Fenian Heroes and Martyrs

Home , Brian Dillon, Fenian (horse), Fenian Brotherhood, Fenian Rising, Irish Confederation, John Savage (Fenian)

FENIAN

HEROES AID MAPJYES.

Edited, with aw Histoeical iNTEODrcTioN 03 *'^TnE Stedggi-e foe Ieish Nationautt,"

JOHN SAVAGE,

AtmZCm Oy "'03 AST> *43, THB MODETIN BEVOmXtOWAKT HISTOHT A3a>

GERTRUDE KiSTLEK MEMORIAL LIBRARY

PATRICK DONAHOE, FRANKLIN STREET.

1S63.

? 'iii!!iti?yiW|MiJii|ji<];i4ytjpj,Wi^iif^^^ q6V

>..S ^ %

TO muCE LOST COPY

AUG 2 1972 lir offering this volume to the public, a few worcls of explana-

"''in ara deemed neoessaTy, uot so much for Its appi;.-' co, aa for

I he niTangoment of its contents.

As to its appearance, the state of Irish affairs calls for some

record, and as, owiug to peculiar circumstances, the nearest ap-

proach to a perfect chronicle which can now be offered, is an Eatered accortlir.g to Act of Congress, in tta year 1S63, account of fh' -e ^^ho brou,>j,ht about the.crisis and are gallantly Bi- PATKICK DONAHOE, EliU'z^liii;^- ;':i Ji it, the presiMit form was adopted.

Oa"co ol' ;' ^ District Court of the District of MaEscichu In tlio Clcrk'B The arran^LiiK-nt is not entirely what might be desired by a

stiict clironologist; but as the data bad to be obtained from

T,-i>.l(.>Iy scattered rofcrcnciLS and correspondents—the -uieuds or

i'l.niilics of those cor,iinc;uorated—and as the pages went to the

; ix'?3 ^Yhe•n wriHia, it v/as found impossible to follow perfect

rlironological order. As a general rule, the characters are grouped

as they acled together, ao'i '!ius help to illustrate each others

lives; and a slight hint will enable the reader to follow the his-

t'jiy of the Irish struggle in a direct coui'se, and to fill up, so to

srca\\, the outline given in t!ic llislorical Introduclinn.

Tims (1) in addition to Ahat is said there of Dse .-liort in MS,

tVij flcelches of Doheuy, Jleany, O'Mahoiiy and Steplieus, fur- O SCLLrV'AX, U'DRIDE i v. .ta-^j '.'.;-r iUusLrate the doings of that period. (2) Mr. Luby's STKP.KilTYl'EnS, liuUce of PhiUp Gray gives the efforts R'hich imme-

rUKi''ACI!, diatoly fdUow.:;! the sc;iUeiing of " Yomig IrclLiud." (3) Tlu)

;;ketch of J. O'Doi-ovan (Rossa) prcrcnts the rise of tlie "Pliro- nix Society;" while the progress of the Feuian Brotherhood, and the more recent events—risings, arrests, escapes and trials—connected with it, arc narrated with intelligible fullness iu the notices

1 ' of the respective . mo,rt3'rs of the most historical trans- CHAPTER I. actions. misi! rnrsciPMis and Esatitfu isteu'est. No effort has been spared to secure and present the most d Policy 10 Crcntc an English Interest in Irclana-Compl'ications outorConnscations— AUinJico ol'tlie Irisli wiUithe Stuarts-All antliontic data. Tli« tiles of tiro Dublin Inshmwi, Nation, and ; Laws-ProtehlLUiiralri.ils-^ ! i':iiiirs A-niii;:t ilKjInsli^- The Penal

' < ('mi!- h''' raid, and lliose of the New York Irinh People, Insh- I . iiii-olmlct WoltoTor,./ i-iii, - . ")• \S2 a Failure- li- .'.II.' !';• an, and Boston .Pilot, have been found useful, cJpeciall r-ji;..ri'' I 1 VKUMjfiJS

' 'i i.Oi l^Kilrs in Franco \v!i.-U their reports aral statements wore corroborated by competent ~j Union," Dr. Jdms.n I'lul r,yrnu oil-Tlio onapai-lo ami Talleyrand -Ei..i>u:t'3 i;il)"Uii)H-i)avis on CafQolio \vilnesses, or indorsed by actors in the scenes related. A quantity neipalion and Kepeal- O'Conni-l.l ajid Ciatlan -Young Ireland— and the of interesting persoml and political history has been placed at the s_l,it:],Coiil'edciation •Thel''aniiiicand Coercion- ililthel

disposal of the writer by associates and relatives of many of the

heroes and martyrs, of which free use has been made to give CILU'TER II. vcin.iis AKD KKCi.isii iKTBr.EST— Continued value to these pages. Among those to whom special thanks are lid Youn

duo, are General Jolua O'Neill, for' oITioial documents ; Colonel O'Connor, Captains O'PLorke, Condon, and Conyngham, and

Messrs. T. B. ITeiKssey, (of Boston,) Waltor M. J. O'Dwyer,

jr. J. Ilefi'ernan, Wia. .T. JilcCIure, M. Moynahan, D. O'Sullivan,

and 31. Cavanagh, of Now York.

J. S.

of his Regiment—T.In3- A^ain at Petetsbnrg-In Con id .'Km Party Diornpt Steplicns' Plana—His Jtis?loii a Wounded Goes to Ireland—Orgamae Ccn-y—Searchingvcsscls for Fcninna—C-eiicral Iiisur- tcred Oat— Itonso of Lords-Koporter Arrc,-; :r -a Trcl:mfi— FrceV: ii:-fic-n of Pmvis!fiii:il Cnvera- in tlio America~i niTjctions-O Connor sent to ••• .'auiziug Tour rj. ,,,,,, ,ion— CiVl'TAiN MORTIJtER MORIAKTY. The Lauio )a u. 3. ' oiign'ss -I'.c.-ointioiis oi ^^yn^pathy i-tporlcd by Canada-Arrested Going to Campo Bello-Es- Ce:i. Banks— Speeches and Vote on it—Tlie Queen declares Ireland First Fenian Organizer in Kerry-Arrested ou his Way to Take Conv Tranquil and the Pecple Loyal—Contradicted by !Mr. j^ronsell and o^tr. capes-Goes to Ireland-In Followod-Tnal-Ev.dence of the Spy Briglit—EemarUable Speech of Mr. Monsell—Bright declares that Ireland mand-Causoofhis Arrest-What should not be Traiiqirl— Sixth National Congress held iu New York- Talbot- t'oimd Guilty—Sentence Savage elected Chief J5j-ectitive—Remarks ; SO JOSEPH NOONAN. -Marvelous Escape from hi3 THE ANCIENT FENIANS. "Out with O'Connor "-iVrrcsted in London to Dablin-Uiot m Killar- The T'enians—Who Wove T'licy—Their Duties, Manners and Customs— Captors-Re-Arrested at Atherstane-ISrousht The Oasianic Society 109 ney—Trial—Sontcuco -

CAPTAIN JtlCtl.'VET, O'ROEKE. COLONBL THOMAS FRANCIS BOUEKE. to ^fe^v York-Mem- "O'Rorke. «!;..Bceclvcr"-T:irth-t-a,nily Emigrate Hlmmet and Uourke~I\Icvement3 of Bourke's Pamily in America and IJrigade-t.nters Boy Make hi.u a Rebel -Joins thePhu=nix Canada -At Business—A Family Picture—Joins the Fenian Brother- ories of the Legion -Sad Scene at "^^ i;'"'^ the United States Service -Iri.U ^' hood after the V/ar—At the Third Congi'oss—Snccess as Organizer for Prisoner-Mustered Out-Goes SpoKsylv.ania-IIis Fatlu.c KUled-Taken Manhattan District— R'-=ign3—AV'hy he Went to Ireland—Assigned to and Ireland -Narrow Escape from to Irelaud-llis Duties in Englaud the- Tipperary District—The Rising—Captured at Ballyhnrst Fort—In- 223 Corydon—Sent to No w Yo r!;. dicted for nigh TrcasoTs—Trial—Evidence of the Informers Massey and Corydon—Great Speech in tlic Dock—Touching Letters to his Mother- STEPriGS JOSEPH ME.VNY. 121 Description iu his Cell , of Poems at Sis- Writings for the Press-Publishes a Volume Birth-Early Magazme- teen-O'ConncU's Reporter-Establishes the IriA National COI/ONEL THOjMAS J. KELLY. r..?,«.,c-Brenan an,l 'tcviy Tost the R.ght In the Chibs-OK r,., /„-;,^i Journals-A.rc ;;,-l Under the buspen- Birth and Youth—A Printei—Famous Printers— Starts the Nashville Demo- of the Police to s-I lice ;r:aianal lS15-Rdeased-Journ.U.nr-iMnigrates to the crrti —Flies from Tennesece for his Union Faith—Joins the Army in Cin- sion of ;/.,^.«. r.,r-, Com„uv e>e/-Oentre-At tho cinnati—Wounded—Pronsoted—Signal Officer on General Thomas' SlaU" United Rl.tes -I'Mitur of the Toledo (Ohi ) Parent Trunk of 1 eniamsm —Health Broken-Enters the Fenian Cause-First Military Envoy to Third Cun.'ress -A Senator -Address to the England-Arrcstcd-Tried for Irttland— On Tour of Inspection—Supervises Stephens' Escape—Labors -Resolutions at Jones' Wood-Goes to Made to m America— Difference with Stephens—Returns for the Figlit in Ireland Treason-Felony-Fiuo Speech in the Dock-E.-cposes Overtures " 231 —Letter ou the Aims of the Provisional Government." Ita Uim to Betray the Fenians-Sentenced

CAPTATN JOHN M'OAFFERTY. CAPTAIN P. J. CONDON. the Army -In tho Arrested—Tried— Ilalf-Aliom Jury because he is an American—Acquitted Yu-'h and Scliool Days-Emigrates to America-Enters with U. S. —Envoy from Ireland to America—.'Vddrcss at the Great JonesMVood r.i-h r-ri'-ade-Goes to Ireland-A-. rested-Correspondence Again- Meeting in New York-Goes Ili^-k TlieAmurat Cliesler-Sccond Ar- a Second Tiuie to Ireland-Ai rested Con

nia—Wouudcil at Uu-l ' .! -J/iiat Lieutenant—Captain—Seriously

3 comEifis, .

jr.nvtvi-'s ncir—n;? ni;li Clmrnctor— Skelcii ci' .Tfiliii Eflwflrd Kollr" SSI sis^rsj :z.tfTisszpf?^

I'liilip Gray by Mr. Ltiby

-rin. Iho Ti PHILIP GKAT.

KuwT..i-I;-Joias 11. ... . I

' Goes to Irulniid—At l:\i-ks i:MOrk:uln-i> : -i'-i C'n.wli^y, Kelly mul -.Ic-

Clure ill the Mcuiitaiiie-Fhlit in Kile!", ny Woods- Cipluvc of J.fcCliiro 323 llluess—Death niul Kelly—Dcatli of Ciu

Clure and Kelly in tlio Boct—Manly Speeclios—Sentence ; JOira O'LEAEY. InnnenceB-O'Leary tiMan of Means JIICHAEL COKCOIiAN, JOIIN The Inspiration of Tipperary-Uome MICHAEL DOIiENT, ©ENEEAL America- Eeturns to London and Cone-e-Goes to F,ance-To O'JIAnONY, JjUIES STEPHENS. the Fenian rganl- ^ „d-Enth.isiasmiB the Irish Cause-Spreading Slietch of Michael Dolicny—Toiitli at tlie Ploiifjli—Desire for Knowledge- Sagacity with wbich >t-C-dneted- at n-T^ /r...Pe..,e-Tb. Studies Greek and talin- r.rndon— Writes for tlie the Dock-Sentence Arrested-In Couvt-The Trial-Speech m tcd to the Eai'—^'al^ (PvOSSA). Toinig Ireland Pai ly, JEP.E^IIAH- O'DOKOVAN

' 01 Eossa . 'V'iews Escaiics to France and , _,. , ci-;i,t,erefn -National Birth a"d i'-iK-.-ii. •--''= •>;-1

; Pro- lirlaiid-Dealh. Skcl.li < i .; Qiiaracter and " t"~'- - -In Iho Constaijulary-J' ,,ul Cork and Kerry 6" ;l. Orderly Sergeant, T.i. ,, (Agreem) Convicted Agrecm is Liher- , ,1 e Unless '"'' Prince of Wales—Pa- ,. ,, is lUiiminalion for the "'-'' •" " ' ,," Manager of tha , 7 ! , "^ lo --Tew Y.,rk--Eeturns-A

" ', ' " ,• Tiefiance of the Court Cruel Treatment in

,u;r Moynahan, Colo-

el .0. .1. De IJ , i'.J. it rmlu- M,n,-,„V3 CIIAELES JOSEPH KICKIIAM. ' ' '' ' - '':(• ' ..1' ' , . mill 1 :• -D./alii (j'jMai.dnyV : ;,(-ni3 Loveof Enral .ecnien- His rainily--:-:'! .^^ ran: '.A'. • .y-Firftldias on llic I,m 1- ^^^ '.18-Literature i^iiMis '- Sports -In r:.e of the tor- r . 1 () ;:'iivs-Joiued by Sava_re ; .,f ,\aty—Treachery —Espoutes I--e.'di sanu . Muuloi,.;n - :,iM,;;s ill Sej.f. inluT-Pl ojccis llie lielease (.lUlnnni— ^^ .^p.,, ,,„,_j^^j.i.gst_Ti.ial-Derend3 Prison... Perilous Escapo-To Wales-To France. Sketch of James Steplicns— H^D^ct^-Sent^ieo-Cruel Treatment in ; i;::;!;:irs;!:edit Civil Engineer-In Killcenny in MS-Takes Cbnrte of O'Donohuc en rot.lc to Smith O'Brien— Renrains with the Latter—At Killcnonle and Bal- DENIS DOWLING MHLCAHT. lingarry— On the Hills—Esc-pes to France— O'Mallony and Slephcilsiu Mcdicine-His , T, , • tv -rnrmpr-FenianPropairandist-Sludies with Paris-Join a Eevolnlionaiy Society— Q'JIaliony a Gaelic Tutor— Stc- ^- 'he Bock-Colloquy 'Fine ]!^::^c:^rli^n^-l^'^'^ plieiis the Ereneli Translator cf Diekens- O'^rahony Gees to America- Prison—'vV lit of Error . theJudae-Guilty-Sentence-SMfferi m-rs iu Stephens to Iivlai!d-Aire.Mr--i;einnlialrs niiii-h [aw refoie llie Mag- istrales- Ksraie fiem Fris. -i-In Amerita JJrlii. nielit-O'Malieny Ho- MICHAEL CODY. JOHN T-DWAV.D DUFFY, lines his I'lC: cut Pot-ition ' I . . .,,,... , . „s-Posi Flood Ar. Tno:\as claeke luby. the Or; nd Cody loins Young Ireland in '48, and Gives up his Worldly Prospects-Tn a LiberaleU- -.. New iroveincnt in '40—Arrested—Paa'iotism vs. Family Patronage-Na- loimd Guilty—' 1*

—

GEXEKAL JOIIH O'NEILI,.

ion at CIcatibiet—Emi^rjic! tot' "3 —At Basiueoa— -' 1 th V 111 1T1 nni— [he Pebelhon-Ser- ho tir Till tunnl ot lUe 5th In-

111 11 n Biilllii^tmi 1 ir—Sick

1 uu -Vlii-onn—au Repre-

it - u Ii 1 I r inula —He

til 1 — 1 n It I ort Erie PHE STKUGGIE WK mm lATIONAlITL DTL vr^iio\s i\ Tnn dock

1 Pikomakci— John I I i^in—Biym Dillon—John I ^nch- Jcre- iiiiixll U'Oonovan— Ihonii ii^gn—Chiilo-i Uiili'n ood O Cm nell—J. a. S. Cus.iy (-'ThoGlUcb T )—"MlichiLl OR ,11-1- John \ nncaly— pftc—Coindma OMnony—G Dwyet I. - lULl GnmUl—n lUnm Tiancis Eoan- CHAPTER - Junes rioud—Uu^li Ti m(.ia Crophy ENGLISH INTEEEST. ffilSn lARBCIPEES AMD

i) AT-ro PUN". Trolaud-Cuinplicationt) di Iiilcresl in The Stuart Policy to -rt i^iv li iho Irish with the Stuarts—AH I growing out of C'jm*1 Patriots— ,1 . Protestant -, , Loiial Laws— English Parties ayaii ' Politics on tho •. M / -To Tone puts Irish r-wirt, irolviienx.-i'i'' CaHiolic3 . :, nts, Dissenter.?, -Mnals-The "Union," Dr. . Talley. , -Buonaparte and Repeal — lie Kmancipatiou and -A nested—The "Council of i,.,.is_lrish Confederation—Tha Artluir Fori'csU'i'. Gen. Ta , iiigof'lS.

" stand out pvonv tiAHING ESCAPES. -Etcmr-Two" and ^uncty-ElgM"

;>;i ,-in-!ii I of the 1 All Active Fenian Cenlro—'i'.'niinderl at The last quarter iuently in Irldi lust.-'y iila:!ht--An'e£!t : Alcath Tlosplt.al— IIi3 E^cne iV,,M it. era-recordmg ^ ,;..;! i '!o"i>l T.conanl . .Ue Dvoghcda EisinL;—:iIy=i Ap- HMileenth century is a monumental ' ", in a Hon iumI i--\.-ape from it—.Arrest of Colom^l T. ,J. legislative independence, the I Caplain Daeey in !Mancliester—I?cinandcd—Crowds in Coiiit iAvement of the iMlfm tiio Pri'ion y-m nandciiffod .ind Gnarded by Police— nrvl tho ext;n':'tion of the ^' ', • u'ar, " r ' civR ;:.;!! -"]i^ \'-;m Broken Open and the Frison- n. 1-.-. uf the

i: ,. - I. . Cai'lain Dacoy. Caplain Lawrence look Few, / Mstory, - -i:. r.rliainent. r. ; (cd— Coinmitled for Trial—Bold and Irish ihe t.voccu- Wondthesc great evcpl

I'l' TUV: -lOlUXS UO?B." . clieio tui'ics previous,

>\ il.l.l de- \M ,r. NAGl.S AND .JOHN' W.\RR13>f. remorselcso hi.tury m the cious, a romantic and ArresSed— Position as American CStizens-What :3 Citizeuehip.

