme surprise and gratification to
the distinguished author of '' David Copperfield." His
eltorts as a litterateur thus brought Stephens a hand-
some compensation, which, added to certain remit-
tances which O'Mahony received from time to time
cut of the remains of his Irish patrimony and the
product of his exertions as instructor of Gaelic to some
students of the Irish College, enabled our exiles to
live comiortahly enouo-h.

■h

f1 ■<

'iL i.i

808

DOHENT, CORCOKAN, o'mAHONY * STEPHENS.

After working night and day at their tuitions, trans-
lations, and above all, their revolutionary schemes, it
was decided to make another attempt, and on a prac-
tical basis, to organize the Irish race at home and
abroad, and continue, on a fv- .\.t.ion of discipline
the struggle for national indej, . .ce. '

O'Mahony came to America towards the close of
1853, and Stephens went to Ireland. Under the coo--
nomen of Shook, the latter, in 1858 and in 1859, was
known to be an active participator in the " Phoenix
Conspiracy," and during the prosecutions in Tralee
and Cork, which followed, he was constantly referred
to in the evidence given by the informer, O'SulUvan
(Goula.) He disappeared at the time of the trials
but returned subsequently. The onward career of
O'Mahony and Stephens in connection with the Fenian
organization, is outlined in the historical introduction.
The latter became widely known, and the author-
ities were eager for his capture, which was at last
effected between five and six o'clock on the morning of
the nth November, 1865, by Colonel Lake, attended
by over thirty police and detectives, who surrounded
his residence, Fairfield House, Sandy Mount. Scaling
the garden walls, they knocked at the back door
Almost immediately Stephens came to the door
and inquired " Who was there 3 " The constables an-
nounced themselves as police officers authorized by
warrant to enter and search the house. Stephens hesi-
tjited in opening the door, stating that he was un-
dressed. The police promised not to resort to force or
violence if he compUed with theii- request. Stephens

WMAJJ HEROES AKD MAETnsS. 309

drove it n Tl ^'^'"'r ^^"S""^' "'"' I^^'^-^n
d.ove,t,n Stephens rushed up stairs, followed by

rol his" V'f • "™ '"'" <="^'°^^ - '- -™ bed^
room las w,fe bemg i„ the apartment at the time

ug the police, and said, "Are you goin<. to take mv
husband from me?" Inspector IlSghes then se^^
down for Constable Dawson to identify the prUe^
Dawson proceeded to the bedroom, and on Lt^i g

"Who fC "^ ^'"' ^'"^''""^ ^ " ^''P^"^' replied;
Who the devU are you,sir2» Dawson then told

him who he was, and Stephens replied, "Oh, I have

read enough about you-I want no favo^. W fe Z

will never see me again." The house was then M-

bedrtlf.? "'^."'^^ andBrophy, who were all in
bed at the time. The police, " over thirty in number
were well armed, and entered with pistols inftS
hands, but the prisonei^ offered no resistance. Pistol

the police found immense quantities of bacon flour
bread, &o.-enough, in fact, to feed all the pmi^ for
near a twelvemonth." On some of them, too'lTs t
gold was found, and a bank check for a lar erCint
andothei.of them were likewise well proWdTS
cash The prisoners were placed in separate cabs, each
in charge of three officei^, and wei^ lodged n the
Wr Castle yard at half-past six o'clock

before the Magistrate, under tlm T,.„=„i, «m„__ "°

310 DOHENY,

CORCORAN, MAHONT

& STEPHENS.

After some further identification, the hearing was ad-
journed to the next day, when Mr. Stephens acted in
a very bold manner. In reply to the Magistrates, he
said :

" I feel bound to say, in justification of, or rather with a view
to, my own reputation, that I have employed no attorney or law-
yer in this case, and that I mean to employ none, because, in mak-
ing a plea of any kind, or filing any defence — I am not particular-
ly well up in these legal terms — I should be recognizing British
Jaw in Ireland. Now, I deliberately and conscientiously repudiate
the existence of that law in Ireland — its right, or even its exist-
ence. I repudiate the right of its existence in Ireland. I defy and
despise any punishment it can uiflict on me. I have spoken."

The prisoners were committed for trial, and removed
to Richmond Bridewell.

The defiance of Stephens before the Magistrate, and
his repudiation of British law in Ireland, tantalized
the leading English press exceedingly. They sneered
at his assumption and ridiculed his " I have spoken."
They had not ceased leveling their shafts of satire at
their prisoner, when the three kingdoms were startled
by the news of his escape froi:^ prison. A howl of
mingled indignation and trepidation went forth, and
the conviction forced itself upon the minds of those
who sneered at his defiance, that Stephens "knew
what he was about." The fear into which the authori-
ties were thrown sharpened their memory, and many
threats and rumors were remembered, which did not
add to their peace of mind. Among these was a state-
ment, made some months before, that Stephens had, in
various disguises, visited all the jails in Ireland, had

FENIAN HEROES AND M.VR'TrRS. SJI

tested tlieir strength, and declared that none of them
were strong enough to hold him. " The extreme dar-
ing and cleverness of the conception and execution of
this feat, said a Tory journal,- " also recalls to mind
the fact-a strange one, to say the least-that the
American Fenians have boasted of the knowledge they
had con rived to acquire of Irish prisons, and the pow-

SVeteM.'' "" ^'^ ^'-^"^^^^^ '^^^^ '^ ^^^-^^'^-7
The escape of Mr. Stephens was effected on the early
morning of l^ovember 24. The night was dark and
tempestuous, and very favorable for the attempt, as
the s orm and rain prevented the incidental noises
rom being heard. The Richmond prison is situated
m an isolated position, on the Circular Road. There
are no houses in front, and the canal is in the rear.
The locality is httle frequented, especially at night. •
The cell occupied by Stephens was in the corrkloi
leading to tbe eastern wing of the building, and ad^
joming the Chapel. His cell door was composed of
strong hammered iron, and secured by a massive stock
lock, a huge padlock to a staple, and a thick swingincr
bar. The corridor on which the cell opened wal
guarded by another ponderous iron door of m-eat
strength and thickness, and also double-locked Rut
these were only the commencement of the obstaclps
that would prevent escape by the doors; and escape
irom the windows was absolutely impossible After
leaving his cell, the padlock oi which had been opened

♦ " Dublin Evening MaiL"

.) -

312 DOHENY, COECORAN, o'mAHONY A STEPHENS.

bj a skeleton key, he liad to pass throu^rh about ei-ht
locked doors, three of which had two locks, and alFof
which were left open, except one, which was relockcd
to prevent pursuit.

At a quarter to four in the morning, Daniel Byrne
the watchman, gave the alarm, stating that he had
discovered two tables, placed one above the other, near
the southwestern wall, adjoining the Governor's gar-
den. ^ It was found that these tables belonged to the
lunatic dining-hall, and had to be brought a long dis-
tance There were no footprints on the upper table,
which should have been the case had it been stood on
by any pei-son who had walked through the open pas-
sages, which were wet and muddy, as torrents of rain
were falling. The wall bore no marks whatever of
any person having escaped by climbing over it. When
the Governor and his assistants went to the section of
the prison in which Stephens had been confined, they
found the doors of the corridor open, and also the door
of his cell. His bed looked as if he had not recently
slept in It, and as if he had only relied himself up in
a railway rug which was found on the floor, and wait-
ed for the time that his deliverer was to arrive A por-
tion of the clothes which he wore on the moriiino- of
his arrest he left after him, and he must have put o^'n a
suit of black, which he had received a few days before
Ills books and papers were in the position they were
last seen m by the warders. The searchers for the fu-
gitive were not left long in doubt as to the means by
which the many doors were opened, a^ a master-key
quite bright, as if it had been only recently made, wm

rs.

ut eight
id all of
'clocked

Byrne,
he had
er, near
r's gar-
l to the
>ng dis-
r table,
ood on
en pas-
of rain
ever of
When
tion of
i, they
e door
cently
' up in
I wait-
A. por-
ting of
t on a
)efore.
' were
he fu-
ns by
r-key,
3. was

FENIAK nEROES AND MARTYRS. 313

e^ L,r, ,">' "" ""''^ "'^■'"""'•^ »"<! vc«el« going to

Bemoh and inqun-ics were continued in the priaon and
in Its neigliborliood. '^ "

Jlreof' '^''^™'/'"" 5'«Pl>enB was under tlio

P son to the other waa accomplislied without a .in<.le
Wnnder, or without balking at a loek or door Th t

that n • \-^ '""""''^^ ""^ ^'"'"'^d on learning
that Daniel Byrne, who had formerly been a ^0^^
™an,had left tl.at force to join the Ba alien ofsf
Pa nek, n the Pope's army, had retu.-ned to Ire and
after the affair of Castelfidardo, and that papers wem
found among his effects associating him wiX he fI
n.an Brotherliood. " With such facets befru '' s^d

hoMoft"Gf""' "f--^-^ !>«- ^d,Whatsn.<:^
iiold of the Government is safe fr,.m the treacher- of
n>on who eat the Queen's bread? Are t ,e 1- ink
and magazines? Is the Bank of Ireland?'' '

sued offe7'' *' ™«7"-<=''ted, and a proclamation is-
sued, offering a reward of £1,000 for information lead-
>.^ to the arrest of Stephens, and of f 800 for the an-est
any person who harbored, received or assisted lim
>vith a free pardon, in addition to the reward to a"y
persons coneerned in the escape who would gvet"^
lormation to lead to his arrest. ^

Outside the prison Stephens was met by Colonel- T

^it

DOIIENY, COliCOUAN, OMAIIONV <k 8TKPI1EN8.

J. Kelly and .Tolm Flood, mul IiIh Hnl)soqn(.Mit oac!i])0
to Fnuico iiiul virtit to America ia told in the Hkc^tcli of
the former, who has sinco had a atill more ihrllliiii;',
thon<;jii less mysterious, escape from the hands of the
mitliorities in Manchester on ue 18th September,
18(57.

Of O'Mahony's laborrt in America a brief oiitlino
luift been given in connection with the jirogress of tlio
Fenian movement,* up to his retiring from a lead-
ing part in it, on the arrival of Mr. Ste[>hensin Amer-
ica. The position of Mr. ()'Mali«)ny, then and since,
has been deiined by himself, f and it is due to his ser-
vices to give his own words. Of the past, he says :

For more than eight years I hold the position of Chiof Ofllccr of
the Fenian Brotlierhood in America. By excessive labor and
ceaseless vigilance, I built it up till it became the most extciisivo,
If not the most efTcctive, revolutionary organization of Irislunon
that over existed. I may also assort that it would not, with i/s
other swroinidings, have ever reached its lato magnitude, cither
at homo or in this country, but for my persevering exertions. Dur-
ing all luy administrative career, I am not conscious to myself of
liaving conuuitted one dishonest or one seltish act. From the first
to the last, I have had around me, cognizant of my oflicial con-
duct, many men who have since become my bitterest enemies.
Not one of these persons has ever come forward openly to charge
me specilically with such an act, though several of them have be-
trayed my most secret confidence in other matters. They can-
not do it. During the same time I have had oflicial comnnuii-
cation, both by word and letter, with many thousands, hundreds

•See Ulstorical Introduction.

+ Letter addressed to D. O'SuUivan, Esq., Editor "Irish People," dated New
York, April 19th, 1867.

fKNIAN nUBOM AMD MARTYRS.

31/)

iHiHiUood. It cmuiot 1)0 done.

In roply to tlio Btatoment tlmt liig retirement was
compulsory, Mr. O'Maliony says :

My r..«lKn,atlon wa« not alone aUogotlu,r voluntary on my part.
... 1 had rc«c.ved on that nt.,. for Honu, n.,„t,. b.lL, it a' u2

i hKs war programnu, in IrHand. and becauso I tbit tl at th r "a
no proHpc-.t of an unitccl F.nian Hrotl.erl.ood in ti,i« oo u.mC

I held n)y ofAco in it, Hnrroun.lcd and undonnined, as I bad Z

Of his position since retirement, he remarks:

Will, respect to my present connection with the Fenian Uroth.r.
hood, I beg to state that I an. still a private member of that body
and m What is technically called -good standing," inthect fn
CVcle m this city. I.,t further than this I have' ad no ccn Z n
w.th e.t .er Mr. James Stephens or with his successors ^Z^^

last May I have taken no part, public or private, in directintr their
acts or counsels. From its connnencement i totally "stentld
n.,m that reckless and haphazard course of action of' w'h Mr

at helnfs' wT" ^ ^"^""^'"^ P--i- made by 1dm
at the Jones Wood meeting lant Summer. I condemned the whole

tenor of us conduct in the management of Fenian affairs ^omS
M.ne up to the hour of his departure for Europe Had I ben
suited on ,he subject in time, and had my opinion prevailed L"
^jxecut,ve Department of the Brotherhood, no attempt at 1 ris n^
would have been made in Ireland this Spring. ^

316 DOHENY, CORCORAN, o'mAIIONY & STEPHENS.

Of the rising in March, and the men connected with
it, he says :

Their late action had indeed become indispensable to the present
honor and ultimate success of the Fenian cause, as well as to thcu-
own characters as honest and devoted patri(Ms. Theirs was a des-
perate venture, but it had become botli a moral and military neces-
sity upon their parts by reason of the severe pressure that was upon
the organization and themselves. Should it fail for the present, it
has even already advanced and elevated the cause of Ireland im-
mensely before the world, and has opened the road for others to
her fast approaching liberation. Our gallant brothers who liave
lately left us must be considered the Lardy pioneers of Iieland'a
freedom in any case.

with

resent
) thoii'
ades-
ticces-
I upon
ent, it
id im-
lers to
• liave
laud's

i-i

ilil

W "*

k&j tij'i 1

If 1 ^ '

ffif^'' !

r- -

■>'»m lurir- IreJand tn
MovcKOKt fn 4f>~A rr,
Joiirnaii«,a_.Travels .
—The ;r/si /V,);,;e ^;.
SiHccth'^ Trial of Ei
sfitiBJri.:.tioii-SeDt(aic

I- i'

riillip Gray by ,«{t

:tr\'

cier<xyman

(t!)

ear-

'^'.

%■

;•)

FENIAIJ HEROES AND UARTYBS.

317

THOMAS CLAKKE LUBT.

Since the Trial of Emmet in nThnn~« ."'""' Cominis.sion, the First

One of the ablest writers nf ft.^ t? i • "
Party in Ireland-an effic c^t feJ^Lf T-''"''^

whole career to the caurofT-'.' ^'""'"^ ^^^^
ability IS only second to the devotion wit Wl i !

T, i. X , ; ^^^I'iim , out lie Jiad tlio stroncrtl. r^f

ca.ce. mTmuty College was most pro.ubin^ ],.u-inl
o,^cons,cle..able scholasric distiuctio'n at an SlrW 1.=

Young Ireland leaders captivated him, and decladL

818

TnOMAS CLARKE LUBT.

liiinsolf an adherent of tlieir views and pm'poscs, he
Biicriliced the friendship and patroini^e of his uncle,
wlio was, and is, an extreme k)yalist.

After the capture and hanishment of the leading
patriots of '48, Mr. Luby, in the following year, united
In'rnself with James Finton Lalor, Josej)!! Brenan, and
Pliilip Gray in a new movement, of which he has
given a brief but suggestive account in a sketch of
Gray. lie was one of the iive forming the Committee
of Defence of this new organization, and was arrested
at Cashel, after an attempt at a rising had been
made at Cappoquin, lYtli September, 1849, and for
participating in which, Joseph Brenan and Hugh W.
Collender had to fly to America. Luby was kept in
jail for a short time. During the year '40, and after,
until its discontinuance, Mr. Luby was a leading wri-
ter for, and, after Brenan's flight to America, editor of,
the national journal called the Irishman.

After the failure of this journal, Luby continued
true to his principles through very trying domestic
difficulties, notwithstanding the inducements held out
to him by his loyal relative, if he would give up pa-
triotism and continue his studies for the Irish Bar.
Luby, however, resisted all arguments and tempta-
tions.

About this time he w^ent to Melbourne, Australia,
and returning by way of France, stopped some time
in Paris, where he met those Irish exiles wdio nad
taken up their temporaiy abode in that city. Return-
ing to Ireland he became connected, in 1855, with a
new national journal, the Irish Tribune^ the chief ed-

FEKIAN nUKOES AKD MARTrES. 319

itorial oondnct of wl.ich devolved npon him; and veiT
My d,d he perlbn,. it. Owi,,., as he states, to the
n..sma„nso.nent of its ostensible editor, the paper
hMlei. He subsequently traveled witli Stephens—
mostly on loot-organizing various parts of the coun-
"y. Ho gave important aid in founding the Fenian
niovement in Ireland, and was one of its most earnest
^ «ell as prominent organizers and advocates. The
^Aa„,rock makes brief allusion to the appearanee of

LVIf'^rMT'"*'"""' '"P»Wi«:"On theoeca-
6ion of the McManus Committee holding its later
meetmgs, Luby was to be seen and heard at their dis-
cussions, the speaker for, and the director of, a party
who followed his behests with implicit consent. He
was promment at the Rotundo meeting, on the affair
of he lient, and was the writer of the celebrated list
of hose who were to compose the council which was
to decide upon the question of agitation in Ireland or
not. ^ When the aggregate gathering for the purpose
of raising a statue to Henry Grattan in College Green
... opposition to that proposed for Prince Albert, was
he d in the Itound Room, he was present at its di.,so
1.. .on in confusion." Mr. Luby visited the United
btates in the early part of 1863 ; and later in that year

hold, bright organ of popular rights, discardino- the
appliances of hackneyed agitators usually indnlcTed in
Y popukr leaders. It at once struck the popular
<|l.o.-d. Its chief writers were soon known to be
Ihomas Clarke Luby, Jolm O'Leaiy, and Charles J.
L.ekliam, while J. O'Donovan (Rossa), Denis Dow-

320

THOMAS CLARKE LUBT.

ling Miilcaliy, James O'Connor, and other good men
and true were connected with it in various positions.
It was the literary centre of Fenianism in Irehmd.

It was seized on the niglit of Friday, Seiitember 15,
1865, and all the men within reach, who were con-
nected with it, arrested. Two detectives watched the
residence of Mr. Luby, at Dolphin's Bam, through
the night, and having gained admission in the morn-
ing, arrested him and seized such papers as they
deemed of importance.

A Special Commission was ordered for the 27th
November, but, previous to its opening, a motion was
made in the Queen's Bench, on the 23d, on behalf of
Luby, O'Leary, and O'Donovan (Rossa), for a wait of
certiorari to remove any indictment that might be
found against them at the Commission, on the ground
that a fair and impartial trial could not be had in
Dublin. The unanimous judgment of the court re-
fused it, and the prisoners were duly brought to trial.
Luby was the lirst victim.

The Special Commission was opened on Monday
morning, :N'ovember 27th, in the Court House, Green
street, Dublin. It was over sixty years since a similar
tribunal sat there — the last Special Commission for
Dublin having been issued in 1803 for the trial of
Robert Emmet. In the interim there have been many
Special Commissions held in various parts of the coun-
try—in Limerick, in Tipperary, and other counties
where so called agrarian disturbances have prevailed*
but since the year 1803, the only Special Commission
which has issued for the trial of political prisoners

FENLiN HEEOES AND MARTYRS.

321

Winch W.Uuun S.nith O'Bnen, Terence IJellew Mc
JVlaims, lliomas Francis Menglier, and Patrick 0U3(,n-
o hue were convicted of liigh treason. Tlie cakmdar
ot rebels who have stood in Green street Court 11(,U80
waiting for their doom, would make a lengthy roll.
At that same rusty iron bar, which has been grasped
alike by the meanest felon and the guiltiest murderer,
have stood some of the best and truest men of Ireland
while the game of law was played out for life or death
before them The building in which so many memo
rabie trials have been witnessed is a very unpretend-
ing structure, standing, or rather hidden, in a re-ion
oi the city little seen by visitors. In the immediate
neighborhood narrow streets and wretched lanes
abound; and Green street itself is a miserable and
disreputable looking locality. The Court House ad-
joined that formidable fortress prison, Newgate-the
Castile of the Irish Metropolis-the demolition of
which hideous relic of barbarous times had been com-
menced a few months previous.

The admission to the Court House was to have been
by tickets, which were issued by the High Sheriff- but
on the 24th, after the escape of Stephens, all the tick-
ets issued were declared cancelled by order of « the
government;" consequently, on the day of the trial
lew were admitted save policemen.

In the dock stands— the observed of all observers—
the prisoner, Thomas Clarke Luby, a man apparently
half way between thirty and forty years of age, of
middle size, sallow complexion, nose slightly aquiline

M.-U.

322

TnOMAS CLAIIKE LITBT.

BCfiTity dnrlc board and luoustnclio. TTis dc.noanor is
Bonu'wl.at listlosB, tl.ou-l, ho is not inattentive to wlmt
18 ^'oinn. on. At one side of tlie (ronrt and not far re-
moved fmm liim sit S')nie ladicH. One of tlieni (Hadly
and dee])ly eoneerncd in all tliat is paH8in<r) ^ liis wife
--a dau-liter of the jx )t Frazer, one of the bards of
48, better known by liis nam de ^^lume of "J. do
Jean;"— near lier sits Miss O'Leary, sister to tlio ])rl.
Boner, Dr. O'Leary, and by lier Bide sits Mrs. O'Don-
ovan (Rossa), wlio seems in niiicli better spirits than
eitlier of her companions. Tlie Attornev-General,
lawson, a commonplace looking individual is stating
the case, reading a good deal from tlie mnltiplicy ol*
documents wliich he lias before him. Batches, bun-
dies of the Fenian archives lie on the table. Thera
are the originals, here are the printed copies in U%
hand. Here are letters of J(,lm O'Mahony, hero ard
the suppressed resolutions of the Chicago Convention,
here is that fatal document— the letter of James Ste!
phens, api)ointing the Irish Execntive— here are letters
of O'KcL'lfe. Letters, documents, not by the score, or
by the dozen, but absolutely by the hundred, are hera
produced— most of them captured in the lAsh Peo-
ple otfice, others taken at the houses of the prisoners.
The suppressed resolutions of the Chicuiro Conven-
tion proclaimed an Irish Republic ; and the letter of
Stephens was in the form of a commission as follow^:

"Executive— T herehy appoint Thomas Clarke Lnby, Jolin
O'Leary, and Cliarlcs J. Kickliani a Committee of Organization, or
Executive, with the same supreme control over the home ovgmU

FKNIAN IIEIIOES AND MARTYB8,

323

zalinn of Ireland, "Rnglaiid, Rrntland, &c., T Imvo oxorolsofl mysolf.
1 fiirtlicr ciiiiiowcr llictn lo nppoiiil a coiniiiiltco of military In-
«l)i'(li(»ii uiul a (•((tniuillcc ol'uppoal and jii(li,^mciit, tha iunctions of
wliich will be niado known to each nu-nibcr by tho Executive.
Aw' tniHting to the patriotism and ability of the Executive, 1 fully
€'P lorwi their action beforehand, and call upon every man in our
j-anks to sni)pon and bo guided by tUem In all that concerns our
Brotherhootl

"Sl^ed ••JAME8 STEPHENS,'*

Dublin, Stb Murch, ISei .

Upon a Tetter of C. "M. O'TTcefTe, fmiiKl in tlie Irish
People olKce, a cliarge of assnssinatioii was based. It
was shown tliat Mr. Liiby was a re<iji8tered proprietor
of that pai>or ; and his connection with the organiza*
tion as a chief was testified to by one Nagle, an in-
former, who liad been engaged in the cstablisliinent as
a folder, lie was found guilty of treason-felony on
all the counts, on the fiftli day of the trial, and in re-
pljr to the usual question, said :

"Well, my lords and gentlemen, I don't think any person pre-
fcnt, is surprised at the verdict found against me. 1 have been
prepared for this verdict ever since I was arrested. Although I
thought it my duly to fight the British Government inch by inch,
to dispute eveiy inch, I felt I was sure to be found guilty, since
the advisers of the Crown took what the Attorney-General was
pleased the other day to call the " merciful course." Of course I
thought I might have a fair chance of escape so long as the capi-
tal charge was impending over me, but when they resolved on try-
ing me under tiie treason-fehmy act, I felt that I had not ihe
lilighlest, smallest chance. I am somewhat embarrassed at the
present moment as to what I should say. Under the circum-
•tances, there are a gi-eat many things that I would wish to say,
iMrtibeling that there are other persons in tho same situation with

324

PENTAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

li ul

t i

mys(>lf, nnd that T mlg;ht allow myself to say somcflilng fnjndicloiw,
which would peril their cases, I feel that my tongue is, to a gre:it
degree, tied. Nolwilhstandin.sr, there are two or three points upon
whleh I would say a few words. I have nolhing to say of Jud-e
Keogh's charge to the jury. lie did not take up any of the topics
that had been introduced to prt^udice the case against mc— for in-
stance, he did not take up the accusation of an intention to assas-
sination attributed to my fellow-prisoners and myself. The Solicit.
or-G'jncral, in his reply to Mr. Butt, referred to these topics. Mr'
Barry was the first person who advanced these charges. I thought
they were partially given up by the Attomey-General in his open-
ing statement, at least they were put forward in a very modified
form ; but the Solicitor-General, in his very virulent speech, put
forward those charges in a most aggravated manner. He sought
even to exaggerate upon Mr. Barry's original statement. Now,
with respect to those charges, in justice to my character I must sny
that in this court there is not a mail more mcapable of anything
like a nnissacre or assassination than I am. I really believe that
the g.'titlemen who have shown such ability in persecuting me, in
the bottom of their hearts believe me incapable of an act of assas-
sination or massacre. I don't see that there is the smallest amount
of evidence to show that I ever entertained the notion of a massa-
cre of landlords and priests. I forget whether the advisers of the
Cjown said I intended massacre of the Protestant clergymen.
Some of the writers of our enlightened press said that I did.
Now, with respect to the charge of assassinating the landlords, the
only thing that gives even the shadow of a color to that charge is
the letter signed, alleged to be signed, by Mr. O'Keeffe. Now,
assunuug, but by no means admitting, of course, that the letter
was written by Mr. O'KeelTe, let me make a statement about it.
I linow the facts I am about to state are of no practical utility to
me now, at least with respect to the judges. I know it is of no
practical utility to me, because I cannot give evidence on mv own
beliiilf; but it may be of practical utility to others with whom I
wish to stand well. I believe my words will carry conviction, and
carry much more convictiim than any words of the legal advisers
of the Crown can, to more than 300,000 of tlie Irish race in Ire-

!i^

THOMAS CLAKKK LtTBT. 325

Jrind England, Scotland, nn,l America. Well, I dony flb.olutcly
.at I ever n.torlaincl any id.-u of assussliuiting the landlords, and
tl'« l^'ttcr (,t Mr. O'Kceile, ns-sumhiK it to bo his MUr, is the only
evidence on the subject. My ac (i.,alntance wllh Mr. O'lCeelle was
ot the Blij,d.test nature. I did not even kiiow of his existence
When the In,/,. People was started. He came after that nap(,r
was cstabU.hed a few months, to the offlce, an.l oJlercd some arti-
cles; some were rejected, some were inserted, and I call the atb-n-
tion ot the legal advisers of the Crown to this fact, that among the
papers which tliey got, those that were Mr. O'Keetle's articles had
imny paragraphs scored out; in fact, we put in no articles of his
without a gnaldeal of what is technically called ''culling down "
Now, that lett.-r of his to me was simply a private document. It
contanied the mere private views of the writer; and I phd-n. this
10 the court as a man of honor-aud I belie-ve in si.ile of the%osi-
tion m which I stand, among my countrymen I am believed to be
a man of honor, and that, if my life depended upon it, I would not
Bpeak falsely about the thing. When I read that letter, and the
first I gave it to was my wife ; I remember we read it with fits of
laughter at the ridiculous ideas contained in it. My wife at the
moment said, «had I not better burn that letter.' «0h no ' I said
loolcing upon it as a most ridiculous thing, and never dreamino- ibj
a moment that such a document would ever turn up agains° me
and produce the unpleasant consequences it has produced-I mean
the imputation of assassination and massacre, which has given me
a great deal more trouble than anything else in the case. That
disposes, as far as I can at present dispose of it, of the charo-e of
wishing to assassinate the landloixls. As to the charge of deshing
to assassinate the priests, I deny it, as being the most monstrous
thing in the world. Why, my goodness, every one who read the
articles m the paper would see that the phiin doctrine laid down
there was to reverence the pn.'sts so long as they confined them-
selves to their sacerdotal functions; but that when the priest de-
scended to the arena of politics, he became no more than any other
man, and would just be regarded as any other man. If he was a
man of ability and honesty, of course he would get the respect that
such men get in politics; if he was not a man of ability there

326

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

n !

f i

III ]

!ft

would be no more thought of him than any one else. If he is not
a man of ability he will not be thought of more than a shoemaker
or any one else. That was the teaching of the Irlfih People with
regard to priests. I believe the Irish People has done a great
deal of good, even among those who do not believe in the rcvolu-
tionaiy doctrines of the Irish People. I believe the revolutionary
doctrines of the Irish People are good. I believe nothing can
ever save Ii-eland except independence, and I believe that all other
attempts to ameliorate the condition of Ireland are mere temporaiy
expedients and make shifts" —

Judge Keogh — "I am very reluctant to interrupt you, Mr.
Luby."

Mr. Luby—** Very well, my lord. I will leave that. I believe
in this way the Irish People has done an immensity of good. It
taught the people not to give up then- right of private judgment in
temporal matters to the clergy ; that, while they reverenced the
clergy upon the altar, they should not giv^ up their conscience in
secular matters to the clergy. I believe that is good. Others may
differ from me. No set of men, I believe, ever set to work ear-
nestly but they did good in some shape or form " —

Judge Keogh— " I am most reluctant, Mr. Luby, to interrupt
you, but do yon think you should pursue this " —

Mr. Luby— "Very well; I will not. I think that disposes of
those things. I don't care to say much about myself. It would
be rather beneath n^e. Perhaps some persons who know me
would say I should not have touched upon the assassination charge
at all — that, in fact, I have rather shov.n weakness in attaching so
much importance to it. But, with regard to the entire com'se of
my life — and whether it be a mistaken course or not, will be for
every man's individual judgment to decide — this I know, that no
man ever loved Ireland more than I have done — no man has ever
given up his whole being to Ireland to the entire extent that I have
done. From the time I came to what has been called here the
years of discretion, my entire thoughts and being have been devo-
ted to Ireland. I believed the course I pursued was right. Otliers
may take a dilferent view. I believe the majority of my country-
men this minute, if— instead of being tried before a petty-jury who,

THOMAS CLAKKE LUBY.

327

l^'^^nZ^':^:':^ -^-^^^oB^^ law-I^e. to be

t^-3'men .vo^d ^oLu 7^^^^^^^ I^J^^^^ ^^ -^ conn-

served well of my counliV Wi . ^ "■™"'"' ^"* *^^^ ^ ^^«-
forth in the preTsto T. ^ 7 '^' P^^^-^^^ings of this trial go

is not to be Caired of t/ ' fT'' ""^ "^ ^^"^ ^^"^ «^ ^-^-^
that as lo^g as th f . ' '^''''°' '^ °"* ^^* ^ '^'^ ^^^-^'-y-

themseIvesrevtydMcuX\"/7''""*^™^^-^^ *« -p'-
tivity-even cSt ^ t^b ^"^ ^/^^ *^ '^^^^ '^'^
With these words I con dude '' "^''^ '''^"* ^^ '°^^-

Who I am sm-e ha^e gteS a T twl "''^''™'"*' ^^ " •'"^•^

a.ived at aiy o„.;Lr:rerci:r ;""""• '''" '"^^ ""^

The prisoner was sentenced to twenty years cennl
^n-itude. A slight flush snifused his th ^Sfec

C J w;"?,^".''"' "" """''"'* ^"-- ■•onndle
walked Mth a hrm paee from tiie dock to the ccl as-
signed h,m and his fellow-prisonei., and shortly after

Tiie accompanying sketch of Phillip Gray, besides
herns a worthy tribute to a doyotcd nationa st, "an
nter^ ,ng ,„k ,„ (,„ ,e™i,„;„„ary history co^ect
"1,^ _ 48 and the niovenieiits which resulted in the
i email organization.