HISTORICAL rSTEODTJCTIOH. i;

conciliai-G thorn. Whilo the English Protestants and Catholics ^^Ms cannot wcvo thus afraid .-ind watchful of each .cn.,n.bl,- bo neconutcd national aL other '"oiigli ' on religions gronnds, they wpiT- if n,>,„„ i as the Government pa- tronijied or persecuted them respectively, tliey had, ™'''' •i.n, ^^ "« """"'i «. at the same of ti,. r " time, an identity of interest in hating, watching, and miiting against the natives. On the other hand, the memory and resnlt of confiscations and pillage had overcome, if they had not totally swept away, aU 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. The »"s™»,Ics«l,.„d polit- ,, old Irish were jealons of, and would not coalesce with, the Irish of English descent; while distrust on every --i>Io created and excused unnatural apatliy, 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 ri'ish, biii. the Catholics of English extraction, who wd lot loss antagonistic to the older natives than hirase: . n-mmwell beat tlic Stuarts in the field, so did liine them in the magnitude of his confiscations, lie signalized it by blood and tears in the four provinces. He extended the Plantation of Ul- ster, divided Leinster and ^Inuster among his soldiers

and money-hMv' ,., .,_:_ -. l"L".^but,vl,„„,re„„l„Ilyi„,ig„i„g, , those ho had not time to massacre to "Hell or Connano-ht."

FEXIAN i;.:ivOE3 AND IMAETTfiS. HISTORICAL IHTKODUCTIOl-r. 13 Oliver's death and bho Eestoration of the ILmav^ espoused the cause of "William, to sa,vc their holdings ^^"d the O'- Stnavts, brought soane nneasiness to the in Ireland, already put in jeopardy by the repeal of ^^ntan settlers. Tb.e Loyalists .vho had lost their the Act of Settlement, nnder which they had revelled properties supporting the Stuart cause in Trel.nd in the forfeited estates of the Irish victims of the four claimed the restitution of tlieir estates. Th:, ,.„„ld previous reigns. The exigencies of the English planter have hcen just, hnt it v.ould also have interfered .vith and Oromwellian land-owner gave hope to the ejected the establishment of aa "English interest in Ireland," Irish Catholic, and he attached himself to the fortunes, bv giving power and i:illnence into the hands of Irish or rather, as it proved, misfortunes of James, not Chieftains. These laud claims were su^ected to te- through any great faith in him, or love for him ; but 'l^ons routine, forms, G.iuivocation, and finally an Act simply because it v,-a3 the only opportunity of striking

i Settlement, which, passed a by Parliament from a blow at the English interest, as represented by the 'M.'li Catholics were excluded, nafuvally !', :,,r,.,l n adherents of "AVilliam of Orange—that very English ' -i-ests save those of Protestants. interest which it was the subtle purpose of James him- Thus the unfortunate and beggared Catholic cava- self to perpetuate. Through a consciousness of the .<.-ho luKl supportc.1 Charles the First, ^vere denied doable part ho was playing, James, while he threw 'ignition orrestitutiottwhenliis dynasty was restor- hirnselt' on the faith of the Irish, was so distrustful of The successful enc-mics of fhailes beggared the them, coupled with the desire to conciliate soino of the li-..h Catholics for supporting him. The "--^ successful rrotestaut leaders, that he disbanded sever;d Irish re- "i Charles kept diem ia beggary. A compli- giments soon after liis arrival. He was a mean and oircunistanees itill controlled the destinies of irresolute leader, seeking to achieve by a self-delnsive 'Jicso insulted people to the Stuart interest; and they vacillation, which he thought diplomacy, the po-^ver had the further ill-fate cf shedding more blood, and he should have grasped by an assured victory, IJo Ireely spilling their own f.r that ungrateful race in tlio better indic:;t'ion of his character is needed than that succeeding reign. Their wrongs and their errors forc- given by Sarsfield .a the retreat from the Boyne, when ed them to join with James the Second, because the James's distrust of his adherents breaking forth, the Crora^veIlians (as the settlers under " the Protector" Irish officer exclaimed: "Exchange but kings, and we and their descendants were called) and Protestants fight the battle over again."

i'J FESI'JT aEEOES AND SliUlTTTjg. HtSTOBIOAX arrEODlJCTION. IT

ii which tlie English interest in Tre- Every profession, save that of medicine, was forbid- l.-iii(l £toLimerick, -svarned it against being fonnd in Protestant, the Catholic student or scholar could not such a dangerous position in any rLitnro enrergeney. seek the reward of cultivation in any save one of the To prevent the possibility of a recurrence, the Penal liberal professions—unless he disclaimed his father's

Laws were established—a code whicli, as a deep stu- religion and claimed his father's property.

dent and shrewd political philosopher of Irish birth, In the trade and commerce of all corporate towns, ^vho devoted his life and intellect to the glory of Eng- Catholics were held as pirates and outlaws; being land, Edmnnd Bui-ke, said, "was a legally exclxrded from joining or participating therein. machine of wise . and elaborate contrivance, as well :iitted for the oppres- In these towns, a Catholic could not sell anything sion, impoverishment and degradation of a people, and save himself.

the debasement in them of human nature itself, as i^To Catholic could hold a long lease, or purchase over proceeded from the perverted ingenuity of man." land for a longer tenure than thirty-one years. This terrible legal extermination of the L'ish emanated jMo Catholic could inherit the lands of a Protestant

less from intolcranee than inhumanity, for the con- relative, or own a horse of greater value than five

tri^'crs were too crafty to be fanatics, and only heart- pounds. If he ^vas possessed of a valuable animal, less and remorseless enough to be despots, in the widest any Protestant jockey or gentleman, or both in one,

and meanest acceptation of the term. Intended to could fancy it and take it by paying five pounds. send all Catholics to the grave, the Penal Code took A Catholic child, becoming a Protestant, could sue hold of them in the cracUe. his parents for maintenance, the amount to be decided

The children of Catholics could not bo educated in \>y the Court of Chancer;. Ireland save by Protestant teachers, and could not be An eldest son becorniiw- :'; x rutestant made his sent out of Ireland without being guilty of a Penal fitlicr a tenant for life, reversion in fee being secured oifenco. Catholic children were to be educated in the to the convert, with a proviso limiting tiic portion of English interest or not at all -—their brains were to be all the rest of the family to one-third. kindled by the light of Protestant wisdom, or left in Pi'iests were hunted like ^volves, and a reward and total darkness. stipend given to any who would bccuii.o a lamb within

tlio Cromwellian fold.

^;jn'

: • ;

13 FE^"I.V^" HEKOES Ai-D jrAKTYES. HISTOEIC^VL INTEODUCTION. 19

Davis lias well exntomi2;ed these Penal Laws in quoted to show that the former was greatly misrepre- verse sented by those who regarded him as " abjectly sub- missive to "They bribed tbe flock, they bribed the son, power." "Let the man," says Johnson, To sell llio priest and rob the sire " thus driven into exile, for having been the friend of Their dogs were taught alike to run his country, be received in every other place as the Upon the scent of vi-olf and friar.

Ainong the poor confessor of liberty ; and let the tools of power be Or on the moor. taught in time, that they may rob, but cannot impov- Were hid the pious and the true— erish." \Vliile traitor knave, And recreant slave, Though having a patriotic purpose none of the en- Had riches, rank, and retinue."- deavors of those able men might be accounted national in the The history of Ireland, during the Penal Days, is correct sense of that idea. Molyneux' was perhaps dark and gloomy enough. Occasionally we find great the most so, though Swift's subtle, blunt, and polished utterances from noble Protestant men in behalf of the x^hilippics against the introduction of Cass "U^ood's half-pence, created the most universal excite- general rights of the kingdom ; such as Molyneux' Gharies ment, and succeeded in accomplishing of Ireland, Swift's Drapier Letters, and Dr. the object sought. Lucas's persistent protestations 'against the encroach- The labors of those trusty men are famou3 ments on the Constitution. Mol}iieux' brave little because they were famous in their day. Tliey were ahead of their surroundings in vigor book was burned by the common hangman ; a reward of conception and was offered for the discovery of the Drapier, and his bokhicss of expression, and deserve all praise. It re-

himself into mained, however, for . printer arrested ; and Lucas had to exile Theobald Wolfe Tone to give a

England, to escape the laws enacted by and for the positive character to the Irish mind in politics. Other English interest in L-eland. A still stranger commen- and able men looked to concessions. He alonp retary on the laws of those days is afforded by the fact garded Eights. that the principles for which Lucas had to fly from Ire- They ^vere hampered by illustrathig ideas which in land were extolled in England, and drew from such a various forms already existed. Basing his views solely

cast-iron Tory as Samuel Johnson, the strongesf^en- on the Pights of Ireland, and not contemplating the comiums. Indeed, Johnson's allusions to Lucas are welfire of England, with w\\\d\ he deemed he had no

;

21 20 FENIAN HEE0E3 AND MASTYE3. KTSTOraCAL INTKODUCTION.

or name; without concern, Tone brcatLed a new life into and unveiled a >'own, w;tL',nt pride or power, of half the conse- vast and fresli purpose to those who desired the hene- .-.-.hassadorB, ;u-rny or navy; not honor to fit of the Irish in Ireland. she has the people Others had fought quence in tlir; empire, of which or the parties, for successes left large county of York, and which portions of ,'.ake a part, ;vlth the single the people in as dark despondency and degradation as town of Birmingham." He i.,,{a and w<;ll. regulated unite all, mortifying considerations. . before. Tone labored to and as he said, to iruly argued these were " 1YS2 had been accom- substitute the common name of Irishman in place of The so-call.d revolution" of the the distinctions which had been used to keep them backed by the arms of . , j/.Mied. Hu.ry Grattan, the concession asunder. He withstood the temptations of mere }'ioli- volunteers, UA wrung from England tics means of personal advancement, to make laws for Ireland as a and discarded (i,;,t no pow<-r liad the right to him leading parliamentarians thereof; but the the overtures made by l,^,t, the Kin;.', r,

after it had been on trial, lier inferior to no country in Europe in the gifts of na- t) nth about it,. ICight years was a Eevolution ture; blest with a temperate sky and a fruitful soil; !., :.;,ys: "TI.c Revolution of 1^82 lugher great rivers ; sell, at a much intersected by many indented round her ! Ich enablMl Irishmen to interests of whole coast with the noblest harbors; abounding with pi.e, their ]u„u>v, their integrity, and the while at all the materials for unlimited commerce; teeming lii.lr countiy'; it was a devolution, which, borough-mon- witk inexliaustible mines of the most useful metals Mruke it doubled the value, of every three-fourths, of our country- filled by four millions of an ingenious and gallant peo- I in tlic ldn;nh.m, left the Government of with bold hearts and ardent spirits posted riglrt in. II them, and ple— ; slaves -x: it found contemptible in rhc track between Europe and America, within fifty ii'liind in tho base and wicked and and of England and three hundred of France yet In. their lives in degrading miles ; II, Is, who liad spent given their with all these great advantages " unheard of and un- I'luudcring ber; nay, some of ^'hom had

23 22 FEX^LiX HEKOES AND 1LUITYK3. HI3T0EICAL INTEODUCTIOX.

the liberties of last A'ote decidedly, though hopelessly against this our took in exchange the commerce and Revolution em- famous Revolution. Who of the veteran enemies of Ireland. The events of the American Presbyterians, and forced the country lost his place or his pension ? Who was boldened the Catholics and beneficial measures called forth to station or office from the ranks of the the Protestants into some slightly their pro- Opposition? Ifot one! The power remained in the of redress, but they remained attached to hands of our enemies, again to be exerted for our ruin, tectors, a party property, an aristocracy. to the Protest- with this difference, that formerly we had our distress- The Dissenters—double in numbers and traders, and did es, our injuries, and our insults gratis, at the hands ants—^vere chiefiy manufacturers on the immuta- of England; but noAV we pay very dearly to receive not believe their existence depended England. " Strong in the same with aggravation, through the hands of Irish- bility of their sla^ashness to !" their courage, they felt that they men yet this boast of, and call a Revolution tlieir numbers and ; we they soon ceased This revolution concentrated power in the hands of wove able to defend themselves, and other than Irishmen." the aristocracy and lifted no weight from the necks of to consider themselves as any Army of 'S2, the people. The position of the three great classes They formed the flower of the Yolunteer Reform. into which the inhabitants of the island were divided and were the first to demand the -most formi- will show to any candid mind tlie truth and force of The Catholics were numerically peasantry of three Tone's deductions. dable, embracing as they did, the portion of tlie business The Protestant party had been for more than a cen- provinces, and a considerable had left them tury in easy enjoyment of the church, the law, the class. The exactions of the Penal Laws interest. " There revenue, the army, the navy, the magistracy, the cor- but a small proportion of the landed disqualification, moral, porations, and all institutions receiving or extending was no injustice, no disgrace, no that was not patronage. Not one-tenth of the population, and de- political or religious, civil or military, system, it is no scended from foreign plunderers and usurpers, they heaped upon them." Under, such a 7norally and phy- alone beheld security in maintaining an English inter- wonder that the peasantry were both sically degraded, and the spirit of tlie few remaining est in Ireland ; and England, profiting by their weak- gentry nesses, augmented their fears, kept rliem in aj state of broken. a spirit perpetual trepidation, gave them her protection, and Tone aspii-ed to infuse into the Catholics

—

niSTOEICAL 21 ?£.S1AN HKE0E3 AKD MAKTXES. INTi;0DUCTI0N. 25

cd passions, into a passion for of civil <.:,] religious liberty. The overwhelming inan ennobling common object to bind them as close in justice of f!,<;ir position appealed powerfully to his — friendship as' they had been knit in fight, was an original, sense of r'.yhi as a man as well as an Irish-born man. daring, and, judged by the obstacles to Tlis desif; y/as to unite them with the Dissenters, and be overcome, almost sub- lime scheme. thus pre.-/;fit to the party representing the government Tone founded the first and the (/Ah of English connection, a broad, popular Society of United Irishmen, on tlie 12th October, front on v.tiich toleration would be written in letters 1791. On the 12th October, 1798, the seventh anniversary of liglit. His objects and means were thus lucidly in- of the foundation of practical patriotism dicated. " To subvert the tyi-anny of our execrable in Ireland, he was captured on board the Iloche, 74 guns, the admiral's ship govern in '-./it, to break the connection with England, of & portion of the third expedition he the nevcr-f;ii]ing source of all our political evils, and had projected in France and Hamburg, foi- tlie aid of Ireland. to assert th'; independence of my country—these were Between- those dates a wonderfully inspiring my object;!. To unite the whole people of Ireland, to history was enacted in Ireland. United Irishism abolish tlio memory of all past dissensions, and to sub- spread into all ranks, inflaming alilce Catholic peasants and stitute t)i(; common name of Irishman, in place of the Protestant peers denomiiiMi(,ri3 of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter with a divine fervor, and bringing round the common altar of their — these v/cro my means." country noble clergjanen of every denomination. The Eev. "William Here v,i; ti;ive the well-defined plan upon which the Jackson, a Protestant clergyman, undertook to Society of 'llie United Irishmen was founded. It was sound the Irish in 1795, on the subject of an alliance with a boM ;iii'l /liighty step towards a true nationality to France, was betrayed-

disentaiT'lc politics from religion in those days. Tone's by an English attorney, and died in the dock. Messrs. Warwick, Stevelly, plan Bunii'iiinted the sectional difficulties which had and William Porter, Presbyterian clergymen, were hanged. Eev. AYilliam Steele made tbc i: land for centuries alternately a prey to re- Dick- son, morsclci-;-; (|<'prcdation on the one hand, and as savage of the same denomination, who had been the early

retriijulJon on the other. To unite the elements de- asserter of Ireland's independence and advocate of his scended from such recklessly discordant pai-entage Catholic fellow-countrymen, was, for nearly two years, " to lift tlicm out of their age-fostered ar^i blood-auoint- Adjutant-General of the United Irish of Ulster. Bet- 2

2(3 FEXUN IIEKOKS AND iLUrrVRS. HISTOKICAL INTEODUCTION. 27 tor die coiu-ageonsly in tlie field than be butcliered in example furnished by their devotion and sacrifices. the houses," said Father John Mnrphy, putting him- Aroused by inhuman barbarity and oppression, they self at the head of his flock, after the yeoman had made common cause with their persecuted flocks. burned his chapel over his head, in May '98. The They showed them how to fight on the field; and royalists did not know the flame they were kindling, how to die, if need be, on the scaffold, as did Eoche, when they set fire to the little chapel of Boolavogne. John Murphy, Kearns, Eedmond, Preudergast, Quig- "We must conquer or perish" cried this priest-leader ley, and others. Father Michael Murphy was vouch- to his pikemen, at Oulart Hill, and they conquered. safed the nobler death on the field, being torn to pieces This reverend General Murphy was heard from at the by a cannon-ball while leading on a division of pike- battle of Enniscorthy, at Vinegar Hill, and other men at the battle of Arklow. tough confiicts: as also were Father Philip Koche, The war for national independence, projected by who commanded at the bloody fight at Tubberneering, the United Irishmen, was forced into a premature where Col. Walpole feU, and was subsequently elected explosion by the. government. On the 30th March, generalissimo of the "Wexford troops ; and the soldier- Lord 1798, Camden, the viceroy, proclaimed all Ire- priests, Moses Kearns and Nicholas Kedmond, who land under ilartial Law. The proclamation was a di'ove Col. L'Estrange and his dragoons into Newtown- brutal incentive to riot. Armed with it' the military barry, and even had the audacity to engage and rout and " authorities" went about the country exasper- five hundi'ed troops. the garrison of over Kearns sub- ating suspected localities, creating feuds for tlie sake sequently made a desperate defence of Enniscorthy of punishing individuals, and involving individuals against General Johnston, and carried a serious wound that whole districts might be plundered. What was from the fight, which led to his capture. Father true of one locality was but too true of all. " The in- Clinch, with those named, was one of the leaders of human tortures instituted by the yeomen, the barbari- the patriots on the great but disastrous day of Vine- ties inflicted %vithout regard to age or sex, the scourg- gar Hill. Another prominent and brave priest-leader ings, pitch-caps, house-burnings, and murders, then was Father Michael Murphy. Tlie history of the pa- drew a distinct and bloody line between those who triot priests of 'OS affords a thrilling chapter, which acted for, and under the protection of, the government separately set forth for tlie sal^s of the noble should be