II !

K ! !

f/1 i! )

328 FENIAH HEliOES AXD MljRTTfiS,

PHILIP anAY.

Mr. Gray was secretary of tlie Swift Club in Dublin
during the Confederate excitement. Mr. Luby
writes :*

" Wlien tbe Young Ireland cliiefs had decided on
taking the field in the summer of '48, Gray accompa-
nied a gentleman, since distinguished in America and
the Antipodes, to the County Meath, where they
vainly endeavored to stir up a:* insurrection. Tlie
failure, however, nothing daunted him. Abandoning,
without a moment's liesitation, an excellent situation
which he held in the Drogheda Railway office, he
made his way to Tipperary. Even Smith O'Brien's
attempt could not dishearten the invincible spirit of
Gray, He lingered in the South, and contrived to
get into communication with Mr. John O'Mahony,
and, though previously unknown to that gentleman,
succeeded in winning his confidence, "When O'Maho-
ny's insurrection broke out in autumn, that chief
entrusted the command of the Waterford insurgents
to Gray, in conj unction with Mr, John Savage.f Gray

* This sketch, omitting for want of space a few personal parnQ;raphs, was in
the form of a letter to T. F. Meaghe,r wheo editing the •'IriehNcwB," In which
journal (March 14, 1857,) it appeared,

t This is not exactly correct. Gray, wary, unknown and alone, In the noigh-
borliood of Carrick-on-Suir, attracted the suspicions of some of the Clubbi>;ts,
who arrested him, and sent for Mr. Savage to examine him. Although ho had
not met Gray in Dublin, Mr. Savage was soon satisfied of his truth, and tlie
"prisoner" was released with aid and good cheer. Very soon alter, Mr.
Savage was requested by a lady— a devoted nationalist— to go to a certain
locality on the Waterford eide of the Suir, a» a " rather guspicioue person was

THOaUS CLARKE LUBy.

229

The

n;n. of Winter), the=io:::S;r:^^^^^^^^^^

inCemenZ ^Z Te te:thef if "^''. ""'' «" "">

sometimes at tl,e back rf lin^-k Z V" -^P'" ""-
jery rarely, getting a shaSl^foHrr" '^" '"'
m a peasant's cabin. Durino. all Z T''"'' ''''"
clung to tl,e idea of Iri"/X , tion T vT " •'^' ""'
tenacity. He took adv^nu i '"' '""iC'We

in tl,e valley of the S,X^^' ■"' '"""•'<'" *° f"™'

-".g.e for-\i:: laLe.™!^;::^ t^^'-i ^»

Kilkenny, and tL ^0^^^'^^% ^^
liavmg extraordinary powers of enrl ,' . "-''

indefatigable thongh ZZll T""' '"'"'« ^^

fonnd prowlinjr about a verv hof ho,i «#• ..

too Ia..,Mr. Savage wc,ra?:;:^r/r?^^^^^^^ Guided or

tl'o .u^picioue „or.-on to bo Gray. c mZITV" "''" "^ ^^''P'-^^^. 'ounj
n yn-at favorite in ti.e locality. His vclv ' a t ' ' '"' ^'""^^Qnently bocan J
instuictand tact which led him to d Imi !,? "' ** c«"^«Piraior-the ve !
m-t. a Buspieious character To pf:^rfu; he ^'t't "^" ^^^ ^^^ "-v-
-- l^e .o.d. iu Mure, either U^^l^^ir^;-; ^^-^-ecl

- - - — .. , Kja^oj^B, '

330

FENIAJSr HEROES ANB MAKTTE8.

His earnestness, possibly his sufferings also, rendered
liis appeals to tlie people's patriotism irresistible. At
last he made his escape to France. Before this, how-
ever, he visited Dublin, and determining to make the
metropolis the headquarters of his organization, he
called together three respectable and intelligent young
men, formerly members of the Swift Club, and, having
o-iventhem the test, constituted the Provisional Direc-
tory of his secret society.

*' Gray made his way to Paris. He received some
assistance from his fellow-exiles j but he also endeav-
ored to support himself by his own exertions. Hav-
ing learned something of drawing earlier in life, nnd
havinjT a natural taste for it, he gave lessons in that
art. Howevt \ after a stay of feome months in Paris,
he was recalled to Ireland in the summer of '49 by
the late James Pinton Lalor, who, placed at the head
of a new Directory, now virtually governed the secret
organization. In Dublin, this Society numbered
about 1,000 men, partially armed. In the country,
the numbers were lar greater.

" Gray immediately visited the various parts of the
country in which the organization had taken root.
His presence was welcomed everywhere. I have seen
. him welcomed in cabins, by men and women, as
though he were some potent chief. By the members
of the fraternity he was now looked upon as a sort of
hero. Some were foolish enough to institute invidious
comparisons between his pretensions and those of IMr.
Lalor. Thoughts were entertained about this tiino of
attempting to'^rescue Smith O'Brien and his compani-

THOMAS CLARKE LUBT.

331

ons, who were on the point of removal from tlie conn-
try. A letter of John Martin to Mr. Lalor prevented
the attempt from being made. Some of the leaders of
the organization, among whom was Gray, subsequently
meditated an outbreak on the occasion of the Queen's
visit to Ireland. The affair, however, miscarried.
Finally, in Autumn, an assembly of about eighteen
delegates met in Clonmel. They decided that an
insurrection should take place in September, and
elected a Committee of Defence, consisting of James
Finton Lalor, Joseph Brenan, Philip Gray, the present
writer, and another person, who, however, did not act.
The committee, with the exception of this person, met
at Clonmel in due time, and arranged that, on the
17th of September, simultaneous attacks should bo
made on Cashel and Dungarvan. Other movements,
too, were calculated on.

" Various causes, however, disconcerted the plans of
the conspirators. Conspiracies with elaborate pro-
grammes of insurrection seldom, if ever, succeed.
Formidable insurrections must be spontaneous, unpre-
meditated. The promised thousands failed to assem-
ble at the points of rendezvous. A miserable abortive
scuffle, indeed, took place at Cappoquin. Joseph
Brenan was obliged to seek the shores of America.
The present writer was arrested near Cashel, and
suffered a short imprisonment; so did a few other
young men. One or two retired for a time to France j
and for the Cappoquin business a few peasants were
transported. All thouglits of insurrection were iiow
given up. The organization was virtually at an end ;

S32

fENIAN HEROES AND MARTY149.

Hiul in ■Dcc.cmhoT '49 or January '50, its most promi-
Jicnt nuMnbor, James Finton Lalor, expired

-During- several n.onlhs, loHoNving tl.e Cappoqnin
business, (,ray lived a precarious life in Dublin with-
out proper means ofsubsistenee, without any coniibrt-
able plaee of rest. His health, already undermined
by the hardships ho had under-one in Waterford
began to be visibly impaired, lie still, however, en-
deavored to rally the oro-anization, and even carried it
into new places in the County Dublin ; but it
ianu-uished nevertheless, and at last was formally dis-
solved, some time in the year 1850. If it were proper
to do so, I could give many amusing details connected
WiUi the progress of this singular organization.

" Gray, after some time, procured a clerkship in the
office ot a salesmaster of Smithtield. Here he re-
mained for years, and won the conlidence of his em-
ployer hy his rare zeal and integrity, and remarkable
talents lor business. * ^ * * But every day his
liealth was becoming worse and worse. At leiK^th on
the morning of Patrick's day, 1855, he burst a^lood-
vessel, perhaps in consequence of a recent fall. The
los^^ ol blood was immense. After some time he was
sufficiently recovered to go to the County Meatli,
where he spent a portion of the summer with some
relations. He rallied so far, that on the establishment
oi the national journal called the Tribune, in the latter
end ot 1855, he was able to accept a situation in the
office of that paper. The death of the 2rihme in the
early part of 185G, threw poor Gray on the world once '
more, let so great was the force of his mind that,

TH0MA8 CLARKE LUBT.

333

in RiKsli health and circnmsfancea, ho commenced
attending lectures on Chemistry, at the Museum of
Industiy, in Ste[)hen'8 Green. With characteristic
ardor he gave himself np to this new pursuit, body
and soul. lie twice, at the examinations, received a
ccrtiticato for excellent answering. At intervals ho
returned to the olKce of his old employer, the sales-
master. To the last he toiled beyond his strength for
his livelihood. Part of the summer he spent in Meath.
He suffered much, however, from poverty, and want
of pro))er comfort and attention. In short, his cppa-
rent improvement was illusory. In January, 1857,
liis life ap[)eared ra})idly approaching its close. On
the 18th he received Extreme Unction, and on the
night of the 25th of January, he breatiied his last.

" On Tuesday, the 27th, his brother, a prisoner of
'48, and a few friends and associates, conveyed his
remains by the Mullingar railway to the County
Meath, to be there deposited in the burial-place of liia
fathers. His paternal uncle was hanged for rebellion
in '98, and his mother belonged to the sept of tlio
O'Carrols.

" At the suggestion of some of the Irish exiles in
Paris in 1840, who were desirous of diverting the
attention of the police from Gray, in connection with
any Irish movement, Devin Reilly published the fol-
lowing announcement in his paper, the People, printed
in New York in the foi'e ])art of '49 :

"'Mr. Philip Gray, one of the Secretaries of the
Swift Confederate Club, who followed the fortunes
of O'Mahony and Savage in Tipperary and Water-

334

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

ford, has arrived in this country. Tie was with
Salvage on tlic attack on Portlaw, in September, and
afterwards made liis escape to France. He merely
passed through this city, having, with much .ood
sense, immediately started for ihe West, hoping to
make it his future home. We understand that his
actions TV ere characterized by firmness and deter-
nunation, and his comrades reposed much confidence
in him.'

" Tliis being copied into the Tory papers in Ireland,
had the desired efifect ; and Gray was the better able
to make the exertion outlined above."

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JOHN LEAKY,

335

JOim O'LEAKY.

Tho Inpplratlon of Tippcrary— Homo Infliienceg— O'Leary a Man of Means -
At CoUege-aocs to Fraiice-To America Keluins to Loud, n and Ireland-
EnthuBiaHm in the Irish Cauae-Spreadlng tho Fenian OrKani/.ation-Tlio
Iri.ih. Pe„f,!e-ThQ 8a','acity with wliich it was Conducted-Arrosted-In
Court— The Trial— Speech in the Loclt-Seutence.

Sentence Laving been passed on Thomas Clurlco
Lubj, the next selected for a mock trial and certain
conviction was John O'Leary. The British Govern-
ment, in its relentless persecution, has recognized hig
ability as an editor, and his fidelity as a patriot, and
it has not undei-vahied him in either capacity. Those
\vh(i knew him depict him as eminently a man of de-
termination, whose mental constitution — "clear and
brilliant, manly, sincere and truthful "—gave some
idea of those souls " that rendered the Eome of an-
tiquity or the Sparta of Solon the wonder and glory
of the world."

The O'Leary sept are of Milesian descent, and have
held territory for ages in the County Cork. It is a
prominent name in Irish history, and the family of
our hero have been resident in the County Tipperary ;
and in the town of the same name John O'Leary was
born. In that county an active national spirit has ai-

~'f3irfnm m <m ^jieM ! m m

'^m

336

FENIAK HEE0E8 AND MARTYRS.

|r "

ways been maintained. There are associations con-
nectecl with tJiat portion of Ireland which liave served
to cliensh pati-iotism, to inspire the youncr mind, and
conhrin it m devotion to the sacred canse of inde-
pendence. Sitnated on its lovely plains is the City of
Cashel, whose rnins recall the ancient greatness of our
ancestors— the story of t^,e leg^^l murder of Father
bheehy is current among the people— in '98 it expe-
rienced the ruthless tyranny of British oliicials.

In addition we are told that "his home had its own
traditions of patriotism, and he should have been a false
Bhoot of the old stock of his hearth, if his good heart
and brain were not open to the example, teachIno>and
Btimulus of all he derived IVom birth and locality."

The enthusiasm which existed in Ireland in 1848
and preceding years, was shared by young O'Leary'
The close of the '48 movement left Ireland in a state
ol disorganized hostility, and, until the formation of
the Fenian Brotherhood, there was no extended or-
ganization which could realize the patiiot's desire of
Its being the certain means of Ireland's regeneration.
Lett with ample means by his parents, Mr. O'Leary
devoted himself to study. A naturally stron- mind
was refined and exalted by full culture. He looked
toward a profession, and chose that of medicine. With
the purpose of fitting himself for it he \vent to Queen's
College, Cork; became distinguished, and after givinc
miniistakable evidence of the national passion which
was flaking possessl.ui of him, lie went to France.
Whether under imperial or republican rule, residence
in iu'uuco has never failed to coniiiuu the modern pa-

* •

""W

JOHN o'lEART.

337

ons con-
re served
ind, and
of inde-
3 City of
33 of our

Father
it expe-
s.

its own
n a false
)d heart
ino" and
litj."
1 1848,
>'Le<jiy,

a state
'.tion of
ied or-
esire of
ovation.
)'Leaiy
? mind
looked

With
)ueeu'3
ffiviiiff
wliich
'I'uiice.
idcncQ
srn pa-

triot in his aspirations after freedom ; and all that
U Learj saw in that conntry only tended to make him
more anti-British than before.

It is not surprising, therefore, when Mr. O'Learr
lolt trance and extended his travels to the United
btates, tliat his whole soul was concentrated on
iK^ughts of Insh liberty. He was warmly received
by the veteran Irish patriots in this country, and was
considei^d a valuable member of the "faithful and
the few who were then laying the foundation of an
organization which has since extended itself from tl-
Atlantic to the Pacific, and has become the most
formidable element, probably, against which England
Jias ever had to contend.

Mr. O'Leary became ardent^ attached to America
andiier republican institutions; and the comparison
between attairs here and under the British Govern-
inent, aftorded him many a strong argument in favor
of fi-eedom when he returned and took up his resi-
dence in London. A gentleman who kindly furnishes
Boine interesting data lor this sketch, says he can re-
call how ably in literary circles lie could defend the
national cause, and demonstrate Ireland's claim to in-
de,.endence One of the many errors which even
liberal-mmded Englishmen entertain respectino- Ire,
laud IS, that her material progress is of most import-
ance, in the hopes of accomplishing which, she should
resign her aspirations after nationality and become
a )sorl)ed with England. In these |>rincip]es Mr.
ULeary could never acrpiiesce. * Great, glorious and
Jtfce, was his ideal. He knew that as long as English

"• ^ ' ' 'T WBgK ^! j rr "-w ' . ? ff >!t' a ii1 IV^ '- J.

838

FENIAN HEK0E3 AND MARTYRS.

Biipremacy is maintained, Ireland cannot be materially
or otherwise happy, and that time cannot sanction in-
justice. Both nations are too dissimilar in race ; the
past cannot be forgotten ; and experience proves that
Ireland will never consent to be a British province."

Another authority says: " lie returned to Ireland
and threw himself with great skill and great zeal into
the work of extending the Fenian organization. Few
men of any power of mind, of any patriotism, that he
met, were they that were not made sympathizers with
the cause to which he devoted himself as to a sacred
work. Keenly sagacious and unfailingly determined,
beloved ard respected, he escaped the iVrgus eyes of
the police unbetrayed, and became the very right hand
jnan, it is said, of the attempt, according to Her Ma
jesty's Attorney-General, to subvert the throne and
constitution in Ireland."

When the Irish People was established, to be the
organ of Fenianism, Stephens selected O'Leary as the
conductor; and as an evidence of the far-sighted sa-
gacity which controlled, not only O'Leary, but those
having authority in the management of that journal,
the following from the Shamroclc will be in place,
especially to those who have not had an opportunity
of reading the articles alluded to : " The most careful
supervision was exorcised over its 'leaders' and over its
letters; for, whilst the 'leaders' generally dealt with
the principles admitted by the constitution of lOSS,
the letters dealt with Feninnl^m, with the hostility
which it met from priests and bishops, and in this way
tried out the question hy two modes, arguing the

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

339

cause of Fenianism, and spreadino; its principles in
spite of the law. A remarkable testiiuony to the skill
with which this was done, is to be found in the cir-
cnnistance that the leading jonrnal of hi^^h Catholic
opinion in England nsed to qnote the leaders of the
Irisfi Peojple, very frequently as the text and gospel
of Irish politics, and several Irish daily journals, in-
cluding the Hail, also took the same course. It is
asserted, with what authority we know not, that many
of the * leaders ' were submitted to counsel prior to
their appearance, and that no doubtful com])osition
"Was ever suffered to be printed witliout being subject
to that precaution."

It is believed that, but for the inforaiation of the
infiimous Xagle, who described the People office as a
Bort of chief bivouac of the organization, the Govern-
ment would not have convicted the writers for their
contributions to the paper alone. As it is, however,
no one connected with it has escaped penal servitude.

Mr, OlLeary was arrested at his residence, Palmer-
eton Place. lie was arraigned on the 1st December,
while the jury on Luby's case were consulting. On
their return he was remanded, and brouoht to trial the
next day. He w^as dressed, as usual, in dark clothes ;
and as he advanced to the bar, every eye in court was
turned towards him. The judges whispered their
comments, whilst they noticed him curiously as he
took his position in the dock of destiny. Every avail-
able space wag filled with ladies, "friends of the
prisoner." Ills sister, by special request was permit-
ted to sit by him in front of the dock, where she might

340

JOHN o'lEAJBY.

i' ^ii

converse with liim. Being askod in the iisnal forin-
ixlitj of Biitisli hiw, " Are you guilty or not guilty ? "
lie rc[)lied, " It is the Government of tlie country, the
Crown prosecutors, the J^arrys and IS'a'^les ^vlio are
guilty, and not I." They inquire, " Arc you ready
for trial ? " He answers, " I must be ready — the
Crown is ready!" and, accordingly, the trial pro-
ceeds. Mr. Butt vainly seeks to have an impartial
jury empanelled ; the Attorney-Genera,l speaks i'or the
Crown ; the informer Nagle, and the spy Schoiield
(sent there by the British Ouisul at New York,) gave
their evidence. Mr, Butt, in an able and argumeuta^
tive address, defends O'Leary. One incident alone of
the trial will show the intensity of his devotion to the
principles for which he was to suffer. During Mr.
Butt's address he alluded to the Irish Fsople news-
paper in a manner which might be consti-ued as
speaking discreditably of it, Mr. O'Leary, interrupt-
ing him, said he wished to make an observation. J\[r.
Butt, zeahnis for the safety of his client, threatened if
he did so to sit down. But O'Leary persisted, say-
in:

" I must interrupt yon for a momput. I olijoot-to liavin,!^ it
slated that discredit should be atlaclied to me for my conneclioii
\villi the Irish People, or to let it be supposed for a moment that
1 consider it discreditable to have beea connected with that
paper."

As Mr. Butt had no snch mtentlon, ho contlnucil
Ills address, but Mr. O'Leary was ready to sacrifice rh.o
possible effect of that eminent counsel's speech, rather

T^s

FENUN HEROES AND M.VETYES.

341

tlian have liis associate's reputation apjDarcntly
iin[)i)giiecl.

It appears tliat O'Leaiy was put upon liis trial on
Monday, 4th October, before lie had his breakfast, and
one of his counsel said he was being starved. This
was denied by the Crown, and the proceedings were
suspended while the prisoner took some refreshment.

On the 6th, the jury found the prisoner guilty on
all the counts, and in rei)ly to the usual question,
O'Loary— his form dilating, and his manner animated
to a tone of scathing and rebuke — said :

"My Lords, I was not wholly anpreparec! for this. I felt that
a Government who had so safely packed the bench, would not bo
Unlikely to obtain a verdict."

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald—" We are willing to hear you, but wo
cannot Ullow language of that kind to be used. "

Prisoner— " Very well. Mr. Luby declined to tou.'h upon fhig
from a very natural fear that, he miglit do harm to some of Iho
other prisoners ; but there can be little fear of that now, for a jury
that could be found to convict me of this conspiracy, will convict
them all. Mr. Luby admitted that he was technically guilty
according to that highly elastic instrument, British law, but I did
not think that th(jse men there " (pointing to the Crown counsel,)
" couid make that case against me. And this brings me naturally
to the subject upon which there has been much misrepresentatioa
in Ireland — I mean the subject of informers. Mr. Justice Kco-di
eaid in his charge against Mr. Luby that men would be found
ready for money, or some other motive, to place themselves at the
disposiv! of the (Tovernmenl and u»a.ke known the designs of a con-
epiracy. :^•;'Mloubt ; men will be always found ready lor money
to phi'o fiMmselves at the disposal of the Government, but T tliiiilc
it is agiiaiors, and not rebels, who have bet^n generally bought ill
this way— who have certainly uiade the best bargaina. t have to

342

JOHN o'lEARY.

e-'i

s:iy nno word In refercnco to the foul charge upon which that
niisorable oian, Bnny, lias mnde mc responsibk; " —

Mr. Jaslice Filzgcrald — " We cauuot allow that tone of observa-

tJOll."

The Prisoner — " That nmn has charged mr — I need not defend
myself or my friends from the charge — I shall merely deuounco
the moral assassin. J\li\ Justice Keogh the other day spoke of
revolutions, and administered a lecture to Mr. Luby. lie spoka
of cattle being driven away, and of houses being burnt down, that
men would be killed, and so on. I should like to know if all that
does not apply to war as well as to revolution ? One word more
and I shall have done. I have been found guilty of treason, or of
treason-ulony. Treason is a foul crime. The poet Dante con-
signs traitors to, I believe, the ninth circle of Hell ; but what kind
of traitors'} Tr.Hors against the King, against country, against
friends, and against benefactors. England is not my country. I
have betrayed no friend, no benefactor, Sidney and Emmet were
legal traitors. Jeffreys was a loyal man, so was Norbury, I Icavo
the latter there."

In the course of his homily to the prisoner, .Tudgo
ritzL^crald took occasion to remind him tliat a person
of his education and ability oni>;lit to have known that
t]ie o;ame upon which he entered was a des]>erate and
wortliless one.

Tlie Prisoner— " Kot worthless."

Mr. Justice Fitzircrald — " You oup^ht to have known
<7ils, that insurrection or revolution in this country
irieant not war only, but a war of extermination."

The Prisoner — " It meant no such thing."

lie. was then sentencfrl to twenty years penal servi-
tude, lie heard it with fortitude, nobly sustained by
the sister wdio sat contemplating him with pride.

O'Leary was President of the Is^ational Brotherhoocl

PENIAlf HEROES AND MARTYE3.

343

of St. Ptiti'ick, cstahlished in the town of Tlppcrarv.
He was not at the time a permanent resident in the
town, and the position was mainly honorary, conlerred
in recognition of his devotion to the National cause.

.Ilk

feL!

JEBEMIAU 0'lX)N0ViLN (kosSa),

JEREMAII 0'DO]S"OVAK (EOSSA).

Birth and Early StrnffgleB-GoeB to Skibbereen-National VlewB of Pon^a and
M Moynahan-StarlB the Pha..ix Society-Its Character a.ul Pro. e.B- He" "-,
the Pea.e-Mongers-Kevival Throughout Cork and Kerry- Me^ u-r. of tl o

f ^Sl Lh rhutlf ;• ""'^T^ ^"^'^^"-^ ^^'"victed-'cork PrZe l Of!
I red L.l Uy hut Kcfuse Unless Ayreeni is Liberated also-Ko^.a Preverta

A MOST passionately persistent organizer and worlcev
out of jai], and an unbendiiicr and defiant patriot in
Ins cliams, is tlie man wiiose name Iieads tliis sketch
His career is calculated to encourage his countrvmen'
and to show what may be achieved by an earnest
man.

Porn of humble parentage, in the ancient and his-
tone town of Eoscarbery, in the southern part of
Cork, m the year 1830, young O'Donovan had such
opportunities for education as the village school
afforded, and tliis, limited as it was, was cut short
when about sixteen yenrs old, by the deatli of his
father, who was a weaver. The boy went to Skib-
bei-een and became a member of the family of liia
uncle, where he remained, contributing to the support
oi his mother and his younger brothers and sisters.

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FENUH HEE0E3 AND MAE1TE8. 345

iintil he went into business for Iiimself. In 1849 an
eM^r brother .une to A.nerica, and in son. tl ::

«ho, proceeJ,ng on the route as far as Cork, tur„c,l

the old land. II,s licart jearned to her and the hopes
of her treedom, and he de.ern.ined to watch and wait
Tins detenmnation led to rema^'kable and widely 1^
torieal resnlts. vvJu^iJ nis-

O'Donoyan married and settled to business. The
eflorts ot July and Septeu,ber, 1848, had proved ab !

year, was scarcely heard of, except by important n.
tionalists; the plans of Imton Lalor, ifreZ'nd ,.0^:
conirades as sketched by Lnby, had con,e to no,, •
the Keoghs and the Sadliers were rising on the n, ,1,'
ot the nat,ona,ists, wl,en a few yonng''men in S
bereen detern„ned to stir up the e.nbe™ of the nat n-
al ca se and keep it aliye, even if in a smoulder ,1

school tor five years m Gleugariffe, took up his resi-
de«.=e m Sk,bbereen in 1856; and' soon affer hi ai
rival O Donovan and he, having exchanged view Tu
the matter, and being Joined by so„,e congenial spW^f
deeded on organizing a Society. The Emmet Mom '
meiit Associalion was in bcing'in America, and they '
thought they could perhaps put themselves n coimnif
mcation uith it, and be the means of intercha ,t

tens' blv a ll '^- *''"" '""""^ "' 18". ^"^ os-

tensibly a literary socety, similar, in most respects,

1)1

346

JEREMUH o'doNOVAN (eo88A).

.;■ li

to tliosc for mutual instrnction and debate whidi are
so common. TJie name, "Phoenix National and Lit-
erary Society," was sno^gested by O'Donovan, as he
said they mtended to rise trom the ashes of apathetic
political huckstering, which then covered the land
Ihere was no oath, but the members took a pled-e ini
dicative of the object-the resuscitation, ever so
slowly, of national life in Ireland. The meetino-a
were duly held, and the Pha3nix Society spread itself
rapidly mto the adjacent towns. It had considerable
antagonists to encounter, as it met no favor from the
clergy, whom it did not court; nor from the political
agitators, whom it condemned ; nor from the traders
who regarded it as a baud of disturbers ; nor from the
farmers "who thought of little save high prices"
Its local repute was that of persons holding extreme
radical views on Irish questions ; and this was brought
into stdl wider notice by a meeting held in 1858-at
the time of the Indian meeting-at which resolutiona
and an inflammatory address were passed. " On the
publication of these documents," writes Mr. Moyna-"
han, « the little shoneen shop keepers banned us as a
lot of firebrands, and threatened with dismissal such
ot their employes as would any longer continue to be
members of the Society. For these reasons the Socie-
ty dwindled down to a few members, Mdien Stephens
made his appearance. He had some time before that
come from France, had been teaching French in lul-
larney and elsewhere, and had commenced organizino-
a secret Society." Stephens arrived on a Thursday?
U L>onovan was initiated on the next day, and Moy-

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTTES.

347

nalian on tlie day following. Thence the flame spread,
and before six weeks the new organization numbered
between two and tliree hundred, all Phoenix men.

In a short time it was pushed into Bantrj, Ken-
mare, Killariiey, Castletown, Berehaven, Dunmanna-
way, Clonakilty, and Macroom by the Skibbereen
men, and into Kinsale and Cork by equally energetic
brothers. Moynahan, who was connected with a so-
licitor, and used to accompany him to the Sessions and
Assizes, took these occasions for propagating the order
which he did as far off as Eilorglin in Kerry ; while
O'Donovan worked with great energy about Skibbe-
reen and Eoscarbery.

They progressed so rapidly in numbers and spirit
that an Irish-American v.-as s vt to give them military
mstrnction. Their drilling became known, and the
authorities, becoming apprehensive of trouble, sent an
additional force of 105 men to Skibbereen, 60 to
Bantry, and a considerable number to Kenmare. The
attention thus given to the Phoenix Society, as it was
still called, attracted the inquiry of some journalists-
and a discussion ensued which drew letters from'
O'Donovan and others, which, of course, tended to
keep up the excitement.

Meanwhile a clergyman of Kenmare, who had got
possession of some facts relating to the society con-
veyed the same to the Government ; as a consequence
the Government made a descent on the Society and
on the morning of the 8th December, 1858, twelve
persons were arrested in Skibbereen, four in Bantry
twelve in Kenmare, and three in Killarney. After

nil

Kl,%

" I! S

XKj»ct<*<de»:

848

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

being confined for some weeks, several of tlie Cork
prisoners were discliurged, but true bills were found
aivainst Mortimer Moynaluui, William O'Sliea, Denis
Sullivan, Mortimer Downin- Daniel MeCartie, Jere-
miah O'Donovan (Rossa), and Patrick Downing, for
treason-felony. An innnediate trial was souglit for
them, by counsel, but, on motion of the Attorney-
General, it was postponed to the next Assizes. An
application to be admitted to bail was referred to the
Queen's Bench, and failed. At the Tralee Assizes Mv.
Daniel O'Sullivan (Agreom) was convicted by a packed
jury, and thus became the first victim of the new
national organization. Again the Cork prisoners un-
successfully api)lied to the Queen's Bench for release
on bail ; and about the same time a proposition was
made by the Crown counsel to the counsel for the
prisoners, that if the latter would withdraw their first
plea, and plead guilty, they would be liberated. This
Eossa and his comrades declined. The Government
then ap'proached them with another proposition — that
if Eossa and Moyiudian consented to leave the coun-
try, the others would be liberated. On consultation
the prisoners agreed to enter into no compromise with
the Government. A few mornings subseque- !y, some
further liberations took place, and Eossa, Moynahan,
and O'Shea, were all the "Phoenix men" who re-
in ^Mned in Cork jail. After keeping them in prison
for eight months, the Government found it could not
convict them; and finally Eossa and his associates
agreed to plead guilty and be liberated, with the un-
derstanding that O'Sullivan, who had been convicted,
Bhould also be set free.

JEREMua o'dokovan (rossa). 349

Kossa-^as he was now called— had a positive influ-
ence over the men of his nei^irhborhood. His course
on the niarriaire of the Prince of Wales illustrates it.
Souie of tlie " gentry " of Skibbcreen had determined
to honor the great event in the life of the heir-apparent,
and several of a club, of which Rossa was a member'
illuminated the club-room. On hearing it, he went to
the house and called a meeting of the club to protest
against the celebration ; but as none others attended
it, he decided that the illumination v/as contrary to
the wish of the members, and immediately tore down
the flags and banners. By this time, others of the
members interfered. He, however, nothing daunted,
canic^d out Ills object, and prevented the celebration!
The people, hearing of the occurrence, rallied to hia
aid, and a grand meeting was called, which he ad-
dreH:^cd to their satisfaction.

At the time of the Polish insurrection, too, he
headed a meeting and procession in honor of that
noble r;ico ; and, having obtained some banners, they
paraded the streets of the town. Some of the banners
being national in theh' design, the police interfered,
and all save one were obliged to be dispensed with.
This one was a puzzle to the jjolice; it being thrct
cornered, and having no device, they were allowed to
use it, and thus carried out their intentions despite
opposition.

Scarcely a week passed that there was not some
attempt made to injure Rossa in his business ; but he
would not be crushed— petty persecution could only
intensify his hate of the power that suggested it. The

i^^

350

FKNIAJI HEROICS AKt) MARTYRfl,

Btm^r-Io, however, wns an uiiotinal one. Tn 1802 lio
came to New ^'oi-k, l,ut in a few inontliB was recalled
to Ireland by the death of his wife.

Of course, liis relations with Stephens, Lnby, and
the other chief men, were resumed, and on the start-
ino; of the In^k People he became one of the ren<is-
tered proprietors, lie was one of the tirst captni^d,
and was brou-ht to trial at the Dublin Commission
on the 0th l)(>c(Mnber, 1805. On the next mornino.
Kossa interrupted the Court to say that, as he be-
lieved the Crown was deterniincd to convict hi.n, his
trial was a le-al farce, and that he would not be a
party to it by bein<r rei)rcsentcd hy counsel. He
could not be prevailed on to a(!cept legal advice, but
conducted his own defence, which led to some extra-
ordinary scenes in Court, and some bitter passajres
between the prisoner and Judge Keogh. The more
the latter hemmed himself within the walls of privi-
lege, the more O^Donovan was defiant, or satirical,
as the occasion suggested. He persisted in badgerinc^
the Court and ministers, and in thoroughly exploding
the legal farce. As he said in reply to Judge Ficz'-
gerald, " Tv/enty years " (the term of servitucfe given
to his associates) " is a long time, and I want to fpend
a couple of days as best I can."

At the opening of the Court on the 12th— the third
day— when again put forward and called upon for his
defence, Rossa asked if he could have the privilec^e of
ncldressing the jury on the evidence produced against
linn by the Crown. Judge Keogh read the act of
Parliament for him, by which he was entitled to open

■I!

Ji:RKMiAn o'donovan (kossa).

351

'us own cnso; and, if ]io called any wltncs.^ca for Iiis
<l^ionco, to Buui up after, or speak to evidence.

The prisoner then spoke at consi.loral.lc longtl., thouirl, not in a
lu-ct or (^onsocutive manner, animadverting <,„ tl.o JmrsLness gf
the Qovcrnm.-nt towards him. Referring to the j.iry, he said : Ti.o
Attorne^'-General ha.s ordered thirty gnUlemen to stand hv, and
no doubt h. considered tlie present jury pc-rsons who would brin<.
■J the yei-diet he wished. That observation might not be com!
.Innc-ntury to the jury, but lie could not help it. The Exccutivo
Oovmnnent had taken harsh measures against the prisoners-had
y.')lared all law, and had had recourse to dark courses of despot,
isrru It trial by jury prevented a n.an from saying that freedom
might be /ought tor, it was a m(>re bulwark of tyranny Tho
pn'hmniaries had been, he contetuled, so arranged as to deny him
a tair tnal. The papers had published articles condemning all tho
prisoners bc-fore they were tried. lie admitted he had proceeded
to America under the name of O'Donnell, but it was on mcrcantilo
business ; that name ho had assumed in order to prevent hia
polUieal friends lh..re from showering welcoming receptions upon
him. He returned not as 07)onnell, but in his proper name as
O Donovan. Th<. only crime he had committed was tliat he had
known James Stephens, John O'Mahony, J. O'Leary, and Lubv
He was proud to know them. He wished the reporters to (a^
down that m the iv-gister of the United States Govcrnnu.nt of tho
27th ol August, I80:j, his oath of American citizenship would bo
found recorded. After a violent attack on Judge Keoo-h the
prisoner said, whatever might be the result of tliis trial, hc^ enlcr!
ained no animosity against any person, from Nagle, the informer
to Mr. Barry, or the judges on the bench. He thought it wouli
do gocKl in England to show the sort of trial we had in this coun-
try. It there was any gentleman belonging to the Continental
press m Court, lie hoped he would take down the woix^s of tho
I.ond(m Times of the 14th of November : " Treason is a sciious
thing, and these men are undoubtedly guilty of it." The re-xdinn-
ol papers and docmnents by the prisoner at this stage, occupiel

f*1

sr>2

FENIAN nEnoT:9 ANn jrAiiTvnfl.

Rf'l

ul)()vr two hours. Ju(lg(> Kcogl), IIicti rrfus.-d fo allcu- l.i.n to pro.
<-<v(l wifli tl„! n'mlin^'ofun Hflliliivil wl.i.li hud boim Hworn In thd
rums.M.r Ihcaclioiia-iiiust, (ho Lorcl-Licuicnaut, on tho ^rr(M„i,l
lliat tiK! piihlic lirno could not bo fVittcud awiiy, wh(r..up..ii
O'Donovan oxclainuul, •' The tinu) of the public Iuvh larn given U>
Uy nu.." The Ibicnmn of the Jury ulso asked that tlie prisoner
bliould mark the documents for their consideration, and not read
them ; but he answered that he had laid down a course for hin'-
sclf, in consequence of the way in which ho had been treated since
ho liad l)(!en sent to pri«)n, wlu(;h ho could not depart from. IIh
then read nearly a hundred pages of small print, referring to llu!
Constitution, organization, and procccnlings of the Chicago Con-
venlion; as to which. Judge Iv.-ogh said, when the pristmer had
concluded: "It is scarcely necessary to remark to the public
iu<"ss the grave responsibility that would attm^li to the publication
of the document which the prisoner luis read, under the pretext
that it would fonn a necessary noition of l,is (h-fciice." The pri-
soner said his object in reading the document was to show that
there was nothing in the Clucago Convention docunu-nts referring
to liim. He afterwards read several articles from the Irish Peo-
2)h\am] at six o'clock in the evening wis still conlinuing his
readings, without any api>eurance of weariness. At this hour the
judges directed that thdr own diiuiers, and those of the jurynien,
should be brought down to Court; and it was undcTstood that the
sitting A\ould be a late one, in onier that, if possible, the prisoner
should tinish his first speech that night. The prisoner asked if
the Court would not adjourn as usual, as he had now been reading
for several hours, and was weaiied out. Tlie only answer lie
received, was, to proceed with Ins defence. He then ottered to
read some passages from the InM J\'opf.e, but Judge Keogh
would not permit him to read anything that was not specified In
th.' indictment. He lia.i tinnounced liis intention to examine a
wilness to show tluil his visit to America was in reference to com-
mercial matters; but after some further reading of the documents
before him, he announced that he could proceed no further wiih-
out the papers kept back by the Crown. He then sat down, hav-
ing occupied nearly eight hours in reading.

JKltJiMIAU o'dOxNOVAN (u088A). 353

l^Z '1T'7\ '"'^" l'^"^'^ ''''''''' "- ^"-7. ^'"^"^ "Hor
Miuiry on all llio c(jiints."

ISM „ ' " ""' """""•■' ""• " «"""'"• "f™cc in July

"I'o.. the Clerk of the Cro wa to enter tl 1 f l-n, • '^ '"'^

the record." '""'"' conviction upon

JudgoKeogh-'TIasthc prisoner anything to sav with mfn,.
ei.ce to pleading guilty to this previous J.ar.^oV'' ^ "

s J mJ^' wn;'~i ' "r ''' ''' ^'"^' "'^' l"'^^''-« on tLat-ocra.
sion Mr. Whit.iaide, who was a member of tl.o n-.r.. n

n.™,, ,„,i,„„.„u t.«. w„ w„„M ,0 ic. „; "r,,": fir:

but we would not do anything „f the kind Ti.Tn ^ '

then oflercd to le, Danid 0'S,dlil M ' ™ L J''" «-"""'-•"«

guilty. Wo refused to do so atZ hu .« , ""''"''

v^ , , " "''' "''*'^> I'lit afterwards conscntori

You may add anything you please to the sentence you t^^ a ui
to pass upon me." ^ ^"^^^

Thejudges here retired from tho bench to consider their sen
tence, and, during then- absence, Miss O'Leary stretched he ha j
down from the reporters' galleiy to take a last fareweU of th«
prisoner. He caught he hand and shook it warmly '''"

On the return of thejudges, the prisoner was asked if ho had
any hu,g to say why judgment should not bo passed upon h m

He rei^.ed--- With the fact that the Govemmont seized pTpers
connected w.h my defence, and perhaps examined them; wUU
th fac that the Government packed the jury; and with thoT ^
that the jury said yesterday that they considered me "-
The Court—'* We cannot allow this language "

kIm. iTr V? "^'"t '^' ''^^ "'"* *^« Government sent Jud^o
Keogh, of the Norbmy breed, to try me-wlth those facts befo^o
me, I could not say anything." ^

«,

ii '

i ■ '

m\ •

i ■

• '

j! ■■

1^1

•1 :

354

FENIAN IfEROES AND MABTITBft

" Yon have bocn connected with this trftnsactton since 1803,"
Bald Ko()<i;h.

"I am an IriHlirnan since 1 was boni," replied ftosaa.

*♦ I will not waste words by atteni|)Un^' to bring tlic heinousnesi
of the crime of which you were fomid guilty, to your mind," cott-
tbiucd Keogh.

**!t would 1)0 useless to try," tauntingly said the prisoner.

The wrathful and goaded Judge sentenced hia victim to I'cual
Servitude for Life.

" All right," he exclaimed, defiantly ; and, turning to leave tUe
dock, saluted i number of ladies.

The same defiant and resolute spirit has aocnrnpa-
nied the sturdy patriot into prison. The authoritiea
havcMabored, by putting hiui at tlio most lunthsomo
duties, and by treatment of the harsliest kiiul ; by
bodily chastisement, and tlie starvation system known
as the "lifrhtening process," to break him down ; but
he is indomitable, and will only succumb to deuth.

Of the Phoenix prisoners who have adhered to tho
old cause, or won distinction since, a few para<;riii)]i8
will not be out of place. William O'Shea, a nativo
of Bantry, came to the United States after his release,
and put himself in communication with the leadiuf*
nati(malist3. lie became one of a Committee of Safe-
ty which was in being in the earlier days of the Oi^
ganization. On the breaking out of the civil war
O'Shea entered the 42d regiment, N. Y. Y., as a pri-
vate, lie saved himself at the Ball's Bluif disaster
by swimming across the river, and was promoted for
ills gallantry on that day. He served the usual time,
and, re-entering tho army, shared in many of tho

* ..

■■!*

gi'O'.it huiiio^ uf tlio uriny of tli(3 I'otorrma 1 rnpitn!
instance of Ouptuin ()\Sl,ou'» .lutivo limnor in tlio
niidrtt of danger, is t(,l(l by hm brother cflieers.
While hiB eoinpaiiy was repairing one of the broken
I'l-idges .)ver tlie Chieivahoniiny, one uf ilcClellan's
itids rode fiiriouHly up and asked;
'' Who eoiiitnandH liero?'*

■■ ' ' i do," said tlie ( 'uptaift| ^rli^ stuttered

imich.

" I want to know, sir, Can artillery pass over ?"
"Yo—ye— yes— if they are ily— fly— flying— ar—
tn^til-^lery,'» mul O'Shea, casting a look of droll
perplexity at the bridge, O'Shea met a Boldic. ', death
at the Wilderness.

When Mortimer MoynaTian wag released !ie found
that all the aristocrats of West Oarljery regarded Iiim
as a disturber, he therefore turned his face towards
Cork, where he became associated in the same law
office with Brian Dillon, one of the first Centres of that
city. He returned to Skibbereen in 18G0, married
in the following year, and was soon Centre of that
town. Being in Dublin in ISCS, he was arrested on
the night of the seizure of the In,7i J'eoj^le, The in-
formations sworn against him hy the detectives were
false, he being confounded with his brother, who was
an emi)loyee of that jourmd. Mr. M. Moynahan
made an athdavit in the court of Quecji's Bench to
'the. iacts and was admitted to bail. He was next ap-
3M)inted hy the chief organizer "Intermedium" for
tlie county and city of Cork. After the suspension
Ol the /lahcas corjjus act he was sent, with three others,

356

FENIAN HEKOES ANI) MAR1TK8.

to liOTidon on the business of the Organization,
whence lie was sent to Paris, waere he was perma-
nently detailed by Stephens, and remained for tln-ee
months ; after which he came to America.

Patrick J. Downing, a native of Shibbcreen, was
one of those against whom true bills were found for
connection with the " Phoenix Conspiracy." He was
held to bail; and, after the discharge of Rossa, he went
to Paris to Stephens, around whom then all the young
revolutionists gathered. Soon after Downing came
to America as the agent of Stephens, and became
engaged in the " Phoenix " journal. He went to the
war with a commission in the 42d regiment, 'N. Y. Y.
Was wounded badly several times, and received
T^terited promotion. Colonel Downing was subse-
quently Adjutant-General, and afterwards Acting Sec-
retary for Civil Affairs of the F. B.

Denis J. Downing, brc • jer of the last named, is
alpo a native of Skibbereen, and was the youngest of
the Phoenix prisoners. Shortly after his release he
came to the United States. On the breaking out of
the war he went to the front as second lieutenant of
tho 42d regiment Is". Y. Y. He retired from that
regiment after the battle of Big Bethel, and entered
the 97th as sergeant-major. He took part in most of
the battles f the armj of the Potomac and steadily
rose. At Gettysburg he was lieutenant commanding
his company, and fell desperately wounded. To save
his life the ainputation of a leg was necessary. For
gallantly here he was commissioned, and when able to
be about he was transferred to the Yeteran Reserve

i •

I '

JWtEMIAB o'lOSOVAS (eoS3A).

357

e^rc'u.tv'^ '"r " '"'"■"'''"" «^™'"ation appoint-

S W r „:*7"ji""^^'-^ ^'■. '"■? -""-' - the
Colonnl n„ ^- ™' d'Sisolved, Lieutenant-

la^ rnvarF'"fr''™'^ " commission in the regu-
aimy as First Lieutenant, 44th regiment infantry.

358

FKNIAN HEROES AND MABTYES.

CHARLES JOSEPH KICKHAH.

„>. Pa,nny_Sad Accident When a Boy-A Stnden^^^^^^
_T„ the Calnns ol the P"«;-^">;-« J^^^^^.^^^efy of hcLeaders-Litera-
Keo,h-B and Hadlier's '^X'^^'tl^t-TJriJMs HimBelt-Speech iu
tiiro A-nin— Becomes a Feninn-Anept ir'"'
the D,.;k-Sonte..ee-Orael Tte.tmeut m Pmon.

In Ms gentleness and force, in his talents and demo-
tion as a practieal Cathdio, in Ins patnotism and pu-
ri", 01-^- J- Ki*'-'" ^'^"•^ " f""^ resemblance
to ilichard D' Alton Williams, tlie poet, wel ^nd
widel known by Ins no,, depl^one o^Sham.oclc, and
r;ll V di.tingmsUed by being one of «- Jonng I e-
land ikriot-marty-s of '48. They were likewise T,p-
perai-y men, and do honor to that noble connty.
'^ The more recent transactions in which Kickham
,vas concerned have become a part of the history of
onr day. For the tacts embracing the earlier portion
of his career, we are indebted to one of his associates,
Cantein D. P. Conyngham.* Charles J. KicWiam
w:fbl about thirtVeight years ago, in the sma .^
Lo of Mnlli.ial.one, which lies almost beneath the
shelter of Slievenamon, whose pictnrcscp.e beanty ho
fhiterwoven h.to some of his best poems. I «
sprang from a respectable and patriotic stock, lus

.Auth!r OC "T he Iri.b Brlg.de.ua ■„.C.m..isn.." " Sherm«.-.!.«<*.".».

•I *

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i***3!f>'«i»iia«,^

)

CHARLES JOSEPn KICK 11 AM.

359

fufhor, Jolm Kickliiun, was a wealtJiy draper, and the
liiiuhiu^ .nan of tho villa<rc, a patriot and a i)l.llantl.ro-
pist. Jfo gave nnto liundredrt who wore evicted from
their little farinH, not only clothes from his store, but
also money to enable them to emigrate to America •
and to their credit bo it said, they gratefully returned
It as soon as earned. Many a farmer, who to-day gh^
.loys i.eace and plenty in happy homesteads in Amer-
]('M., blesses his memory.

His mother was an O'Mahony, and in every sense a
lady, refined and cliaritable. Two of his uncles and
several of his relatives were eminent divines. Sprung
from such a iamily,and reared amid such associations'^
Chai-les Kickham grew up with unsullied princii)le8
and a mind as pure as the gentlest maiden. IJis
father, a man of education, sound judgment and keen
penetration, saw that his son possessed the germs of a
fine mind, and resolved to spare no labor or expense
to polish the diamond, lie engaged a competxiut
tutor for that purpose. The boy progressed rapidly,
but an unfortunate occurrence blighted his hopes when
about thirteen years of age: the explosion of a pow-
der flask brought the boy to the verge of the grave.
He slowly recovered, however, but remained deaf and
near-sighted ever after. lie could not now avail him-
self of the instructions of a teacher, so he retired
within himself, and became a great reader and thinker
When only a boy of eighteen Jie contributed some
beautiful pieces to the press.

"Ho was passionately fond of fishing and fowlino-
Sometimes you would meet him along the banks of

'■M«ito»M«tnp,y -jig.,,,,.

3G0

FENIAN HEltOES AJiO) MAKTYllfl.

Ifl

King's River, a stream near his neic^hborin*,^ town, or
wandering along the beautiful Aniier, that flows be-
side Slievenamon. At other times you might meet
him with a double-barreled gun in his hand, or flung
Oil his shoulder, with Fan, the terrier, and a pointer
for his companions, wandering over the moors or along
the mountains, in search of game. He and his haunts
were so well known, that the little children crowded
the cabin doors on the day he was expected, looking
out for Master Charles; for he had a kind word for
all, and divided his spoils with them, and had shana-
clius with the old women in the corner, and smoked
the dudheen with the old man, and talked of '98, of
the Croppies and the Yeos, of the pitch-caps and the
triangles, of the wholesale exterminations and starva-
tion of the peasantry of the present time, until his
honest blood coursed his veins in fiery streams, and
the tear moistened his eye, and the hope of revenge
gave a ^ fierce expression to his kind and noble face.
He delighted very much in manly exercises, and keen-
ly enjoyed the hurling and the dance upon the green,
and made these rural customs the subject of some of
his descriptive tales."

Though his society was courted by the wealthiest,
it was in the poor man's shelling, or enjoying the
merry dance and hurling-matches of the peasantry, he
was most at home. The honest peasant who mourned
the wrongs of his country and yearned for its freedom
—who toiled hard for his daily bread — was, in his
opinion, tar nobler than the sleek slave who, because
he had enough himself, closed his eyes to the suffer-
ings around him, and felt happy.

CHARLES JOSEPH KICKIIAM. ^61

Altliough scarcely twenty years of ago in '48 he
was an active nationalist, and in coninnction with
some congenial spirits organized a club in Mullina-
hone, ^ Having fallen under suspicion, he suifered
some inconvenience for a short time. He then re-
turned to his old sjiorts, and to literature, writing fu-
gitive pieces for the periodicals. Soon after Keo-h
and Sadher organized an independent opposition par-
ty-a lenant-right party-pledged to oppose every
government that would not do justice to Ireland,
Xeogh, m makmg his pledge, raised his hands and
eyes to Heaven, exclaiming—"! pledge myself so
help me God I" What became of all these promises
and violated oaths we know too w^ell.

When the treachery and rottenness of the Keogh
and Sadher party became apparent, the Ti,)perary
I^eader became the great organ of the people in smash-
ing up their perjured clique ; and Kickham, Father
Kenyon and Father John Power were among its ablest
contributors.

^ Keogh became a justice of the Common Pleas, and
in time Kickham was arraigned as a felon and a traitor
before the perjured judge, who, if there was any trea-
son in the act which brought him there, was the man
who taught him that very treason.

Disgusted with the treachery of his leaders, Kick-
ham agam retired within himself-to write tales and
put the feelings of the people into vigorous verse
When Doctor Cane of Kilkenny started the Celi,
Kickham at once became a contributor, writintr
sketches, tales, essays, and poems. Of the latter, hit

862

FKNTAN IIKRORS ANT) MAItTVIia.

*'Tlory of tho Tlill" appfiiivd in tliia pcriodicul. Al-
tlioiigh Kii'kliaiii li!i<l vowod to csdiow politico in I'u-
tiiro, lie bo(iinno » convert to Stt'|)lj(;nB' viewB ; and
"vvlion Jolm ()'^^llllony visited frcljind lio initiuted ono
mun, and that was our poet, wlio at once tln'cvv liim-
Bclf with tlio dovoti(»n ot hirt nature into the orjijani-
zation, and was nniinly insti'urnental in powinj^ tlio
pcedrt of Feni:iniMin over Tippeniry. IFe [)aid a vi^it to
the United States in LSdl}, and was ])resent at the First
National Conii-rosa of the IJrotherhood at Chicajjjo.
On his return liomc; lie bccaiuo a leadini; writer for
tlie L'ii^/i People \ and on Stepliens' visit to America
durinjjj the war, ho was designated (without his know-
ledge) ono of the tliiee executive council to nianngo
atlairs in his absence. Kichhani was captured at tlie
time of Stephens' arrest, and brought to trial in Dub-
lin at the re-sitting of the S])ecial CommisBion, 5th
January, 18()7. At its commencement, liis defence
was conducted by counsel ; but on the refusal, by the
judges, of his application to have Tliomas Clarke
Luby produced as a witness, he declai-ed the trial was
a mockery, and refused to have any further leg;>.l as-
sistance, lie addressed tlie jury in his own defence,
and made a lengthy and clever speech, one which bore
the impress, not only of talent, but of truthfulness in
every part, and which certainly tended to place his
conduct in a more innocent light than that in which it
was represented by the Crown lawyers.

He said that a person unaccustomed as he was to public speak ■
ing, could hardly get out his Ideas at all without prei)aration, and
iiu had had uo tinie. However, he had no objection to go on.

PKNIAN TIKUOKS ANT) MAUTVK8.

303

No pnsr.nor ha.l <,v..r hmx tn-ut...! more xmMv]y \hnu ]w. was.
I^ot, „nly l.,ul h,, t,. |„,u- his Mhurc of .ulunn.y, but, IV,,,., th.,. c.„».
n.<.u-..n,,.„t of the Co„unis.i,.„, in cv.,ry 8,,.,,cU ,narl. l,y ...nns-l
J<'ril..!(.rowM, I.iH nmn. vvuH (Iruir.,,! i,,, and not aloru- that, l.ut
<>v<.M tl,., j,„I..,s on II,. |„,„.i, ,ii.l it. ir. ronid not l,.,t fiu-i h litdo
«unMis.., wlH.n on. ,.(• tl.o Jn.Ig.H r.-ad out tl.o nu,n,.,s iVo.n tl.o
*.x.TuHvo do..n„„nt "-Lul,y, 0'U.Hry, und Kickiiau.-and snid
.0 Hlu,dd,M(.d at tl„. crirncH (I,.ho men would con.tnit if tl.,.y Imd
lM> liovvor. Ho conid not I.Hp H,inl<ing llmt I.i» lordnliip nhmUl
-vo nrolI,...|,.d M.at IIh-m, was ono of tlwH. nw,n wl.o was not yot
n.d, and wl.o nngi.t I„. innocent of .v.-n knowing tl.o oxisl.uL
«l llMs donnnont. So that h. (prlHonc,.-) conHi.h.x.d ho had b.ra
in. d and found guilty five thncs in that Court IIouso, and ho did
not know Imw n.any tin.os in C(,rk. Ho w.,uld now go throu^di
t .(> HilioloM in tl.o indi.ln.ont, but would not road thon, all Th«
irst mt.olo was ono hoa<lod '"82 and '29." If ihoy took tl.o
trouble of reading through that artielo, they would be at a loss to
Bee ^yhy ,t was that so long an article, with so little treason in it
e^hould have the ,>lac:o of honor. They might not agree with tho
wnlor, but It was, novortlxlrss, true what he said, that it would
have heen well lor LHand that tho olain.s of the loyal Volunteers
of 82 had been refusc.i, for thg result wouhl have been eon.plete
""•<I>('<.<l<-n(x'. And I,.t them look baek upon the history of thia
country-not a glcani of s,u.shine-the sulFerings of the people
and the exodus. What Irisl.n.an couM look upon the eightyJbur
years wh.eh had passed and would not say, "Give us our coun-

vf.I Tt '-"'t^''' '"'' I'' ^"''^ ""'""' ''' "^ ''"' ^^"^^ ^'^ ^-^ ^1-
With It. 1 heso armed voluntc-ers trampled on the Tieason-Felo-

i)y Act. So mueh for '82. There was not much treason In that

rerhai)s it was in the '2t) part of the artielo tho treason was The

purport of that portion was, that if the English Government refused

cmanc.iKition, the Roman Catholics would have taken up arms

and that the liberal Protestants would have jomed them The

J)uke of Wellington said the same thing, and be must 8av that a

bishop m America was so oblivious of his allegiance as to organize

forty thousand armed Fenians, to send them to Ireland, if the

Government refused emancipation. There was one good thin-

^ ^

1 ' !

864

0HABLE8 JOSEPH KICKIIAM.

that the Fonlann did. He said that concessions to Ireland liad
been always (lie result of Fenianisni in Homo Bliapc or otlit-r; tlio
Kn;;li>*h aoverninent, liowc^ver, wliih' nial<inf,' coneesHions, aiways
expected to get soinething In return ; and, lie believed, they had
never been disaijpointed. Not only hail they etipuiafcd upon
getting prompt payment, but, also, they got a largo instaliniMit in
advance. And luiro ho could nf)t help referring to tlie publication
of Sir John Gray's aflldavit, which he stated he withheld, afraid it
would injure the prisoners on their trial, and yet that visry allida-
Vit was published on the eve of his trial. To return to the article
" '82 and '29," he repeated, they would find very little treason in
it. Why, tlieii, hud it been i)laced on the front of the inlictment?
That was done for a passage in it referring to Roman ("atliolic
judges, and Roman Catholic placemen, in which it was said,
*'The Calholic jud;i,c will prove as iniiiuitous a tool of tyranny, as
tlie most bigotted Orange partisan would be." It would not do
for tlie Attorney-General to select articles in wiiich one of the
judges was mentioned by name in the severest language. That
would be going too far. Judge Keogh said he had never seen a
copy of the Irish People, and he believed tliat if his lordship had
seen these articles, he would have tried to avoid sitting in judg-
ment on tlie men who were accused of being the writers of them.

But the Attonioy-General l«new of them, and he believed that
the articles he alluded to had been placed in the front for the pur-
pose of prejudicing Roman Catholic judges against the prisoners
they would have to try ; and the Special Commission was ap-
pointed — if that was the word— for the sole purpose of enabling
tlicm to select the judges, and that it was the best mode of follow-
ing np the attempt to put down the organization, by trampling on
the law, and then following that up by trampling on the law of
morality and decency. If it were necessaiy to intorrnpt him, JVIr.
Lawless would communicate their lordships' wislies to liim.

Justice Keogh — " Not at all. Proceed."

The Prisoner went on to say that the jury might be told that all
this was beside the question. But he denied this. lie said the
Government was on its trial, and not alone the Irish Government,
bat English rule in Ireland was on its trial. The Government

VENIAN HEROES AND MARTYK8.

365

hmd '!^H "i!' ''"'"""' "^''^^•"'^••^'^•^ n.n.plrarv. both in Ire
^m an,lAnu.n.a; but ,I,is only showed that tho ,n.:Un."u of

" The trlbnno'« tonsno nnrl poot'f. pon
May BOW tho seed la Blftvlsh men,
But 'tl8 tho 8oltHer« wword alone
Can reap the harveHt when 'tis sown.

T,i'7^'' T"" ""^'^ ''''■"*' "'"'" ""^'^' ^^''^ his host to make the
In^h people a .nilitary people. A lew years before his Zth Is
f .ends observed in his library a nun.ber ofnuiitary book sn ,.
1-0 found m the offloe of the /././. Penj.lc, and ho w^u Id a^

ins statue, by Hogan, is now in IVFount Jerome. Tlio whole
na on ,,,ied his death, and all cre.ls and classes ,a,l

dowb'thoT- /';""" ""^"^ ^"^"'« P-ants' cabin's pulled

" ' God of justice I ' I «aid, ' send your spirit down
On tliose lords so cruel and proud
And soften their hearts, and relax their frown
Or else,' I cried aloud— '

» Vouchsafe your stron^-th to the poasnnfs hand,
10 drive them at length from oU" the laud.' "

The prisoner concluded by saying, "Wliat did tlie Irish Pco
^^. say worse than that? I have done no more than he h^
done ; doom me to a felon's doom if you choose. »

T]iG charge of Judge Keogli was considered not
unfavorable to the prisoner. The jury, liowever
bronglit in a verdict of " Guilty on all the counts " '

Some one near luckham intimates this to him by
some look or sign, and he knows that his time is come

»?mmmmm^

fef

rij

'|H ^

366

CHARLES JOSlilPll KICKHAM.

to speak again, if Le chooses to do so. Slepjring to
the front of the dock, at first stooping slightly
over the iron bar, and then raising himself to his full
height, he says —

"Perhaps, my lord, I have said enough already. I will only
add that I believe I have done nothing but my duty. I have en-
deavored to serve Ireland, and now I am prepared to sufl'er for
Ireland. "

The sentence was that he be kept in penal servitudo
for a term of fom'teen years. Great commiseration
(said the Nation) for Mr. Kickham, was felt during
the progress of the trial, which was, throughout, a
painful scene. Ilis deafness and his defective sight
caused him to be almost unconscious of a great por-
tion of the proceedings ; but the most material points
were communicated to him through the india-rubber
speaking tube which he wore about his neck. During
his trial one could not help being forcibly reminded
of one of the verses occurring in his clever and popu-
lar ballad, named " Patrick Sheehan " —

"0, Blessed Virgin Mary, '

Mine is a mournful tale,
A poor blind prisoner here I am

In Dublin's dreary jail ;
Struck blind within the trenches

Where I never feared the foe ;
And now I'll never see again

My own sweet Aherlow."

We read lately of a good old priest, who was found
weeping over one of Kickham's graphic pictures of

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS,

367

peasant siifferiiiivg, and, when asked what was the
matter, replied, "Head that, and when you reflect
that the man wlio wrote it is pining in a dungeon
to-day, instead of being idolized by all classes, is it
not enough to make any man weep '? "

Mr. Kickham has suffered what has been termed a
process of " slow and savage torture " since his incar-
ceration. His pure, gentle, and loving nature, has
been subjected not only to indignity, but to such
treatment as should make any civilized nation bow its
head in shame. After spending a few weeks in
Mountjoy Prison, where he was treated with compara-
tive generosity, he was removed to Pentonville, and
handed over to the tender mercies of English ofiicials.
Here, the invalid prisoner was subjected to the soli-
tary discipline and starvation allowance, until he
•' was riddled over with scrofulous ulcers, and reduced
to a skeleton. He is then sent to Portland for change
of air, where, by way of healthful recreation, he is
ordered into the wash-house to cleanse the foul gar-
ments of England's vilest criminals. But his brave
soul can no longer support his famished body. He
sickens almost to death, is tried in the quarries, and
then sent off to the invalid station at Wokino-."
When last heard from, he was being killed hy inches.

**-**»*««,,^,jj^,,.

368

DENIS DOWLmG MULCAUT*

:\ I

DENIb DOWLING MITI.CAHT.

Son of a Patriotic Farmer— Fenian Propagnndist— Studies Medictfi*— Hlil
Appearance— Arrested— Trial— Speecli in tlie Doclc— Colloquy witit tte«
Judge— Guilty— Sentence— Sufferings in Prison— Writ of Errof.