;

28 FENLV2* HEEOES Alrt) MAKTTKS. HISTOEICAl INTEODUCTION. 29 lable, private piqiie found vent in public vengeance expeditions been favored with a fair wind to carry it

and tlie magistracy falling into the liands of Orange to its destination, England could not have held Ireland, factionists, was at once -ttitness, judge, jury and execu- and half of her prestige would have been gone. It is tioner."* not disputed that England was saved by the elements

While the people on the one hand were goaded into that scattered Tone's expeditions. The active civil

unbearable agony, the leaders of the people on the war lasted less than five months, that is from the ris-

other hand were seized, hanged, banished, put out of ing of the people, 20th May, to the capture of Tone,

the Avay with indiscriminate fury. The betrayal of but its extent, and the vigor with which it was sus-

the plans and several prominent leaders by the infa- tained may be comprehended from its cost-to the peo- mous Thomas Reynolds, the Arnold of Ireland, on the ple and the government. The English employed

eve of the rising, with the distraction which followed 137,000 men to suppress the " insurrection." Its cost

Avas an irreparable blow to the project. Judged by in money is variously estimated at thirty millions and

the light which documentary history has thrown on fifty millions pounds sterling. The English lost twen-

the period, the chances of success of the United Irish- ty thousand men ; the Irish fifty thousand. The royal-

men loom into very great proportions, while the des- ists received one and a half millions sterling for dam-

tinies of England seem to have been held by a very ages to property. ]^o estimate can be made of the

slender thread. Madden is right when he says of the damage perpetrated on the property of the people.

United Irish Society, that " whether viewed in its re- It may be indicated by the fact that the Catholic

sults, the character of its members, or the nature of its churches burned, of which any account was kept, " proceedings, it may certainly be regarded as a confed- amounted to sixty-nine. This, as Madden says, may

eracy which no political or revolutionary society that aiford some criterion by which we can judge of the

has gone before it has surpassed in importance, bold- number and extent" of other outrages on property be-

ness of design, and devotion to its principles." On longing to persons of that communion. the other hand, England's incontrovertible danger may The " Union" followed the " rebellion," and in the

be judged from the fact that had cither one of Tone's reckless corruption and infamy by which it was carried was a fitting sequel to the murderous barbarity by

* " 'Ninety-Eight and 'Forty-Ei jlit, Irisli 'RovotuUonai'y History ai;a Litera- wliich the latter was precipitated and concluded. ture." Tliird Edition, New York, 1S57. p. 70.

HISTOKICAL IKTKODUCTIOIT. 31 30 FE^'rA2{ HEROES AND MAETYES. peasantry were The manner in which the Catholic TAventy-one years before tlie Union -was effected, rebeUion, and the butchered in '98 to put down the Samuel Jolmsou well characterized tlie animus -which "gentry" were bought style in which the Protestant ^vould and did govern England in seeking it. " Art- were equally dis- sold in 1800, to effect the Union, ful politicians," as Boswell characterizes them, had and as desperate deeds graceful, and proclaimed as loud often in view a Union between Ireland and England, not the patient slave could proclaim that Ireland was and in 1T79, Johnson, expressing himself on the sub- not, and could not ex- of England, and that there was ject to a gentleman from Ireland, said: "Do not make or respected union between ist a mutually beneficial a Union with us, sir. "We should unite with you Hessian mer- them. After quartering her native and only to rob you."* As Johnson indicated th^ spirit of Ireland, England cenaries on the devoted people of rapine which would follow a Union, so Byron, Ireland on quartered with much parade the arms of twelve years after its accomplishment, stigmatized and the wanton agonies, the British Flag—this too while illustrated the rapacious dishonesty of the measure. into venge- inflicted by the former, were fermenting " Adieu," said he, " to that Union so-called, as luous a years afterwards in ance, which took form in a few non lucendo, a Union from never uniting, which, in its Rebellion, and which was, what 'is kno^vn as Emmet's first operation, gave a death-blow to the independence but a although nobly inspired and well conceived, of Ireland, and in its last may be the cause of her '98. faint echo of the great fight in eternal separation from this country. If it must be the early In Paris, where Ptobert Emmet spent called a Union, it is the union of the shark with its his autumn of 1802, deep in military studies, he met pi'ey; the spoiler swallows up his victim, and thus includ- brother Thomas Addis, and the exiles of '98, tliey become one and indivisible. Thus has Great with ing some of the students who had been expelled Britain swallowed up the parliament, the constitution, him from the University of Dublin, for national rea- the independence of Ireland, and refuses to disgorge attention, sons. Irish affairs naturally engi-ossed their even a single privilege, although for the relief of her especially as the relations between France and England swoUen and distempered body politic."f were not of the most amicable nature. He had inter- from wliich he * BosweH's Johnson, by J. Wilson Crokcr. Enlarged by J. Wright. Bohn's views ^vith Buonaparte and Tallepand, edition, 1S9. Vol. ^^I, p. 295. ^ hi'pefully speculated, inasmuch as the patched-up peace t Speech by Lord Byron, House of Lords, April 2l8t, 1S12, on Lord Donough- moro's motion for a Committee on Catholic Claims.

34 ^'=^'^-^-'" "J^-KOIIK AXD MARTYE3. niSTOKICAL INTRODUCTION. 35

In h:3 wntten comrnnnicaf I.n with Buonaparte, AdcUs So for as I can discover, all the funds at Emmet's Emmet also, in unrni.takaUc language, scouted the disposal amounted to about scveutcon thousand dollars Idea that the Irl-h would accept aid on any such —ten of which comprised all his own fortune; the terms. It never was tho idea of any of the Irish other seven thousand being contributed by Philip iyvolut:omsts. Impressed hy the anxious representa- Long, a patriotic and wealthy tradesman of Dublin, tions from Ireland the majority of the exiles concur- who entered fully into the conspiracy. red m a co-operative movement Avhen France would The principles held by Emmet were those of "Wolfe be ready to strike England on her o^vn account; and Tone. Like Tone, too, young Emmet's energy was from his connections, enthunlasm, and ability, Eobert inexhaustibly great. iSTo man who reflects on his ca- Emmet became the leading agent in the movement reer will fail to be struck with the irrepressible vigor Wilham Lawless accom,.a„ied Emmet to Ireland; -\\ith which he carried on his preparations; now plan- Thomas Russell, regarding whom Tone said, "I think ning, now superintending his various depots, and the the better of myself for being ,],e object of esteem of manufacture of arms. In one of these places he such a man," and who had but just quitted his prison slept on a mattress on the floor, that he might be at Fmt George, went to Lvland to lead the men of always present to oversee ^vliat was going forward, to the JSiorth, over v.liieh"'-'^ 'li-t)ictd !*,.;,<- i _ ,. ' he was api5ointed animate his workmen, and to meet any emergency General-m-Ch,ef r„tnam M'Oabe's presence in the that might arise to demand the governing power of country was made memoral,le by his felicitous escape his presence, or the inspiration of his example. frorir ' the soldiery at Belfast. Michael Dwyer was at The accidental blowing up of a powder depot, on the head of abrave band of mountaineers in Wicklow the 16th July, 1S03, drew attention to the conspiracy, iMcholas Gray, Bagnal Harvey's aide-de-camp in Wex- and precipitated events to a fruitless end. In fact, ford m '9S, was in the moven.ent. The indefatigable with that explosion, United Irishism was blo\vri into James Hope, the weaver of T,.mple Patrick, who had fragments fir more than two generations. The dogs of been the secret agent of the leaders of '98, and who, the street licked the blood of Emmet from the pave .v.th M Craeken,led the insurgents at the gallant fighj mcnt under liis scaffold, his body was hidden in an un- at Antrim, was still unceasing in his allegiance to.the iuseribcd grave, and upon the ruins of those .efi"orts for national cause. ^ a distinct idea of nationality, arose, and in greater

36 FENIAN HEROES AND M.UJTriig. niSTOKICAL INTKODUCXION. 37

proportions, the fabric of a sectional sustained labors, and lastly by the sacrifice agitation. Tins denial, genius, vast and figitation was needed; freeholders—the poor veterans of the war— . bnt it was not of the' forly-sbiUing all that was bought to insulting oaths yet it was cheaply needed. The United and by submission ; Irishmen had started the acrita- for, on it cheaply, perchance, as if won by the sword; tion Kot so of Catholic rights more intellect, more on broad national grounds. were expended more treasures, more griefs, In taking makes life welcome, than had been up the theme, O'Connell passion, more of all which circumscribed bought, and Ireland has ; still it was cheaply both. The United needed for war Irishmen labored to ages triumph in the victory create a spirit glorified herself, and will through of toleration between all denominations. O'Connell of '29. did " Emancipation compared to Repeal? not think this essential; Yet what was was the belligerent and of one pro- "The one put a silken badge on a few members powerful advocate of one and the ready give to all professions and aU trades the and defiant fession ; the other would antagonist of all which resident proprietors, domestic legislation, others. Gifted with great abihty and rank and riches mfallibly create. vast and subtle knowledge and flourishing commerce, of the people, to sit on the both com- " Emancipation made it possible for Catholics bmed to make him the administration, which has leader by reflecting the judgment seat; but it left a foreign humor, in two or three cases, where over-topping appealing to the misery, defying cxduded them, save the enemies, no promotion and eminence made the acceptance of a Judgeship ; and, by giving expression to tlie passions of whom the people has to deal- his conn- it left the local judges—those with trjmien, which had bigoted as ever; while Repeal would acquired rancor and vindictiveness as partial, ignorant, and Judges in eveiy Court, from having give us an Irish code and Irish-hearted been so long choked in silence. from the Chancery to the Petty Sessions. That the agitation for Catholic Emancipation was "Emancipation dignified a dozen Catholics with a senatorial would give us needed, all admit; that name in a foreign and hostile Legislatm-e. Repeal it was not all that was need- a Senate, a IMililia, an Administration, all our own. ed no rational being will deny. Subsequent •' insulted the faith of agitation The Penal Code, as it existed since 1793, for the Eepeal of \-iolated the public the Union proved that more was the Catholics, restrained their liberties, and manufactures, wanting than TiTuly of Limerick. The Union has destroyed our such emancipation as was vouchsafed rental, prohibits our flag, prevents our commerce, drams our to the Irish Catholics. In advocating Repeal, Davis tn;shes-our genius, makes our taxation a tribute, our representa- succintly epitomizes name a bye-word. It were nobler to strive for what was achieved by the one tion a shadow, our and Rviieal than to get Emancipation." Avhat is embraced in the other

the It i:^ without the scope of these pages to follow ''''~'°' '° ''"'^-^''" ^^•'^"-"^^ I"^'> Catholics stn7r',"r'^? vy.ii.lrous career of O'Connell through the Catholic ^"";"'P-^"°"- ^^-^ nmancipatioa ,vas ad./ission to thethfBench,n 7 fhe Inner Bar, and Parliament aiid it cannot be without sug- It was won by self- Repeal agitations; but

: "

38 FENIAN HEROES AND MAIiTYIlS. HISTORICAL mTRODUCTION. 39 gestiveness to tliose who follow the changes in popu- believed the leaders meant more than they actually' lar opinion to observe the persistent and positive re- did. So when they deemed the pei-iod for policy had currence of the Irish to those ideas which were in passed, and the era for honesty anived, the progress- the ascendant before O'Couuell became prominent. ive volunteers became United Irishmen, to carry out O'Connell's career was in a great degree a repetition Grattan's idea—"Perish the British Empire—live of Grattan's. Both brought peculiarly powerful in- Ireland ;" and the Young Ireland Eepealers became spirations into politics, and the powers they respec- Irish Confederates to carry out O'Connell's declara- tively encouraged, if not evoked, went far ahead of tion of " Ireland for the Irish." Grattan lived to the design contemplated by either. The spiri^ in- see his country reduced to that condition in which stalled and animated by Grattan and the volunteers O'Connell's maturity found her, and, dying in Lon- was a potent element in the forination of United don, his ashes enhance the memories of the pantheon Irishism, and its struggle in '98; and the talent of Ireland's oppressors—he was buried in "Westmin- which rallied round the latter years of O'Connell's ster Abbey. O'Connell, seeking for health far away great Repeal agitation, was the direct agency that led from tliose scenes it had ever blest—far from his be- to the attempted revolution in '48. Grattan had said loved Kerry Mountains, died in Genoa, bequeathing " Liberty with England, if possible,—if not, without his heart to Eome, and the case that had held it to her. Perish the British Einpire—live Ireland." And Ireland. O'Conncll had used as a standing text, until the The Young Ireland party differed fi-om O'Connell words became household, indicating a future because he would not allow it the right to differ. " Ilereditary bondsmen, know ye not The inspiring centre, if not the founder of this party, Wlio would be free, themselves must strike the blow. was Thomas Davis, who died before O'Connell, but however, also said, " the lived Grattan, May kingly long enough to feel that a difference if not a estate in constitution, power that forms one our con- conflict of opinions, between his associates and the ;" tinue for ever and O'Connell, while claiming "Ire- old chief was inevitable. Davis was a concentration land for the Irish," also said " God Save the Queen." of nationality and of everytliing that tended to nur- The progi'essive patriots thought these latter ex- ture or spread it, whether in the paths of letters, art, clamations were u.~ed for the sake of policy, and manufacture, or politics. Everything Irish had a si<'-

40 FEN1.UI IIEU0E3 AND iCAR'n-RS HISTORICAL INTEODUCTION. 41 As Smith In niiieance to liim of service to Ireland. intellectual endowments the "Young Ireland" " tlie passion of party ^\ill O'Brien said, Love of country was compare favorably with the men of '98, action—the foundation with one exception. That Ills life—the motive for every exception is Tone. As force, as in- a political \vi'iter he of every feeling." "With characteristic was alone in his day. He has patriotism, Doheny not been equalled dicating his creative power of since. He was not only a patriot inert way-side but a statesman said, Davis "Struck living fire from and diplomat ; a combination rarely the rugged moun- to be found. stones. To him the meanest rill, He was not only almost inexhaustibly fragment of bar- suggestive, but he was also tains, the barren waste, the rudest practical. He differed elevation, har- from most baric history, spoke the language of men who have one grand idea, in the a%weet mony and hope." Meagher's first speech was fact that he never put the attainment of his object the fresh in jeopardy publicly tribute in honor of the dead, and upon by ignoring the sense of those laid as a dedica- who had other ideas or grave of his friend, John Mitchel differed from his. While labors in frish he was firm he was also considerate. tory oflermg the first fruits of his To this faculty may be attributed the power he with literature—the life of Aodh O'Neill. had men. His O'Connellites, pamphlets are characterized by fervor and After remonstrating in vain with the argument, great accessions of never by abuse. Thomas Davis, however, had the Yountr Ireland party received one formed the great advantage over Tone in seizing the popular strength, and on the 13th January, 1847, organization was a bril- heart, and throbbing it with healthy and indignant " L-ish Confederation." This and intellectual pulsations, he was a poet. His prose essays are liant representative of Irish honor of the coun- abundantly illustrative of noble aspirations and ready attainment. The genius and enthusiasm journal, TU Nation, gifts, but his poems are passionately national, and try rallied round it. The great in what- contain that fire which cannot be extinguished. which had fostered all the national resources, had a legitimate If the members of the Irish Confederation, taken ever form they presented themselves, Confederation. The as a party, were not only equal to, but beyond the ofl'spring at matiirity in the Europe and United Irishmen, as poets, orators, and publicists, Nation had attracted /.he applause of progressive Ireland the they were far behind them as revolutionists. It may America as the spirit of : behind it. be that from the formation of the Confederation, Confederation disclosed the active body

^^^iXVii^iiAijC:'^;^^;:^'^,^,^,"^

42 FENIAU HEROES AND MAETTES. HISTOEICAL INTEODUCTION. 43 revolutionary lime Avas not pemiitted to develoi^ tlie there was not a county in Ireland which had it is escaped of tlie body until it -^vas extinct ; and ability the potato-rot, and the consequent scarcity of food true that foreign example, especially the French and funds, yet the landlords were as um-elenting as and the -wiitings of John Mitchel, forced Ecvolution, ever in driving and grinding the impoverished pea- the leaders, and, thi-ough them, the people into a posi- santry. Meanwhile, the island was rifled of its grain contemplated as so closely imminent. The tion not and cattle to meet the exigencies of the abstotees not a secret or oath-bound organi- Confederation was and the English interest in Ireland; and the Govern- the United Irish Society was. It might zation as ment, to make a show of charity and protection to had it lived longer. The United Irish have become so the world, bought up some foreign corn for the "poor twice as long in existence before it took Society was Irish." It might have bought the food in the. coun- secrecy fi-om the persecution of the govern- refuge in try, and distributed it; but that would have been the ment, and reorganized on a military basis.*" Origi- means of circulating money and and staving off famine; nally started to effect Catholic Emancipation and neither of these appliances were calculated to sus- it was persecuted into the rm-liamentary Eeform, tain an English interest in Ireland. Nol every Eepublicanism. The Confederation ves- wider field of sel seeking the doomed island with foreign corn "was designed to educate and organize the people—to was siu-e to meet half a dozen sailing out with Irish wheat Kepeal by moral force, if possible; by physi- aclueve and cattle." There was no end to the meetings of necessary. cal force, if learned bodies, and the reports they made. Every famine years had been regarded by English The thing was done but the one thing necessary-feed - for the reduction of the the ministers as powerful allies people. were suggested in and out Irish. Measures of relief Where famine and fever did not put committees ap- the peasantry of Parliament, resolutions carried, beyond the .power of injuring the the fam- English interest pointed, discussions held as to what caused "agrarian outrages," as the desii-e for food was called' potato blight had gone ? how could ine ? how far the brought them within the clutches of blind experimenting; the law. The' it be stayed? Science grew process was complete, and none will say it was not and the groans of the dying, which maddened powerful. First, the people Althougli were systematically the Irish only made the ministers deaf. starved and for those ; who escaped death, the minis-

AND MAHTTES. u FENIAK HEKOES HISTOEICAL INTEODUCTIOX. 45

in tlie shape of the Coercion ters supplied a trap among some of the leaders, and suggested the necessi- restrain the daring (Agrarian Outrages) Bill, to ty of a definite programme of guidance in the Con- to live. "Old Ireland" which gave them a desire federation. Mitchel, not seeing anything in the fam- the Whigs had gone had gone with the Whigs, and ine policy of the Government but " a machinery pro- as usual, not^^dthstanding the against L-eland, deliberately devised and skilfully worked for the en- John beneficial measures, by which Lord mises' of tire subjugation of the island,—the slaughter of a duped the Old Eepeal Association. Eussell had portion of its people, and the pauperization of the outrage" was the plea made to excuse "Agrarian rest," believed that resistance should be opposed to the on the other, concessions on the one hand ; and Whig system at every point: that the transport and ship- " Parliament that it were better to out- to declare in ment of provisions should be obstructed and rendered present state rage the Constitution," than aUow the impossible and : that the people should be advised 7wi contiuue in Ireland. of aifairs to to give up their arms, under the law made to disann these actions, the L-ish Confederation In the face of them, but to provide more, especially pikes, of which on hand, were it equal to the occa- had work enough the soldiery were in great horror. O'Brien, Duffy, on the state- it was not. Although it had, sion. But and the Nation, party, remonstrated against this secretary, upwards of one hundred and ment of its course, as it would be a virtual declaration of war. enrolled men in the clubs,* yet the fifty thousand On the two days debate which followed in the Confed- organization was far from perfect, and Confederate eration, Meagher gave the weight of his popularity, arms possessed by it insignificant. the amount of and turned the scale against Mitchel's views; and nationality, as it was, by a noble sense of Inspired, Mitchel having already retired from the Nation set not distinct purposes of the Confederacy were still the up the United Irishman, to promulgate the docti-ines defined or imderstood. The opinion of the widely he thought best suited to the crisis. Throughout members was in a transition state, between body of its these movements Devin Eeilly was the able lieuten- and the new ones the old principles they had left, ant of Mitchel. not fully adopted. This led to difi'erences which were Tlie Frencli Eevolntion of February, 1S48, created

in a rampWct cDtitlcd,"A Disdosnre con- great » Thi» statement of members I find excitement in L-eland, giving a new impetus Prosecutions in Ireland, &c., hy Thomas Matthew nected with the L;ito State Confederation, Dublin, 1S19. to the Confederation, nalpin, Secretary of the Iriah and apparently ratifying the

;

46 FENIAIf MARTYKS. HEROES AND HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. 47 republican indications of Mitchel. Tlie Confederate Which in Ireland was regarded as patriotism, was by orators now rivalled tlie revolutionary vigor of the this Act made a felon/and the patriots " felons " United Irishfiian. In the first week in February the The arrest of John Mitchel quickly followed, and assembled Confederates voted down Mitchel's war the national excitability seemed to culminate in the programme : a month afterwards, Meagher, the voice Idea that now was the time for a general uprising. Confederation, declared that if the Govern- of the The Council of the Confederation, after the most ment did not accede to the demand for the recon- strenuous exertions, prevented an outbreak, and ex- struction of Irish Nationality, was ready to he cry cused its action in an Address to the People. The " up with the barricades, and invoke the god of bat- Council feared that an * attempt to rescue Mitchel tles." The Confederation also sent an address to and to free Ireland, would prove abortive. «We' France, which declared that her heroism "taught en- therefore," said the Address, " intei-posed, and with slaved nations that emancipation ever awaits those who ^^ preventing the fruitless .?! Krr'^'*^ effusion dared to achieve it by their own intrepidity." These of blood." Mitchel was permitted to be banished; and significant expressions were seized with avidity by the Government, seeing the Confederates waver at the the people, as indicating a desire to fight. If the very, crisis of the excitement, pushed matters with its AVhig Ministers aifected to treat the Irish move- usual recklessness and vigor. The Irish Tribune ment with contempt, the Tory leaders forced them sprang into the gap made by the demolition of the of that position. The Earl of Derby, in out the UmtedlHsKman, and, two weeks after, the Irish House of Lords, called the Government to task, and Felon was by the side of the former laboring for " same the said of the Irish leaders, These men are honest ends. "The harvest," was now the cry of the they are not the kind of men who make their patriot- patriots. " Wait for the harvest, and we will, in God's ism the means of barter for place or pension." The "ame strike a blow." The Government, however "Whigs, disgiisted at the Tories calling the Confed- would not wait so long. All its power was put forth erates honest and high-toned, determined to render to force a rising, that it might crush it. The Trihuns their caiise as degrading as English law could make Idon, and mtion were seized, and the editors and' it. The Treason-Felony Act was therefore passed. proprietors thrown into prison. The Ga<.c.in. Act "What was heretofore known as treason to the Crown, prevented the leaders from addressing the cfubs in

48 FENIAN irEROES AND ILARTTHS. msTOKICAL rNTEODUCnoN. 49 tlie cities and the stispensioii of the Habeas Corjyus ; conflicts at Portlaw barracks, Glenbower, Scaugh, Act compelled those who had reudei-ed themselves and other places, the movement was given up as hope- objects of suspicion, to evade the authorities. Thus less. these men were thi'own on the country, when they Looking back calmly at the events of '48, and com- had helped to chill its spirit, or make it irresolute by prehending details which only time can present in hope deferi'ed. The leaders had to " take to the hills." their true light, there can be no rational doubt of the Kewards were offered for the more prominent, and. fact that the people were not prepared to attempt or the natural gallantry and truth of the Irish peasant, effect a revolution by arms that year. There was no created a sympathy where even a knowledge of ^Q organization the ; Confederation was not sufficiently political situation had been but imperfectly under- long in existence to have put the country on a fight- stood. Hunted with celerity they strove to face the ing basis and without ; organization nothing could be emergency in hurried councils, and with undisciplined effected. The French Eevolution came too soon for material, and having come in contact with the British the good of Ireland. There were moments when a forces at the Slate Quarries, Mullinahone, Killenaule, shot would have set the revolution going with an Ballingariy, Abbeyfeale, and other places, they were esjyrit and a fervor, the result of which cannot be cither captured or found safety in escape and exile. imagined. Of the chief men, O'Brien and Meagher were captur- The 10th July was such an occasion, when the ed, tried, foimd guilty, and sentenced to death, which populace of Waterford and Cashel raised barricades was subsequently commuted to banishment for life; to prevent the arrest of Meagher and Doheny. It and Doheny, Dillon, Devin Reilly, O'Gorman and needed Meagher's most impassioned exertions to fi-ee others, after various adventures, escaped, and found himself from his friends, that he might be arrested by their way to America. Later in the year, in Septem- his enemies. Doheny was taken out of jail by the ber, a" more persistent effort was made by Messrs. Cashel men, recaptured himself, and only was per- O'Mahony and Savage to rally the people in Tipper- mitted to do so by pledging his word that he was ar- ary, "Waterfurd and Kilkenny, and to retrieve some- rested on a bailable offence. Both, unknown to each what the disastei-s that had preceded. After demon- other, feared to precipitate a revolt, because the lead- strations on the mountains of these localities, and ers had no settled plan of action. The chief occasion

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50 FENIAN UER0E3 AND MAJITYE8. PISTOllICAL INTRODUCTIOIf. 51 of tlic year, however, was the trial of Mitchel. The leaders were all at liberty, and the enthuBiasm of the people intense and manageable. The Governnicnt had shown its vindictive intentions, which created as daring a desire of defiance, and the halo encircling the first martjT. inspii'ed the masses of the Dublin clubs CHAPTER II. with a frenzy which declined after the disappoint- nicnta of that day. Did Tonng Ireland achieve a Victory—The rcleaBCd PrlBoncrs and the Exiles at work—Continuous efforts to keep np a National Organization—The Fenbn Brotherhood—Iti> Beglnnin;; and Exteneion—Firet CongreBs at Chicago—De- clarations of PiirpopCB—Not a Secret Society—The Poles and the Pope O'Mahony elected nead Centre under the New Conflitution—Second Con- grcsfi at Cincinnati—Growth of the Brotherhood—Report of the Envoy to '" Ireland—Council enlarged—State of Affaira In Ireland—The I. R. B. —JamcB StephenBandhls Connection with the Organization—ExtcnBlvc Dieoffectlono

—Seizure of the Irisk People and Itf* Editors—ArreHts all over the Country lliird Fenian Congrees In Philadelphia— Mr. Mechan's Reportr-Connlltutlon of tbcP. B. changed—niffercnccs hctween the " Prepident" and the ** Senate" rcFult In an *'IriBh Party" and a " Canadian Party"—Fourth CongrepB rcBtores the Old ConBtitutlon, endorsed hy Military Convention—Excitement in Ire- land increases—Arrest and EBcapo of Stephens-Lord Wodehouse on the Conspiracy—The Country not safe unless the l^nbrat Cnrpu* Is suBpcnded Dehate on that MeaBure—John Bright, Stuart Mill—The Irish Memhers-JohQ B. Dillon—The O'Donoghuc—Passage of tho BllL

By the events of '48 ".Young Ireland " was dis- handed but not defeated. The new soul which came into Ireland and was manifested in the songs, essays, r speeches and publications generally of the members of that party, could not be extinguished. If they did

not organize, they did wonderfully help to educate the

people with a healthy, rnanly and hopeful literature.

Their efforts in tliis regard have produced legitimate

results ; and in the spread of their ideas, hopes, affections and romantic feelings touching the uses of eVery

52 FENIAN HEROES AlfD MAETTE8. HISTOEICAL INTEODUCTIOK. 53 phase of Irish life to tlie end of Irish freedom, pre- they were planning and projecting, with other untiring pared the people to appreciate organization, which, spirits, a renewal of armed hostihlies in 1849.* l^owerful at all times, is all the grander and more The exiles who were in France took advantage of" reliable when founded on and sustained by intelli- the disrupted state of that country, to study successful gence. means of revolution, and to interest many able French- Philosophically judged, Young Ireland achieved a men in the Irish cause—no very difficult matter to be notable and fruitful victory. On the one hand it com- sure, as in addition to the sympathy between the Irish pelled England to show the ruffian hand by which and French, descending from old military alliances, any- the " sister island " was governed. This was not lost thing against England is attractive to a true French- on the world; the French Government adroitly 'al- man. The exiles in America, in the press, the lecture- luded to it iu 1S60, when Persigny was " enlarging liall, the driU-room, possessed welcome vehicles for the' the liberty" of the French Press. On the other hand expression and expansion of the doctrines which had it bestowed a new literature on. the country, which driven them from home; and even in the penal colo- commanded even the admiration of its enemies, and nies, to which England had banished those who had is the touchstone of all literary endeavor in Ireland fallen into the embrace of partisan judges and packed since. Irishmen who could not embrace the politics of juries, the gallant settlers received as friends those who Young Ireland, welcomed the literature which seemed were branded as felons, and intrigued and conspired to combine the best characteristics of all that had to set them fi-ee. gone before, with an informing spirit emanating from It would be impossible, even were all the materials pure hearts and able heads. at hand, to present at this date anything like a fair Even in the disruption of the party, its scattered record of the unceasing, though sometimes contracted elements were destined to do wondrous service in tes- efforts made in Ireland and America to keep alive one timony of the national faith and character of Irish- organization after the other for the encouragement men, and of continued tribulation to the Government and indoctrination of Irish national principles. The of Ireland. Tliose who were kept in jail under the history of these efforts, when wi-itten, wiU prove of suspension of the Haheas Cor;pus act, like Fenton La- deep interest, and give evidence of the undying devo- lor and Joseph Brenan, were no sooner released than See the facts given in 3Ir. Luby's eketch of Pliilip Gray, in tM8 volume.

54: FEXIAN HEKOES AKD MAETYES. mSTOBICAI, mTKODUCTIOlT. 65 tion of all classes of Irishmen to the freedom of their was always precarious, sometimes exciting, but all native laud. were guided by worthy aspirations. Distracted, now by differences of able men, now by The Fenian organization was the result of the socie-

it. imposing of the jealousies of weak ones ; at other times by the ties which had preceded The most well-meant officiousuess of ignorance ; again by the them had fallen away, and the nucleus from which want of means, and the bickering results of such a sprung this formidable power was composed of Michael condition ; sometimes felling into apathy by the drop- Doheny, Michael Corcoran, John O'Mahony, and one ping out of some earnest spirit, whose sensitiveness or two others. From small numerical dimensions it would pall before an accurhulation of the visitatiops slowly but steadily expanded to the form in which it described, it is remarkable that some one was always has arrested the attention of the world. found to cheer, to encourage, and give life and vigor "When O'Mahony was elected president of the society* to a nucleus of nationalists^ The connection was thus and at the same time received his commission as Head kept up, sometimes by a happily-welded link, at others Centre from elsewhere, toward the end of 1858, it by a very fragile rope indeed. I have chiefly refeiTcd numbered forty members, all of whom resided in the to the projective societies in I^ew York, with which city of ISTew York. It had a great struggle for exist- ^ the congenial societies in L-eland were in commu- ence, but ultimately succeeded beyond the most san-

nication. guine hopes of its projectors. In five years it put

One great source of dissatisfaction arose from the forth its branches from the Atlantic to the Pacific.

very hopefulness which kept the cause alive in Ire- Stretching northward, it had crossed the St. Lawi-ence land, and which led men there to exaggerate the and the great lakes, spreading widely over the British means at their disposal. The mistaken idea, also provinces. Toward the south it had reached the mouth prevailing in Ireland, of the position of the exiles in of the Mississippi, before the great rebellion cut off

America, who, it was thought, could control any communication with ' the southern circles. Up to amount of money and war material, caused the de- 1863, the Fenian Brotherhood was little understood

mands made on them to be of an equally-extensive outside of the circles composing it. Its representatives

character. It is needless to say, these demands could had never been summoned together to adopt such a

not be complied with. Tlie existence of those societies constitution and rules for general government, as an

—

HISTOKICAL INTEODUCTION. 57 56 FESTAL HEKOES AXD MAETTK9. in the Fenian warranted. It Thi:> body assembled at Chicago, .association of its extent might liave 1863. Sixty- organization than Hall of tliat city, on the 3d November, liad more tlie nature of a military having a constituency while this suited threo circles were represented, a civil and self-governing body ; and half of whom at least were became apparent of fifttxni thousand men, its infancy, many disadvantages intho (irmies of the Union. "We no longer need intelligence and power. when it had growi;. in numbers, gcncriiln of our own blood," said Mr. O'Mahony, These disadvantages suggested to the Head Centre, " us to battle for on the in th(* opening session, to lead that the organization should be reconstituted them." The - governing Ireland, nor veteran soldiers to follow model of the institutions of the Eepublic, Organization on aj^^ basis then decided Qongyym met to place the itself on the elective principle. It was in accordance with the habits and customs of the to call a IN'ational Congress. United States, and to declaire its position and ob- Other matters pertaining to the welfare of the Bro- the friends of assembled jects before the world, so that aU therhood demanded the consideration of its Irish freedom could understand them. It adopted a wisdom. Thousands of the most ardent and best series cf resolutions and formed a Constitution and working members had rushed to the defense of the By-Laws, which promulgated the faith of Fenianism. Union. Many whole circles had entered the army in declared to be Milford, Mass., The organization was a body, like the flom-ishing one at gallant centre, Col. Eobert Peard. No less under its "An A Psociation having for its object the national freedom of or dormant, of citizens of the United than fifty branches had become extinct Ireland, u,A composed for the most part birth or descent, but open to such and effi- States hf America, of Irish and the rest had lost considerably in ardor other dy/'llcra on the American continent as are friendly to the their choicest spirits in ciency, through the absence of liberation of Ireland from the domination of England, by every had sustained honorall.<-. means within our reach, collectively and individually, the field. In the "West, the Brotherhood save an."! f-.xcept such means as may be in violation of the consti- irreparable loss in the death of the Eev. an almost all us, tution a.','1 laws under which we live, and to which of who pastor of Crawfords- Edward O'Flaherty, the devoted are citiz-.?..? of the United States, owe our allegiance." Indiana, which, yille. His death seemed tq paralyze claimed under the " of Fenianism ! An Jirirpicstionable right was during his life, was the banner state" ConstJifition of the United States to aid with money, The revolutionary Brotherhood in Ireland demanded any struggling nation. the fii-st National or mor;J or political influence aid and sympathy ; so the call for 3* Congress was issued.