This gentleman, whose indefatigable services to tij©
Fenian canse were sworn to on the trials of his friend*,
Luby, Kickham, and others, as weil as on his own, !«
yet under thirty-five years of age. The son of a re-
spectable farmer in the parish of Powcrstown, neap
Clonmel, County of Tipperary, who was a sturdy
nationalist in the days of O'Connell, and subsequently
an adherent of the Young Ireland doctrines, young
Denis inherited his father's spirit and zeal. His boy-
ish enthusiasm was fired in '48. The feelings of this
era grew with his grow^th ; he was one of the first
to join the Fenian Broth ei'hood in Tipperary ; and,
with Kickham, was a chief propagandist of it in that;
county. Subsequently his energies and ability wero
brought into play on a larger field of operations. In
18G0 he began the study of medicine ia Dublin, wrote
for the press, and, on the or,9;aiiization of the Iri^h
People corps, he became sub-editor of that journal.

At this time Mr. Mulcahy presented a fine personal
appearance. Nearly six feet in height, with a skin fair

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PENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

3G9

as a woman's, his rich golden hair long and cnrlino- to
his Bhonlders, his beard fair and silky, and feati^res
mild and regular, gave him a dreamy, poetical look.
VV^hen aroused, and speaking of Ireland, whether at
the festive boai-d, or addressing the impassioned sons
of Tipperary, with his locks flung back from his brow
and his mild eye transfigured into flame, he was the
embodiment of the boldness and the passion of patri-

\t ^r!^ P'"'^ ^^ ^^'^ '^'^'''^ of the Fenian or-
gan, Mr. Mulcahy was arrested. After some delay he
was bronght to trial, and, on the 2rth Jannary, 1806
found guilty on all the c<n.nts. The trial was of the
usual stereotyped kind ; Nagle, the informer, and his
lelJows, being the Government resource.

The prisoner was about to reply to the usual ques-
tion, when Mr. Justice Fitzgerald warned him that if
he had any proper arguments " to address to the court
he could do so, but that the court would be obliged to
interpose if the prisoner transgressed the proper
limits.'* ^ ^

Mr. Mulcahy-- My lords, several persons have been tried since
the openmg of this Special Commission. They were supplied with
copies of most of the documents which were to be produced in
evu^ence against them. When they came to this bar, they were

the 2'^th September last. I asked for the information on which I
was arrested. There was none to be produced to me. 1 was
thrown mto a cell and l.ft there for twenty-four hours. I was
brought before a magistrate, I was committed, or rather remanded
I was brought up agam. I asked to be shown the evidence upon
which I was arrested or remanded, but there was not a single tittle
of e^adence to be produced to me, I had nothing but the sunpla

'fff

370

DENIS DOWLIKG MULOAUY.

In Lnby's ca«o the A»„„K.y-Q™ " 1; ' a ," ,"';" "■'■"'"'•

^v•l„d, w„„M j„„i,y ,1,0 seizure of ,|,e IITjZJ ^"";;""™'
rest of those connected wit], i, w , ' "' ""'' "'" »■■-

thrown into soHta y on cln, a-l'r '*"' "' """"-'y.
-n,o Carges were Ice, ZZ^ w™ Xr;,":."''"™ ."«'

^^;i:n,r:ra:r""--'-°"^^^^

on,yL ...rr:;:;: f^zrsoTL";:'!,;^'^"™'".""' "-'

«o matter a, „at ttao or V^^^.TZZ'^t^rrZ

learned lawyer, who is an oJiment V, s ,,«^ i^? ^ ": """
to his country. I relied on the truthfttlne, of « A,? "" T"'

.e,..f Of those Who were Lcensed of br^cCe™. IthTti:
called a treacirerous consplracy-an infamous eonsplraey_wo have
heard so much of learned br„.hers-of learned friends. Ita one

c^ , _^ Wa were charged by Mr. Barty in ^ opening slate-

FENIAN UEliOKS AND MARTYKS.

371

Mr. JuRtice Fitzgornld stf.i)i)«l him as he had "notyot niarlo
one legitimate observation "—

• Prisoner— "I am going to show that I was taken by surprise."
Mr. Justice Fitzgerald-" Tliat is a fair oI)servation.»
Prisoner—" Have I not a ri-hl to allude to it ? I care veiy little
tor the treason-felony, but I con,;,.ive that my moral character has
been assailed, and I do not wish that the imputations which have
been made against it should go abroad on the wings of the press
It was alleged by Mr. Barry in hi "—

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald-" I have already told you that we can-
not hear that. "

Prisoner— "Mr. Barry alleged that we preached the doctriiu-s of
socialism. I deny that; I deny the charge of assassination. I
niamtain that the doctrines preached by the Irish People''—
^l\: Justice Fitzgerald— "I cannot hear you further."
Prisoner—" Respecting the cliarge made against me, I say that
the doctrines put forward against me in that paper are put forward
by John Stuart Mill, who is certainly as high an authority as you
can hnd. As regards the evidence "—
Mr. Justice Fitzgerald-" The jury have determined upon that »
Prisoner-"! want to show that there was nothing immoral in
the doctrines preached by the Irish leople "—
Mr. Justice Fitzgerald—" I won't listen to you."
Prisoner-" I never yet knew a prisoner to hit on that happv
phrase why sentence should not be passed upon him "—

The Judge here repeated his previous warning, adding "I was
further under the apprehension that you might give utterance to
expressions which might coerce me to impose a severer sentence
than the court intended. "

Prisoner-"! have been found guilty on insufficient evidence
It was not proved that I was in Clonmel. It was not proved that
I acted as a Fenian. Mr. Vowell could not say that he saw me
write for the last ten years. He could not swear to my handwrit-
mg. It was impossible that he could judge of the character of
my writing. He states I was only sixteen years of age when I
was m his office ; he also stated what was perfectly false. If a
man's oath is anything, he stated what was pure perjury. He

372

PENIAN niJROEP AND MARTYRS.

Bworo tlmt ho never paid me bark money, for which I proroflscd
him. Tliat is a i'nvX which I could eHtabllHli, Tlie Altorncy-Gen-
erai said aonu'tliing about being dupes of Stepliens, Luby and
O'Leary "—

Mr. Justice Filzgorald— **I cannot allow this."

Prisoner — " With regard to the connection between Stephens
and Luby " —

Tiie Judge would not listen to that subject.

Prisoiu'r — "One of theae letters was put in for the purpose of
connecling me with Fenianism. There was not a single particle
of evidence in the case to show that I knew anything of the acts
of others. TIktc was no evidence that I ever went to a drill
meeting; no single jiartide of evidence that I was at tiie meeting
in Clonmel." The prisoner then proceeded to jioint out discrepan-
cies in Nagle's evidence, with a view to show liiat it was wholly
incorrect. Ho asserted that Nagle's statement that he (prisoner)
had given him a letter of introduction to Johv O'Mahony was
false.

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald — " I really must put a dlop to these ob-
servations. You are simply wasting time."

Prisoner — '"AH I have now to say is that the Irish People
preached proper doctrines, and that I am proud of my coimeclion
with it, and with Stephens, Luby, John O'Leary " —

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald — "I have warned you of the conse-
quences. "

Prisoner — "I am now prepared to receive sentence."

The prisoner was sentenced to penal servitude for
ten years.

Mulcaliy, like liis friends, suffered and suffers severe-
ly in prison. A letter from Dartmoor — a situation on
a moor more than a thousand feet above the level of
the sea, witli a humid, fogscy and cold climate — indi-
cated h*8 siiffcriufrs : " Nothiiiij; can be less suitable
for one who has suffered as I had at Millbank from

DEN18 DOWLtNG MtJLCAMY.

373

noiimlgia, which I first caught tlioro owincr to the
Btrong currents of tiir wliich ])Rs.sed through my cell "

'it (lid occur to mo," he continues, "that I may not
be sent back to Portland till the decision of the lords
was known, but that I might be removed to Woking
as It was convenient to London." * * * « Had j
given way to my grief, I must have sunk; but I med-
itated on the words of the Lord to Jeremias : < Think
thoughts of peace and not of affliction ; you shall call
upon me, and I will hear you ; I will bring back your
captivity from all places.' I've placed myself under
the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, implored
her intercession, and cast all my care upon'lier Divine
Son, and so I've been able to do what I fear I other-
wise should not bear with resignation~my fate."

The decision of the Lords alluded to was in a writ
of error sued out in his case. Mr. Mulcahy was sub-
Bequently returned to the " felon cells " of Pentonville

I 4

~-"-™~iraitii";ii Mji^e^ii,

371

FENIAN HEUOE8 AND MAltTl'Iia.

.TOim FLOOD, EDWARD DUFFY, MICHAEL

. riood Arrested with McOafferty-AJrls to llclen^e Stophrn^^PoHition in the
r.«„i.a,ion. DnfFy Arro.ted with SlophonH-SIck iu P.l.„n-LilH.rat..a-
la.-Am.Hto,l and I.I.M,ti.l,vl-'rri,.lB-Fl.,od, DuIFy and Cody found Ouilty-
Thoir SpecchcB lu tlio Dock-Sontcnccs. ^

JonN Flood, wlio was an-cstod wifli McCaffortj in
tlie Lit% under tlie name of FliilIi|,H, ,m(l who was
BO constaTitly alluded to by t]ie infonner and detec-
tives, presented a stri icing appearsince M^lien confront-
ed witli liis persecutors. A fine loolcing man, of large
person, and frank, hands(Mne features, adorned by an
ample board of a tawtiy color, his bearing was upn'oht
and stalwart, and he scorned little affected by the con-
iinement of prison life. John Flood is about thirty
years of age, and a Wexford man. Heiirst became
specially distinguished by his panicipntion in the ar-
rangements for the escape of Stephens i'roni Ireland.
He accompanied Stephens and Colonel Kelly in their
perilous journey frt>m Du])lin to Scothmd. Adverse
winds blew tlicir boat into Bemist Hai-bor with tlie
loss of their tiller; and it was owing to Flood's knowl-
edge and experience flint the party were saved.. He
received a severe injury in the hand letting go the an-

FLOOD, DUFFV, AND CODY. 375

chor in tlio hurry to prevent tliclr hv'uv^ driven too far
into the Imrbor. Flood saw Stei)lien8 Hafo to TarlH,
and after a few days returned to Irehmd, and almost
irnined lately took his position na one of the lirnt otH-
eers of the Kno-lish and Seoteh ()r<ranization. He in
freiiuently alhided to as one of the " Directory » and aa
(^hief projector of the Chester affair. His comrades
H[)eulv of him as a man of ^reat energy, who always
Htood fiiitlifully to his work, and was respected and
relied upon by the people.

It will be remembered that Edward Duffy was one
of the ]>arties arrested at Stephens' house on the
morning of the Uth November, 1865. He was
charged at the same time with confederating and con-
Hi.iring to levy war against the Queen, to separate Ire-
land from England, and to establish a republic in the
former. On this occasion, before the magistrates, Mr.
Duffy sharply catechised the police, and denied the
right of the hitter to search suspected localities with-
out a warrant. He wanted to expose the fact that
"according to IJriti.sh law, a constable can arrest a
man for treason without a warrant" in Ireland. The
chief poli(.'e magistrate declined to discuss the point,
and Duffy called on the members of the press who
were present to note the fact, " in order," as he said,
" that the public may know under what sort of law wo
are living." Mr. Duffy was committed, with his
friends, Stephens, Kickham, and Brophy, to liiclimond
jail.

Mr, Edward Daffy was i-egai-ded as a person of
more than usual influence in the organization— a man

, »

1 1

376

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYES.

of capacity, ability and resolution, who stood high in
the estimation of the then controlling powers of the
Brotherhood. While in prison, however, grave symp-
toms of disease manifested themselves, which threat-
ened to end in consigning Mr. Duffy to a premature
grave. The authorities, seeing his health such as
would prevent any future aid to the cause for which
he was arrested, set him at liberty. He went to the
west of Ireland, and, in company with a young man
named Thomas Egan, was again arrested at Boyle in
the County of Koscommon, on the 11th of March,
1866. The prisoners were immediately conveyed to
Dublin ; and on the trial of Captain McCafferty, while
the informer Corydon was being examined, Mr. Duffy-
was brought forward for identification with John
Flood. Duffy was characterized as " the organizer for
the province of Connaught." They were subsequent-
ly brought to trial at the Special Commission, Dublin;
and on Friday, 17th May, Flood, Duffy, and Michael
Cody, (who attempted to shoot his captors,) were found
guilty of treason-felony. It will be remembered that
Flood and McCafferty were arrested on the 23d Feb-
ruary, after having eluded the authorities from the
day of the Chester demonstration ; and it was sought
to directly connect them with the rising of the 5th
March. An authoritative communication to the
Dublin Irishman contradicts this, and we are in a po-
sition to know that the statement which follows is
based on fact :

" Of course anything that I can say now cannot alter the sen-
tence of the law, nor be of any benefit to the prisoner ; yet it is

itMM

FLOOD, DUFFY, AND CODY* 377

diTe to history that the truth should be known. The Dircctorv of
which ,t was .supposed that Flood and MnP.ff / ^^rectovy, of
laad beea dissolved Ion, berore tht; eamet S^^^^^

be allowec^. ^^^^^^ ^ ttt^ JeSr 'tLT ^^^^
cleverly "burked " hv fho n.. !, "^^^ P^P^^ so

know of tUat e^r T ' , " """«• °<"' ''''» •'"'y "veu

Mas.,0, a„!it,s Intm« o s 11 X fX"" «"- >™y«" kept
anc, McCafltay convic.r T o/LelZrth ''h"* '''°°''
either on the trial w„„.a infalliW, : ", " LL Tow" T "'

ana con.. ., S ne^r^ ^ ^f .tr, '" "^"

On Tuesday, the 21st May, Flood, Dnffy, and Cody
were bi-otj^dU up for sentence. In reply to the n^.i
question Flood stood forward, and in' a^tro„: X^
voice and pleasant utterance, said : °'

K:'^:t7;ofrrc —;';-'" ""™-'*--"-

Crydon. I will ,av t , Tw , ™°''°- ^" '"=8"' *'*

desf*e, .rLrJir: ::' iru:;:,";tr""°^.''»

about it, and I believe th^t thn n ""^^^'P^^'- ^ knew nothing

ha„* «:„ means of ColXttTe s^'i Tv "1 "" '"^'^
sey's evidence would L f« v "^ ^^^'^^<^ ^^^^ Mas-

wa^s a T>.eZyZZTi:ZZLT ^:^' '"T T' '
evidence in their hand<, pn.! ^ t , ''^'^- ^^^ Crown had that

«.a. Place in cir 'U eT^ ,1; Tt™" ", ^^ -in

swore concernine- me wa^ a f«ic 7 II ^""^"^ ^°^^ ^^

^' It'

h i!

i , i

fljf, f

378

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYRS.

they did tell the truth, and that I was in Manchester at the time.
Therefore, I say, the Crown held possession of evidence, which
they withheld, to prove that I was not at Chester at the time the
detective swore I was. I positively declare that the detective
never saw me there, for I was not there. Now the evidence of
Dawson, that very effective detective, beai's falsehood on the face
of it. He swears he saw me, and knew my appearance, about
town for a length of time, and met me in Burke's public house,
where I never was in my life. A strange coincidence is that on
tliat night he saw me enter a drill-room. Can any one believe that
that is true? Now I say I have been unfairly dealt with other-
wise, and I say that, by a sort of legal legerdemain, I have been
placed on trial here on the terrible charge of assassination. No
man in this court could regard such a charge with greater horror
than I do. No man has a gi-eater horror of it, and I never heard
of such an odious and abominable conspiracy as the witness
Mearahad deposed to. lam sure that no tiae Irishman would
attempt to have anything to do with such a thing. I heard noth-
ing about it, and I do say that, if I should have been tried with
any one, I should have been tried with IVIcCatferty, the man with
•whom I was identified, and with whom I was arrested, I might
have got a fair trial then, but I declare I have not had a fair trial.
There has been an extreme course adopted by the Crown toward
me from my arrest to the present hour. I say they had evidence
in their possession which would have gone to prove my innocence,
and it has been suppressed. Let them deny that. The Attorney-
General says he thinks he is above motives. I impute no motives.
I state facts and leave the world to judge. You saw how the iden-
tification has been proved against me by that woman from Chester.
I will tell you how such a thing is carried on. We were taken to
Mountjoy and paraded before the Detective I'olice, and day after
day came groups of people, either mformers or detectives from
England or elsewhere, always accompanied Ijy on' or more of the
detectives who came there the day before ; and I do not know but
these people were told, 'That's Flood,' or 'That's McCafTerty.'
If they had come forward and identified me properiy, they should
have said, 'You are the man I saw in Chester, or Liverpool,' aa

FLOOD, DtUTY, AKD CODT.

379

country through my whole life Rlmni7 '"^'"^ "'^

wretched indeed, fori till f "'"''' ^' '^^^^^^^^^'' ^ «'»

sworn falsely ao-ainst ,J r , ^ "''""™' "''• Ho l.as

sociation sincerelv for m,. . / , ° "^ ^"^"^"'^ t^^e as-

*..y to ,., co„.„,,.y i, pa„"of his c,: ;rGo< ':•:;;:' :, "r"'

fact, miplaiits the fceliii" of n,.,i ,■ • ''" """' "»

who know, whollier r ° ri,r ' '" "" ""'""" "''=»«• "'«'

outbreak. a,n no.r LJot^ '^"'j:,';^ ^J *■* ™'- ^0,- the la.;

I feel bound, in inMce to nw»lf , !, .' '' '"' " '»''"'''• "

on the trials' tlJt St;:,,:!"^ 'I "pZ: "'^h a! '"' '"" '"^'
and It may be well that it should t >t be left , .""t" '"'""''">
but too well known in Ireland thah . ™'=o»"-adicted. It i,

to %ht, promising .hem o „ wt* , T'™ "' '"™ ""''
come. The tin.e did e ,m b^t lo IV^"'.", ^""' "" "'™ """"'
"-'".Kl. He went to Prane'e L se th^Pa* E^lv ^' 'T'""'

ua^:t\^:Tri.rdrt;1"'""^^^^^^^^

ueiaud, lost to his country. There are a

R I

380

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

few things that I would wish to say relative to the evidence given
on my trial, bnt I request, my loid, that you would give me per-
mission to make those remarks after sentence has b !n passed.
They solely and entirely relate to the evidence, and I have a reason
for asking why I should be allowed to say them after sentence has"
been passed. "

The Chief Justice—" That is not the usual practice. The fact
of your not having been tried for your life makes it very doubtful
to me whether you should speak at all as to why sentence should
not be passed upon you."

The prisoner— " With regard to the first piece of evidence, I
declare before my God, that not one word that man swore against
me on the table was true. lie swore he saw me at Enniskerry;
but I never spoke to him on any political subject, or that T ever
knew him to be an important member of the associati(m ,ntil I
saw the informations, I declare to Heaven I never did. He never
spoke to me in my life, I knew him from the time he was a child,
and I knew him to be amoiig the vilest and worst in that little
town, and I knew the character he was. Is it to be supposed that
I would put my liberty into the hands of such a character ? I
never did. The next witness is Corydon. He swore that at the
meeting to which he referred, I gave him dir( clions to go to Kerry
to O'Connor, and put himself in commnnica! )n with tliem. I
declare to my God that every word of that is false. Whether
O'Connor was in the country or whether he made his escape, I
knew as little as your lordship, and never heard of the Kerry
rising till the tale of it appeared in the public papers. There is
not a Avord of that that is not false. And as to giving the Ameri-
can officers information, before my God, and on the verge of my
grave, as the sentence will send me to it, I say that is also false.
As to the writing the policeman swore to in that book, and which
is not a prayer book— it is an 'Imitation of Christ given to me,'
by a lady to whom I sfved my time— what was written in that
book was written by another young man who was in her emplov-
ment. That is his and not my writing. That is the writing of a
young man in the house, and I never wrote a line or a word of it."

FLOOD, DUFFY, AND CODY. 381

The Lord Cl.i.'f Justice—" It was not sworn to be in your hand-
writing, as I undorstaiul. "

^ Prisoner— "Yes, my lord. It was the policeman that swore
It waH in my handwriting,"

The Loi-d Chief Justice-" That is a mistake. It was said to
be hke yours, but it was not given in evidence against you."

Prisoner-" It was said to bo my writing. The jury have
doomed me to a painful, but not less glorious death. I bid fare-
well to my friends and all who are dear to me. There is yet a
world wliere souls are free, and in that world I would sooner be
than live in a life like this. I am proud to be considered worthy
of suffering for my country, and when I am in my lonely cell
durmg the longings of my weaiy spirit, I shall not forget Ireland'
and my constant prayer shall be that the God of Li))erty may give
her time and strength to shake oft' her chains. (Addressing the
reporters)— I would not wish it to be supposed that it was on ac-
count of my position now that I spoke as I did I am not able to
speak on account of my disease, and I do not wish it said that it
was on account of my position. It is on account of my iUness."

Michael Cody was regarded as a very dangerous
cliaracter, and tlie names of the judges, prosecuting
counsel, and jurors who tried Bourlje and Doran hav-
ing been found upon him, gave a pretext to the au-
thorities to extend unusual severity to him. When
his turn came to address the court, he said :

"As to the evidence of Foley, there are two men prepared to
say he never saw me until he was brought to Kilmainham
Meagher says he met me in company with Baines, in the Canal
Tavern, with a parcel of bowie-knives. This, also, is false , for I
never had a bowie-knife in my possession, but one which was
found in my possession in Lesson Lane. As to my acquaintance
with St. Clair, Devoy, and others, I feel proud to be acquainted
witli them. From the moment I became sensible of my arrest,

382

FENIAN HEKOES AND MAIiTYiJS.

I waa fully ooiindent that a case would bo truTinr^fl „n „ • ,
and I am not disappoiurod with the v r^t aTJ r ""'^ T'
alHo swears that he knew mo in ISOora-uThatl flHod h""'' '• '

c Wter, and in JustL to tli ^Zl.::VV:T: IZT^
the dungeons of Portland T fi.i»ir t i . "^^" "^"^ are m

Mr Baroa Dcasy then proceeded to pass sentence.

Roo'C Dlff r °''^«'--'--' '- f""y exonerated
i lood and Dnffy from any connection witli the assas-

1.1-Bn leais l-enal Servitude each. Tlie
evidence " produced ajjain.t Cody on his trial and

tiie Couit to give him Twenty years

_ Alter the sentence had been pronounced, tlie con-
victs were removed from the cells beneath the court
and conveyed to Mountjoy prison oscorted bymoun ed
police, and two troops of the Ninth Lancers

my-

■H \ |.' ' <• A I t 4 > I 1

f f

li'i:

Iff ' ■'■

A. <

GENERAL JOHN o'nEILL,

383

GENERAL JOHN O'NEILL.

Birfh-Lora! Inspiration at Clontlbret-EmlgrateB to U. 8.-At BuBlno.s-Mil-
U«.y L.an.n.,«-Goo« to tho Mor.non VVar-Tho Rebellion 8e vice. In-.
fnrCr'Vh'In'T ^-!^-^-^^'-^--nt Of the 5th iLianaTv „1 Jl
n . "; ' ^^•"■«'"' « Men at Buffln^ton Bar-Sick-FightinK Aealn-
Re«i.„s-R,„nantlc Marriaijo-A Fenian-The Representatlte Man of he

B He of Tr'''''' 'rT"" ""' ^«-'l'»-"« Comn^ands tho Expeditiol-
Battle of R (1,'oway-Conmct at Fort .Erie-Not Hupported-Arrested by
U. 3. Authorities while Re-crosBintf. Arrested Dy

John O'Neill was born in the townland of Drum-
gallon, parish of Clontibret, County Mona-han, on
the 8th of March, 1834. His fathe; died five weeks
before the birth of his son, and his mother came to
America in 1840, accompanied by a brother, leavin(?
the children, two sons and a daughter, with their
grand parents in Monaghan. Three years afterwards
she sent for the two eldest . ..ildren, the youno-cst
John, being allowed to remain at the earnest request
of his relatives. He availed himself of the opportu-
nities for such education as the school attached to
Clontibret Church afforded ; and, in the historic lore
of the locality, had his young blood stirred with tales
of the great hero of his race, Hugh O'Neill, who at
this place, in 1595, put Elizabeth's troops, under Sir
John Norris, to rout, and killed in single combat Sed-
grave, who was esteemed the most valiant and power-

38t

VUmAS HEKOKS AND JIAKTVKS.

ful Chan,,,;,,,, i„ the K„j;lisl, pale. D„„btl,.s3 tl.eso
"r: ■";;'. !"'^'^ *^"-^' "- '-i--"'-" whicl. oi,ened the

In tl.e .S,.nn.. of 1848 the hoy O'l^ei]! canio to
Anioiicu ami jo,nc(l his mother in Eh-.abcth, New
Jersey. Aitor uttendir:, school for a year he entered
astoie as clerk, nMvin.h position he remained 1(>sb
u.n tlnve yea.. This business did not suit his aml.i-
•ouB nature. Jle wanted to see the world-to choose
his own vocation. Quick, intelligent and reliable, ho
started ont when little more than seventeen years of
age to carve out his fortune. He travelc>d L agent
for a JSew lork pnblishing honse through New Jer-
eeyl emisylvania, and ]\Ia,yland, and subsequently
in Virgnua, as agent of a London House. In the Fall
of ISoo, he started a Catholic bookstore in Kichmond
but t,ie enterprise failed for lack of Catholic popula-
tion and spn-it in that city.

O'Neill's leanings had always been to a military
life, and he had only been prevented from enterino-
upon It by the opposition of his mother and relatives"
He liad now mixed considerably with the world*
Travel had but added to his soldier sympathies, and
when the Mormon War was the chief toi.ic of si^ecu-
lation, he enlisted in the Second Dragoons at Balti-
more, May, 1857. When the Rebellion broke out

Neill was serving in the Ist Cavalry at Fort Crook
California, and accompanied that regiment to the At-
lantic side, arriving in Washington on Christmas day
1861. He served under McClellan throughout the

1 enmsula campaign, had command of General Stone-

«S3 these
wied the

camo to

th, New

entered

lU'd less
lisiiiiihi-
) clioose
able, lie
jeui-a of
IS agent
ew Jer-
ijuentlj
he Full
hmond,
popula-

lilitarj
riterinc:
liitives.
world.
DS, and
s]>ecu-
Balti-
^e out
Crook,
be At-
s day,
lit the
Stone-

QENEKAL JOHN oVeiLL. 335

rami's hody guard at the battle of \V',u; ^ ,
was through thesevon .1. / V\ dlianisburgh;

'"Hi ha,l IdH h Hsn r -^T '" ^''''^ «^' I^i^'l»"Hmd
i-t bet; .e be I, P^^^

tlie l8t Cavalrv wn« / ! Harnson's Landing,

-re sent on ^^ h ^^^.l^^^^f ^^ ;>^H-«

^.ion,»a:i;;;:^y:::--^^^^

being organised for the iielll. (^Nei 1 .ad b "

vate, eo,^oral, se^^eant, and a^^^^^^J^'
the regular cavalry, and now left fbn^ '' '"

cent the position nf Q T r ^ ^^^'■'''^'*^' <^« a«-

Indiana Ca~ '""' ^""^"^^^^^^ "^ ^^^^ ^^^^

Morgan tl.rough Kentuek^, Indiana inrOn/ ?^^

p-., the ^^JZ'Xj:rx^i:r::^'^'

came of common occurrence A c i r ? ' ^®"

^vith hi., writing fr„.'x,Lijtr:;'';rf

68, Bays : "We know of seven reI,ob he h':s 1 ilW l!l'
Jiis own hands. Weknowl„wi ""7 "''f ^'"m with

200 rebels with J, .'n W t'^'f 1 "'', '"" '" ^■""
ro.in,ents of Morgan's ;on!:a ; '^ 'fit? '^n' ^^
took tl„.ee of their guns. Let every office in he e
v.ee do that well, and the privates l^l^^

q I: fi

■ ' 1

386

FENIAN HEROES ANT) MARTYRS.

balance." His achievement with Morgan's regiments
we give almost in the words of Archbishop Purcell,
of Cincinnati :

General Judah left Pomeroy for EiifRngton on tlie
night of the 19th July, 1863. He sent first Lieuten-
ant O'Neill with fifty men ahead to try and open
communications with the militia, said to be in close
proximity. He arrived an hour and a half after day-
light, learned that the militia had been skirmishing
during the night, and that Judah's advance had
been ambushed — the morning being very foggy — and
the General's A. A. G., Captain Kise, and the Chief
of Artillery, Captain Henshaw, some thirty men,
with one piece of artillery, captured and carried
to Morgan's headquarters, on the river road, some two
miles ahead. The Lieutenant at once resolved to re-
capture them, and kept steadily on. Several parties
tried to stop him, but a volley invariably drove them
back. At length he came on Morgan with two regi-
ments and a body guard of one hundred men. He
halted his men suddenly at an angle of the road within
a hundred and fifty paces. He was prevented from
giving them a volley by seeing some of his own men
in front. Giving the order " forward," he dashed in.
Morgan broke and ran. All of our men were re-cap-
tured and thirty of the enemy taken. O'Neill pur-
sued. Morgan for two miles and captured three pieces
of artillery. " This," says Archbishop Purcell, " was
the last of Morgan on the field."

After the Morgan chase, Lieutenant O'Neill experi-
enced a very severe illness, and lay at the point of

was

GENERAL JOHN o'nEILL. 387

death for weeks in Rising Sun, Indiana. Joining his
regnnent on the 10th November, he was severely
wounded on the 2d December, while gallantly and
successfully repelling a charge of the en^rny at Walk-
.ers Ford Cii^eh River, East Tennessee. Here, the
Colonel failmg to rally the men, O'Keill took com-
mand. ^ He rode out all the day, never seeking shel-
ter, cheering the men. When ot her officers had given
up all as lost, he replied, 'not by a long sight' He
met with a hearty response from the men."' He was
wounded while successfully making the last stand.
Compelled to take rest, he received leave of absence,
and lor the first time in seven years visited his mother
and relatives at their :N"ew Jersey homes.
^ Returning to his regiment, and finding political
mfluence stronger than soldierly merit, Lieutenant
ONeill resigned. At his own request he was
appointed Captain in the 11th U. S. Colored Infantry
and was detailed on the Military Examining Board!
sit mg at Nashville, Tennessee. He was promised the
Colonelcy oi a colored jegiment of cavalry; but the
orgamzation of these troops was dispensed with
towards the close of the war, and the Captain's wound
becoming troublesome, he tendered his resignation to
the War Department, which was accepted November,
1854. He got married about this time, under roman-
tic circaimstances. A young lady-Miss Mary Crow
-to whom he had been engaged in California, hear-
ing of his wounds, came from the shores of the Pacific
with a family of her acquaintance, to nurse and tend
the hero to whom she had pledged her troth. Plia

ill

3S8

FENIAN HEEOES AND MARTYRS.

fc '

devotion was equal to her faitli, and he at once gave
lier the right to coniibrt him as a wife.