- :

HISTORICAL mTEODUOnOlT. 59 58 FENIAN HEEOES AND MAJiTYE8.

whole heart, to create and foster amongst Irishmen everywhere, Deeming the pr.eseryation and success of the Union feelings of fraternal harmony and kindly love of each other, unity of supreme importance to the extension of democratic of counsel, and a common policy upon the Irish question, with mu- be unani- institutions, and to the well being and social elevation tual forbearance upon all others, so that their efforts may mously directed towards the common objects of their universal of the whole human race ; it was wishes after a common preconcerted plan. Thus will their force and one purpose, in one "Resolved, That we, the Representatives of the Fenian Brother- become irresistible, guided by one vpUI action, and thus will they give shape and hood m the United States, do hereby solemnly declare, without undeviating system of movement to that love of IrelaiuJ, and that limit or reseiTation, our entire allegiance, to the Constitution and life, dh-ection and the predominanf passions of Laws of the United States of America." hatred of her oppressors, which are every true Iiish heart" All subjects pertaining to partizan American poli- soldiers were be- tics and religion were ignored. The well-trained Irish-American and the The hostile assertions that the Brotherhood was " a sought to rally round the Organization, men it to the last extremi- * Secret Society,' bound together by an oath, and, as* in Ireland exhorted to stand by Irish such, distinctly condemned by the Catholic Church, ty, nor flee from it to foreign countries. The of the distinct through certain rescripts thereof leveled against the people were declared to constitute one was Freemasons, Carbonari, Odd Fellows and other sim- nationalities of the earth. The Irish Kepublic virtually established, with James ilar associations, social or political;" were repudiat- acknowledged as

: with the ed and denied by resolution— Stephens as its Chief Executive sympathy Poles was expressed and a resolution passed express- " Tliat we, the members of this Convention, most distinctly declare and make known to all whom it may concern, but without ing— the slightest disrespect to any of the societies above-named, that "Reverential gratitude and filial respect towards his Holiness the Fenian Brotherhood is not a Secret Society, inasmuch as no Pope Pius the Ninth, for lus paternal solicitude in the cause of pledge of secresy, expressed or implied, is demanded from the Buffering Poland, up in arms for her liberty, and for the anxious candidates for membership thereof; neither is it an oath-bound care with which he offers up to Heaven his ardent aspirations for Society, for no oath whatever is required in order to entitle a man her success, and recommends her brave sons, battling for ' right to all the privileges of the association." against might,' to the prayers and support of the Catholic world," The following embraces the objects sought, and the The direction of the Organization was vested in a means by which it may be accomplished Head Centre, elected annually by a General Congi-ess, " Resolved, That it is the special duty of the members of the State Centres, to direct State Organizations, Centres, Fenian Brotherhood to strive with all their might, and with their

HISTOEICAt rNTEODUCTIOK. 61 60 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYEg.

IS no idle boast to say that the English Government to direct Circles, and sub-Centres, for sub-Circles. has been influenced in no small degree by the actions The Head Centre to be assisted by a Central Council of the Fenians here and at home, in abstaining thus of five, a Central Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, long from openly aiding in the dismemberment of our nominated by him and elected by Congress, and Corre- union. Thus, perhaps fortunately for our cause, while sponding and Recording Secretaries. . working for the liberation of Ireland, we are also serv- "In order," said Mr. O'JIaliony, "that the Fenian Brother- ing the best interests of America." hood be in reality what your legislation has made it this'day— important subjects brought before the thoroughly democratic, self-governing institution—it stiU remains Among the for me to divest myself of the almost absolute authority wliich, Second Congress, was a lengthy report by Mr. Philip with your assent, I have held for nearly five years, and by so db- Coyne, of Missouri, Central Envoy to Ireland, of Ms ing to place the government and direction of the Fenian Brother- hood in the guardianship of this General Convention." . examination and inspection of revolutionary aflfairs in Ireland. He reported the masses of the people as The resignation of John O'Mahony was accepted; desirous for revolution, and that the middle class, and he was inunediately, on motion of Mr. Gibbons, though hesitating to pass into a career of trial and of Pennsylvania, unanimously elected Head Centre, labor, would in the extremity of a revolutionary out- under the new Constitution. An address to Ireland break, act boldly with the patriots. The national was issued by this Congress, and messages of frater- journal, The Irish People, was recommended for sus- nity and encouragement received, among others, from tainment, for the courage and ability it displayed ; and General T. F. Meagher, General M. Corcoran, and the mode of organization of the I. R. B. was declared Colonel Matthew Murphy, of the Irish Legion. - to be as nearly perfect as possible, being so arranged The transactions of this Congress added great vital- as to defy the strongest power or finest subtlety to ity to the Fenian cause. The second National Con- penetrate it. gress assembled in Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 17th of On the recommendation of the Head Centre, the January, 1865. In the interim the sixty-three branches Constitution was amended so that the Central Council had gro^vn to be tliree hundred, while the financial was enlarged to ten members, with a President chosen receipts exceeded those of the whole seven years since by and from themselves. He was to act on occasions the Brotherhood had been established. for the Head Centre ; and the powers of the Council In addition to this success, Mr. O'Mahony said : " It

HISTOEICAL tNTEODUCTION. 03 62 FEXIAN HEROES Airt) MARTTE9.

Meagher ; who, if he did not actively epter into the -n-ere materially extended. O'Maliony was unani- afterwards, would never wilfully hinder mously re-elected. movement imdertaken for Irish liberty. The money, MeauM'liile so great a flame could not exist in any measure not amounting to more than two thousand America without some smoke becoming visible in Ire- although raised with difficulty. With the first in- land. The newspaper reports of the progress of dollars, was of it, Deniffe was sent back, also carrying Fenianism' in America were regarded as astounding stallment a Commission for Stephens as Chief Direc- developments, and being reprinted in England and with him tor, signed by Doheny, O'Mahony, and others. Ii-eland, excited the anxiety, and enlisted all the re- enrolled some thirty-five thousand men, sources of the Irish Government to watch and ex- Having Stephens came to America in the fall of 1858, to re- plode the counterpart Revolutionary Brotherhood, on. port progress, and solicit more generous subsidies than that side of the Atlantic. But the Irish Brother- he had received fi-om America. At a meeting of the hood was manipulated with exceeding skiU and fore- • friends of Ireland at Tammany Hall, ISTew York, the sight, and baffled the keenest scent of the authorities,

collection of a fund was inaugurated ; and at the request while it spread widely among the people. James of Stephens, O'Mahony was created Head Centre. Stephens, one of the youthful participators in the '48 The arrest in Ireland at this time of the members of rising, had undertaken the organization of Ireland. the " Phoenix Society," which showed that some active Certain envoys having been sent to Ireland, from New disloyalty existed there, gave the cause here a much York, for the purpose of seeing upon what basis a new needed, impetus, and aided the purposes of Stephens' revolutionary organization could be started in that visit. Attention had been directed to him on the country, carried letters from O'Mahony to Stephens,

Phcenix trials ; and for a couple of years following, who had returned from France. In the early part during which time he was in France, the revolution- of 1858, one of these envoys, Mr. Joseph Deniffe, ary party did not seem to make much progress in Ire- returned to America with a written document from land. This partly arose from the fact that remittan- Stephens, showing already a formidable basis for ac- ces from America were not of that character to keep it tion, and engaging, if he were sustained with certain in working order. In December, 1860, Mr. O'Maho- funds, to greatly increase the number by harvest time. ny went to Ireland himself, to be personally satisfied The Directoiy of '48 was appealed to in vain by

6i FESIAN HEEOES AND 1IAETTE3. inSTOEICAL mTEODUCTION'. 65

great conflicts on tlie state of affairs. Tlie most important districts of the war, as a providential sign that were inspected, and a meeting of certain leadere held they were destined to lead their countrymen to victory in Dublin, at -which definite plans were laid dowB. on their native soil. Young men were found drilling,

Stephens returned to Ireland and O'Mahony to books of drill-instruction were also discovered in suspi- America, and the organizations on both sides of the cious places, and a variety of incidents added to the ocean progressed with powerfully effective strides. growing excitement. It was suddenly discovered that That Stephens was successful to a degree without par- the Irish Government was sitting on a mine, that not

' allel in Ireland for half a century, cannot be ques- only Cork and Dublin, and Tipperary, were hot-beds of tioned. "With special qualifications as an organizer,, disloyalty, but that disaffection was rife among the he traveled throughout the island under various names soldiery, and that the conspiracy had extensive ramifi- and in many disguises, making the personal acquaint- cations in Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow, and other ance of the people, and was to them for some years manufacturing localities over the channel. A reward

' an object of wonder, almost of worship. That of £200 was offered for the captm-e of Stephens, all O'Mahony had also done wonders in organizing the the transatlantic steamers were boarded and searched Brotherhood in America and Canada, was attested by for Irish- American-looking persons,- and on the even- the thankful Congress of Chicago, which passed reso* ing of the 15th of September, 1865, tlie Irish People ' lutions recording his wisdom, genius, eminent purity Avas seized, and several arrests made, including Thomas and heroic virtues, during the five trying years Clarke Luby, J. O'Donovan (Eossa), and John O'Leary, through which the organization had struggled. the cliief conductors of that journal. Numerous ar-

The mystery which bafiled the Government in Ire- rests in Dublin, Cork and other localities followed,

land, and the might which the auxiliary Fenian Soci- and a state of feeling, recalling the feverish days of '48,

ctj'' of America represented, combined to be\vilder but on a much larger scale, was visible throuo-h- and exasperate the authorities. At the close of the out the island. Several soldiers were arrested, and

Civil War many ofiicers of the Irish Brigade, L-ish Le- the Sergeant-Major of a regiment in Cork, acknow-

gion, and other Irish-American commands, which had ledged his signature to a Fenan roll-book M-Iiich seen much service, found their way into Ireland. Of had been captured. This suggested imminent in- these not a few regarded their preservation in the security, and caused a run on the Cork banks.

66 FENIAN UEKOES AND ILVETYES. HISTORICAL INTEODUCTIOK. 67

Bills of Exchange from the Fenian Treasury in New important and depreciating changes were made ; and

Yoi'k to the Irish leaders, amounting to no less than in a very brief period thereafter the vital differences £3,000 were intercepted, and arrests of many import- introduced into the Constitution were augmented by ant local centres continued to be effected. differences between the " President" and the " Sen- This intelligence awoke widely-extended sympathy ate," which extending, created a disastrous dismem- in America ; and after sitting for some days in New berment of the body of the organization. In a per- York, the Central Council of the Fenian Brotherhood sonal way the differences bred distemper, distemper issued a call for a Congress to be held in Philadelphia, vilification, vilification subterfuge, and subterfuge on the 16th of October. The deliberations of this as- found sustainment in dishonor, and culminated in sembly were looked to with anxious anticipation. It hatred. The American public was disgusted, the Irish was very largely attended, and the enthusiasm which cause disgraced by the charges and counter-charges had already existed was greatly intensified by the arri- which the interested parties too readily rushed into val on the 19th, direct from Ireland, of Mr. P. J. Mee- print. The record of these painful confiicts would han, who had visited it as the accredited envoy of the occupy volumes : I feel humiliated to have to refer to

Brothei'hood. His report, which exhibited the accom- thein in a paragraph. It is only necessary here to add plislunent of a magnificent work, the organization as that John O'Mahony had been declared the unanimous powerful, the management masterly, and the position choice of Senate and Delegates, for President, and solid, was received with exciting demonstrations. The was elected ; and that the seceding party, among whom most important measure of the Congress, however, were twelve of the fifteen newly-ci-eated Senators, was one changing the Constitution and officers, and chose William E. Eoberts, President of the Senate, as drawing not a little ridicule on the organization. The their Chief. The distinctive policy of the circles new Constitution created a President, and Secretaries which followed the latter, developed into an armed of the Treasury, Military, Naval and Cixdl Affairs, a expedition into Canada, which was attractive to a large

Senate, the President of which would be Vice-Presi- class as offering more immediate excitement. Thus dent of the Brotherhood, a Ilouse of Delegates, and the powerful Fenian organization of America, became all the governmental paraphernalia, in name, of a dis- divided into what will be known as The Irish Party, tinct republic' within tlie American Eepublic. Other and The Canadian Party. Under these exigences, the

69 68 FEXIAN nEE0E3 XSD SIAETTE3. nlSTOKICAL INTKODUCTION.

every one of mark, former held a Fourth ISTational Congress, in New ed with the Irhh Peoj>Ie," and correspondence of Stephens York, January 2, 1866. Over four hundred delegates, indicated in the captured or two exceptions, the largest representation of Fenians that had ever and others, had been, with one the middle of Febru- met, assembled, fi'om Australia, the Pacific shores, arrested and convicted ;* still in of the Habeas Corpus was British Columbia, Canada, and all portions of the ary, 1866, the suspension the wild cuiTent of con- United States. The old Constitution was restored,' deemed necessary to control could not otherwise the Senate abolished, the history of the differences spiracy which the Government

re^aewed, an address issued, and OTlfahony rein-' stay. measure, which took place vested with the old office of Head Centre. The pro- The debate on this rather brilliant, and as it ceedings of this Congress were accepted by a Military on the 17th February, was the state of Ireland, some facts elicit- Convention, which assembled in" 'New York, on the bears directly on narrative of the 22d of February, the anniversary of "Washington's ed in it very fitly fall into a brief proposing and advocating the bill. Sir birth-day, and issued a spiyted address " signed by times. In Secretary, traced the history eighty-five officers and forty sergeants, nearly eveiy George^;Grey, the Home stand-point, up to the close of one of whom had seen service. of Fenianism, from his took a more threaten- In the meantime there was no diminution of the the ^American War, when it aspect. In the papers and proclamations captur- excitement in Ireland ; and if anything would have ing the Fenians was the united the discordant elements in America, a contem- ed, he sa-w that the desire of the connection with England. The cap- plation of the state of affairs there should have done it. disruption of of the leaders had The arrest of Stephens in Ireland was a great triumph ture and comdction of so many not produced any good result. for the authorities ; but his defiant course when brought

hefore the magistrates, and his subsequent wonderful "For a time," said he, "the GoveniiHj3nt indulged in that which seemed to give them escape from jail, soon turned the tables, and gave the hope, but with the escape of Stephens, renewed energy, the activity of the conspirators increased. victory to Fenianism and the people, l^otwithstand- of Shortly after these arrests, bills from America, to the amount ing that the Irish Attorney-General, at the close of enspcnslon of the Eahtas Ctrrput, the Special Commission, which tried the Fenian pris- • Up to the introduction of the bill for the of penal thirty six had been tried, comicted, and eentenced to varioos tenns oners, boasted that " every single individual connect- senitade.

: " raa^.^.»i/..arfi > n'fi>HM«ri^';.^t ii itnVt» r-^^'^'^'^'»-^^*'*^'^'^^^^ --"'•î^^^îâifei ^ I

70 FENIAU HEE0E8 AND JL4.ETYR9. HISTOEICAI. INTEODUCTION. 71

no less than £3,000, addressed to the leaders of the conspiracy come necessary hereafter. But I do not expect that these measures who were then in custody, were mtercepted by the Government, Sir. Fortescue and the Attor- will be sufficient ; and in common with to The Irish People newspaper, which had been suppressed in Dub- ney-General, I have come to the conclusion that we may have lin, was ostentatiously republished in America, and sent to Ireland propose to the Cabmet to ask Parliament to suspend the IIabeTralee and Sligo, and to proclaim the coim- is in better spirits, look- tics of Sligo and Carlow, in accordance with the strongly express- the alarm ; on the 9th, he ed wishes of the magistrates. Other proclamat; ons will probably being forward to " the suppression of the conspiracy,

' i '- ^rs'^g;g?5:?»tjj.Aa^y»!"Ty.va -'S'y»'>V-iB' i<^ n FENIAN UER0E3 AND IiLVKTTRS. HISTORICAL rNTRODUCTION. 73

"by the means at his disposal," by " a judicious dis- found no less than three regular manufactories of pikes, bullets posal of the troops at his command';" Tjut, on the and cartridges in Dublin. The police believe that several more ex-

ist. Of course, bullets are not made unless they had nfles to put 14th, he finds he has not power enough to do it, tliem in. The disaffection of the population in certain counties and that the only safety of the English interest such as Corli, Tipperary, Waterford, Dublin, is alanning, and it is in Ireland depends on the suspension of the Ilateas day by day spreading more and more through every part of the country. But the most dangerous feature in the present move- Cor])us. Nothing would save it but " prompt, imme- ment is the attempt to seduce the troops. Are we to allow tliese " " diate action." The state of aifairs," he wi-ites, is agents to go on instilling their poison into our armed force, upon very serious. The conspirators, undeterred by the which our security mauily depends I" punishment of so many of their leaders, are actively Mr. John Bright would not oppose the bill, but organizing an outbreak, with a view to destroyi the threw the responsibility of its necessity on the evil Queen's authority." Sir Hugh Kose had detailed to and unwise legislation of England for Ireland. He his Excellency various plans of action he had discov- did not believe the Secretary overstated the case. On ered, and also that the American agents were getting the contrary, he believed that if the majority of the plans of detached forts and barracks. people of Ireland had their will, and could do it, they would remove their island two thousand miles "And he draws no exaggerated picture. There are scattered over the country a number of agents, who are swearing in mem- west of England ; that they would, if they could, by bers, and who are prepared to take the command when the mo- conspiracy, insurrection, or constitutional agitation, ment arrives. Tliese men are of the most dangerous class. They ofi^ are Ii'ishmen imbued with American notions, thoroughly reckless, shake English domination to-morrow. and possessed of considerable militai'y experience, acquired on a " After centuries of English government, after 60 years of goT- field of warfare, (the civil war in America,) admirably adapted to ernment by the Imperial Parliament, we find this people of Ire- train them for conducting an insurrection here. There are 340 land engaged in a conspiracy to overthrow the authority of the such men known to the police in the provinces, and those known Crown of Great Britain, and to forcibly separate their countiy in Dublin amount to about 160, so that in round numbers there are from its connection with Eugland. We are not now discussing a 600—of course tliere are many more who escape notice. This rare and singular occurrence in the history of Ireland. Fenianism number is being augmented by fresh men constantly arriving from is only an aggravated outbreak of an old disorder, for within the America. In Dubliu itself there are several hundred men (per- memory of the oldest man in tliis House, Ireland has not been free haps about 300 or 400) wlio have come over from England and from chronic disaffection. * * » * S>\-s.\.y years ago this Scotland, who receive Is. iid. a day, and are waiting for the time House undertook to govei-n Ireland. I will say nothing of the of action. Any one may obser\'e these men loitering about circumstances under which the union of the two countries took at the comers of the streets. (Hear, hear.) As to arms we have place, save that they were disgi'aceful and corrupt to the last de-

: ;

u FENIAN HEEOES AOT) MAETTEa. HISTOEICAI. rNTEODUCTION'. 75 gree. I will say nothing of tlie manner in which the promises disaffection in Ireland was sent from the United made to the Iiish people were broken." States, Mr. Bright could take no consolation from it.