In May, 1865, Captain O'Neill opened an office In
Nashville, Tennessee, and was remarkably successful.
This he gave up to fulfil wliat he believed to be. his
duty in following the policy adopted by the seceding'
wing of the Fenian Organization. Ilis connection
with the invasion of Canada, makes him the represen-
tative military man of the Canadian party — and,
indeed, regarding that invasion as the result of the
policy of that party, he may be regarded as the most
comprehensive representative man of the spirit of that
party in its entirety. Tlie record of General O'Neill
in this especial connection, is made from his official
report, kindly fcrnished at the request of the writer.
= In obedience to ordeis, Colonel O'Neill left Nash-
ville on the 27th May, 1866, and arrived at Buffalo,
H. T,» on the SOtli, Being the senior officer present,
he was designated to lead the projected expedition.
On the night of the 31st, eight hundred men were
reported— detachments from the following regiments :
13th Infantry, Colonel John O'Neill ; 17th Infantry,
Colonel Owen Starr ; 18th Infanty, Lieutenant-Colonel
Grace ; 7th Infantry, Colonel John Hoy ; and two
companies from Indiana, under Captain Ilaggerty ;
but not more than six hundred were got together when
the crossing took place. The movement commenced
at midnight. At 3:30 a. m. on June 1st, the men and
arms and ammunition were put on board four canal
boats at a point called Little Black Rock. They were
towed across the Niagara river, and landed at Water-

|i- {

TENIAN HEROES AND MARTYR3. ggj)

loo. At 4 o'clock in tlie morning the Irisli fla- was
displayed on British soil by Colonel Starr, who com-
manded the two iirst boats. On landiiur O'Neill
ordered the telegraph wires to be cut down, and sent
a prirty to destroy the railroad bridge leading to Port
Colborne. Starr, with the Kentucky and Indiana
contingents, proceeded through the town of Erie to
the old Fort, some three miles up the river, and occu-
pied It. O Neill then demanded subsistence of the
citizens of Erie, assuring them that no depredations
would be permitted, and his request was cheerfully
comphed with. At 10 o'clock he moved into camp at
^fewbiggm'sfarm, on Frenchman's Creek, four miles
from Fort Erie, down the river, and occupied it until
10 P M. Some of his men on a foraging excursion on
me Chippewa road, had come up with the enemy's
scouts, and towards night O'l^eill received intellio-ence
that a large force (said to be 5,000) with artiHery
were advancing in two columns— one from Chippewa
the other from Port Colborne-also, that troops from'
the latter were to attack him from the Lake side. At
this time, owing to straggling and desertion, O'JSTeill'a
force was not more than five hundred men. The odds
were terrible, but the commander was schooled in
danger. At 10 p. m. he broke camp, and marched
towards Chippewa, and at midnight changed direc-
tion, and moved on the Lime Stone Ridge road lead
ing towards Ridgeway. His object was to meet the
column coming from Port Colborne-to get between
tlie two columns, and defeat one before the other could
render aid.

'%f

390

GENEEAL JOHN o'nEILL.

*'Js^siaa*5^ ,

At about 7 o'clock on the morning of 2d Juno,
within three milei^ of "T'klgeway, Colonel Starr, com-
manding the advance, came up with the advance of
the enemy, mounted. He drove them within sight of
their skirmish line, which extended about half a mile
on both sides of the road. O'Neill immediately ad-
vanced his skirmishers and formed a line of battle
behind temporary breastworks made of rails, on a road
leading to Fort Erie, and parallel with the enemy.
The skirmishing was briskly kept up for half an hour.
Tlie enemy was attempting to ilank O'J^eill on both
sides ; and he failed to draw their centre, which was
partially protected by thick timber. In this exigency
he fell back a few hundred yards, and formed a new
line. The British, seeing how few the invading troops
were, became adventurous. They supposed O'JN^eill
had retr.ated, and advanced in pursuit. J^Tow was
O'Neill's chance, and he did not ftiil to take it. The
British come on rapidly after the Irish, who " retreat "
not quite so rapidly. They come nearer and nearer —
now they are near enough for O'Neill's purpose. He
gives his orders with decision ; a volley stops the
career of the British ; it is their turn to retreat — but
they retreat in earnest, with the Irish after them in
earnest too ; driving them for three miles, and through
the town of Ridgeway. In their retreat, the British
threw away knapsacks, guns, and everything likely to
retard their speed, and loft some ten or twelve killed,
nearly thirty wounded, with twelve prisoners in the
hands of the Irish. O'Neill gave up the pursuit one
mile beyond Ridgeway.

FENIAN HEROES AND MABTTRS.

391

Althono^, victorious, O'Neill's ' position was very
critical The reported strength of the enemy he had
engaged was 1,400, embracing the " Queen's Own,"
the Hamilton Battalion, and other troops. A regi-
ment from Port Colborne was said to be on the road
to reinforce them. The column from Chippewa would
also hear of the fight, and move on his rear with all
celeritv Thus situated, he decided to return to Fort
i^rie and learn if reinforcements for the invading army
had been sent across at any other points. Seeing
after the dead and wounded, he divided his com
mand, and sent Starr with one half down the Railroad
to destroy it and the bridges, and led the rest on the
pike-road to Fort Erie. They united at the old fort
at 4 P. M^^ O'Neill next had a skirmish with the
Welland Battery, which had arrived there from Port
Colborne in the morning, and had picked up some
stragglers and deserters. The enemy fired from the
liouses. Three or four men were killed, and twice
that number were wounded on both sides. Here the
Irish captured forty-five prisoners, among them Cap-
j^ain ]^mg, wounded-who had his leg amputated;
L.entenant McDonald, Royal Navy, and Lieutenant
^emo, Royal Artillery. Taking precautions against
surprisal, O Neill put himself in communicatioirwith
his friends in Buffalo, stating his desperate position
He was willing, if a movement was going on else-
where, to hold out ; and, if necessary, to make the old
Fort a slaughter-pen sooner than surrender.- His mm
were without food or supplies, and had marched forty
miles, and had two conflicts. When, therefore he

Pj^ImA

392

GENERAL JOHN o'NEIi.L.

I ■

learned that no crossing had been made in his aid, ho
promptly demanded transportation, which was fur-
nished about midnight of the 2d June. They wero
all on board by 2 a. m., and when in American waters,
they were arrested by the American authorities. So
ended the invasion of Canada. The commanding
officer, under the trying circumstances by which he
was surrounded, displayed undoubted capacity. If he
had been supported, there is no doubt he would have
added to his military distinction.

Having been released on his own recognizance to
answer the charge of violation of the IN'eutrality Laws,
General O'Neill returned to Tennessee. He subse-
quently took up liis abode in Washington, D. C,
where he hopes to repair the inroads made upon his
property. He said to a friend recently that the ser-
vices to the cause, thus briefly described, have dam-
aged his fortunes to the amount of at least thirty
thousand dollars.

fr^r?^

FENIAU HEEOES AJUD MAltTYIlS.

303

DECLABATIONS IN THE DOCK.

Moore, tho Plkomaker -John Haltlfjan-Bryan T>mon-,Tohn Lynch-Jcremlnh

-i el O'CmmSr w'lr " '^f'"'"^-^' «^vyer K.ane-Martin Hanly Carey
Jame« Flood-Hugh Fran, is Brophy-PutricrDof:n-M a oirc^^^^^^^^^

Michael Moore, a blacksmith, was, on tlio Gth De-
cember, 1805, placed at the bar, and indicted for con-
spirmg to depose tlie Queen, to levj war upon her
and stir up strangers to invade Ireland. '

The Attorney-General stated the case, reading a
number of documents and letters, which referred to
the prisoner's connection with the recognized Fenian
leaders in Ireland and America. The testimony of
the informers, Nagle and Power, was the same as on
previous tritils. Mr. Butt, Queen's Counsel, addressed
the jury for the defence, and was followed by the So-
licitor-General on the part of the Crown.

The prisoner, who was found guilty, having been asked by the
clerk of the Crown if he had anything to say why sentence should
not be passed upon him, said that with regard to his trial, what ho
had to say was that the verdict was not altogether unexpected on
his part, after the charge he heard from the judge. He had been
brought there unexpectedly. He did not expect to be brought
into that court to b« tried for what he was accused of. Hebe

394

DECLARATIONS m THE TK)CK.

Hevod ho was no g,i,lty in any case. Ho was firmly convinced
ho was fonn.l guilty b.foro ho was triod. Fnnn thJ first day he
entorod 11,0 ja.l ho was suro that would bo tho caso. Thorofbre

who had touud hun guilty woro satistiod ho was guilty, for thoy
had found lum guilty of that in which he took to act or part
whatovor Tho jury ha.l done thoir duty as far as tho law ro-
quued-fhe law which govomod Ireland, which niado an honost
man become a "rebel,'' as thoy termed it, and n.ado him oven
worse than that. He could not say a great deal in his ownT

humble workmg man. When a man was found guilty of high
reason for stnvmg to earn an honest livelihood in his own co4.
ry he_ just put that forward as a sample of what those who had
to hvc m this country had to expect. He was now done, except
merely to ask that a few articles of his in the jail, with some other
httle matters m the hands of the police, belonging to him, would
be given to his wife. > «

The prisoner spoke in a firm voice, but at the same
time with a quietness of demeanor.

Judge Keogh promised that Moore's request should
be granted, and tlien passed sentence on him of ten
years' penal servitude.

John IIaltigan, the registered printer of the Insh
I'eoj>le, was indicted and tried for treason-felony and
conspn-acy on the 8th December, 1805. Mr Ilaltio-in
had identified himself with Irish nationality fi^oni
youth. "^

Haltigan was foreman printer in the office of the
Ailkenny Journal; and when Fenianism first started
was one amongst its earliest members, always ready
with his means ; and nominally the head of the organ-

FENIAN HEROES AND MAKTYE8.

395

ization in Kilkenny sinoo 1859, he became actually
so after the incarceration of P. M. Delany, and in
tliat capacity extended the ortran ization all over the
country. Jle became printer of the Irish Peoj>le,
and with T. 0. Luby and O'Donovan (Rossa), was a
registered proprietor. He spent most of his time,
however, traveling throngh diflferent parts of Ireland
•with authoritative messages, and organizing. His
movements were narrowly watched by the detectives ;
and the police throughout the County Kilkenny had
special orders to be on liis trail.

"I remember well," says Mr. T. P. McKenna, "the
day appointed for the nomination of candidates for
parliament for the county of Kilkenny, when all the
Fenians, preceded by a band, were coming in from
Callan with Dunne, the nailor, who was put up as
member for the county, Coyne and Cody, of Callan,
and Ilaltigan in the foremost rank. Dunne having
his placards posted throughout the county that he
would attend to receive the nomination at the Court
House in Kilkenny, the autliorities at Dublin Castle
thought it prudent to send an extra detaclimont of sol-
diers to that city. The Fenians marched ' four deep '
through the city to the Court House ; but drawn up
on the street through which they had to pass was a
detachment of lancers, lieaded by the stipendiary
magistrate, who ordered them to halt, and told them
he would not permit them to pass. Haltigan's face
got flushed, and going forward he told the magistrates
that they would pass if it cost them their lives.
The officials half cowered at the threat, and said they

396

DKCtARATIOIfS IN THE DOCK.

^?f"r

ill

woula bo allowed to pass if tliey got out of military
order. Tliis Ilaltigan and Coyne would not consent
to do, and after some more bandying of words tluy
were permitted to pa^s. This, although a slight inci-
dent, is characterirtic of the manliness and determina-
tion of the man."

Haltigan was taken the night of the seizure of tha
Irish People, and was the fourth man tried at tha'
Special Commision. Tlie day preceding his trial, an
article appeared in some Dublin daily paper, intima-
ting that if his antecedents alone were investigated,
it would be sufficient to convict him on his trial.'' His
counsel, Mr. P-Mney, Q. C, had the article next day
in court, and contended that it would prejudice his
client's case. All Judge Keogh did was to say the
article was an improper one. He was convicted! In
answer to the formal question, the prisoner said h«
had nothing to say, and was then sentenced to seven
years' penal servitude.

Haltigan turned round, leaned over the edge of tha
dock and kissed his son who stood near him— -a lad of
about sixteen years of age, the eldest of a family of
nine — and he then left the dock.

The son, true to the principles for which his father
was exiled— true to the promise made him in the dock
— was indefatigable in his exertions to extend the or-
ganization. He traveled throughout the country with
messages from the Chief, and, in turn, was subjected
to the vigilance of the police. On the suspension of
the Habeas Corpus Act he had to secrete himseltj and
came to America in the Winter of '66-7.

PENIAII HEROES AKD MABTYE8.

397

iBiiYAN Dillon, of Dillon's Cross, Cork, was tried
at the Special Commission, Cork, Friday, lOtli Decem-
ber, 18()5, and found guilty. In reply to the usual
question, he spoke firmly, but inaudibly, and said:

He never was even for one minute in Warner's (the informers)
company ; that what Warner swore about him was totally untrue,
and that he never waa at a meeting at Geary's house. The exist-
ence of the Fenian organization had been proved sufficiently to
their lordships. He was a Centre in that organization, but it dia
not follow from that that he had to take the chair at any meeting,
M it was a military organization. He did not want to conceal
anything. Warner had no connection with him whatever. With
respect to the observation of the Attorney-General, which pained
tiim very much, that it was intended to seize property, it did not
follow because of his social station that he intended to appropriate
the property of others. His belief in the ultimate independence
Of Ireland was as firm as his religious belief.

Judge Keogh— " We cannot hear that. We will give yon any
Indulgence we can, but we cannot hear words spoken that are in
fact a repetition of the charge."

Dillon said he had no more to say.

He was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude.

John Lynch was tried at the same time and received
the same sentence, previous to which he said:

«' I will say a few words, my lords. I know it would be only a
waste of public time if I entered into any explanation of my po-
litical opinions— opinions which I know are shared in by the vast
majority of my feUow countiymen. Standing here, as I do, will
bs to them the surest proof of my sincerity and honesty. With
reference to the statement of Warner, all I have to say is, and I
say it honestly and solemnly, that I never attended a meetmg at
Geary's, that I never exercised with a rifle there, that I never

81)8

DECT, A RATIONS TN THE DOCK.

leamod fho uso of the rifle, nor did any of tlio oUior thinirf, ho
swore to. With respect to uiy opinion on liritish rule In thiu couu-
try "—

Mr. Jufltico Koogh— " Wo can't hear tliat."

The PrlHoncT— " All I have to say is tiiat I was not at Geary's
for four or Ave montlis before my arrest, so that VVarnc^'s stato-
mcnt is untrue. If having served my country honestly and sin-
cerely bo treason, I am not nMuiuwd of it. I am now prepared to
receive any punishment British law can Inllict on mo.

Jerkmiah O'Donovan and Thomas Ditooan wore
<3liai-ged with swcarin.jr in 8,)l(lior8 of tlio 4t]i Dm<r„(„i
(luards. Tried on 2()Mi Decend)or, 1865, and found
guilty. Donovan was sontcnced to five years' peual
servitude, and Duggan to ten years.

Charles Underwood 0'Connf<]ll is a native of the
County Cork, lie lias liad the benefit of a good edu-
cation, and beeame a nieniber of the Organization in
its early days. His parents were disi)osse8sed of thoir
farm, and the whole family was subsociuently prose-
cuted by the landlord on a charge of conspiring to in-
timidate him by threatening letters. Charles Sxmo to
America in 1862, and returning to Ireland, remained
about six months, when lie again came to Kew
York. ITe organized Company K, of the 99th Regi-
ment, IS". Y. N. a, and served with it at Elmira
in charge of the Confederate prisoners. He was pas-
sionately fond of music and poetry, and his tent was
the rendezvous of many congenial spirits. The strains
of "The Battle Eve of t-he Brigade," "O'Donnel Aboo"
and other inspiriting songs and ballads, were fre-

FRNIAN inoROEd AND MAUTVR8.

noo

qiiontly licurd thoroiii. In Roptoirjlwr, 1805, Cnp-
tiiiii ()'(!(niru>ll loft lor Iit'IuikI, lu-iiriiinr a j.ackni^^o of
tlio ooiitcfitH of wiii(;li lie WiiH i«;n(»niiit, i»iit which
Avei-e Hulliciciit to nhow his ititimaoy with tho Fcniiiii
leuderK. JIo \vm urroHtt-d on lii^ huidiiii.-. Ho was
])rout;ht to trial on tho 2()th DocuinlK-r, 1805, and
loiirul ^niilty tho iioxt day. J]oin<; asked if ho had
unythiri^r to say, ho, aftor a brief i)au8o, said :

**T Imvc; and in the fow remarks I have to make, I hope I
Bhiill not bo >r„iiiy „f jiiiy (liHivsixiet to tfiiw honorable eonrt. It is
tlie b(jaHt of the proud iJriton that in tlic eye of the J'^iglisli iaw
every man, before liis crime is proved, is supposed to be innocent,
I liuve to coinphiln that I was tried, found guilty, and puuislied
bclore ever I was brought into this court. Wlieu I left the TTnited
Hlatcs, to wliich I bave sworn allegiance, upon my leirifimato
business, and before I had landed, I was sei/f-d by p(;licem(!n and
dranjtrod off to tlie police barracks. There, Sub- Fnspector Greaves.
Burrounded by Ids men, wlio danced about me like dogs around a
■wild beast, stripped me naked. I swear this before God. He
then gave orders to have nin thrust into a cell where a drunken
Englisli soldier had been im{.risoned. I have to si)cak of the oral
testimony broviglit against me— tlio evidence of Sub-Inspector
Greaves. He lias sworn as to tlie sealed parcel found in my pos-
session and in my trunk. I most solenmly declare I was as igno-
rant of tlie conleiits of that i)ackage as I am of when time sliall
be uo longer. These military documents conned ed with my regi-
ment were in my trunk, and the s(;aled parcel was not in the breast
pocket of my coat, but in my trousers pocket, and it was not
taken irom me by Sul)-Inspect(jr Greavcis. He came towards me
on the deck of the vessel, accompanied by the detective, and asked
me if I had any arms, and I said I had a revolver, and thereupon
iianded it to him. Some oliscirvutions passed, during which
O'Mahony put his hand into my trousers pocket, pulled out the
package and lianded it to Greaves. Now, with regard to the tea-

'I I

DECLAEATI0N8 IN THE DOCK.

limony of the policeman Sage, I say there is not a particle of truth
m it— not a single word. I know this countiy well enough and
profess to be pr.tty well ac(iuainted with it. I know the constab-
ulary to be composed exclusively of Irishmen, and it would be idle
for me to ask if he were an Irishman. Such a conversation as he
has sworn to having passed between us never occurred— so help
me God. The letter read as having been wiitten by me from St.
Louis was not mine, inasmuch as I was never in St. Louis in my
life. Neither was that parcel given me by Col. John O'Mahony
or by any person connected with his ofHce. It was given to me
by a gentleman m Broadway, New York, the day before I k-ft to
return home, with a request to hand it to some person in Dublin
Now, your honorable court, I do not believe there is a parallel m
the wide world for the barbarities practiced upon political prison-
ers in this country."

Mr. Justice Keigh— " We cannot listen to that, and your com-
mon sense will tell you so."

Prisoner— "I have to complain that every little thing I had in
the world was seized by the police-my private and ianiily letters
books, and everything else-the letters from my poor exiled father
and sisters tome; and these they have still in their possession
They do not contain anything I have reason to be ashamed of
They bitterly bewail their exile, but do not murmur agamst God
or man. I have more than that to complain of "—

Mr. Justice 'Keocrh interposed.

Prisoner-"! have set out by stating I believed that I was tried
found guilty, and punished before I was brought into this court'
I will undertake to prove I have to complain of a miserable little
scorpion " —

Mr. Justice Keogh— "We cannot hear that."

Prisoner— "I allude, my lord, to her Majesty's Attorney-Gone-
ral. No, I beg pardon; it is to the Solicitor-General, Mr Sulli-
van."

Mr. Justice Keogh-"I won't hear anything upon that sub-
ject." .

( '.

FENIAN ItEEOES AND MAETYIig. 4„i

„„!!."'T'r" ^ °''"'''' ^™ ' "'"' P™'"' "">' 1"= is M enemr of a
^o,^_a„d dear .-ola.ive of n>me, and ftat be endeavored to ™ia

p'u^T".^"'^'T """'"" "'" *'"= °taervatio„s."
I»h °:y7oatTof'lV"° ' r^-''-'^^^ aboveboanJ.

P.Ltf '.?:f ~;7" "'"■"" """-^ ^™ *» P^--d."
x-iisonei— I am not done, my lord "

Mr. Justice Keogh reminded him that he did not serve his case.

At this stage of the proceedings the prisoner's
— ^advanced up to the bar and^.plore'd hhnt:

defence. It lias been put forward that T hnlrl a n .''""'^^^^' "^^
QOfi, T) • . , 'ivvjiiu uiat 1 nold a commission in thn

09 1 Reg,ment, urntor Col. John O'Mahony ; and proud as I ™ „f
hodmg a eon,mi,.i„n in that regin^cnt, l' am eqLly prlud of
hoMiug It under his command." i"^"/ proua ot

Mr. Justice Keogh-- We cannot hear that "

Prisoner-- Well, in conclusion, I believe 'L

Mr. Butt, Q. C, here interposed.

Mr. Justice Keogh, in passing sentence, said:

"You say you swore allegiance to the American Rennhll. k .
no man by doing so can relieve himself o^hi lllf • ' "'

The judge tlien sentenced him to ten years' peinl
servitude, upon whiel. Captain O'Connell sj^l

J si

iir

402

BECtAEATION'S W THE DOCK,

hope there wiE be an exclaangQ of prisoners before
that time,"

John B. S'. Casey waa arraigned for treason-felony
at the Cork Commission, 29th December, 1865. Mr.
Casey was a yonng man originally from Mitchels-
town, who went to Cork and became a clerk to Mr.
Geary, "whose house," said the Solicitor-General,
*' was the rendezvous of the principal conspirators."
lie contributed to the Irish People over the signature
of " The Galtee Boy," and several of his communica-
tions were read as evidence of his offence — love of
, country. Though there was scarcely any evidence,
save that of the perjurer, "Warner, who even had the
brazen-faced effrontery to swear that " the purpose for
which he gave information against -Casey and others
was to put money in the pocket of Mr. Butt, Q. C,"
his then cross examiner — the prisoner was found
guilty, with a recommendation to mercy. In reply
to the usual question, Mr. Casey said :

"My lord, I have only to say that the evidence swom by that
unfortunate wretch, Warner, against me, from beginning to end,
is a tissue of most foul perjuries, and that I solemnly profess, be-
fore God, I never attended any of those drill meetings which he
swears I did. H's assertion is an unfounded untruth, and so also
is his statement about the conversation between Geary and me. I
have to say the same with respect to the swearing of the police-
man Macauley. He never saw me writing — he could not — nor did
I address a letter to him. I firmly believe that, from beginning to
end, he has stated what is untrue. I have also to protest, in the
face of the world, against this vile system of jury packing " —

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald would not allow the prisoner

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYE8.

403

to^slander anything appertaining to the Court of Jug-

be^L'd ^:^;^r ^^^ '^ -y ^'^^ ' P-- ^S^^- ^-Ing
Sentence, penal servitude for five jears.

Michael O'Eegan was tried at the Corlc Special
Commission, 30th December, 18G5, on a charge of
I enianism, and with having attempted, on the 2d No-
vember to swear in as a Fenian, at Castletownsend,
one Ilall.han, a petty officer on. board her maiesty'a
ship. Hastings. O'Regan, who was about tiiirty years
o± age, had recently returned from America The
Attorney-General said he was fully armed with all tlie
implements to carry on the .;ork of the brother; the
impements" found on O'Regan being, "a Roman
Catholic prayer-book, a circuh^r issued by the Wiscon-
sm State Convention of the Fenian 13rotherhood a
book on musketry, a drill book, an account book, with
some mysterious items in it, a seditious song book and
an apparatus for making cartridges.'* The prisoner
was found guilty, and in reply to the usual ciuestion,

" I will only say a few words, and I will he entirely responsible
myself fc.r them. I do not want my speech or renuL to InMo
anyone else. With regard to the approver or informer, I till
only say that what he has sworn is entirely folse. It is verv
smgular that one who drank in a room, four feet square, could not
see hun going out of it-veiy strange ; so that you should not be- <
heve the words of any informer whatever, because they ai'e not
only mlormers, but liars and ti-aitors, and aie a disgrace to the

'Wi

;|i

40t

DECLARxVTIONS TN THE DOCK.

country in which Ihey live. They would as soon act as liarfl and
informers agjiinst any oiie else. With regard to what your lord-
sliip said about my going to America, I have to say I did not go
tliere at tlie time stated in that paper of citizenslup. I am over
eighteen years out of lliis country, and came back to it over ten
montlis. I love my country— I will not conceal it— ever since I
Was forced to leave it from ()pi)ression. Your laws would not
allow me to live here, and I had to go to America. I saw a few
scraps of the late trials. Tliey were remarks made by tlie Attor-
.Jiey-General. '*

Mr. Justice Keogh— *< We cannot allow this. You must con-
fine yourself to the question ; liavc; you anytliing to saj why sen-
tence should not be passed on you ?"

The Prisoner—" I Avlsh you would allow me to say a few words.
Tlicre is more truth in wliat I say than in what tli(> informer said."

Mr. Justice Keogh— " You cannot serve yourself by tlm course
you are about pursuing. "

Tl e Piisoner— "I will only say I love liberty. I see the peo-
ple of this country are oppressed "—

Mr. Justice Keogli— " We will not listen to any observations of
that kind. "

The Prisoner— "I will say no more then."

Their lordsliips tlien retired, and after the lapse of
several minutes, returned into court. Mr. Justice
Keogh passed sentence, penal servitude for seven
years.

Prisoner— "I am veiy glad you got done. I don't expect to ba
long inside.'*

Ill

JoTiN KiNNEALT, wlio was tried at the Cork Com-
mission, Avas found guilty on Tuesday, 2d January,
1806 ; sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. 6u
being convicted, the prisoner said ;

FENIAK HEK0E8 AND MARTTEg. 405

nm\^l 'ff ' '!, '' f "'"''^ '"'""''"^ ^"'^ "^'^ t« «^y 'Anything. I
00™^^^^^^^ T': "^ ^-'- ^"-^«"'P' the ju^ coi find no
. b "ta tv r r''"""' ^^^ ^^'••^^^^ against mc has

alwavr" ^^ , ' ""'""' ^^'"'"''^ P"^'^'^^^^ convictions have been
always obtauied m this country. As to the intbrnier Warner I

that rieHoV iT '"""';"" "'"^ '^'' ^"^^' ^ -" P-^-» or
pel ticX or oti. ^°''^V^f ^^«^- i^ "-r anything else I have done
politically or otherwise. (Murmm-s of applause)."

JAME8 O'Connor, bookkeeper of the Irish People
was brouWit to trial on flm Sfi, t / -^ '

■nil- ^r "^'^^ ^^^^ Jfinnary,- 18(H) in

Dublm. He wa. cl,a,.gcd with co„sph.i,,/'to do, o e
« Queen and to move foveigne,. to invade L-elind.
lie Soie.toi-General undertook to show tJiat l,e
acted otherwise than as bookkeeper. He was fonnd
gudty, and, m reply to the clerk of tlie Crown, said :

Wlion tin, procoeding commenced he had no inlenti™ of «,I
dre.,.,ns any observations ,o ,l,e court on the act o ^ ,?, vht
been found g„,lty, which appeared to him veo^ prol,ahle fr,™, to

^.;:;p:rrrc:^LTC4ror£=

not been clear y proved at If-i^f n^f f^ 1 • => "» * ase naa

fi,..f II .. • * ^ "' ^^ ^^'^^^ not to his own sat sfaction- buf
that had nothing now to do with tlie mmt,.,. n^i '

xxc saw rn.it oetoro he came forward for trial in +i,a
letter wh.eh was written to hi,n, and which he ul^. " „t
irongly .0 induce t]>e Jury to find him guilty, was ,1^1 !^
ressed to him by Morrisey. Now, it was not wy e^^! i™ .^^
t..a,, for.he prisoner to contnulict most of the evidcmce e iv™
aganust Inm. He was no. in Ireland at the time that " „r ™
reccved m the L-Uh Pc„„le offlce, and he never saw i t nil
»v « tu the iniormatlon made out against him, W tl^ r ^ M Z

40G

DECLAEATIONS IN THE DOCK.

I» " I?

, ■ I

the letter which he wrote to Daniel Connell, he considered that he
was bound to reply to it. That Icttor had not been addressed to
him, and m the absence of O'Donovan it was his duty to reply to
any lettera addressed to him. There was another letter on which
his case rested to wliich he desired to refer. He did not remem-
ber seeing the letter which it was stated was written by Stephens
to him. He had alluded to the fact that it was very difficult to
contradict evidence in this case, or any other case, and he thought
the Crown should always prove clearly the charges preferred
against the person placed on his trial, and that it did not rest on
the prisoner to disprove statements made against him. His lord-
ship, in his charge to the jury, said that the handwriting had not
T)een contradicted. That was impossible to do, because, in fact,
every person wlio could disprove his handwriting was at tliat mo-
ment in prison. His lordship also stated that he was no stranger
in Dublin, airi that he could e;isily have got persons to do so, if
he could disprove his handwriting. Now, he was, he might say,
a stranger in Dublin, for altliough he had been born in tliis city,
he had been out of it nearly all his life, so that it was impossiblo
for him to get any person to give evidence to contradict that state-
ment as to his handwriting. In reference to the same fact, he
would apply himself to the evidence of Nagle, who managed
always to swear what could not, by any possibility, be contradict-
ed, and it was quite clear that he had studied his evidence very
hard. Nagle said that the meeting at Phibslxu-ougli was a Fenian
meeting, but it seemed to him (the prisoner) that it was not,
because nothing about Fenianism was spoken at it. Every man
he referred to was in jail, so that it would be impossible for him
to get any person to prove an alibi. He wished to state that he
considered the line of defence pursued by Mr. Butt was the best
he could adopt, and, on the part of the Crown and that of his own
counsel, he thought each did their duty. The Solicitor-General
asked the jury what were they there for; and he himself, in the
same breath, answered that they were there in the pursuit of truth.
He hoped he would be allowed to concur in the statement that all
these trials were carried on in the pursuit of truth, and he con-

FENIAN HEEOEfl AND MARTYRS. 407

ceived that there was one clear truth established in the course of
these trials, and that was that Ireland was an unhappy countiy.
but he cause of it he would not then stop to Inquire into. He
would not detain their lordships by making any further observa-
tion for when the trial commenced he had no intention of addi-ess-
mg the court.

He was sentenced to penal servitude for seven
yeara.

CnRisTOPiiER Manus O'Keeffe was arrested on the
18th September, 1865. On the arrest of Lnby there
were found in his possession several letters purporting
to be addressed to him by a person named O'Keeife
and which were supposed to have been written by a
member of the Fenian conspiracy. Mr, O'Keeffe did
not belong to the Fenian organization, but wrote occa-
sional articles for the Irish Peojple. Although not in
the Brotherhood, he was a man of national sentiments
and had been Irish correspondent of the Boston Pilot
Mr. O'Keeffe was brought to trial on the 11th Janu-
ary, 18G6, and found guilty the next day. Alluding
to the " violent and eccentric " letters brought against
him, the Nation said : « Dublin litterateurs who know
the man well are quite convinced that, beyond the
writing of those curious letters, he had no connection
with Femanism. He put his own case remarkably
well m his address to court previous to the passino. of
sentence. He had lived by his pen-he had to write
tor his bread— and this circumstance might naturally
be supposed to influence, to some extent, the tone of
his contributions to any particular journal. It should

408

DECLAKAllCNS IN THE DOCK.

[ Ij'

not, however, be supposed from those remarks of his
that he was ready to write any class of opinions on
bemg paid for so doing. His feelings were with his
country, he detested the misrule to which she is sub-
jected, he hated the foreigners who are masters in this
land, and he was incapable of writing or speakino- in
R contrary sense. He was a good Gaelic scholar, and
hxs English style was terse and vigorous. There was,
indeed, a vein of genius in the man, and it cropped
out m his address to the court. He was sentenced
to ten years of penal servitude."

Cornelius O'Mahony was brought to trial on the
12th January in Dublin. It was continued the next
day. The jury disagreed and was discharged at mid-
night ; whereupon the Crown prosecutors gave notice
that they would bring the prisoner to a second trial
on Monday morning. Mr. Butt, astonished, said, « Do
you mean the prisoner O'Mahony ?"

Mr. Barry-" Yes. We are determined to put him
01 trial again on Monday mornino-."
Mr. Butt—" That is very hard."
Accordingly, on Monday, the 15th, Mr. O'Mahony
was again put on his trial. He was found guilty, and
in reply to the formal question, said he had merely to
say, he was convicted on insufficient evidence.

Mr. Sidney, Q. C, ask^d their lordships to respite
sentence until the decision of the question as to the
discharge of the jury on Saturday night last. That
question was pending in the case of Charlotte Winser
in England. '

and

tENTAN HEROES AND MARTYRS. 409

]\rr. Justice K-eocrTi said tliej could not accerle to tho
Jipplieation, and then passed Bcntence of five years'
l^enal servitude.

CoRKEurs DwYER Keane, wlio liad boon liberated
on bail, was brought up a second time, tried 17th Jan-
iiary 1866, and found guilty of having engaged in
the Feniau conspiracy. Mr, Keane was a native of
fekibbereen, and it was charged that he was intimately
ucquamted with O'Donovan (Rossa), that he told Ste-
phens he had himself sworn in four hundred Fenians
m the neighborhood of Clonakilty, and attempted to
swear in two others. Nagle, the informer, certified to
Jveane s having attended Fenian meetings at Phibs-
Txjrough road, Buckingham street, and Great Bruns-
wick street. Previous to the sentence Mr. Keane
eaid:

J!^ f '^.'^ u 'Tf "^ ^"^ ^"'^ "^s^*' ^"^^"^ "^y^'^^ ^"f^-"^^^'^ by

counsel at all, tor I did not believe there was justice to be had for '
any prisoner charged as I was in this country. I was fully con-
Vuicod of that alter the Cork trials; for not alone are the prisoner's
own acts brought against him, but the acts of others, of which he
vas not even cognizant. Moreover, the judges, instead of being, •
U^ they ought to be, impartial between the Crown and the pri-
soner, are more the advocates for the Crown than impartial judges
c. the ca^. A letter has been put in evidence against me from
jyir J. O Donovan (Rossa). He was a fellow-townsman of mine
lin<l I am proud of his acquaintance. The name of Stephens hai
IxHu mentioned. I beg to say I have always boasted, and will
cmt.ime to boast to the hust hour of my lite, of being honored
uu 1. Mr. btepheii s acquaintance ami tViendship. 1 do not believe
I have been guilty of anything I slu.uld be asi.nm.d of As an
Irishman, I was bound to join in a combination which was banded

Tf i

410

l^EOtAKATIONfl m TffE rxXJK.

I'- «

f ^

fogclltor for tho good of Irolund— not for nssasHinafion or pliindof,
as 1ms luu'ii fjilsely usHcrtcd. TIk! Hliilnnciit of llu- witiK-.s us t<»
HiKK.liiijr was oniin-ly lUIso. I never siiid I iiilcndcd to slioot iiny-
body, atid it avu • liiskni'd on nie by Ihi! Solicilor-UciuTul at tluj
histi-iitioM of Mr. Itarry. Tlie Soli. iior-tJcncnd would not huv«
BUiWd it but that Mr. Hariy jiroiiiptcd him to do so,"

The 8olicilor-0en(M-al— " That is not true."

Prisoner—" I saw Mr. Barry talking' privately, iniildn,? flomo
RMi^^restion to yoti, and you tlu i: ;iliiided to that matter, which, as
1 have said, was entirely and purely lalse. I»Jow, my lord, I hava
only one reiiuest, to nmkt!, and that is, that you will not give Jno
any adviec of lecture, as you have done to the other prisoners. I
ask you simiiiy to pass senteneo on me, and give me nothing hi
the shape of adviee or leelure, tor I assure you it would bo loal:
upon me."

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald fully agreed with Ww. v(!rdi(!t, and thought
the prisoner not only hardened, but beyond the' elleet of merey,
for he was no socmtsr liberated on bail in Cork, than he lorlhwitlt
went to Dublin and attended treiisonnble meetings there. '• You
appear," said he, "to he hardened and delermiued to (Persevere ia
this criminal eours<>. "

Prisoner — " >b)st decidedly."

Mr. Justice Fitzgerald— " It is useless to address any advice to
you. I shall, therefore, at ouee pronounce the sentence of the
Court, which is, that you he kept in i)enal servitude h)r teuyefwa."

MAiiTiN Manly Carey was brought to trial on tlio
18th Jaimaiy, 18(){{, and was found o-tiilty with a
Btrong recoiiiinendation to mercy. In rosponso to tha
usual question, he entered on ox])lanati()ns as to
"vvhetlier a man was a Catholic; or a Protestant, when
Mr. Ihitt suggested he had better not say any more.

The Prisoner— " I must justify myself about my religion. Il
lias been introduced into these trials upon some occasions. Kver
since the first trial, the counsel for the prosecution "—

•(

KENIAN irKIloKS AND MARTYKS.

4tl

Mr. .TuHtlro KfiOKli-"! do not sec what you liavo to do M-ith
otIuT trialH."

Tho Prisonor-" Do not lliiiik I v.nU'vUim any disn.sp.rt t.. tl.o
Court. Certainly I c(»nl(l Imvu plciuhul nuilty if 1 wislHMl, u„l g„t
oil Willi two yciira' iniprisonnu-nt ; hut I lik(5 my friicdoai, und
rt'iilly (lin inducement flnit has brnn lJ^ou^dlt to buur "—

Mr. JuMtic(! KiM)-ii — "I cumiot allow that."

Tho Atlorney-Gcneral-."! f(.„l bouud to say that thoro is not
• partls.o of foundation for that."

Tlio PrisomT— "It is not about any one holonirln^to the Grown
I HI) ak. It is coMuoctcd with tho pn^ss. In tho IVccmrm'n
Journal Wxi^ priHoncrsaro d.i.scrihrd as honorable men, whieh they
ftro, Ihou-h poor, and it d.^scril.es theju as men bailurlng will, tho
Crown for their own purposes."

Mr. Justico Koo,-U_««I will not hear observations no way con-
Heeled Willi th(' question."

Tiio Trisr.ner -" All I can say is if I oullivn tho aonteneo of tho
Court I will act my part as a ux-.m, ind.'p.ndeut of the anathemas
or denunciations of any bishop or priest."

Ho was sentenced to five years' penal scrvitudo.

DANriii. O'CoxNKLL, a native of Toomavara, County
Tipperary, was tiled at the Special Connnission, Dub-
lin, JantKiry L':M, 18<;(5.

•O'he principul ovidoneo offered a^irainst liiin wn • lifs
liaviii;^- written, under the -igiiatui'-e of "A Splniual
Eidightener," a letter to the Irish Pco2>Io, m which
liG said that he believed it to bo necessary that Irish-
men should bind themselves to tight for tlie independ-
cneo of their country. Ilo had also written to
O'Donovan (Rosa), inquiring how he could procure
Bonio works on military drill, and tho best tnodium
through which to obtain an Enlield ritle and a Cult's

412

DECLARATIONS IN THE DoCTC.

[

revolver. When arrested a drill-lx.ok was found on
Ill's ]H!rson ; and a pass-book, coiitaiiiiiij,^ tlio names of a
number of men, with (•i[)]iers appended to encli name,
was fouud in his desk. Jle was found ^i;Miiily and
Bentenced to two years' imprisonment witli hard Libur.

William Fkancis TIoantree was broni-'ht to trial,
in Dublin, for treason-fidony on tlie 2;'»d January,
1806, and was found guilty on the n(;.\t day. On
being asked liad ho anything to say wliy scnteueo
sliould not be })asscd, he replied:

** I did not tliink it possii)Io tliat any jniy ponld brinir in n^lnst
nie a verdict of guilty ; guilty of coiispinii<r, when it must have
been dear lo every unprejudiced m<iii that it was the Crown con-
spired. Afha- on aI)sonco of seven years, I returned home from
America. I was set upon by ono of the Crown onieials, and I
was publicly denounced by ono of its preachers as an infidel. I
wish it to be known, and generally known, tliat no matter who or
what bo is, no ono can liope to live in Ireland except ho be a
Scholield or a Naglo. I was set upon, as I luivc said ; every word
of mine was misinterpreted and distorted in the hope of finding
Bomo excuse for my arrest. Finding none, Naglo was set upon
me, and I was arrested upon liis information. I am now, after
four or live months' close imprisonment, asked, after a tew lit do
preliminaries, wluit I have to say why sentence should not bo
passed upon mo. Would any word of mine avail me now ? I
am your prisoner, powerless, for the present, to do anything more
than appeal, as an American citizen, against your scntence,"not to
any pro-English-American Consul, but to the great American peo-
ple. I have, as an Irishman, done my duty to my conntr\', but
iny only regret is that I liave not it in my power to do a great
deal more. There is one tiling more I would like to dwell upon
—namely, the insane docunicnt referred to by Judge Keogh. It
was Nagle handed me tliat document and said to me, " what do

FENIAN IIEUOES AND MARTYHS. 41.^

t - ..„n any of U.o convicts in Mo„n.joy ? As an Ins,.-

ti.cn. u. their hoj':t;:.:;n.ui:::;> "'" "^^ ^^''^ ""^' ^"■'■"^^^'^■"

Patutck nKYncijNE waB next tried, on 24fl. Jnun-
U eV . ' . ''"• ^^'"' ^-'i-tot-(i„u..,,i stuh.,,1

evKlencc .vh.cli ho would produoo of n.-.n. found in
the prisoner SBlio,,, and also a letter to Mujor-CJenoral
llioiuas 1. Meagher, which w.s very patriotic in
sentiuiont and concluded with this toast :

T,nh7? ♦ho memory of General Miclmel Corcoran, one of tl.e
Boblest and best of n,en, whether considere.I as an I.'ishn.an or a
an Amencan ;' and n,ay we all bear a part in fnltilling, under tie
dann less Meagher, the tuo dearest hopes of our h..: -the r !
toratum of the American Union and th. liberation of Ire a d-T
am, sir, your obedient servant, ^

♦'PATRICK JOHN IIEYBURNE,

"Emmet Guard, Fenian Brotherhood."

Mr ircyburno was found guilty, and Judo-e Koooh
urged him to be silent, or if ho should speak, "not 'to
make an exhibition of himself."

The Prisoner— "I will not, my lord."

Mr. Justice Keo^d.-"I give you that advice with veiy anxinus
mo ives, and perhai^s it would be better to leave the case to the
end Ml tiK! hinuls of your counsel."

ii:^i

414

DECLAEATIONS IN THE DOCK.

The Prisoner— " I must say a few words, my lord."

Mr. Justice Keogli— .<'TJien you mudt confine yourself directly

to say la matter of law wljy sentence should not be passed upon

you." ' .

The Prisoner— "I wish to say a few words only; I cannot but
return thanks to the able counsel, because I believe tliere are no
Jionester men or abler counsel at the Irish bar who could say any-
thing in my favor. They have argued ably in my defence, and I
can say nothing about them. 1 have had a very fair trial. I had
honest mer: on my jury, 1 believe' that, for I know men on the
jury myself, and I could lay my life in their hands. I had not
intended to say anything at all in my behalf until yesterday. I
never believed I would have been found guilty. I never believed
I would until the ruled paper was brouglit against me. If I wa3
standing before God I Avould say that .ruled form was never in my
possession. ■ If I ^vas on the scaflbld, with the rope round my
neck, I would say that ruled form was never in my possession. I
had nothing to do with it. There was nothing in the evidence to
find me guilty until that ruled form was produced. When that
ruled form was brought in it found me guillv, and no other way.
Indeed, by law of England, I know that the crime entails upoa
me a severe penalty. The history of Ireland "—

Mr. Justice Keogh— •' I will not hear a word about the history
of Ireland. I proceed to announce to you the sentence of thg
Court, because my delaying any longer would only allow you to
place yourself in a very flilse position."

The Prisoner— "I wish you to pass penal sei-vitudo upon me.
Do not give me two years imprisonn^ent, for I would sulFer mora
if I got two years in that prison than it I got penal servitude."

Mr. Justice Kcogli tlien passed Bentciice— that lio
he imprisoned and kept to hard labor for two years
from the date of liis conimittal.

The Prisoner- "I will have the same principles, mv lord,
afterwards."

irEI»;iAN HEROES AND MARTYRS.

415

James Flood was tried in Dublin on * charge of
treason-felony, on Satnrdaj, 2Ttli Jannaiy, 1866.'' IIo
was arrested while casting bullets, and "treasonable
docnnients^' were found in his possession. He was
fonnd guilty, and in reply to the clerk's question,
said : '

*'My lord, I came from England only a few days before my ar-
re'^t, and the pamphlets were handed to me in the street. I called
to tins place where I was arrested to see young O'Niell as I
knew him before I went to England. I don't know anythino--
about the Fenian Brotherhood. Of course, however, according
to Jiritish law, I must be found guilty.

lie was sentenced to five years' penal servitude.

^ TTuGii Francis Brot'hy, who. was captnred in
Stephen's house, was brought to trial in Dublin on the
20th January, 1866. He was accused with being one
of the most trusted workers in the conspiracv, and a
number of letters were brought against him," as well
as his intimacy with the leaders, and of his being
present at Mulliiigar when an attack was made on a de'^
toctive (Sm..lleu). Mi-. Butt made a very eloquent
addre^^-s in his defense, and Judge Keogh advised the
jury ("hat they should not allow the brilliant effort to
awake their compassion, or influence their verdict.
Mr. Brophy was found guilty ; and in reply to the
usual question, said :

"I only wish to make a few remarks in reference to something
that i.asscd during the trial. The detective SmoUen made a statet
luent-a very serious one if it were true— against my character
for uumliucss. To tJiosc who know me, there would not be any

i m

SSSSSSSsasMaax

< J

416

DECLARATIONS IN THE DOCK.

necessity to toply to that ; but as there are a great many who do
not know me, I wish to tell how it occurred, I met JMr. Roan-
tree on the race-course at Mullingar, and I may have pointed out
to him, or he may have pointed out Smollen to me. In tlic evening,
as we were coming towards the train, there were two men met
me— one a very young friend of mine, and another man. Before
I had time to know who they were, one of them struck Smollen,
who was then with his back to the wall, and they in front of him,
though he stated he was struck from behind. I was beside the
platform at the time, and as he was against the wall they could
not have got behind him. I did not interfere in the vow at all.
Smollen then came forward, struck two or three men with a large
stick he held in his hand, when the young lad, my friend, ran
over and struck him with a small stick. I laughed at the idea of
his striking with a small bit of a stick a man who drew a large
stick with a knob on it. When I saw that, I pushed the crowd
out of the way, seized Smollen, and tried to take the stick from
him. In the tussle we both came to the ground, and two or
three of his friends then took him away. That was the end of it.
As to Carty, I never heard the words which Smollen swore to here.
I did not leave the platform at all. Dawson says he saw me a
couple of times a week going to the Irish People office ; that, too,
is not correct. I certainly went very frequently there, but ho
swore that for four months before the seizure of the paper he had
not seen m(; there, while, when before Mr. Stronge, he swore he saw
me there about two montlis before. That was a great contradic-
tion. I lived in Constitution-hill ; was building at Frankfort ave-
nue, and I had therefore to pass through Parliament street, and in
that way the mistake must have occurred. Dawson said he had
not taken notes of the times he saw me passing, so that he was
only guessing when he said he saw me going into the office a
couple of times a week. Then, again, as to those books, with tho
j'cvolvers, they were found on the chimney piece in the room, and
not in a drawer; so that the police made a mistake in that also.
As to the getting up of the paper, of course I had to do with that,
and I was chairman of the committee meeting ; but I do not see
What that has to do with levying war against the Queen. Wheo

FENIAN HEKOHS AND MAKTrRS.

417

large

I assisted in getting up the paper, I did not see that it had any-
tiling to do with the levying of war against lier. I always as-
sisted m everytliing got up for a national purpose. As to that
letter where the 0th of June is mentioned, in charging the jury,
you said it referred to my going to Mullingar on the Swiday fol-
lowmg. I was for a fortnight before that in Mullingar Ashing, so
that It could not be me that was mentioned in it, and if so th-re
could be no agreement about my going there. As to O'Leary hi
was a workman of mine, but he had a different name when lie
was with me. When he was arrested, Murphy was the name he
went by. As a worlcman, I thought it my duty to look after his
defence, I spoke even to Mr. Curran about getting bail for him
and he told me it was not the slightest use. I m-.tioned that to
my counsel, and I thought evidence might be given of it. I had
not the least doubt of what the verdict would be when I heard
your charge to the jury; there could not be a particle of doubt
What it would be after your charge. In fact you never advanced
a single argument in my favor, and li'om what has transpired in
these trials, from the first of them down to the present time, I
must confess, ns far as the people are concerned, I feel proud 'of
them."

Mr. jTistice Keogh— " We cannot hear more of this."
Their lordslnt)s then retired to confer together, and on the re-
turn of Mr. Bropiiy corrected some misstatements ; and Judge
Kcogh took tlie occasion to remark; "You say you are proud of
the men wlio were brouglit to trial here. Wiiat is that but re-

joicni!^

Prisoner— <'I meant the people, my lord-the people outside."

lie was tlieii seiitencod to ten years' penal servi-
tude.

Patrick Dorait was tried, witli Thomas Francis
Unrlve, for participation in tiio iii-iirreetioiiary move-
monts in the Connty Dublin in Marclu He was found
guilty, and in reply to the (piestiou of the Lord Chief

'I I I

418

DECLARATIONS IN THE IK)CK.

Justice, « I,as tl.e tl.e prisoner, Doraai, anything to
say? — replied: ' ^ s >■"

" 5r,v lords, I Imvc not got miiH, to say. Of course T „o„l,l
no. fo„„w the same strain of „,o„„.„c„ uL r^ycZ^'llZ

mand« 1,4 °" ' '■"■""■■"'■"™. ™" «»ore tliat I com-

mand«l he riUcmoD, or m ollu-r words, acted as aiMccarar, to

he eonsp.rators who were muhn- Len„ln„.-whoe™.Lc.„ni„. I

ha .a< k a G encullen in the name of the Iri,,h RepnWic. [Here the
pmonor looked around eourl . ] There are ,ne„. who ar pre!er,t

Tn';:'; If r """""-"■ """"" °' """^ '•"• «■"> -- -' «*i

on th,,t table o prove my mn,.cence, I never spoke to him, ff«,d
or had, th.a, night-neversaid one word to him, or ,o any of th™

accdent. He is a man I never saw or knew before. But I for-
give them, a,, I hope God will forgive me. I Lave ,o say no i „™
I retnrn my heartfelt thanks to my eloquent counsel, who so abT;

He received the same sentence as Colonel Burke.

MARTrs A. O'Bkennan was arrested on the morn-
ing of rhursday, 12th October, 18C.5, at Tuam. and
mimeuiately conveyed by cottstabulary to Dublin
On the next day he was brought before Mr. Stron..e'

tie 0th sT T"' '''"■'• ^'— '--g^dthat-on
the 30th September previous, in a newspaper, entitled
fte Conna.,At J^atnot and General '^rfJw of
winch O'Brennan was sole conductor and publisher
there was, among other sedidous articles, one in which

FENIAN HEK0E8 AND MAETYE8.

419

it was said " let the American Fenians return," and
that such was t-oasonal)le and intended to stir up
foreigners to invade Ireland and " separate it from the
United Kingdom." The Crown prosecutor read from
an article headed "Alleged Fenianism in the Army,"
in which Mr. O'Brennan, commenting on the tele-
gram announcing the arrest of a Sergeant-major and
a soldier in Cork for Fenianism, said :

*'lt is rumored that Fenianism Uas extended itself widely
amongst the soldiers of the line, the Constabulary, and Militia—
that they understand the nature of their oath of allegiance to de-
fend, but not an oath to consent to the permanent oppression of
their plundered nation— t^vat their oath binds them to a just mon-
arch and. a just government ; l^at tlial if the latter violate alle-
giance to the people— that the military and people are no longv^r
imder allegiance. — Ed. C. P."

The Crown counsel thought a more mischievous
piece of treason could scarcely bo circulated, as it
intending to convey to the minds of the people that
Fenianism had widely extended amongst the soldiers
and militia.

The prisoner's counsel requested the magistrate to
accept bail, which was declined.

m, O'Brennan— *' It is my duty to assist the learned counsel in
this matter, that it may appear that an aggression is made upon
my liberty by the Crown. Here is an article, no matte- who
Tvrote it, and the charge is laid at my door by the Crown r
•*We riliould not, if free to-morrow, aggress the rights and liber-
^ ea of any neighboring nation, and we feel we have a right to
thiS old land '-^(so did the Williamites in 1688)—* and to lejslate

420

DECLARATIONS IN THE JDOCK.

for and to rule it.' Not seeking to subvert the power of the
Queen or of the English government, but saying tlat which the
Conservatives are quietly allowed to do-to subvert Whi! nc'.dec,!
and to establish a rightful rule in Ireland " ^ ^

Mr. Curran-I think it would be a great deal better now, Mr.

M "^?S' '^ ^'"" ^""^^ J"^* «^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ «-y no more.

wh!^? T fi ,T'"7" ^ '"^ '"'^^"* ^" ^""' ^"' ' ^"' I ^"«* protest.
wh,.m I find the Crown aeting with so much virulence as to takl

me from my lar^^e family of nine or ten, and stick me up into no

bet er thr.n a water closet last night, and keep me from three

o clock yesterday morning, to half-past nine o'clock this mornin.^

without any refreshment. It would well become the Crown To

say-how IS this m.n treated ; or why should such an aggression

upon e "7-r "'■'*/' ^'^ '''^''' '^ ^- ^-- -^'^le
upon .6 If it occurred elsewhere the Attorney General or

Crown Solicitor would be the first to denounce it as barbarous and

savage, a, d a portion of the tyranny that has been carried out in

othex countri.. . but here when it is exercised upon a subject of

her Majesty, there is not one word at all against it."

The magistrate (committed the prisoner for treason
felony and thought it did not become liim to answer
the statements made by the latter, who was then re-
moved to Eiclnnond Bridewell.

Mr. O'Brennan was tried at the Commission and lib
erated November, 18(55, on his own recoj^nizance but
towards the close of Marcli, 1S6G, after the suspension
of the Habms Corpus he was a-nin arrested at the
radway station in the town of ClarenK.rrls on a
charge of seditions language, and thrown into tho
county jail of ^fayo. He was subsequently released
and ca.iie to America, where he arrived in October'
186^. »

FENIAN HEROES AND MARTYBS.

421

SWOED AND PEN".

knd-Ili« W.t Saves Him from Arre.t In Dublin-Shoots a Head Oountable

\rl^ A : , ^'"^"^'^y- Captain Jas. M..r„hy-In the War-Goes to

h^dand--Arr...ted--Tle.eased-Ke-Arrc«,ed--]OUse Jruprisonment-ConL
Back to America Arrested. John K. Caney (" Leo ")-Arrested-Opi,rn^
of h.s Poetry. J,,i,„ Locke ("The Southern Gael ")_ni8 Talents and Na
tu.nauy-Arres,ed-The "Council of Ten" Arrested-Namel of the
ir r^niaT "' ''"'''-'• ""'-''' '-:^-^'^^ °^ SchooliS:

Captain Jonx A. Geary.— Educated, bra-e, cool and
decisive in time of danger, Captain Geary is a true
type of tlie band of Irish officers wliom the Fenian
Biotberhoud will ever remember witJi pride. Born
in the County Limerick about the year 1842, he came
to this country with his family, while yet a'boy and
settled in Kentucky. On the breaking' out of the war
he enlisted as a piivate soldier, and,\y his bravery
and gx)od conduct, attained the rank of "Captain long
before hostilities ceased. At the conclusion of the
great American conflict, his first thought was to o-ive
Ins nnhtary experience to aid the hiorating move^
Tnent in the land of his birth. Through his exertions
a fine Circle of the Fenian Brotherhood was formed
m Lexmgton, Ky., and, under his direction, it became

.< i

^■*-%'

ki •*■

I* t;

i>') !

.( (.

fl i:

422

SWORD AND PEN.

one of the most efficient in the org-anizutlon. lie
iiuule CiU'ly appliciition to be placed on the roll for
active military service; and, when called upon, lie
promptly re])ortcd in New York, fully i)repared for
duty, without the ^expense of a dollar to the general
Organization. He went to Ireland, and, on hi8 arri-
val, was assigned to duty in Limerick. A short time
])revious to the " Habeas Corpus Suspension Act," in
Febniary, 18GG, he was ordered to Dublin. AVhen
the Government coup d'etat, took place on the ITth of
that month, several of the Irish-Americans were at
once arrested in their lodgings. Luckily for Captain
Geary, ho had left his lodgings early that morning.
During his absence three of his fellow-ofHcers, who
stayed at the same house, were arrested ; on beino-
informed of which the Captain determined to go
southward by the evening train. Arriving at the
railroad depot, he found several policemen and detec-
tives on tiie lookout for " suspects." This brought
the quick wit of our hero into play. Touching, ^^^th
his foot, a large truidv lying on the platform, he a^ithori-
tatively inquired for its owner; that individual appear-
ing, he was ordered to open the trunk at once, and
the assumed detective occupied himself busily exam-
ining its contents until the train was just starting^
when, having expressed himself satisfied that it con-
tained nothing "contraband," he coolly stepped on
board the train, as if for the purpose of watching or
examining parties thereon, and was carried off IVom
under the very noses of her Majesty's vigilmt detec-
tives.

FKNIAN HEROES AND MARTrRS.

423

Tlie second day following found him in the streets
of Newcastle, County Li.nerick, where a renc<nitro
occurred, in which Geary's decisive, soldierly traits
were well illustrated. A six-foot sergeant of police,
named Sullivan, observing our hero alone in the
vicinity of the barrack, thought it a favorable oi)por-
tnnity to distinguish and recommend himself for tho
ong-coveted Sub-Inspectorship, by capturing single-
handed one of those detested " propagandist/ of
American ideas." Confidently walking np to the Cap-
tain, he claimed him as the Queen's prisoner ; but this
was a slight miscalculation. Geary had gone to Ire-
land prepared for such little contingencies. He did
not think an rrish-Ameri(%'m officer, who had faced
death on so many bloody fields, should be captured in
the sti-cets of his native town by a solitary " peeler ;"
tlie cond)ined honor of Limerick and old Kentucky
f<.rbade it ; so, drawing his revolver, he, not caring to
J<dl the fellow, sent a bullet through the shoulder of
the aspiring sergeant. The first shot not disabling
him, another near the same spot levelled him, and
then, after a single glance in the direction of the bar-
rack, the Captain made for the neigliboring mountains
The cftbct of Captain Geary's lesson was, that the
police always went in sqrads when attempting tlje
capture of a Fenian officer, • especially if he wore'
*'sqnn re-toed boots.'*

On arriving in the mountains, Captain Geary re-
ceived temporary shelter in a turf stack, provisions
being conveyed to liim at night. After the lapse of a '
few days, he was provided with more comfortable

. I

I'i

fm-

424

BWORD AND PEir.

! I

quarters in tlie lioiiso of ono of those patriotic Ir*=^li
l^rioBts who form the great mnjority of the clergy of
the people ; the acts and assertions of tlie " Queen's
Ecclesiastics" on the ono hand, and flippant, iunorant,
Bclf-proclainied atheistical freethinkers on the other,
to the contrary notwithstanding. Tn Captain Geary's
case the character of the true Irish priesthood was
nobly sustained. For, knowing his history, and hon-
oring the bravery and humanity displayed in the ac-
tion which caused him to bo proclaimed an outlav^^
with a price on his head, \u was, for the six weeks
during which he remained in Ireland after the event,
sheltered exclusively by members of their order. He
attended a funeral in their company in the guise of p.
priest, and Anally left Ireland as a youthful mission-
ary, being accompanied by several of his clerical
friends on board the ship, who left him with fervent
prayers for his safety. The pistols, which stood him
in such good need, he lei^ in charge of a priest until
the time arrives for again using them in the g(»od old
cause of liberty and latherland.

Ca])tain Geary arrived safely in New York in the
latter part of April, when he at once reported to Johii
O'Maliony. Some members of the Canadian party,
then maturing their plans for the raid across the fron-
tier, meeting the Captain, offered him a Colonel's com-
mand in the expedition. 'Not wishing to identify
himself with that party, he declined the proffered
lionor ; but, on relating the occurrence "he expressed,"
says an informant, " the intention of taking part in
tlie movement should it be actually made; as, well

»ENIAN HKK0K8 AND MABTVBS.

425

" « .n Ireland was impossible for some time, he was
W.M MR to ievotc part of tlie interim in 8t, king • bl.»>-
at the uplioldors of the 'Felon Flag' wi.enever an
op^ortnnity offered." Aeting on tl.if :1:ZZ, Z

ti^l . '^', ''""'^ "^ ^'<^S™---' ^as among

tlofteers captured with O'Neill by tlu. United State!

upliftmg of the green biinner on the old soil.

Captain James Mtopht came to this country when
a boy, and alter a time he enlisted in the United
btatcs ar m which he served his full term, and was
discharged On the breaking ont of the war Z
re-enhsted m the 20th Massachusetts Volunteers and
fought his way up from the ranks to a captaincy He
was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville and
placed in the Veteran Reserve Corps, from which he
resigned at the close of the war. In the fall of 1865
he visited Ireland for the purpose of recruiting his
shattered health, was arrested in Dublin at the time
the Irish PetrpU was seized, .but claiming his Ameri-
can citizenship, he was reloaded after a week's imoris- ■
onment,. '^

The authorities claimed that Murphy "con-
tinued to engage actively in promoting the interests
of he organ«ation-going down frequently to
Athlone, Mulhngar and elsewhere throughout
the country, for the purpose of swearing in mem-.
bere and otherwise forwarding the movement »
He was consequently arrested again on the snspen-

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. IMAGE EVALUATION
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WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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426

-i?

SWORD AND PEir*

eion of tlie Habeas Corpus Act, and sliortly after-
wards was sought to be made the victim of a viUain-
ous conspiracy. He was charged with being a deser-
ter from the British army, removed to a military
prison and tliere subjected to atrocious tyranny.

At his trial by court-martial suborned perjurers
swore to his identity, but the real deserter appearing
as evidence in his favor, and his certificates of milita-
ry service in the United States army having been pro-
duced, he was acquitted. On his discharge, however,
he was immediately rearrested by the detectives (who
w^ere on hand for that purpose) and conveyed to
Mountjoy prison, where he remained until the 23d
December, 1866, when, after an incarceration of
eleven months, he was liberated. Captain Murphy
brought an action for false imprisonment against hia
military persecutors, but they got the trial postponed,
and he arrived in America 5th January, 1867, to de-
mand the protection of the American Government
while prosecuting his claim before the law courts in
Ireland, to which country he intends returning as
Boon as he can be assured of this protection.

John K. Casey, known as a young writer of fine
promise by his contributions to the national press,
with the signature of "Leo," has an additional claim
on the aiFections of his countrymen from the perse-
cution his talents have brought upon him. He was
arrested on the 13th March, 1867, at Castlerea, and
lodged in the County Jail of Koscommon. Mr. Casey
is the author of a volume of national poetry, entitled

ki:

f after-
villain-
i deser-
lilitary

jrjurera
pearing
milita-
en pro
3\vever,
es (who
}jed to
;he 23d
,tion of
^lurpliy
hist Ilia
tponed,
', to de-
rnment
flirts in
aiiig as

of fine
d press,
d claim
e perse-
He was
•ea, and
r. Casey
entitled

FENIAN HEROES A2TD MARTYRS. 427

gends pu bhsl.ed in Dublin, which was received
by the cntics and public with merited fa „ I t

!ritL -^ T'"' P°'i"«» in the eyes of E li.h

cut.cs wlnle the Irish journals admire and indo se
both h>s music and his nationality. The I o don

fevu^ thinks it not an " unpleasan"^^ " to^ . ;„' ''^^
Its tamt of treason." "

"And here," continues the liemew, "we mi..ht re-

"s:i:STh''' ''""^'' "f Sham'roeW ^'^l"^^.
resentatve of the opposite side to 'Oranc-eism ' tl,>t
where the latter is rabid, stupid, and nonse^-xl a

le put m a fascmatmg, tolerant and intelligible shape
wh.ch would by an outsider render it incont X J
preferable to the loyalty of Orangemen o''utf
the Saxon comes in for it, but no Saxon cou d S
over-vexed at being railed at so eloquently in lu's own
anguage, and in a manner which demonstrat Z

The ^«feW truthfully says of these ballads and
Bongs: "Always true to the national sentiment, re-
flecfang agemnne spirit of patriotism, inspired by the
tender and heroic memories of Irish history, and by
that glowmg hope which no misfortunes or reverses
have been able to extinguish in the Irish heart, mu-
sieal in tlieir flow, clear and graceful in their einres-
6ion, those ballads, songs, and legends will be a som'ce

8W0ED Am) PEN".

of real pleasure to all who feel liow deeply the na-
tional spirit of this country is indebted for its sustaiu-
ment and intensity to the popular national poetry."