During this period, in his opinion, but tlu-ee acts It only added difficulty and gravity to the question

' of Irish relief were passed, while for if the Irish have settled in America with so strong ;" "Complaints of their sufferings have been met often by denial, an hostility to England, " they have had their reasons often by insult, and often by contempt (liear) and within the last ; and if, with the feeling of affection for their native few years we have heard from this very Treasury Bench observa- country, which in all other cases they " admired and tions with regard to Ireland wliich no friend of Ireland, or of Eng- land, and no Minister of the Crown ought ever to have uttered, reverenced," the American Irish stiiTed up the sedi- with regard to that countiy. (Cheers.) Twice in my Parliament, tion which existed, " depend upon it there is in the ary life these things have been done—at least by the close of this things greatly day they will have been done—-that measures of repression, meas- condition of Ireland a state of which ures of suspension of the civil rights of the people, have been favors their attempts." After rating the milristers for brought into Parliament, and passed with extreme and unusual lack of statesmanship, in fighting for office, and not rapidity. * * * If I go back to the Ministers who have sat on these benches since I have been in the House—Sir Eobert Peel considering either theii* duty to the people or the sov- first, then Lord John Russell, then Lord Derb}% then Lord Aber- ereign, he said deen, then Lord Palmerston, then Lord Derby again, and now Earl KusseU—they did not all sit here, and I speak, of course, of their " It is not in human nature—all history teaches this—that men governments, I say with regard to all these men, the dead and the should be content under a system of legislation and of institutions living, there has not been an approach to anything that history will such as exists in Ireland. You may pass this BUI—^yon. may put describe as statesmanship in this matter. (Hear, hear.) Coercion the Home Secretary's 500 men in gaol, you may suppress conspir- Bills in abundance, Ai'ms Bills Session after Session—lamentations acy and put down insurrection, but the moment they are suppressed like that of the right hon. gentleman, the member for Buckingliam- there will still remain the germs of the malady, and from those shire to-day, that the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act to a germs will grow up, as heretofore, another crop of disaffection, certain extent was not made perpetual by a clause which he regrets another harvest of misfortunes. (Hear, hear.) And those mem- was repealed—Acts for the suspension of the Habeas Corpus tsr bers of this House—^younger it may be than I am—who may be Act, like that which we are now discussing—all these there have here 18 j'ears hence, may find another Ministry and another Secre- been ; but there has been no statesmanship. (Hear, hear.) Why, tary of State proposing to them another administration of the men the most clumsy and the most brutal can do these things ; but same ever- failing and poisonous medicine." it wants men of higher temper, of higher genius, and I will even add of higher patriotism to deal with the affairs of Ireland." Although the key-note of Bright's speech was how

Eecurring to the strong terms in which the Secre- by good government to make the Irish as loyal as the " tary referred to the unhappy fact" that much of the Scotch and English, yet Jtlr. Koebuck characterized it

1Q FENIAN HEH0E3 M!T> MAETTR3. HISTOEICAI, INTEODPCTIOW. 77 as meant for mere mischief, as " Irishmen had no griev- but for discontent in England, there would have been ances to complain of." Mi'. Horsman thought Bright's no Reform Bill, and unless Mr. Bright had exerted speech "valuable only to the Fenian conspiracy." himself to excite discontent the probability was that Mr. Stuart Mill did not blame her Majesty's ministers we should still have been suffering under the burden for the present state of affairs, as they could not be re- of the corn laws. sponsible " for the misdeeds and neglect of centuries," A ]VIr. ConoUy, believed Ireland was galvanized into but he agreed with Bright that the Bill was cause of rebellion by America, and also that concessions would shame and humiliation to England. The question not lessen the prevailing insubordination. Sir John then fell into the hands of the Irish members. Mr. Gray regarded Bright's speech as calculated to do John B. Dillon thought that Fenianism was exag- mischief. He did not want to hear Fenian speeches gerated, because he was able to defeat its influence at in the House; and declared the purposes of the the last general election, but he perfectly well knew on Fenians to be the taking of life? and property. The the other hand tliat whatever power the organization O'Donoghue, though not a Fenian, came to their defence possessed, was derived from the general dissatisfaction and covered Gray with confusion. of the Irish people, arising out of years of misgovern- " He was convinced, mcnt. This conviction justified him in opposing the that robbeiy and murder were not the motives of the organizers of the movement. He attached no weight measure, introduced by the Government. He briefly to that allegation, because he Imew that similar charges had been made against all those replied to Roebuck's sneer that Ireland had no griev- who at any time had endeavored to brin- about a national movement in Ireland. ance. excused the necessity of They were made aoainsl They doing justice to O'Connell (hear, hear, from Sir. Bright), and they were made-if Ireland by publishing for years that she was in pro- he might be allowed to say so-against the hon. member for KU- kenny (Sir J. Gray), when he was a found repose and contentment : and when she is not distmguished inmate of Rich. mond Bridewell. (Much laughter. ) Statements of that kind contented, but seditious, they also use that as were a no doubt useful in throwing discredit on the movement, but he reason to withhold beneficial legislation. Dillon, for mamtained that when those statements were without foundation it was discreditable to use them." one, could not aid them in any efibrt to quell that (Hear, hear.) discontent which, he believed, was caused by a de- Coercion was not what Ireland required. The nial of justice. In his opinion, discontent and dis- O'Donoghue believed it would create a panic and in- affection were not umnixed evils, as he believed that tensify disaffection. He had read in the leading jour-

T8 FEXIAX HEEOES AlfD ilAETYES. HISTOEICAI, INTEODUCnOlT. 79 nal that the notice of the bill was received ^yith cheei*3. her continued mis-government of that country. This " These came, he said, ti-om the representatives or de- preaching of Irish prosperity when there is dearth, of luders of the small Orange party of Ulster, who looked contentment when there is discontent, of improve- xjpoa it that the greatest blessuig the Government ment when there is impoverishment, is a very old sub- could bestow on Ireland would be to suspend the Con- terfuge. Swift strove to combat it. In his day the stitution, not for six months, but for ever." Out of a corn-tier who wished to be successful, kept the Irish House of three hundred and seventy members, but question out of sight, by misrepresenting the state of six voted against leave to bring in the BilL Hence it the country, and alleging it was " in a flourishing con- was brought in and put thi'ough all its stages within dition, the rent and purchase of land every day in- twelve hours. With similar speed it went throVigh creasing." "If," says Swift, in 1727, "a gentleman

the Lords the same day ; the Earl of Derby taking happens to be a little more sincere in^his representa- " occasion to say he could not admit that the Fenian, tion, besides being looked on as not weU-affected, he is conspiracy was entirely due to the closing of the sure to have a dozen contradictors at his elbow.' American war, because he knew that in 1859, the In Swift's statement, Mr. Bright could find another Ph(Bnix conspiracy prevailed in Ireland, and had nu- illustration of his charge on the vriLful apathy of Eng-

merous branches in America." The celerity of Eng- lish ministers toward Irish rights, for the case is ex-

lish legislation, in this instance, in bringing aid to actly the same to-day as when the Dean of St. Pat-

the English interest- in L-eland was almost without rick's wrote his able but short view of the state of parallel.* Ireland.

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

* But two cases of similar promptitude occur In the history of English legis-

lation : one when a bill was passed to aid recruiting of laud forces when George

II announced to Parliament that he had declared war against France, April 3,

1774 ; and the other on the 9th of May, 1797, to meet the grievances of the 6ai> ore of the Bojal Navy, which culminated in the " Mutiny of the Nore."

— m ,.|J.'-J'-'.-i"tf.'J--'--A^v^

80 FEXIAN HEEOES ASD ilARTSSS. I mSTOEICAL INTEODUCTIOK. 81

Washington, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Boston, Balti-

more, Savannah, Mobile, and many other cities and

towns, and a general clamor for action came from all

points to the headquarters in JSTew York. The Irish

party and the Canadian party still continued to widen CHAPTEE m; the breach between them, and while the latter was preparing to move on Canada, the former made a fu- THE mSUKEECnON IN lEELAin) ^AMERICAN SYMPATHY. tile attempt to occupy Campo Bello as a military de- Effect of the Saspension of the Habeas Corpus The News in America Arriv- — — pot. Soon after this event Mr. Stephens arrived in al of Stephens in New York—O'Mahony retires—Invasion of Canada—The Canadian Party disrupt Stephens' Plans—His Mission a Failure—Rising in New York amid great eclat, and O'Mahony withdrew Kerry—Searching vessels for Fenians—General Insurrectionary Movement^ in Ireland— Proclamation of Provisional Government—Riots among the Soldiers to give his coadjutor a chance to adjust differences. —Massey betrays the Movement—Irish Party in America—Fifth Congress in It was thought that Mr. New York—Great Meeting Jn Union Square—Letter from Mayor Hoffman Eoberts woultJ yield the con- Negotiations for Union—The Cause in U. S. Congress— Resolutions of Sym- trol of the Canadian party,' as O'Mahony had retired patliy reported by Gen. Banks—Speeches and Vote on it—The Queen declares Ireland Tranquil and the People Loyal—Contradicted by Mr. Monsell and Mr. from that of the Irish party, and thus open the way Bright—Remarkable Speech <'f Mr. Monsell—Bright declares that Ireland should not be Tranquil—Sixth National Congress held in New York—Mr, for a union of both under the lead of Stephens. This Savage elected Chief Executive—Remarlcs. hope, however, was without foundation ; and the for-

The suspension of the Habeas Coi^jpus gave the mer making a move on Canada, and engaging the Ca- Eonght-for scope to the English authorities in Ireland. nadian troops at Eidgeway, attracted universal atten-

Arrests "were made on every side, and prisoners were tion. Thus becoming the "party of action" for the counted by hundreds. The secret movements of moment, the Canadian party greatly distracted the Stephens were continuous sources of excitability, and Fenian element, and effectually interfered with Ste- a Fenian riot in Bradford, Yorkshire, at which the phens' purpose in America. Irish Republic was cheered, and the police severely To counteract the effect of the raid across the St. handled, was not calculated to raise public coniidence. Lawrence, as well as to keep pace with a demand for action In America, the news begat renewed activity all which he had cultivated in the public mind, over the country. Mass meetings in the open ^ir and Stephens made promises, which he was nofr able to in the principal public halls were held in New York, perform. He promised to effect a rising in Ireland, 4*

;

83 FESUii HEK0E3 AND MAETTRS. HISTOEICAJL INTKODTJCTION. 83 by a stated time, and when tliat time arrived, re- extended to Cork and Limerick. Military disposi- lieved himself by another promise. He deemed this tions were speedily effected under one of the "In-

.politic, and had the example of perhaps the greatest dian heroes ;" but O'Connor, a young veteran of the modern politician, O'Connell, for such a course ; but Irish Brigade, out-manoeuvred him, retreated with his it is to be hoped that the race which a quarter of a cen- band to the mountains, and completely baffled the tury ago periodically cheered the announcement that troops. On the 15th, the Government stated to Par-

Kepeal would be attained " in six months" is extinct. liament that " Colonel Horsford's force was altogether

The mission of Stephens to America was a failure ; he too small to follow the armed band of Fenians into^ finally declined moving in Ireland, and retired into _ Toomie's "Wood." privacy in Paris. His military friends sought to force The rising in Ireland was to have been simultaneous, him to redeem his promises at any and every risk but discovering that the plan for the capture of Ches-

and failing in this, took it upon themselves to make ter Castle, and the troops in it, had been betrayed ; and the attempt. concluding, of course, that the Government was pre-

On the faith of the promises of a rising, numbers of pared at all points, the leaders sent messengers coun- veteran officers had gone to their different posts in termanding the revolt. Owing to his remote position, Ireland and England, at the close of 1866 and the be- the order failed to reach Colonel O'Connor in time to

ginning of 1S67. These were now joined by the mili- prevent his action, which thus had the appearance <>f tary staff of the ex-chief, and the determination of an isolated movement. In a few days the " outbreak

these men to strike a blow was soon illustrated. A at Killarney " was declared " at an end " by the In- Fenian demonstration at the English city of Chester, dian hero, who thought, probably, that he had ended

on the 11th Febniary, produced a tremendous panic in it : and in a week telegrams everywhere conveyed the

England ; but the intentions of the revolutionists were blissful news, " Ireland is perfectly tranqmL" "While fi-ustrated by Corydon, the informer, who was in the the telegraph was busy making news of Ireland's tran-

pay of the English authorities from the September quility, the authorities were pui-suing another mode ot

previous. "Within a couple of days a revolt took place achieving that end, and of contradicting it at the in Ken-y., under Colonel John J. O'Connor, and the same time. Every vessel arriving at an Irish port was locality became the scene of great excitement, which searched by men armed with cutlasses, and expert in

" "

"^"^"i li-ia-.iiMT-'-'^"-"

81 FEXIA^ t HEKOES AOT) MAT^TTES. HISTORICAL INTEODUCTION. 85

the science of pliysiognomy. ply Any one looking like a the markets of England ; after having seen our skilled work- rebel men driven into exile, our men of thought and action to imprison- was instantly seized, pinioned, and thrown into ment and the scaflbld ; having no longer either lands to cultivate, prison. A couple of days' work will illustrate how- laws or acknowledged rights to invoke ; in a word, having nothing tranquil the Government believed Ireland to be. pertaining to man save the faculty of suffering or the determina- nation to tight, we cheerfully choose this last resort. " On the arrival of tlie Alexandra thhty-one were seized aboard All men have a right to liberty and happiness. Believing that of her, tbirty-sjx on board the Columbia a few minutes after. Next there can be no durable liberty or happiness except upon the basis day forty more were added to the number on their arrival by the of free labor, and that there can be no free labor when the means of Hibernia and Trafalgjir, and subsequently labor is free the same afternoon twen- not ; considering besides the' first means of labor is the ty-eight more. On Thursday soil, twelve were added to the roll, and and that the Irish soil, instead of being in the hands of the several in Drogheda and elsewhere, as they thought to land in the Irish working men, is held by a selfish and despotic oligarchy, we soil of their birth and their • fathers. declare it to be our determination to repossess ourselves of that soil by force. The tranquility, however, did not last long, even on Considering that all men are born with equal natural rights, and " that by associating themselves paper. Ireland again in rebellion" M-as the startling together to protect one another and share public burdens, justice demands that such association should news which in detail explained how a simultaneous re- rest upon an equitable basis—such as maintains equality instead of volt had taken place in various parts of the island on destroying it—we declare that we aim at founding a Republic based upon universal the 5th of March. The previous announcements suffrage, securmg to all the mtrinsic value of their labor. gave the intelligence a thrilling effect, and ' the public We declare that we wish absolute liberty of conscience, and the mind was wought to a state of bewildering fermenta- complete separation of Church and State. tion The public expenses will be paid by a progi-essive capitation by the confirmatioii' of reports sho^ving that an (labor being free from any impost.) evidently well-designed plan of insurrection had de- Calling upon God and mankind to witness the justice of our veloped itself in tliree provinces of the kingdom. The cause and the intensity of our sufferings, we declare in the face of tlie worid, in order to succeed in reconquering leaders controlling the inalienable the movement promulgated this rights that all men receive at their birth, we take up arms to com- proclamation simultaneously bat the dominant in Ireland and America: oligarchy ; and as its strength dwells in its credit, based upon its property, we will employ to destroy it every means PROCLAMATION. that science, or even despair, shall place within our reach. After seven centuries of outrage "Wherever the and miseiy unequalled in the English flag waves over English property it shall be history of humanity ; after having seen our laws, torn down, if it be possible, our rights, our without fear or truce ; and we swear liberty trodden under foot by the foreigner in the sacred ; our lands p°ass from name of our countr>', by the sufierings of those who the Irish farmer to the Irish or foreign usurper, and the rightful now endure the tortures of living tombs for the cause, by the dear o^vne^8 of hundreds of years and revered supplanted by cattle destined to sup- names of those who have died for the freedom- of Ire-

liiiiirilwiriiiiiia«"ifillr"rtiTitfiiilf*iiir mit-i'ii '^''"''•'•'i-f^^j „

HISTORICAL INTEOBUCTION. 87 86 FENIAN HEROES AND MAJBTYES.