John Locke was born in the ancient little town of
Callan, County Kilkenny, about nineteen years ago,
of humble parents, who gave their son as good an
education as the village school afforded. He was a
great favorite with his schoolmates, on account of his
innate kindness of heart; and his attention to his
studies and natural smartness made him a great
favorite with his teacher. After some time he was
appointed to the office of National School Assistant ;
but although he had a Government situation, he could
not resist the appeals of nationality. When his day's
work was done he met the " malcontents of Bridge
street," among whom were Dunne, the nailer, "of
parliamentary renown," Edward Coyne, James Cody
and others. Young Locke was an early riser, and his
mornings before school hours were devoted to the
muses. A great lover of the beauties of nature, he
has interwoven in his songs the impressions made on
him by the surrounding localities. Our young poet
found inspiration in the scenery by which he was sur-
rounded — in the traditions associated with them in
the history of his country— in the miseries of the peo-
ple. He entered with enthusiasm into the doctrines
of the Irish People^ and became a contributor to that
journal. On its seizure he wrote for the Irishman,
under the nom de plume of " The Southern Gael "
and subsecjuently was arrested and sent to jail.

FENIAN HEK0E8 AND MARTYK8.

429

ago,

Early in 1867, a so-called " Council of Ten" were
captured in Camden street, Dublin. Their names
were given as follows : Henry Hughes, Francis Holly-
wood : he had a six-barrelled revolver in his posses-
sion, was said to be a prominent Fenian, and one of
"Hughes' captains." Joseph O'Hara, he had two for-
midable looking revolvers in his possession— one with
nine chambers— and both loaded and capped. John
Walsh, reported to be "high in the organization, doing
the duty of emissary in communication between dis°
tricts and circles." Owen Martin, another "B"
. James Martin, also " B." Thomas Cullen, John Law-
less, a prominent member. Arthur Forester, a book-
keeper, whose career was " pretty well known to the
police." He was a sub-centre for the ^fanch ister dis-
trict, and had been extensively employed in the Or-
ganization. He was one of the contributors to the
Irish People, under the name of " William Tell" and
" Angus," and was in Dublin in 1865, under the name
of Thomas Brown. He fled befoi-e the Habeas Corpus
act was suspended. He went to Chester in command
of the Manchester men during the demonstration
there, and then crossed over to Dublin— also in charge
of them— where they were arrested on the 16th Feb-
ruary. After being a short time in custody he was
released on account of his youth, and permitted to go
at large. " It was," says the report, " this young fel-
low who offered the desperate resistance, and tried to
shoot the ofiicer who was struggling with him, and
two constables were obliged to knock him down and
wring his revolver from him. When disarmed he said

tr;^ ■^ if- ^^

X. r

430

SWOED AND PEN.

that alio rogre tod was that he did not shoot the offi.
cer-tl at he did rot care which of the two wont to
hell or heaven, but that either should. This prisoner
was also known to the police as a companion of Bainea
n tampermg w.th the allegiance of soldie.-s, pai-tieu.
larljr those of the 30tli regiment."

Geneeal Faeiola was arrested in the Summer of

J"ly 29th betore the police magistrates, at the
Lower Castle Yard, Dublin, tho prisoner ^.. give^
a seat as he suflered considerable pain from a bayonet
jound ,n h,s left leg. lie said he was not in a con-
d.tion to procure legal aid. Informations were read,
one fro,„ the wretched Masscy, who deposed that
General Oetare Louis Fariola came to Ireland to take
part m the rismg, and that he was introduced to him
in London by General Cluseret, who said he was to be
clnet of staff. Witness was the deputy of General
Uuseret, under whom the rising on the 5th of March
was to be made.

Other informations having been read, the prisoner
was asked whether he had anything to say in defense.
Herephed, "Icannot say anything on such mea-n-e
evidence as has been produced against mo. There is
no evidence to show that I was one of the conspira-
tors. I therefore have nothing to say, and I think I
should be discharged." Col. Lake said, " The m,a.ris.
trates are of opinion that your complieit/ with a rev-
olutionary movement has been established so far as to

®0

FENIAN HEROES AND MAlil'VKS.

431

make it imi)erative on them to commit yon for trial."
lie was tlieu formally committed.

National Schoolmasters and Fenianism.— Bv a
return to an order of the House of Conmions, dated
the 8th of March, 18G6, of " all schoolmasters arrested
m Ireland for Ribbonism, sedition, or Fenianism, from
the 1st of January, 18G0, to the latest date ascertain-
able, we learn that the total number of such arrests
was thirty-four. Of those thirty-one were charged
with Fenianism, two with Eibbonism, and one with
sedition; and the entire thirty-four appear under the
descri])tion of national school teachers. Their names
and the schools to which they were attached are given
thus: Thomas Doherty Brougham, Tipperary; Mi-
chael Hyland, Galway; Daniel Darragh, Ballycastlo,
Antrim; Patrick Mulligan, Manooney, Armagh;
James Cheevers, Glynn, Carlow; Thomas Duggin'
Ballincollig, Cork, E. ; Jeremiah Gleeson, Knockna-
gowna, Cork, E. ; Cornelius Sullivan, Blarney Village,
Cork, E. ; William Conway, Passage, W,, Cork, E. ;
James Leary, Carrigtoohill, Cork, E. ; Michael 'cro-
iim, Rosnacahara, Cork, W. ; James Leliane, Lisheen,
Cork, W. ; Deelan Monsell, Skull, Cork, W. ; Bar-
tholomew Brien, Gooscroneen, Cork, ^Y.; Patrick
Murphy, Cahergariife, Cork, W. ; Patrick O'Donncll.
Arramore Island, Donegal; John Magee, Dromore,
Down; Daniel Kelliher, Killarney, Kerry; James
O'Callaghan, Ballyhane, Kilkenny; Arthur GoiT,
Leitrim, Leitrim ; Wm. Wall, Kllmallock, Limerick ;
William Abitt, Phillipstown, Louth ; Henry M. Cur-

432

SWORD Aim PISH,

'T, Bchma, Mayo ; J„hn r)„fP t •
James H^Iand, cL^, Ma;„ jl ^pr"'"^'-' ^ayo;
barna, Meath ; Edward Rocho T T "*-""'' ^^"'"''-
Patrick Brie,,, Tube,.e,,„y;tllo M^^?""«''''".•
Westmeath; John O'TooIp p1 , ' '-''''"•^stown,
Hugh B^rne, Kingstowa^"'"' ^""^'l'"^''^. Wexford ,'

niska, Kayo;
iHgan, Ealna-
Monaglian ;
'had Clearv.
» 1 ipporarj,
I'owenstowii,
, Wexford :

PENIAN nEROES AND MAJtTYRg.

433

DAKII^G ESCAPES.

John Klrwan-fn Pnpal Brigado-An Active Fenian Centrc-Wonndod at Tal-
lahgt-Arrested-Placed in the Meath no^pital-IIla Escape ^"mi cIlo
nel Leonard Takes Part In the D.oghoda Rising-Mystcr^.H Appearance n
a House, and Escape from it-Ai -est of Colonoi t r '^^"'P'^f " "^« "
Dacey in Manchester-Eon.anded-cl^Jits't Cou^l^^^^^^^^^^

^at'oT Th" v'^'t?''? T' ^'""^'''^ '^ Police-The Police and Mob d!
feated-The Van Brolien Open a».d the Prisoners Itelca.cd. Wild ExcUe
ment Captain Dacey. Captain Lawrence O'Brien-Goes to Irelaml-Ar'-
rested-Committed for Trial-Bold and Mysterious Escape from Clonmei

Allusion has already been made to the escape of
Stepliens from Richmond jail, and the daring attempt
of Noonan to escape from his captors. There are
other instances of adroitness, enterprise and darino-
which distinguish the pnrsuit of Fenianism nnder
difficulties, and which call for honorable mention.
The successful adventure of Stephens has been eclipsed
by those which followed.

John Kirwan, a Dublin « Centre," became widely
known by his " mysterious" escape from the hands of
the enemy. Mr. Kirwan had been in the Dublin po-
lice, and left it to join the Papal Brigade, in which he
Bcrved, like many others who have become able Fe-
nian propagandists, with honor. On his return he

!«:

M-

434

DARING ESCAPES.

obtained a mercantile Bituation in Dublin, and soon
after he was appointed, throvigli much local inflnmco,
to the position of turnkey in the Four Courts Debtors
Prison. Subsequently he left the prison, and was
appointed ranger by the Grand Canal Company. In •
September, 18C5, orders were given for his arrest, but
he contrived to keep out of the way, and, up to April,
1867, to evade his pursuers, although it was well known
tliat 'ho was taking a most active part in the Fenian

organization. /. -nr i

He took a prominent part in the rising of March,
and received a severe wound in the rencontre in the
neighborhood of Tallaght. He was arrested on the
Gth April in a house in Bihsop street, and was taken
before Dr. Carte, who committed him for trial on a
charge of high treason. When brought before the
magistrates it was stated « that the prisoner was one
of the persons who made an attack on the Stepaside
constabulary station on the night of Shrove Tuesday
This statement was, to a great extent, corroborated
by the fact that he was badly wounded in the breast
by a riile bullet which had passed through him to the
clavicle, which it fractured." His wife was in atten-
dance, and as she was in a delicate condition, and as
her husband was in a dying state, she begged the
magistrate to have the latter sent to one of the hos-
pitals of the city where he would receive proper med-
ical treatment. , . i . ^i

As Mr. Kirwan's character stood very high m the
estimation of influential persons, his wife's request
was complied with, an4 instead of being sent to the

1(1 soon
(iiirnco,
)el)tors'
11 d wa3
tiy. In .
est, but
April,
i known
Fenian

March,
e in the
d on the
as taken
dal on a
fore the
was one
itepaside
Ciiesday.
oborated
Lie breast
m to the
in atten-
n, and as
gged the
' the hos-
►per med-

gh in the
s request
3nt to the'

FENIAN nER0E8 AND MARTYRS. 435

prison infirmary, ho was ordered to tlie Mcath ITos-
pital, where every attention was shown to him. Kir-
wan was well known to bo a most determined and
darmg man. He had, on two previous occasions, ef-
tected his escape, and the authorities gave special di-
rections that lie should be most closely watcht-d, and
two policemen were appointed to guard him mrrht
and day. ^

^ His health was exceedingly feeble; but the authori-
ties now declare that this was a pretense. On Tues-
day evening, the 9th April, about half-past seven
o clock, the police constable, in charge of the pris-
oner, left him for a short time to get a draught in
the apothecary's room. The policeman was ab-
sent about seven minutes, and on his return found that
the prisoner had escaped. Th« room in which Kirwaii
was confined is situated in the corridor of the acci-
dent ward, and when the constable left, the invalid
made a dash fpr his life, and saved it. How he o-ot
out is one of the « mysteries." He left with nothi^ig
on but his shirt and drawers. It is thought that ho
made his way into Long Lane or Camden Eow, where
there were confederates to assist him. As soon as his
escape was made known, of course there was perplex-
ing excitement. Kirwan, however, made his way to
America, and has taken up his residence in New York.

The escape in July, 1807, of the Fenian Colonel
Leonard, who participated in the insurrectionary move-
ment in Drogheda in the March previous, created a
great deal of excitement in that town. The circurastan-

k36

SABINO ESOATEa.

COS wero aa follows : A rcsp cotaWe professional gontle-
]uj,u— to Ills aBtoiiiwhiueiit— tliricovored a porHon in tb©
upper part of liiri liouso, witli heavy beard and an ap-
pearance altogether roBenibling Colonel Leonard. On
tho gentleman's approach, the stranger fled down
stairs towards the kitchen, and on bis pasRago thereto
was observed by two other gentlemen, friends of tho
proprietor of tho house, who also had an opportunity
of recognizing him, as his photograph had been ex-
hibited since March in all tho stationers* windows
of the town. The owner of the house sent for a po-
liceman, who hapjjened to bo on beat near the liouso,
Sub-cunstable Gannon. On the arrival of the latter,
and having learned the particulars, ho was about pro-
reeding to tho kitchen to arrest the fugitive, but \ya8
strongly recommended uot to do so alone, but proviclo
moro'men, as, if he went by himself, he would certain*
ly be shot, for tho other party was no doubt armed
with a revolver. Gannon, who was a man over six
feet in height, and of resolute courage, declined to
give the stranger a chance to escape, and determined
upon arresting him himself. lie accordingly pro-
ceeded to the kitchen, but lo! the i3risoner had lied by
the back door into the garden ; and now comes per-
haps tho most mysterious affair. A door near the
centre of the garden, which leads out to the street, and
which had not been for a long period of time used for
passing in or out, was found opened, and the stranger
gone. How the fugitive had provided himself with a
key was and is a " perplexing mystery." Several houses
in' tho town, on which suspicion rested, were since

gontle-
1 in tliQ
. uu ap-
•d. On

I down
thereto
i of tllO
>rtunity
)ceii ex-
aiidowa
or a po
B house,

hitter,
out pro
but was
provide
certain*
t armed
Dver six
ilhied to
erniined
^ly pro«

1 lied by
incs per-
near the
rcet, and
used foi*
stranger
f with a
[i\ houses
ere since

VEmAJS IlEr n 8 AND MAETYRfl, 4.*] J

lenrehc.l, vvithout a successful ivsuli. Few im-idonb
\\itli Fcnianisin created nioro jjossip in

connected
T^i'i'-i'lieda.

^n the tOth September, one of the best planned and
most ably executed deeds was accomph'slied in iMun-
Chester, the great centre of Englisl, marilcturinc.
nidustry. On the 17th, two days previous,Tfo pohce"
'>»<'n3 by accident than intention, fell in with and cap-
tured Colonel Thomas J. Kelly and Captain Dacey
in that city. The American accent, the revolve/a
lound on the prisoners, their anxiety to use them, all
combined to persuade the Manchester constables that
they had caught—perhaps— a Fenian leader. The
thought struck them that one of them might bo 'Colo-
nel Kelly. The informer, Corydon, was immediately
needed to indentify him ; but, although that blood-
hound had been in Liverpool striving to scent Kel-
ly, ho could not be found. This caused delay, so
that when the prisoners were brought up a second
time for examination, a further remand was necessary
—waiting Corydon and a warrant from the Lord Lieu-
tenant of L-cland. The following account, which ex-
hibits the fearful excitement of the occasion, and the
ability by which the affair was conducted, is condensed
from an English journal, the Manchester Times, 2l8t
September :

"After the remand was granted, the prisoners, who
gave their names as John Wright and Martin Wil-
liams, were removed to the cell's below. The court
was densely crowded, and it was observed that the

'y,^^^V7:

f '.■ M>:-

-; \

438

DAEING ESCAPES.

greater iiuin"ber of those present took an ir tense in-
terest in the proceedings. A number of strangers
crowded the corridors and the open rooms below the
court. After the court adjourned, those persons re-
mained, and by the time the van arrived, three o'clock,
the narrow street in the rear of the court house was
filled Ittan excited throng. A considerable force of
police Ws told off to j^eep the van clear. Mean-
while, the attention of a Superintendent had been
called to two men of soldierly appearance, who had
been seen lounging about all the morning. An inspec-
tor and constable went forthwith to arrest them . One of
them made off and escaped. The other, a tall, pow-
ful man, made a desperate resistance. He drew from
his breast a long-handled, loose-springed knile, which,
on the blade being thrown forward, became a for-
midable dagger, the spring tightenir. ; with a click.
The inspector seized his prisoner by the wrist, and
while he was in the act of wrenching the weapon out
of his right hand, the fellow aimed a fearful blow with
his left, which caughf the constable full in the eye.
Some more constables came upon the scene and com-
pleted the capture. The man was searched and hand-
cuffed. A few minutes afterwards the prisoners, in-
cluding Kelly and D-^cey, were ranrched between a
double row of c -nstables to the steps of the van. A
murmur rose from the crowd as the prisoners, who
ware in handcuffs, were placed inside the vehicle.

" The prison vai then proceeded through the city in
the direction ol the gaol. The van was divided into
BCDarate compartments, each intended for a pris'^ner.

'■ - kl

FEmAN HEEOES AND MABITES.

439

n tense in-
strangers
below the
lersons re-
3e o'clock,
house was
le force of
r. Mean-
had been
, who had
^n inspec-
n. One of
tall, pow-
Irew from
le, which,
ime a for-
1 a click,
wrist, and
eapon out
blow with
1 the eye.
and com-
and hand-
soners, in-
between a
3 van. A
tners, wlio
hide.
:he city in
dded into
pris'^ner.

The two Fenians, together with several women and
young boys were the occupants of the vehicle, which was
accompanied by eleven policemen— seven besides the
driver rpon it, and four following in a cab behind;
lour were on the box ; two beh^jid, and Sergeant Brett
was mside the van in the middle compartment. The
van proceeded quietly antil they arriveigt the rail-
way arch, on the 'Hyde road, near the claPfits. Tlie
officers in front noticed a crowd of men, the majority
of whom were armed with revolvers. This crowd
was composed of men dressed, some in cloth and some
m lustian; but xhere were not many in the garb of
workingmen; the majority seemed better dressed.
Ihey appeared to be acting in concert, and a Fenian
named Wm. O'Meara Allen, acted as leader. The
moment the van approached the arch Allen shouted
to the driver to stop. This was followed by a volley
of pistol shots. A policeman incited the" driver to
drive on. Simultaneously, however, the Fenians in
front fired at the near horse, and shot it through the
neck, and the driver was knocked off his box. A mo-
ment afterwards the other horse was also shot. Sev-
eral of the officers narrowly escaped being shot, and
only saved themselves by ducking their heads. ' TJie
progress of the van was effectually prevented. About
twenty of the assailants formed a cordon round the
van, and kept the police at bay. Several bystanders
joined with the police, and made a rush ; but tliey
could do nothing against a score of desperate mei
witli loaded pistols. In the meantime, the remainder
of tho gang had attacked the van. They were armed

•m

::■ t.

t i f'

440

DAEING ESCAPES.

with hatchets, hcammers, and stones, with which they
tried to force an entrance. The van, wliich was a very
strong one, resisted their efforts, till at last a party ol
the men managed to haul a very large stone upon the
roof, and soon pounded the top of the van
into chips. The door was by this time nearly forced
open, wh^the leader, who had a pistol in each hand,
put one to the lock, fired it, and burst the door open.
The gradually increasing crowd of spectators had, in
the meantime, made several charges, but were easily
defeated by the occasional firing of pistol shots. The
police are of opinion that some of the pistols were
not loaded with ball, for several times, when they were
fired point blank, no effect followed. One of the
bystanders was shot through the ancle, and one of
the policemen from the cab, who came up to assist
the others, received a shot in the back. The leader,
Allen, was seen to fire five shots at the van before it
was burst open. When the door was forced, the
leader called to the prisoners to come out. They
were, of course, locked up in their separate compart-
ments. The leader then asked Brett for the keys, but
he refused to give them, upon which Allen fired.
Brett was shot in the head, the ball entering the eye,
and coming out near the top of the hat. Brett stag-
gered out of the van as soon as Allen had possessed
himself of the keys- Allen then released the two
Fenians, and the whole party decamped across in the
direction of the Ashton Road.

"Allen was seen going along in the company of
Kelly, and he was heard by the bystanders to say,

icli they
is a very
party ol
pon the
lie V9,n
Y forced
h liand,
)r open,
had, in
B easily
3. The
Is were
ey were
of the
one of

assist
leader,

)efore it
edj the
They
impart-
jys, but

1 fired.
;he eye,
tt stag-
assessed
le two
3 in the

)any of
to say,

FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MARTYRS.

441

Kelly I will die for yon.' Some yonng men in tlio
crowd gave chase. Allen, with one or two otho
contmued their flight over the fields. At Ashton
Koad, a pohce-constable joined the chase, and captnred

Sht f r-! "^T^'. "'^''^ ^^''"^'^^^ ^^'^'^^^ «f Eliza
Street City Eoad, Ilulme. Another young man

Sid Tv' '' ^r'^^'"'^' ^^^ ^-- Alkn, and

ol?. 1 . r- ^^' ''"^'"'^ ^^^^^^^1^' -"d threat-
ened to shoot his pursuer with his revolver. Hunter

however, who was a powerful young fellow, closed with
him, wrested the pistol from him, and struck him with
It several blows on the head, causing a very ugly
wound. Other assistance then came up. Allen was
Identified by twenty or thirty witnesses as the leader
01 the gang, and the man who entered the van and
snot -Drett.

"From the statement of eye-witnesses, we are enabl-
ed to add further details. A very acute looker-on, who
lives near the railway arch, had noticed a number of
strange suspicious-looking men loitering in the neigh-
borhood all the morning. Some of them visited the
neighboring mn, ' The Kailway Hotel,' from time to
time, and then went across the road into the unen-
closed field along the line of railway. They were
stiffly-built men, and some of them looked as if they
had. been soldiers. One of them was rather taller
than the rest. He was a fair complexioned man, with
a black coat and cap. He appeared to be the leader
Our informant felt sure that ' something was goin<. to
happen. About four o'clock he was .o occupied *
with watching the men, that ho did not see the prison

442

DARING ESCAPES.

m !,:

lil

¥ i

* i

■ iHi

van when it was coming up the road. He saw the
tall man standing with ten or twelve others on a bank
of clay on the opposite side of the road. He put up
his hand, and several other men who had been loiter-
ing about joined those on the bank, making the num-
ber from fifteen to twenty. The tall man, who acted
as Captain, then drew a revolver, which looked like a
new one, and it shone in the light. The other men
at once did the same. All the pistols were quite
bright. At this moment the rumble of the van was
heard, and the leader stepped into the middle of the
road, raised his revolver, and fired. As above-stated,
while some of the assistants kept back the constables
and the crowd, others surrounded the van and began
to break a way into it. A woman was among the
first to get out. Afterwards a tall man with a dark
moustache (Dacey) camu out, and then followed a
short, thick-set man (Kelly). Both of the men looked
as if they were still handcuffed. JSTearly all the as-
sailants crowded round, and whilst some of them hur-
ried across the unenclosed fields, others remained
behind and fired more shots. The firing seemed quite
at random, as if there was now no wish to wound, but
only to keep the police at bay.

" The excitement which followed the report of this
battle was indescribable. In reply to the Mayor's
telegram, the Home Office offered' a reward of £300
for the recapture of Kelly and Dacey. The ]\ranches-
ter Corporation also oftered a reward of £200 for the
capture of those who took part in the rescue. An-
nexed is the official description of the two principal

! saw the
n a bank
e put up
3n loiter-
:lie num-
ho acted
ed like a
lier men
re quite
van was
le of the
e-stated,
)nstables
d began
ong the
I a dark
lowed a
1 looked
. the as-
em hur-
3mained
3d quite
md, but

of this
Mayor's
)f £300
Jmches-

for the
3. An-
I'incipal

FENIAN HEROES AND MABTTES. 443

fugitives :-.' Colonel Kelly, 35 years of age, 6ft. 6in.
High, hazel eyes, brown hair, brown, bushy whiskers
small scar inside right arm, scar over right temple'
one tooth out of upper jaw on right side ; a native of
Ireland,- weighs about 160 lbs. Captain Dacey 29

Wl. f\'?- ''^"- ^^^^' '^'^'^y complexion,
ha^el eyes, dark brown hair, brown moustache, whis!
kers shaved off, proportionate make, scar on left
cheek, near to the ear.'

" The country was scoured in all directions during
the mght and before eleven o'clock twelve to fifteen
arrests had been reported from different places in the
neighborhood. The last that was seen of Kelly and
Dacey was near Clayton Bridge. They were seen by
some brickmakers to go into a cottage, they then
being m handcuffs. When they came out their hands
were free. When the constables overtook Allen he
was already in custody, and had been severely stoned
about the head and body." ^

" It is ascertained," says the Times, " that the pri-
son van was preceded, on its way from tlie court in
the afternoon toward the gaol, by a cab containing
several of the assailants, who joined those who had
previously been seen loitering about the railway arch
and who appeared to take the command." A writer
to the Irishman gives it as the " one opinion" of the
ternhed town "that the most daring, well-planned,
and resolute plot that ever startled England has been
accomplished by the thirty men who gathered that

day under the railway bridge at Hyde Eoad,

';yrMiniiii

444

DARING ESCAPES.

B%' ll

CArTAiN Timothy Dacey, the companion of Colo-
nel Kelly in the Manchester rescue, was born iu the
town of Clonakilty, County Cork. He came to tliis
country at an early age, and settled in the city of
Lawrence, Mass. On the breaking out of the war,
he enlisted in the Massachusetts Ninth, fought gal-
lantly through the campaigns, was promoted to the
grade of a lieutenant, and was seriously wounded at
the battle of the Wilderness, but refused to leave his
command until the fight was over. Among all the
noble spirits that embarked in the cause of Irish na-
tionality during the last few years, there were none
nobler than the unpretending Dacey. He went to Ire-
land September 2d, 1865, from the Lawrence Circle, of
which he was a member, reported at Skibbereen,
was arrested on suspicon a few days after the seizure
of the Irish People^ and was kept in jail for two
weeks. On his release he remained in Clonakilty for
a couple of months, when he was ordered to Dublin.
He remained there until April, IS^G, and had a very nar-
row escape from arrest on the morning of the suspen-
sion of the Habeas Corpiis Act ; getting out the back
way, as the authorities entered the front. Captain
Dacey was next ordered to England, and located
in Liverpool. Here he had another narrow escape —
having actually had an interview with Major Greig,
who came to search the house. After the famous res-
cue by the Manchester men, Captain Dacey waa sent
to America, where he arrived on the night of Sunday,
October 27tli. He was heartily welcomed by tlio
Brotherhood, and was the recipient of a splendid pub-

■*!;■••

. <i ■-' '*i'- '

,*»*»^

*-r:-

■ ■ '>:i^

■■'«

' IP

I ::

i ^

i ■

i'i

,ii h

r lr ^ **! i' " | '*i™wii i w M

PKNIAN IIimOES AND MARTYRS. 445

lie rm.,,tion nncl Boronmlo on th. in^^l^t of October
^iHt, at tho M(.tn,i,„IiiH„ Uoid, Kovv York

Oniho Bunu3 ni^ht tl.o cscapo of another prisoner
Iro.n juil helped to coneentrnto pul>llo opinion on the
(luring, and detonnination of tlie Fenians. Captain
Laurence O'JJrien Ih a native of Nenagi,. Tlic Btate-
inent that lie waH in tlie police force i» erroneous. ] le
(^•nnj^rated witli In. fan.ily to America about tlie year
1^>.). Ife BubHe(,„ently entered tlio Union army, in
which he won distinction, and was promoted to a Cap-
taiiup 1I(. he(.ame a Fenian, and tlirew into the
;I"-<>H'CM-h()od liiH marked intelligence and great activ-
il.y. J e went to Ireland early in 1S(>7, accompanied
Colonel J homaB F. JJourke through Fethard, Clonmel
and Cashel, and was arrest(;d, on the 28th February
in the vicinity of the latter ].laco. He was discharged
lor want of suflicient proof, but re-arrested soon after
under the J/aOerts Oorpm 8usi)ension Act. He rc-
miiined in jail, on a Lord Lieutenant's wjirrant, to the
12th August, wlien, on an investigation, ho M-aa com-
mitted for trial at the next Assizes. A short time
previous the informer Corydon was confronted with
the i^risoncr— who had gone by the name of Osborne
—and identified him as Ca])tain Laurence O'Brien
and gave further evidence of Lis connection with Fe-
nian ism.

O'Jiricn was confined in a coll from which it was
believed escaj^e would be impossible. The walls of
this cull arc some five or six feet thick. Light is ad-
mitted by one solitary window, a large opening, pro-
tected with double bars of iron, set transversely, and

1 !

446

FENIAN IIKROES AND MARTYUa.

ill
f '

(

embedded with lead into lieavy blocks of etono. Tho
outer door is of wood, sheeted and cased with iron ;
the inner, a heavy iron gate, both well fastened out'
Bide with double .^ka and strong bolts and bars.
Into this cell the prisoner was locked at six o'clock on
Wednesday evcninjr, 19th September; and at about
eleven the same night the governor of tho jail, in tak-
ing his accustomed round, visited tho different cells
^v ith a turnkey, among others O'Brien's, and saw that
tlio prisoners were in bed, and that all was right, and
brought tho keys with him to his own room. At six
o'clock the next morning, it was discovered that
O'Brien's cell was untenanted. The prisoner had suc-
ceeded in effecting his escape in the prison dress. A
search was at once made through the prison, and in-
formation was conveyed to the Eoyal Irish Constabu-
lary. Mounted men were dispatched in different
directions into the country districts, while other
parties were engaged in visiting suspected places
through town— all to no effect. Upon examining the
cell, it was found that the lower half of the ifcavy
iron grating of the window had been cut through in
part with a file or some sharp instrument, the remain-
der being forced by some means from its leaden
socket, while one of the sideblocks of limestone had
been broken in two, and the loosened part removed.
The iron grating and broken masonry were found in
the cell, with the prisoner's hat, which was filled with
pieces of cement and limestone; also, a stout bar of
iron, skilfully sharpened at one end, and tied round
with cloth to protect the hand, and to lesson the sound

if i I

DARINO ESCAPES.

no. Tlio
^Ith iron ;
Biicd out-
md bai'B.
'clock on
at about
1, in tak-
ont cells
saw til at
ight, and
At six
^ed that
had suc-
cess. A
, and in-
onstabii-
difFerent

other
i places
ning the
10 heavy
•ough in
remain-
leaden

one had
emoved.
bund in
ed with
t bar of

1 round
e sound

447

while working. This bar was cut ofT from the iron
support of the metal stov. pipe, which the prisoner
iiad found means to procure or remove from it. phico
at the end of ^,ho corridor while passing to his coll.
There were found, in addition, some two or threo
pieces of rod iron, finely pointed ; a rude iron ham-
iner, a kmfe, and a small coil of rope unopened.
iM-om one ol the remaining window bars a thin rope,
doubled, hung loosely, reaching some eight feet down
outside the window itself being fully thirty feet from
the walk below leading to the main entrance. By
this means the prisoner is supposed to have lowered
himself to a level with the iron gallery, or passage
irom the press-room to " the drop," and, having been
drawn across, if he had an accomplice, or, which is
just possible, having swung himself over to the pas-
sage gallery— in which one of the sheets of the prison-
er's bed was found, with the ends double-stitched
together— he scaled the railing, crossed the roof of the
gate-house barefooted, and got upon the parapet of
the outside wall of the prison, from which it is be-
lieved he descended into the street, some eighteen or
twenty feet, by means of another rope, which was also
found hanging from one of the embrasures. His
boots were on the walk nnder his cell window, tied
together, as if they had been hung across his 'arm,
but had slipped off. It was a fine moonlight night, and
the place where the escape was effected is not 'fifty
yards from the llichmond police barracks. Two of
the constabulary had been on duty outside the door on
their station up to one o'clock that night.