brought to the dust, it would seem, by the peas- land, by our honor and that of our children that this war shall not all cease only Tvhen the Irish Republic shall be recognized, or when ant jackets.* the last man of our race shall lie in his grave. both Of the several "disturbances" which occm-red, Republicans of the entire world, our cause is yours I Our en- Ireland, among the soldiers, one is es- emy is your enemy. Let your hearts be with us. As for you in England and workmen of which England, it is not only your hearts that we wish, but pecially noteworthy—it being a "serious fight" your arms. Remember the starvation and degradation brought to among took place at Ballincollig EaiTacks, near.Cork, " your firesides by oppressed labor. Remember the past, look well to protect the ex- to the future, and avenge yourselves by giving liberty to your the British soldiers stationed there

children in the coming struggle for human freedom I powder-mills. tensive artillery, depot and government Herewith we proclaim the Irish Republic I The cause of the outbreak was of course Fenianism." The Ibish 1'eople. of a The Irish soldiers, assisted by somV companies (Signed) Scotch regiment, attacked the English lancer regiment, THE IRISH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT. which had disgraced itself by acts of brutality in Dun- garvan, and "the result was that several lives were The first report of the insurrection was made by the

attack on the barracks in Droglieda. The next was Morning Post: • The following remartaWe letter was printed in the London jonmal a few days ago, on fi'om Castle-Martyr, in Cork, distant two hundred " SiE,—A reprint of a letter which appeared in year notice, having been copied into a the above subject, has just come under my permission to make a few re- 'miles; and these were rapidly followed up by armed Dublin ncwEpaper. In reply, I would bog your apparently impartia^ marks through the medium of jour aristocratic, though displays and conflicts with the Government forces in have road a one-sided, and journal The writer of the letter in question seems to Brotherhood in defence of their consequently false, account of the rising of the the counties of Dublin, Limerick, Down, Clare, "Wick- Fenian Brotherhood have liberty, when he says: 'Several of the interesting I hope low, Waterford, Kildare, Kilkenny, Queen's County, been shot do-vvn in armed rebellion against their Sovereign. • • • hang and flog the remainder.' he (Lord Strathnaimi will shoot many more, and Brotherhood shot, six and Tipperary. The wildest rumors agitated society. Allow me to inform the writer that for every one of our of these, I know, were shot by men of the British soldiers have fallen. Many talked of but attacks barracks, con- accidentally, but because of their perfidy ^Nothing was on their own comrades in skirmish-not determination to show the Fe- towards the ca;ise of freedom, and their avowed flicts with the military, midnight mano3u^Tes, railroads command, I saw ' a skirmish, in which I had temporary . nians no quarter.' In unhorsed by one voUey from our ranks, up, telegraph Fenian arrests no fewer than sis of the 6th Carbineers broken wires torn down, of them. I could These were taken away in wagons, and nobody has since heard if it were necessary. The fact is, sir, the and " Greek fire." Fenianism in the army had created cite many instances of a similar kind, matters secret, for ob- British Government is most careful in keeping all these people, or at least jealousies and bickerings, Avhich found an -occasional vious reasons; but should you publish this letter, the Irish inqniries into the such of them as belong to the L R. army, or have made strict a riot : sir, your obedient outlet in the form of and some of the soldiers faciB of the case, will fully corroborate my statements. I am, Republic Abjit." servant, A Sergeant-JIajob of the 19th Regiment, Ieish who fell in the open conflicts with the Fenians, were

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i^^^2m£^Mu liihffii''"-*''^f'ii 'Pr'

tNTEODUOnON. 89 S3 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTES. HISTOKIOAL

patriots in Ireland. The history of the lost." All possible efforts -were made to keep this se- sustain the America, if ever written, will disclose cret; but it leaked out novertbelcss, and next day, Brotherhood in made by men in so-called Avbile the Scotch companies were marching through as noble labors and sacrifices, the organization in healthy the city of Cork, they were loudly cheered by the peo- "humble life," to keep refreshed the hopes of a struggling ple. This ovation, says the account, was received by existence, as ever the rising in Kerry, a Na- the Scotchmen with very evident pleasure. people. Immediately after was called, and assembled The infamous Corydon put the authorities on the tional Convention (the fifth) the 27th February. Affair,} were in track of Godfrey Massey, a sort of adjutant-general to in New York on of disarrangement, consequent on the feel- Colonel Thomas J. Kelly, who had direction of affairs • a great state Mr. Stephens' action. These were in America after the retirement of Stephens. Massey ings produced by Anthony A. Grifiin was elected Execu- was arrested on the night of the 4th March, at Limer- adjusted, Mr. measures taken to carry out a beneficial plan ick junction, -swooned, woke up in the Castle, and un- tive, and in aid of Irish Freedom. These were at der the influences of a vindictive, cowardly nature, and of operations inaugurated, and the cable intelligence of the his wife, betrayed the cause. The Government, in pos- once risings of the 5th ]\Iarch already found session of sufficient information to shorten the hfe of simultaneous Directory at work. On the 10th, an appeal waa the insuiTection, lost no time in putting forth its every the issued by the Executive imploring harmony among all appliance for its suppression. The history of the Fe- parties, in view of the fact that England was willing nian revolt of '67, cannot now be detailed ; but the millions of money and sacrifice thousands of world has already acknowledged the courage, dignity to spend lives to subjugate or extirpate our race. and devotion brought to its service by such heroic great open-air mass meeting was held on the even- spirits as Peter O'Xeill Crowley, Thomas Francis A m

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90 FEXIAX HEKOES AKD MAETTRS. HISTOEICAI, INTEODITCTIOIT. 91

did of 'New York, wliicli has more tlian temporary inter- not hesitate to express its sympathy for the fallen fortunes of the Revolutionists of Hungary, and to tender an asylum in this est. It reads as follows country to Kossuth and his gallant followers. Should we hesitate to send words of cheer and encouragement, attend and Gentlejie:? : I have received this day your invitation to more substantial aid to the men who are now fighting for the a mass meetingto aid the Irish Revolutionists, now battling for lib- redemption of their native land, because the land is not Hungaiy, erty, to be held at Union Squaie, on to-morrow evening, at half- or Poland, or Greece, but Ireland, and the oppressor is not Austria, past seven o'clock. ^3^ Russia or Turkey, but England ? to I ara aware that it is somewhat the custom of public men ap- To my mind, the ultimate success of the people of Ireland in es- neu- proach the Fenian movement with a dslicate regard for our tabh-'-ti^ theu- rights is a certainty. It is impossible that a nation traluy obligations, and of the duties enjoined by the laws of nations. of men of courage and capacity, firmly united in the determination par- Apart from my sympathy for the cause of Ireland, I may be to be free, can long be held in the chains of service subjection. Ire- Great doned if I do not individually entertain any high estimate of land demands the restitution of its ancient right of self-government

Britain's claims on us to keep peace wilhin her dominions. When that it shall no longer be under the yoke of a power alien in reli- the cause of Repub- gion, in feeling, we were struggling for national existence, and in interests ; it demands freedom, equality, and the lican Government was on its great, perhaps, final trial, England rights which belong to manhood. of ni^utrality, gave aid and comfort, the violation of every principle If our Government proves anything, it proves that these demands of our free on the side which it beheved would work the destruction are just and right, and our history certainly indicates the validity institutions. Her people gave sympathy, money, ships and men, of revolution. But it should be borne in mind that revolutions and munitions of war, to be used against us. which do not turn backward are successful revolutions. Unsuc- I do not counsel, nor will I countenance, any violation of the cessful revolutions rivet the chains of despotism, and give a longer alone in the community day to the oppressor. laws of our country ; but I do not stand I know not what may be the means of the in feeling no very keen sense of our national obligation to England, men in Leland, or whether this is the fitting opportunity to strike out of way to seek safeguards for her the blow. To give the onward and an indisposition, to go my word of command in such a crisis . protection. of destiny to a people, involves the gravest responsibility. Let us At all events, I feel no restraint in expressing, as an American hope that they who are charged with the responsibility, struggle which is have acted wisely citizen, my most ardent sympathy in the now and well, and unite in earnest prayer for an early, successful taking place in Ireland, and my hope in its ultimate success. and happy solution of the troubles of a long-suffering did people. In the earlier days pf the Republic, our Government not stand on ceremony in expressing its sentiments in behalf of strug- Regretting that the brief time allotted prevents a more elaborate years ago, gling nations emerging into freedom. More than forty reply, I am, veiy respectfully, John T. Hoffman. when Greece was battling against the domination of the Turk, Presi- subject of a mes- dent Monroe did not hesitate to make their cause a The resolutions adopted were of a clear and forcible " long entertain- sage to Congress, and to express the strong hope cliaracter, pledging aid to the patriots, declaring it to that they would ed, founded on the heroic struggle of the Greeks, the he the duty of all succeed in the contest, and reassume their equal station among lovers of free institutions to sustain of the United States nations of the earth;" and later, the Congress those who strive to extend the blessings of self-govern-

93 FEXIAN HEE0E3 AOT) MAETYKS. HISTORICAL INTEODUCTION. 93

Resolved, That this House extend its sympathy to the people ment to tlie natives of every land ; and concluding by of Ireland and of Candia in all their just efforts to maintain the most earnestly calling " upon every section and class independence of States, to elevate the people, and to extend and of our Irish-born fellow-citizens, to lay aside all parti- perpetuate the principles of liberty. Mr. Banks. —I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. san strife and personal animosities at this momentous Robinson). crisis of their country's fate, and to unite together, and Mr. Robinson. —I do not intend at this time to make any lengthy rally as one man to the support of their brave country- remarks, and yet I desire to make some observations rather than r let this resolution pass in silence. I presume I may say, without men, now battling for their National Independence." any disrespect to the chairman of the committee, or to the other ^Negotiations undertaken to effect a union with were members of the committee, or without referring to anything that . the leaders of the Canadian party at this time, but may have occuiTed in the committee, that I should have preferred a much more decided expression of sympathy than this. But such without success ; and the Irish party bent itself with as it is, I trust it will pass as the beginning of good things. Be- redoubled zeal and energy to attract public sympathy fore this Congress expires I hope to have the privilege of introducing a resolution not only of S3Tnpathy, but acknowled^g and aid to the noble cause it represented. The sub- the belligerent rights and independence of Ireland. I throw this the at- ject of Irish liberty having been brought to out in no sphit of bravado. I believe the independence of Ireland tention of the United States Congress, the Chairman will come. I believe that the train of circumstances now in operation will bring about that result of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of " Eepresentatives, presented a resolution on the 27th Truth crughed to earth shall rise again." of March, which though not as bold and broad as the Nor can England take any exception to our interfering in this* matter. She has no more business with Ireland than we have- services of the Irish, and the baseness of England to She has no right, title or claim whatever in that country except

this republic during the war would warrant, is never- that which had its origin Ln fraud and force. She took possession of Ireland force and fraud, and she has that country theless of historical import, as putting on record a fact by made through seven centuries of oppression a howling wUdemesa. She to which England will not lovingly refer. The reso- has inflicted wrongs upon that people which no other nation under lution, moreover, received sufBcient opposition to more the sun has suffered from another. In conversation with the Chap- lain of the House to-day reference was made to the parable of the emphatically distinguish the remarkable unanimity by good Samaritan. Sir, I maintain that we have the same authority which it was adopted. The interesting proceedings to interfere that the good Samaritan had, when he saw a stranger are thus condensed: 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 countries. Emperors and kings Mr. BantvS. —I am instructed by the Committee on Foreign Af- of other are all the time making of Europe, and running new fairs to report the following resolutioii: new maps

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91 FENIAN HEROES AITD MARTTES. mSTOEICAL INTEODUCTIOK. 95 boundaries of kingdoms and empires. I may be asked ivhat are first step in her forward movement, and then there -will be no hold-

Ireland's cliances of success ? Her chances for success are greater ing her back. The first step gained everything else is easy. tlian auy other people ever had who have achieved their independ- If there were no other reason for our interference in behalf of ence. They are all rebels in Ireland. There is not to-day an Ireland, we have it in the fact that to-day no American citizen is honest Irishman upon the face of the earth who is not a rebel safe upon the soil of Great Britain or in Ireland. Instead of the against British rule in Ireland. name of an American citizen being, as it should be, a badge of

The sympathies of all the world are with Ireland, while England honor, a guarantee of personal securitj/ it is, in Great Britain to- has the sympathy of no human being except its office-holders and <^ day, treated with more indignity than that of the citizen or subject gnnisons. It is something to have the sympathy of mankind with of any other country. Two or three days ago, I received the infor- you against your oppressors. Now, we are told that Ireland can- mation from an American citizen, in Liverpool, that, without any to justify that not govern herself That statement is' not true ; Ireland can gov-' evidence even a suspicion he was implicated in any against the Britain, cm herself Irish intellect to-day governs the world ; Irish intel- crime Government of Great he was arrested lect is good enough to govern England. Even the poorer sort of and dragged to jaU, where, without even the form of trial, he was Irishmen, like the late Duke of Wellington, proves good enougt stripped of his citizen's clothes, dressed in the garb of a con'vlct, and

for that business. Irish intellect to-day is uppermost in all the set to work to scrub the floors of the prison. If this is the treat-

transactions of England. She rules in her Parliament ; she directs ment received by American citizens from the present Government Ireland, for her press ; she couimauds her armies ; she fights her battles. AVhy of may we not be pardoned sympathizing with a move- may she not do so herself? Ireland to-day has more disciplined ment which promises better treatment to our citizens under better men than any nation in the world, men who have learned the use rulers. ^Ir. Banks. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman fixini of arms, who have smclled gunpowder ; they are all over the world, — now in eveiy cUmc, in every land. Insh valor has bloomed into glory Missouri (Mr. Pile) three minutes. upon every battle-field of this and other countries. In these CTnited Mr. Pile here offered some verbal changes.

States, upon tliis very floor, may be found Irishmen of the second Mr. Banks. —Mr. Speaker, it is the principle of monarchical gov- generation, whose deeds I need not recouiit, as they are on every- ernments that once beiflg States their continued existence as such body's lips, and are a part of the history of this country. Look must be recognized. That is the universal principle on which such tlirough the history of the late war, and see how many of the gen- governments are administered. We claim the same for republican

erals, and, above all, of the private soldiers, were Irish by birth or governments. Ireland had once a govei'nment of her own. That blood. government has been displaced by the English Government If To-day Ireland can raise the strongest army the world ever saw. they are contending against the English rule, they are contending Ilcr sons have been disciplined in the British army, in the army of to maintain the principle of the independence of States, and thereby this countiy, and of every country in the world. She has more I cannot accept the modification proposed by the gentleman. men now scattered throughout the 'world ready to come to her assist- Mr. Washbcen, of Wisconsin. —I move the following amend-

ance than would, under equal advantages, conquer twenty Eng- ment :

lands if they stood in her way. I know the great difficulty is in Resolved farther, That in S3'mpathizing -with the people of Ire-

gaining the first success. But other ccuntrics have achieved their land, we deem it proper to declare that the ijresent Fenian move-

independence without the strength tliat is behind this tnovement, ment must prove entirely abortive in bringing relief to that coun- and some time, in God's own time, Ireland will be able to take that try, and that any encouragement to that movement by resolution.

HISTORICAL IimiODtrcTlON'. 9T 96 FENIAK HEK0E3 AOT) MAETTE8.

as an evasion or nullification of the original resolution. It seems iinaccnmpanied by force, can only result in mvolving the brave, to me that it is idle for us to express sympathy with the cause of enthusiastic, and patriotic Irishmen in difficulties from which their Ireland and at the same time deprecate every measure which the brethren are powerless to extricate them. people of Ireland take for their alleviation. It is worse than mock- Mr. Banks. I hope that amendment will not be adopted. I de- — eiy to tell them in their degradation and suffering that we sympa- mand the previous question. thize with them, and yet advise against every effort they make to The previous question was seconded, and the main question or- thiow off the oppression which weighs upon them. It is not for dered. me to detei-mine at the outset that the effort they are making ilr. Banks. I am entitled to an hour to close the debate. In — through the Penian organization may not result to their good. Ire- reference only to say this : it was con- % to the amendment, I have land's nationalty is a cause worthy of Irishmen. What shall be sidered in committee, and it was not deemed advisable to present done to achieve it is for them to judge. Submission and inaction it to the House. will certainly not save them. It may seem a desperate struggle, Mr. Wood. —Jlr. Speaker, the amendment is virtually a nullifl-, but who can say that the liberties of that brave and generous peo- cation of the resolution itself The country well knows as the ple are not worth all their efforts? Who of us can determine House knows that the present agitation in Ireland looks to the es- what may or may not be accomplished ? If their cause be just, tablishment of free government in that island, as the result of this and our sympathies with them, in the name of God, in the name same Penian movement. We all know it is this Fenian move- of libertj', let us not disparage any effort or discourage any enter- ment that has effected military organization in Ireland, and that prise which to them may betoken success. Any blow which the every rebel in arms in Ireland, and all the preparatory arrange- oppressed may aim at the oppressor to regain his rights and liberty ments looking to the establishment of an independent govern- Las my heart's best prayer for its success. ment in Ireland, have been promoted, if not originally prompted, The j'eas and nays were ordered. , by this Fenian movement. Itpnay be true that it wUl cost lives, The question was taken, and it was decided in the negative- aye of hundreds and thousands of men in the prosecution of the yeas 10, nays 102; not voting, 52.* Fenian movement All revolutions cost blood before they become successful. In our own revolutionary war oceans of blood were • The following is the vote spilled before we were able to establish our independence of the Teas—MesErs. Blair, Broomall, Famsworth, Finney, Morrell, NoeD, Peters, mother country. Therefore, when we say by this resolution we Cadwalader C. Washburn, Thomas U'illiams, and Windom—10. sympathize with the people of Ireland, in their present struggle, Nays—Messrs. Allison, Anderson, Archer, Delos R. Ashley, Balier, Baldwin, Banks, Barnes, Benton, Bingham, Boutwell, Boyor, Brooks, Buckland, Butler. we say well and properly, but when we succeed it by saying that Cake, Chanler, Churchill, Sidney Clarke, Cobum, Cook. Cornell, Cnllom, Denl- re- we are against the Fenian movement, we nullity the resolution eon, Donnelly, Drigjs, Eckley, Ela, Eldridge, Ferriss, Ferry, Fields, Getz, ported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs. I call for the yeas r Glosshrenner, Gravely, Griswold, Haigbt, Hamilton, Hill, Holman, Hooper, Hopkins, Asahel W. Hubbard, Chester D. Hubbard, Hulburd. Humphrey, and nays on the amendment. Hun- ter, Ingersoll, Jndd, Kerr, Ketcham, Kitchen, Koontz, Laflin, William Law- Eldmdqe. I ask the gentleman to yield to for a mo- Mr. — me rence, Lincoln, Loan, Logan, Mnllorj', Marshall, Marrtn, McCarthy, McClnrg, ment ? Mercur, Miller, Moore, Morrisscy, JInngen, Myers, Ne\vcomb,Niblack, O'NcU, Orth, Perham, Pile, Plants, Polsley, -Kobertson, Robinson, Ross, Schencfc, Jlr BanSs. —Certainly, sir. Sclye, Shanks, Silgrcaves, Smith. Stewart, Taber, Taffe, Taylor, Trowbridge, Mr. Eldridge. —I hope the amendment submitted to the resolu- Twitchell, Upson, Tan Anken, Burt Van Horn, Robert T. Van Horn, Van tion reported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, wUl not be Trump, Ward, Henry D. Washburn, John T. Wilson, Stephen F. Wilson, Wood and Woodbridge—102. adopted. I look upon it, as does the gentlemen from New Torb^