4i8

FENIAN nEIlOE8 AND MARTYKS.

The wildest conjectures grew out of Captain
O'Brien's escape; and, taken in connection with the
bold deed of the gallant men of Manchester, was well
calculated to keep a\v ake the fears and anxieties of the
Government.

" eein's hope."

Considerable attention has been directed to the so-
called " Feniar Privateer " and her cruise. The well-
informed New York correspondent of the Irishman
says all that may be said on the subject at present.
After stating that, when the news of the March rising
was flasheci over the cable, a certain sum of money
was placed in the hands of Colonel James Kelly, Di-
rector of Military Affairs, F. B., he continues: "Kel-
ly at once purchased a neat little fast-sailing brig (he
had not money enough for a steamer), aboard which
he placed 15,000 stand of arms, with ammunition
and accoutrements to match, in charge of thirty-five
picked officers, and started her off to Ireland — a pio-
neer and forlorxi hope (' Erin's Hope ' they called her)

— in command of the indomitable Captain , U.

S. Navy. These daring men had not much hope
even then of reaching their destination in time to fur-
nish the insurrectionists with the weapons they took
with them ; but they insisted on risking their lives in
order to solve a question wdiicli was of vital impor-
tance for those who Avork for Ireland's redemption by
force of arms, and the doubts upon which formed a
serious obstacle in the way of Fenian propagandists
here. The chief argument used by many opponents

Captain
L with the
', was well
jties of the

DAEING ESCAPES.

449

to the so-
The well-
Irishmaii
,t present,
irch rising
of money-
Kelly, Di-
Les: "Kel-
g brig (he
ard which
Qmunition
thirty-five
nd — a pio-
called her^

— ,u:

inch hope
Line to fur-
they took
ir lives in
ital impor-
uption by
. formed a
pagandists
opponents

ir vTr^ """' *'* '' ^''^ irr^^o^me to dear Fe-

TTnT^ Z ?" * *S'°*' "■■ ^'ti^ the consent of the
United States authoritip» Ti,;„ -..i, .,

awnmpnt tl,„t -7 • '' ™* *'^« correlative

aigument that it was impossible for any such vessel
even though she had left these shores unspoken of an
enemy to pass the eordon of war ship wfth which

wKLTr-^';" """"'^ IrelanVespelMy
wnen Ireland is in danger of such invasion • those

Fe^knill' r;,:f ---<i to deprive opponent::
J^enianism of tliat argument at all hazards and T
maintain that they have done it effeetually ' They
did clear a vessel from a United States port ; they did
pass the cordon;' they did touch thelilh colst'^.nd
m their devotion to the principle on which they had
embarked some of them did actually land on Irilh
oil in such a manner as to prove that not thi2 bu
tUHy thousand could have effected a similar lardW
before one-tenth of that number could be muZlT,^
oppose them even when your Gover; iXt ^l' I
thoroughly (?) .prepared' for such an emergenry L
they claimed to bo last spring. The passengei^ ^f
t le Erin s Hope' not only visited Ireland, and iZ

Ttm'r"' '•"^"''"'^-«''. 'passed the co don' t-
the fifth Ume returned across the ocean, sailed quiT
ly and safely into this port, unshipped their carers;
stored ,t away into the Fenian armoiy L X^
disposed of their vessel profitably for the C'
cause ,. and next day, set t? work ft ti^ir o d!voca'
tons as If they had only been absent on a pCure
trip to tie Paris Exposition I g" mnoh ---.."

r — ^v- *i.uca lur cue im-

'it

.V \,

450

FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTE8.

possibility of sending a Fenian expedition from m
American port to Ireland 1 By the way, I should have
mentioned that when the news reached here that the
* rising' had been positively suppressed, two other
vessels were being laden, within a hundred yards of
where I now write, with a similar cargo and bound
on a similar excursion, but che work was, of course,
discontinued."

JOHN WAHEEN AND WELLIAM NAGLE.

were arrested on the Ist June, 1867, on the bridge
crossing the Blackwater from "W aterford into Youghal.
They were kept in Youghal until the morning of the
4th, when they were sent to the Cork County Jail,
being marched through the streets handcuffed like
felons. The gallant soldiers, who had distinguished
themselves in the late war, were greatly incensed and
insulted by such treatment, and communicated with
their relatives and friends in this country, invoking
the aid of their Government. As Colonel Nagle,
writing from jail, says : " This is not exclusively an
individual case, but becomes a question of right, in-
volving the liberty of every American citizen that
sets foot on this soil. I ask the Government of my
country, which I have faithfully served, whose laws I
have never violated, to secure to me that liberty which
is my birthright, and of which I am now deprived
without any cause or plea of justification, by an au-
thority I do not recognize— a government to which I
owe no allegiance, and whose laws I have in no way
infringed upon."

1 from an
lould have
e that the
two other
d yards of
,nd bound
of course,

;he bridge
► Youghal.
ing of the
unty Jail,
5uffed like
tinguished
ensed and
ated with
, invoking
lel Nagle,

usively an
right, in-
tizen that
ent of my
ose laws I
jrty which
deprived
by an au-
;o which I
in no way

Daeing Esoapes,

451

fh?''^''''''^ J"^^"" "^^^^ ^ statement of his case to

. ^-S ra f if^ The

npt nr^ ^^ A xT ^oods letter before the Cabi-

was leS tT ", '"* ^"S""'' ""^ ^- Seward
was directed to confer at once with Sir FredenVb

" tL t- .1 " '■"P'^' ^'•- Seward said :
thi, n„ '?•' ^^' '''■■"^''y '■«<'«'™d the attention of
tis Department, which understands that those per-

are no sufficient grounds to charge them with the
^mmission of any offence against fhe law" Tf Grfat
Wl^ea'^ ,^" good reason to believe that tW

gra%d"To Tf '^''^'' ^'' ^^^^^™'^ I5™«« tele,
graphed to his Government recommending the imme-

Wil T 1 ''"'"^"^'^ ^^Sle and WarrenZm
^nsonment, and sent to Mr. Seward . copy of Z

On the 23d September, they wero removed t*
Mountjoy prison, Dublin, and on the slmTdav rl
ceived a letter from M, Adams. United States Envoy
at London, m which he says • ^^voy

br-thi^rri" -f^^"^^rS^:i

«vent at Manchester. I very n.uch regret ieZ^

452

FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETYRS.

W 1 f

VS'-f

ili;l ii;

ing to which you are subjected, and shall continue to
do all in iny power ibr your relief."

Colonel Nagle takes the position which every spir-
ited American citizen, native or adopted, must iii-
dorse, when he says :

"I have not desired Mr. Adams nor Mr. West to petition for my
liberty. I scorn to receive as a favor wliat I demand as a right.
Aside from the Individual, physical and moral injury done me,
there is another great question involved, before which all personal
matters sink into insignificance. The reputation and character of
my country is involved in it. Will the United States maintain its
own honor among the nations of the earth by defending the liber
ties of her citizens abroad ? Or are they to be subject to the op-
pression and caprice of every government in Europe in which
they may chance to roam ; deprived of all that man holds dear in
life, and no redress ? If so, let the fact be proclaimed, that all
may act accordingly."

Notwithstanding the apparent interest shown by
our goverment, and the seeming good faith of the
British Minister in telegraphing to his Government,
nothing has been done in behalf of the outraged pris-
oners. The latest intelligence concerning them waa
conveyed by a cable dispatch of 21st October,
stating that they would be brought to trial before a
Special Commission, to commence on the 25th, cou-
pled with the humiliating addition, " it is said that
the United States Government will provide for the
defence of Nagle and Warren." •

It is full time the people should know what is the
meaning of the plirase American Citizen^ or if it has
Any meaning at all, and having a meaning, does it emi

DARING ESCAPES.

453

itinue to

'ery spir-
tnust ill-

ion for my
a3 a right.
T done me,
II personal
haracter of
laintain its
I tlie llbet-
to the op-
e in which
Ids dear in
3d, that all

lown by
h of the
ernment,
ged pris-
tiem waa
October,
' before a
i5tli, cou-
3aid that
e for the

brace a distinction between, and a difference of pro-
tection to, a native and an adopted " citizen." If the
Government liad its mind mnde up as to what consti-
tutes a citizen and his rights, its Minister and Con-
suls in Great Britain would no doubt have shown some
prompt dignity and decision, when the national senti-
ment and character were outraged by the wanton ar-
rest and contemptuous treatment of American citi-
zens so-called, both native and adopted.

THSEXOV

lat is the

if it has

)es it emi

INDEX TO HISTORICAL INTRODUCTM,

Act of Settlement, 14— Eepeal of, 15

" Agrarian Outrages " 43

American Agents in Ireland,—

tiieir number 71,72

American Rovolution emboldens

Irish Catliolics and Presbyte-

rians.

., 23

American Sympatliy for Ireland . . 80

Amiens, Treaty of. 33

Arrests in 1865 05,66,69

Attorney-General, Irish, boast of. 08
"Authorities," ruffianism of the,

in'98 27

Authorities, panic among 6S, 06

Banks, a run on, in Cork 65

Banks, Hon. N. t., introduces
Resolutions of Sympathy with
Ireland to House of Represent-

a"v«8 93, 95,96

Boswell, refererco to 80

Buonaparte. 31— Views on Ire-
land, 32 — Abuse of, in Ung.

land 31,32

Bourke, Thomas Francis 88

Brenan, Joseph 52

Bright, John, M. P., on the Ha-
beas Corpus Suspension, 7a—
Places its responsibility on
evil legislation for Ireland, 73—
Discusses the failure of Eng-
lish legislation for Ireland, 74—
Denounces the Ministers, 74—
Declares that the Irish should
not be content, 75-Roebnck,
on, 7n— Speech at Birmingham,
OS — CoQtradicti the Queen's

Speech, 104— On the English
Church In Ireland, 104— On
Irish Tranquility 104, lOS

Burke, Edmund, on the Penal
Code ^ Id

Byron, Lord, on the results of
"The Union" ^

Camden, Lord, proclaims Ireland
under martial law g^

Campo Bello, futile attempt on!.*. 81

Canadian Party of the P. B., 67—
Heads off Stephens, 81 — Dis-
tracts the Fenian element, 81—
Futile offers of union with .... gj

Catholic Cavaliers, base treat-
ment of, by the Stuarts M

Churches burned by the

authorities, 29- Emancipation
not all that was needed, 86—
Davis on, 37— Peasantry but-
chered, 31 — Rights, United
Irishmen the advocates of... 86

Catholics, English and Irish, 13
—Their animosities, 13— Ex-
cluded from Parliament, 14—
Humiliating position of, 23—
Penal laws against, 10 — Why
they joined James II 14, 15

Charles II ^

Chester, Fenian demonstration

0° 83

Clinch, Rev. Father, fights the

English at Vinegar HUl 2S

Coercion Bill ^j

Conflicts between the National-
ists and the authorities, in 1848,
at Slate Quarries, MuUinahone,

456

INDEX,

1:1

Klllonnnlc, Ballln£jarry, Abbcy-
fealo, 48-At Forlluw Barracks,
Glenbowcr, Scaugh, 40— At \Va-

terford and Cashel 49,50

Congress, Ist National, of Fe- '
nian Brotherhood, at Chicago,
67— Declares allegiance to tho
Constitution and laws of the
United States, 57— Psspect for
Plus IX., 69-IId, held in Cin-
ciunatl, 60— Report of Mr. P.
Coyne to, 61 -Hid, held In Phili
adelphia, 68— Report of Mr. P.
J. Meohan to, 66— New Consti-
tution, 66— Its results, 66, 67—
rvth, held in New York, the
largest representation of Fe-
nians that had taken place, 68
—Old Constitution restored and
the Presidency abolished, 68—
Indorsed by Military Conven-
tion, 68— Vth, held In New
York, 89— Its action ; Mr. A. A.
Griffin elected Executive, 89—
Vlth, held in New York, 105—
Twenty States and Territories
represented, 106— John Savage

elected Chief Executive 106

Congress of the United States,
Irish cause in, 92— Vote on.... 97

Conolly, Mr., M. P ' 1^

Corcoran, General Michael 66, 60

Corydon, an informer 82 88

Council, Central, of P. B. enlarged '

to ten gj

Coyne, Mr. Philip, report on Irish

affairs to 2d Oongress gi

Cromwell, 12— His conflscatioiis 18
Crcwley, Peter O'Neill gS

S>avl3, Thomas, the Centre of
Young Ireland, 89— On the Pe-
nal Laws, 18— Tributes to him,
40— Advantage over Tone 41

Demands made on the American
Wsh ^

J)eniffe, Mr. Joaeph, Envoy of th»

P. B ^ -J

Derby, Earl of, on the'lrVph "lead- '
ers In the House of Lords, 46—
On Fenianism .^g

Devotion of Irishmen "to iriVh
I-lberty ^ ^

Dickson, Rev. W. Steele, Ad]xx- '
tPxt-General of Ulster gjj

Difflculties of Irish Nationalists
In America

Dillon, J. B., escape of, 48—
Views in Parliament on tho
state of Ireland ^g

Dissenters, their position and

views

Doheny, Michael, opinion of Da-
vis, 40 — Escaped, 48— Taken
out of Jail, but gives himself

^"P 49,63,68

Duffy, C. Gavan, opposes Mlt-

chel'B policy 45

Dwyer, Michael .'*." 34

'82 and '98, 11-The Revolution "
of, 21— Effects of, 21— Tone on,
21— Concentrated power in the

aristocracy gj

Eldridge, Hon. Mr., favors Pe*-

nlanlsm In Congress go

Emancipation compared with

Repeal ^

Emmet, Robert, 81— Interviews
with Buonaparte and Talley-
rand, 31— His funds to make
war, 35— His principles and
energy, 36-His fate, 85— ThoB.

Addis

England, her danger In '08, SsU

What she lost in '98 29

English Church in Ireland,'ioill
Falsehoods on Irish tranquility, •
78— Dean Swift on, 79-Gove/n-
ment bewildered by the Fenian
mystery, 64— Government, its
hate of the United States check-
ed by the P. B., 61— Interest in .
Ireland, 13, 13-The SuBpenaion

INDEX.

C2,63

riph load-
lOrds, 46—

to Irish

68,64

!lo, A(ya-

lionalistB

of, 48—
t OQ the

Ion and
83

n of Da-
- Taken
himself
....49,63,68

368 Mlt-

volntlon
one on,
r in the

ors Pe-

l with

jrviewB
Talley-
• make
!s and
-ThoB.

«, sail

1,104-
luUity, •
ove/n-
^enian
It, its
check-
est in ,
insion

of the Habeai Corpus the only

eafety of,

English leglelatloq celerity of, to
fustain English interest, 78—
For Ireland, Bright on, 73-A
poisono'iB medicine, 75 -Parlla-
niunt, Ireland in

'p'n!;.V?'!!*A'*" ^y^em of the
■Englisii Government 43,

Famine a great ally of the En^-
llsh, 42-Year8, infamous con-
duct of the Government during,
Fenian Brotherhood, its origin,
65-O^Mahony elected Chief o^'
65-8tniggle f9r existence, 65—
Expansion of, 65-It8 sustoin-
inent of the Union, 66-Nece8-
Sity for reorganization, 56—
First National Congress held at
Chicago, 57-It8 objects and do-
clarations, 57, 58-Not a Secret
Society, 57, SS-Respect for the
Pope and sympathy with Po-
land, 69-The government of
the Organization, 69 — O'Ma-
bony resigns and is re-elected,
60-Effect of the First Congress,
«0-Growth of Circles, 60-Ef.
feet of, on the English Govern-
ment daring the war, 61—
Change-, in the Constitution of,
Cl-Ji^ffect of the Organization
'"-' 'and. ea-Early difficulty
ads, 63— Its mys-
t< . ' • ■ to the "uthorities,
^— >■''■. Mverpool, Man-

cheste ^w, 65-Constita-

tion changed, and a President
and Cabinet created, 68— O'Ma-
hony elected President, 67— DIb-
nremberment of, 67-Ile8tora-
tion of the old Constitution, 68
—Military Convention meet, 68
— O'Mahony reinstated as Head
Centre, 68-Continned excite-
ment in Ireland, 68-Stephen8'
capture ud remarkable eacapo

457

98
44

from Ja'.l, 68-Lord Lieutenant's
description of, 70, 71-Pitifm
alarm of the Government, 70, 74,
ra-John Bright on, 70, 72, 78-
Meetings held in America on the
Suspension of the Habta, Cor-
pus Act, 80-Arrival of Stephens
in America, 1806, 81_0'Mahony
retires, 81 -Distracted by the
Canadian Party, Sl-Stephens'
promises and failure, 62-Ui8
Military Staff determine on a
rising-Col. T. J. Kelly directs
affairs, 88 -Chestci betrayed
by Corydon-Kcrry, 82-Govem.
ment statement on the latter, 83
—The rising in March, '67, 84—
Proclamation, 84 -Betrayal br
Massey, 88-Suppreesion of the
March effort, 88-Noblo conduct
of the Irish Party in America to
keep alive the Organization, 89
-Fifth Congress, 89 -Public
meeting in Union Square, 89-
Letter from Mayor Homnan, 90
-Efforts to effect union with the
Canadian Party, 91- The J.ish
cause in the United States Con-
gress, 92— Reorganization on
foot, 105-John Savage elected
Chief Executive at the 6th Con-
gress, 106— Address on accept-

ingofflce

Fends between the old Irish knd

Irish of English descent jj

'48, the New York Directory of! . 62
Freeholders, forty shilling. ..,[,[ ^

Qrattan, his career, 38— Buried in

Westminster m

Gray, Nicholas .".'.' »,

Gray, Philip '.'.'.'.'.'..[ 5

Gray, Sir John, does not want
Fenian speeches in Parliament
77-The O'Donoghne replies to '
Grey, Sir George, give* the hla-
tor7 of Fenianlam

108

458

INDEX.

3EZ

Itnbtnn Corpus Siinponded, 1848,
48— SiifpoiiHion in 18()5, (i9— De-
bate on. In rarllnrao"t, (39—
Vote on, 78-l'o\vcr for evil ... 80

ITal|)ln,T.M 44

Harvest, waiting for the 47

Hoclie, French slilp-of-war, cap-

tnrcfl 25

Doffnian, ITon. J. T , Mayor of
Now York— Letter to the groat

Feninn meul ing go

llopo, JuniCB SI

lIorHforil, an English Colonel,
bafllod by Colonel O'Connor in

Kerry 83

HorBinan, Mr,, M. P., on Bright. . 76

Indiana, the Banner State of Fo-
nlanicm 58

Ineurrectlonary movements, In
18«5. at Chester, b2— Kerry, 83
— Drogheda, 86 — Oastkinartyr,
86 — Ballincollig, 87-0 th org
passim,

1.R.B 56,61, 62

Ireland, her qunliflcatio sforself-
puBtainment, 20— Her insigni-
llcance in the Empire, 21— King,
Lords and Commons of, 31 —
Continued excitement in, 88—
" Perfectly tranquil," 83— Forty
thousand troops necessary to
keep it qniet, 104— Rifled of its
grain during the Famine 43

Iris h-A mericans seized and
searched 65

Irish Brigade, Officers of, go to
Ireland 64

Irish cause, efforts to sustain,... 63

Irish Confederation founded. 40
— The members as revolution-
lets, 41— Fore d into action, 42
—Not a Secret Society, 42— Its
Design, 42— Not equal to iho
crisis, 44 -Enrolled men 5n,44
SilTurenccs of opinion in, 45—

Two dnyn' d bate, 45-Excttcd
by the French Kevolu.lon, 40—
Addresses tlio French IU|)uh-
lio, 4(5 Prevents an ontbrcaic,
47- Leaders take to the iiills, 47
—Not sufflciently orgniiized to
i\g\\t 40

Exiles, In France, 63— SiJrcad the
Irish cause in An Ca, 63-
Mistaken idea uf their resources 54

lri.sk felon, Started, 47-- Seized, . 47

Irish Qovcrnmunt, fitting on a
mino C5

Irl^h Legion, Ofllcers of, go to
Ireland 64

Irislimnn with American Ideas,
dread of , 72

Irich Parliament, a shadow of the
Engli'th 21

Irish People seized (^5, 69

IiiisH PniNcirMSB and Englisu
Intebest 11 -Continued 61

Irish Republic, ordered by Ist
Congress, 69 - Cheered in Eng-
land 80

Iriak Tribune started, 47— Seized 47

Jackson, Rev. W., hia betrayal
and death 25

James II., 12— Distrast of his
Irish adherents, 15— His vacilla-
tion 15

Johnson, Dr., on Dr. Lucas'
exile, 19— On a Lcgislutive
"Union" 80

Johnston, General 26

Journals, national, suppressed... 47

Kearns, Father Moses, fights tho
English at Newto^ynbarry —
Wounded at Enniecorthy, 26—
Hanged 27

Kelly, Colonel Thomas J., suc-
ceeds Stephens in directing af-
fairs 88

Kerry, rising at 82

INDEX.

459

Excited
on, 4ft—

Ki|)uh-
Ubrcalc,
liills, 47
lizcd to

road tho

a, 63-
Roiircos 54
k'ized.. 47
g on a
C5

r, go to

J Ideas,

IV of the

C5, 69

Snousu
d 61

by l8t
in Eng-

-Seized 47

betrayal
25

of his
i vaclUa-
16

Lucas'
jislutive

isscd... 47

jhts tho
ibarry —
hy, 26-
27

J., BUC-

cting af-
88

Lftlor, Pcnton gj

Lundfitumtioiia, wars growing out
of tlieiii 13

Lawless, William jj,i

L'EHtrango. Colonel, driven Into

Newtownbarry jjq

Long, Philip, a patriotic trades-

man of Dublin jjs

•• Loyalty of tl o Police " 08

Luby, T. Clarke, arrewted (B

Lucaa, Dr. Charles, Dr. Johnson

on 18

Madden, Dr. R. K., reference to, 38 20

Manufartories of Feniun arms 73

Martial law an ineenlive to riot.. 27

Manuey, Oodi'roy. an informer 88

McCabe, Putnam 84

Meaglier, Gen. Thomas Francis,
tribute to Davis, 40— Opposes
Mitchel's policy, 46— Ilis voico
for war, 4(1— Prevents his own
rescue, 49— Captured and ban-
ished. 48— Appeals to the New
York Directory for funds for tho
Feniana, G3— Me^Bage of Irater-
iiity to the Fenian Congress... CO
Meehan, Wr. P. J., Envoy to L-o»
land, report of, to tho 8d Con-
gress oa

Military Convention indorses 4tU
National Congress, C3— Ibbuo

an address , (jy

Mill, J. Sti'.art, on the Su-spension

of the Habrax Curpua 7Q

Mitchel, John, tribute t« Davis,
40— Ilis writings force j)ublic
opinion, 42— iUlvocutes resist-
ance to the Famine policy, 4.5 —
Starts the I'nited Irishmnn 45
— Arrested, 47— Banished, .47
—His trial the time for action . , 60

Molyneaux, Caxe of Ireland 18 J9

Monsell, Mr., M. P. his vigorous
Speech in Parliament on the
state of Ireland, S'J-Declares
the Irish people nil disloyal 103

Morning Potf, London, reu.arka-

blo letter In 67

Murphy, Colonel Matthew QO

Murphy, Father John, his chapel
burned, 20— Fights tho English
at Oulart Hill. 20— At the battles
of Enniscorihy, Vinegar Hill,

Ac, 20— Hanged 87

Murphy, Father Michael, a bravo
leader against the English, 20—
Killed at the batt|e of Arklow.. SJ7
IsT
Nation, the newspaper, 40, 46—

Seized 47

Nationality, Irish struggle for. . 11
'98, civil war in, 27— Duration and
Cost oJ, 29— Prominenco In Irish
History, 11— Memories leit by . . 88

'98 and '48, reference to 28

Nobility In Emmet's rebellion... 83
O

Oath-bound, the F. B, , not 68

O'Brien, Smith, opinion of Davis,
40— Opposes Mitchel's policy,

45— Captured and Ijanished 48

O'Connell, his agitation, .30.. Ca-
reer, compared with Grattan'a,
33- Dies In Genoa, 39 — Ills

promises 69

O'Connor, Arthur 83

O'Connor, Col John J., heads a

rsing in Kerry 82,83

O'Doiio-hue, The, defends tho
character of Feniaiiism in Par-
liament, 77 — On the HuOeat

CiiriiHs Bu-pension, 73

O'Doiiovan (Hosss), J., arrested. . C5
O' Flaherty, Kev. Edward, the loss

«f 66

O'Lcary, John, arrested 05

O'Oorman, Ilicliurd. escape of 48

O'Mahony, John, effort to rally
the people, 48— Chief of the
early Fenian Organization, 55—
Reasons for calling 1st Con-
gress, 56— Resigns Head Centre-
eh^p and is re-elected, 60— Elect-
ed again by 2d Congress, 02, Oa

ieo

INDEX.

';'l

-Goo* to Trcltnd, BO. SS-LRbon
In America, 04-RetlrcB from

IcadcrBhlp g^

Orangoinun of Ulator iq

Otto, M., French Kiivoy In Eng-
land, 8a-PK)t08tB ttgttlUBt Eug.

llshabiiHo of Buonaparte, 83

Oulart mil, English defeated at. . 3G

Patriot PricBts and MlnfBteri, 25

Noble devotion of 95

Patriots, Protestant ].!!!!! 18

Peard, Col. Robert, of Mllford ! ] ." ! 06
Penal I^wh, iC-DavIs on, 1»-Ef.
focts on the peasantry, 88— Vio-
lated the Treaty of Umerlok.. 87

"Phoenix" Society 03

Plio, Hon. Mr., in the Irish de.

bate In United States ConprcBB 05

Pins >X., resolution of respect for 69

Poland, Fenian sympathy with.. 69

Porter, Rev. Wm., hanjjod SS

Powder depot blown up in 1803.. 85

Prenderpnat, Rev. Father, hanged 27

Presbyterians ^

Priests, hunted *" jiy

Proclamation of tho Irish Provis-
ional Oovcmment In '«7 84

Protestant " gentry " bought" '. '. '. . si
Party, position and pa-

■ Patriots 18

Protestants, English, fears of. .[.. la

Queen's Speech gg

Quigley, Rev. Father, hanged ... 27

Redmond, Father Nicholas, ftghts
the English at Newtownbarry,
86— hanged

Ruilly, T. Uovln, 45-E8capes.!

Repeal of the Unicm, »»— Emanci-
pation, compared with ffj

Reynolds, Thomas, the Arnold of
Ireland ^8

Ri(l;reway, Caii.idian Party engage
the troops at ° . _ _ gj

tronage.

Riot In Yorkshire, EngUnd, Irish

Republic cheered at gg

Riots, among tho soldiers, m^M

Bullliicolllg ^

KlHing of March, '07, betrayed by

MasBoy— Suppression gs

Roberts, Mr. W. R., and tho "Sen-
ate Party," «7-Moycon Canada 81
Robinson, Hon. Wm. E., speech

on Ireland in Con^resB 93

Roche, Father Pliillp, fights "tho
English at Tubbcmeering, 20-

OenerullBBlmo, SO— hanged 27

Roebuck, Mr., M. P.. on the Irish 70
" Rossa," (Bee J. O'Donovnn )
Royalists, what they received af-
ter the war of '98 29

Russell, Thomas, In Paris, 83-1
Gcneral-iu-Chlefof UlBter 81

SarflflcM, rebnkes James IT 15

Savage, John. "'98 and '48." 28—
Effbrts to rally the peopio, 48—
Elected Chief Executive of tho
Fenian Brotherhood by the 6th
CongrcBB, 106— Speech on ac-
cepting office

Scotch soldiers cheered for beat
ing English ones

Secession in the Fenian Brother
hood

Secret Society, ihe F. B. not a. , .

Seizures on board vessels 84

"•Senate Party " differ with "the
President," 07-Di8graceful re-
sults of the difference, 67— Its
policy

Soldiers, dlBaffection amongst, 65
—Arretted, 65— Seduction of,
7»— Riots about Fentanism, 86—
Kfforts of the Government to
suppress tho (hct

Stephens, James, undertakes the
organization of Ipcland, 62— Re-
ceives a commission from New
York, G3-Declared Chief Execu-

106
88

INDEX.

461

d, Irish
80

ffl

nyed by

D" Sen-
Canada 81
Bpecch

itH tho
ipr, 26-

Bd 27

e Irish 70
nn.)
ved af-

I, 83-
r 84

" 38-
0,4?—
of tho
he 0th
in ac-
106

beat-

othcr-

fi7

>ta... 68
84

"the
^I re-

7-It8

rst, 65
n of,
I, se-
nt to

8 the
-Re-
New
xecu-

Mve cf tho IrjHh nopnbllc by lit
CoiitfrcKP, fttt-ConMB to AniorU
ca in 1868, (i8-8pend« a couple
of y<!ar« in Franco, C3-Hftiirn»
to Irnluiid, «4-UI)(.r8 and iuc-
ccuH, 01— Howard oflcred for, «J5
— Arroot and OMcnpo, «W — Ar-
rive* In New York. 18<i0, 81—
Headed oflr))y the Canadian P.tr-
ty 81— Malten promiBe».81— His

nil^»ion a failure gj

Blcvolly, Hov. Mr , handed.. .....

Btrufc't'lintf nations, the rijfht oir
Anioricrtua to aid thum....

Btuarls, the, IrUh p..licy ot,'n-
Ue-toration of, 14-An ungrate-
ful race

Swlft'H Duipier LeIUrt, 18, 10—
On faMflcationof Iri»h affair*..
X
Talleyrand, 81-View8 on Ireland

ThoMNHUllHECTION IN IRKLAND

1.X455 '

The people not prepared In '48...
The rlHing of 6th March, 18«7, H

—Public agitation created by. . .
The Stkuoolk ihjr Ikisu Na^

TIONALITY

Tone, ThoobHld Wolfe, gives "a
character to Irish politicB, 19-
IIlB views, 20-On the revolu-
tiou of '83, 21-AsplreB to ele-
vato tlie Catholics, 88-Kcy to
his pdnclples, 24- Boldness of
his plan. 25-Foundi the United
Irish Society, 25-Captured, 25
His expedition to Ireland, 29—
As a political writer ^j

Treason-Felony Act, passage of!!
TJ

" ^nJon " with England, aO-char-
acter of, 29-Dr. Johnson on, 30
-Lord Byron on, 30-How car-

80
49

rifd. HI- Repeal ff. SO-Iti rnin

to Ireland, 87-Brltht on

Union fc'quare, public Fenian de-

monsirnlion at

L'nion, tho. defended by the Fe-

nlann

Unitrd Irishman, the Journal..
United Irishmen forced to «

premature ricing, 27- Great

chances of their BuccesB

United IriKh t»oc ety persocntod

into iccrecy

.. 6«
45,47

Ve88clB Bcarched by the authori-
ties

Vote on the Irish resolution in
United States Congress 97

■w

Walpolo, Colonel, killed at Tub-

berneei Ing ^

Warwlch, Rev. Mr. , h«nged ...... 25

Washburn, Hon. Mr., of WlBCon-

»'" 95

William of Orange 13

Wodehouse, Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, describes the terror of
the authorities and the extent
of the conspiracy, 70-Call8 for
tho SuFpension of the Habeat
Corpus, 71— Declares it the only

safety of the English tj

Wood's, lion. Fernando, speech
In favor of the Fenian Brother-
hood

"2-

Young Ireland, 39, 40-Compared
with the mm of '98, 41— Earl of
Derby on. 46-Disbanded, but
not defeated, 51 -What it
achieved, 62-It8 services after
disruption

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