OS FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTEa. BISTOEICAL INTEODrcnON'. 99 So the amendment was rejected. of opinions and facts discussing* The question recarred on agreemg to the resolution, and it was the land, the edu- adopted. cational, and the church questions as relating to L-e- As tliese pages are going tlirougli the press some land. None of the speeches were intended to present a Fenian aspect, documents of peculiar interest reach us ; one is a de- but all more or less were based upon hate in the House of Commons on the state of Ire- the facts of which Fenianism is the honest and fear-

is less exponent. land ; another a speech made by John Bright, in The best speech of the occasion was

Bh-minghara, and a third is the Queen's speech, read made by Mr. Monsell, an Irish landlord and a loyalist; but one who, bj commission, on the proroguing of the Imperial Par- upon the word of Father Lavelle, is " a liament on the 21st of August, Every one read the deep thinker, a man of great uniform action and Queen's speech which came hy cable. Very few read princely fortune." His position adds immeasurably the other documents which came by mail. As the to the force of his words, which, coming from any honest two latter very flatly and authoritatively contradict man, irrefutable as they are, should meet the the former, and moreover, tlirow great illumination attention of every American thinker and pubhcist on the speech from the throne, I shall have to place "Never in the them in juxtaposition ,for the benefit of American memory of any living man was there such deep- rooted disaffeclion as tliere was now ^[hear, hear). Never readers especially for Americans are in were the who the dark minds of the people so alienated from the Government under which on the subject of Ireland, and who chiefly seek to they lived (hear, hear). be They were indifferent to the action of Parliament. Theb eyes were enlightened from such sources as repubhcations from turned not to Westminster, but to Washington. That disaffection prevaUs among the lower classes the " leading English journal." In announcing that no one would deny, but it goes up much higher m the social scale. " I do not refer to actual the treasonable conspiracy in Ireland has proved fa- Fenianism, but to that feeUng of actual hostility to Great Britain which is from day to day tile," the Queen compliments the valor of the troops, becoming more intense. I have made inquiries on that subject which satisfy me that the activity of the poUce, and " the general loyalty of this pervades the farming classes. It pervades the vast majority of tliose who pay less tlie people." The general loyalty of the Irish people than £100 a year rent. Jlany of the younger members of the families of even larger farmers share it. The shop- is a sentiment of similar import to the announcement tecpcre in the smaller towns, and many of the smellier shopkeepers so constantly made that " Ireland is tranquil," or " im- m large towns, are in ardent sympathy with it. A71iat is the newspaper that is waited for with the proving," or " happy and contented." greatest interest ? The Irishman, whjch IS full of unmitigated treason. If you want to get a frame for The debate on the L'ish question elicited a variety a picture, you find the framers and gilders over"whelmed with de-

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100 VV.'SIXS HEROES A^T) ltAETTK3. HISTORICAl, mTEODUCTIOH'. 101

to concord, is it mands for frames for General Bourke's portrait. You see placards religion ? Look at Silesia—in 1742, SUesia was Irish towns advertising ' Voices from the taken from Austria and in the streets of the large annexed to Prussia. From that day to containing speeches delivered by this, Catholic Silesia Dock,' in other words, pamphlets has expressed by word and deed nothing bat thankfulness . trials. Only the other day, at Dungar- for the the Fenian prisoners at their transfer it underwent, and, as was shown in direction their the war last van, many of the respectable people showed the of year, no part of the Prussian dominions contains a every delicacy of the sea- population sympathies, by providing champagne and more devoted to the house of Hohenzollem than the arrested there. At Waterfoi-d, not Silcsians are (hear, son for some American Fenians hear). Look 'again at Canada—look at the part of the tovrn hunied out Canadians of long ago, "the mass of the people in one French origm. All history teaches the same lesson, prisoners who were marching justice and equality at short notice, to rescue some Fenian have a binding force which nothing can destroy.

(hear, hear). These were the sort of things , But, sir, let me ask is it through the town not the most natural couree to go to the taking place every day in the South of Ireland, and Irish people themselves, which were and find out fiom them what is the cause which demanded the most serious consideration of this house and of their disaffection ? (hear, hear). Tou will find that they all wiU ever devoted to that consid- give the same of the Government. Has any cabinet reason. I am going to repeat that my honorable the compound friends . eration one-tenth part of the time it bestowed upon who come from Ireland have heard nsque ad nauseam. Louse-holder ? Is any verification of the truth of my description The people of Ireland say that they are not governed according to asked for ? across the ocean their own wishes or Look feelings or requu-ements, but according to the wislies or prejudices of * Ccfilum non animam mutant qui the people of England (hear, hear). They currnnt.' say they have Trans mare no eflectual control over their Government, which Is controlled by England, Does not every Irishman who lands in America at once become a and that measures admittedly just and suited to Ireland, are abandoned Fenian ? Does the voyage change his opinions ? Is it not manifest because the Government of the day is obliged to conform that there he only^ professes openly the political creed he may its measures, even those that regard Ire- land alone, to the views, oflen have concealed at home. Here, then, is the result of six hundred ignorant, and to the narrowest prejudices of the people years connection between England and Ii'eland—military occupa- of Great Britain (cheers). I do not say whether this view is right or wrong; tion—suspended liberties —universal discontent, and a new Irish but I can vouch for its being the opinion, nay the nation on the other side of the Atlantic, recast in the mould of de- conviction, not only of the peasantry but of the middle and farming classes mocracy, and watching for an opportunity to strike a blow at the in the greater part of Ireland (no, no). I do not know who ' very heart of this empire. Now, let me ask what is the cause of says No, no.' It must be some one not very well acquainted with Ireland. this disastrous combination ? Is it destiny ! Is it a waywai-d fate ? I see now who it is. It is the right honorable Must we fold our hands in despair? Arc we powerless in this gentleman the Attorney-General for Ireland, The other day that learned emergency ? Is it impossible for two distinct races, such as the gentleman said that the people of Ire- land were not at aU discontented English and the Irish, to be cordially united in feeling ? Look at (hear, hear). No authority caa be attached to the opinion of Alsace (liear, hear, hear). There you have a population of German a gentleman who made such a statement (hear, hear). I think race—speaking the German language, separated only by a river it quite unnecessary, therefore, to re- fute his present contradiction (cheers). from the rest of the German race ; and yet the inhabitants of Al- What the people of Ii-eland, then, aslc, is to be sace are as thoi'oughly French in feeling as the inhabitants of Tou- governed according to their own requirements, just as the English and raine (hear, hear), and woe to the German who endeavored to tam- Scotch are according to the requirements of their respecUve countries (hear, hear). per with their allegiance. Well, then, if race is not the obstacle And they point to the re-

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102 FEKIA:sr UEK0E9 AND MAHTTES. HISTOEICAL INTEODUCTIOH. 103

interests ask for, not what those at a distance think marknWe instances in confirmation of the view that Irish suitable for them (cheers). question, an them be the judges in their concerns. It is, believe arc sacrificed to English opinion. They take the laud Let own me, than two hundred years ago Sir John perfectly idle to attempt to change the condition—the perilous and old grievance ; for more

' people. Tenants menacmg condition of Ireland unless strive to gain the hearts Davies said, No care is taken of the inferior — you their estates, did utterly neg- of the Irish people (cheers). These hearts you can never gain un- at will, by reason of the uncertainty of Parliament recognized less you remove the impression that English policy, not justice, rule lect to improve the land.' They say that admitted your deliberations (cheers). j^vancement in national pros- this grievance twenty-two years ago—that it dthberately No adapted to the perity no improvement in the material condition the that the Irish law of landlord and tenant was not — of people eloquent will do anything so long as that policy of injustice wants of that country (hear, hear), and yet, in spite of rankles in the been minds of the people (cheers). speeches and the exertions of eminent statesmen, nothing had Indeed, the more educated they be- bills have been come, the more they are able to compare their lot with that of the done to redress the grievance (cheers). Over forty been introduced—not one that touches the admitted grievance has inhabitants of other countries, the more acutely they must feel their would wrongs." passed (hear, hear). They ask—'not, I thinlc, unnaturally— own with ^eai^ an English or a Scotch grievance have been so dealt ?° (cheers). hear) Next they turn to the question of the Irish Church than twenty-two years, ever since 1834, For a longer period even Mr. Monsell was led into this bold picture of the that no griev- the most eminent oratoi-s and statesmen have declared worid (hear, hear). state of Ireland, by a desire to make the Government ance like it exists or ever has existed in the Grey, C. BuUer, a Nowhere else, as Macanlay, Brougham, Lord hold out some inducement for those not Fenians to be- army of distinguished men have proclaimed, are the funds whole come loyal. " Make those," said he, imploring the appropriated to destmed for the spirhual wants of a whole people reason, Ministers, " that are Twt Fenians loyal, and the wants of a small minority (cheers) ? But eloquence, and you need and authority, and logic, have been powerless against prejudice not trouble your heads about the Fenians." "What an Church re- oratoi-s and statesmen have passed away, and the Irish admission by an honest landlord who does not advise mains. Would, the Irish people demands, such an anomaly have been tolerated in England or in Scotland (cheei-s) ? Do you won- coercion but concession ; not the rule of rage, but re- governed der, then, that the Irish people complain that they are dress. The Fenians are dis-\oja\ : Mr. Monsell says according to the feelings and prejudices of the people of England, the mass of people not Fenians are not loyal; in rather than according to their own requirements (cheers) ? Do you v.'onder that they resent the deprivation of that which Guizot, other words the vast majority of the people in Ireland, volume, declares to be the end of representative govern- in his last Fenians or not Fenians, are opposed from their heart constant direction and ment, viz. : that a people should have a of hearts to the English Government. effectual control in their own government; that they should be How does this do ruled, not according to the abstract principles of statesmen who estimate of the people agree with the Queen's an- not know their condition, but according to the peculjar wants gen- nouncement of the general loyalty of " her L-ish sub- erated by their own speci;d circumstances. If you mean to satisfy jects." them, then, you must give them what they reasonably and justly Assm-edly the self-delusive congratulation in

: , /%

104 FESUJf HEROES A^TD MAETTES. HISTOEICAL, mXEODtrcTION. 105 tlie speecli 'before the powerful ing not more than one-eighth Queen's cannot stand or one-ninth of the population, ab'- sorbing the whole truths in Mr. Monsell's statement. ecclesiastical property of the whole kingdom. (Cries of shame.) I have discussed this matter before in ;" this hall, " Ireland tranquil the "conspiracy futile;" the (hear, hear). I have asked you if you were to endeavor to set up " such an abomination people loyal I" Hear how John Bright, at Birming- north of the Tweed, what would happen to Scotland? TnnquUity? Constant union with ham, addressing the majesty of the people contra- England ? No; but exactly what you have in Irel^d, o^y fought out by a people dicts the " Majesty of England," on Ireland and the mfinitely more united than are the people of Ireland. And if any- body were to attempt to set L-ish up in England what England has set. up in Ireland, England would be in a condition of periietuaZ anarchy "Will yon let me tell you that Ireland was once an independent and constant revolt, (hear, hear)." kingdom—that within the life-time of many here it had an independent Parliament—that at this moment, miited with Great Mr. Bright's , idea of a tranquil Britain, it requires about forty thousand men—soldiers and nation differs as much prevent in- military police— to keep the country quiet, and to from that in the Queen's speech, as their estimates surrection, and, it may be, revolution? (Cries of shame.)" of what makes a loyal man. Moreover, the English. Eeform t)rator shows why there ought Twt Impossible ! forty thousand troops to keep the tran- to le tranquility quite as forcibly as quil, loyal Irish quiet. If they are so quiet with foi-ty the Irish landlord shows there is none. American journalists thousand soldiers amongst them what would such loyal should note these facts and he prepared to expect a people he without them. It is plain that her Majes- suspension ofthe^^a- leas Corjms Act, as an echo ty's idea of loyalty and Mr. Bright's are not exactly to Irish "tranquility;" an attack on a harracke to be hidden behind the same. The latter continues : every official " glorification of content" in " poor Ireland," and " What right have you to hold in subjection, by forty thousand to he morally certain that the jails are overflowing troops, paid out of your taxes, a people—(loud applause)—who when Ireland is complimented " dislike your government, and who believe that you have not dona on her loyalty."

it is Wliile the them justice ? (Hear, hear, and cheers.) I hear a talk— old Queen's speech was being read, and the phraseology— it was common here about seventy or eighty years British Parliament prorogued in London, on the 21st' ago—about our sacred institutions in Church and State (derisive of August, the Sixth laughter). Docs any man tell me that the Christian religion, or National Congress of the Fenian Protestant portion of the professors of that religion, have Brotherhood that the was assemhling in New York. "Delegates any interest in the maintenance of a Protestant Church, compris- representing the States of Maine, Massachusetts, ing but a handful of the population, in the midst of a great Cath- Con- necticut, Ehode olic nation ?—(loud cries of no)—and a Protestant Church, compris- Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 5*

: :

SISTOEICAL INTEODUCTION. 107 106 ^E^'IAl; heroes Am> maettes. say that based upon the same hope. They have been pleased to Oliio, Maryland, Indiana, Missouri, Arkansas, Vir- might be effect- possibly through me a union of discordant parties compelled me to this ginia, Michigan, Kansas, Iowa, "Washington, D. C, ed, and placed the matter in such a light as as a duty." l^ew York City and Disti-ict of Manhattan, Long course which lay in the JLr. Savage spoke of the deep love of country Island, Counties onlyjnutual and and Towns of the State of New centre of every Irishman's heart, and which needed to be made an York' and Canada, took their seats. respect among themselves, and a prefer incentive details, the movements effective power. Without a knowledge of The administration of the aifau-s of the Brotherhood judges causes by re- of the year were deemed failures. The world but time, since the last Congress was submitted and approved. sults—measures the character of attempts by their issues, simile, was a careful proof-reader, a sedulous The great object of the Assembly was to consult on to use a journalistic contempo- emendator, and revised the erroneous impressions left by some means of reconstruction to meet the altered as- that raneous judgments, often proving—what it will again prove— pect of circumstances in Ireland. To this end' the failures are but the openings to success. himself on account of the state of his health, Constitution was slightly amended, and Mr. John Mr. Savage excused he would invoke from speaking at length, but, in conclusion said Savage elected Chief Executive. the next day, well as On Ahniglity God—the God of the sorrowful and oppressed, as with the fire of wisdom, the 25th, Mr. Savage attended the Congress. The the G°od of the free, to Ulumine his brain thus purified and and cleanse his heart with the fire of truth, so that following is from the official report sagacity and cour- strengthened, he might be gifted with honesty, race, and feiTently labor age. To unite the scattered elements of the Sir. Savage briefly addressed the Convention. After explaining to guide them to a beneficial result why he was unable to accept the invitation of the Convention, and be present at its sittings (in consequence of severe illness which epitome of Irish Such is, in substance, an historical scarcely permitted his presence for a brief period to-day), Mr. Sav- made, espe- for centuries ; and of the efforts age thanked the Convention for the high honor it had paid him in wrongs and unanimously electing him to the pffice of Chief Executive of the cially within the last three-quarters of a century, Fenian Brotherhood, and said even unto this date, by Irishmen, at home and abroad, "Many of you are aware that I have for months persistently re- Ireland- fused to allow my name to be brought forward in this connection. to establish Irish rights in As far back as the last Congress or Convention, I declined the J.S.

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 FoEDHAM, 26th August, 1867. jjolitician,' a character with which I have no desire to be confoimd-

ed. My habits are those of a student and literary man ; and I have ))een induced to accept this office on the urgent representation of good men, personally and by letter—men who, speaking for locali- lies thousands of miles apart, have expressed the same request.

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THE ANCIKNT FENIAKS. 109

THE ANCIENT ?ENIANS.

The Fenians—Who Were They—Their Dntles, Manners and Castoma—The Oeslanic Society.

SixcE the Fenian Brotlierhood liave become famous, a power on the earth, and a terror to English miniB- 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 ridiculous, 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 period, 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 authox-ities at hand, will doubtless be interesting in itself, as well as furnishing the origin of the designation now so widely recognized as synonymous with Irish liberty.*

• Ths nnthorities freely nscd in the compilation of this chapter, are Dr. John O'Doiiovnn'a Tranflalion of the Annals iif the Four Masle.ru. 7 vols; Owen Comiollan's Trauslation of these Annals, with annotations, by Philip MacDer- ino!t,M. D., 1 vol.,4to; Moore's Ireland; O'Mahony's Translation of Keating, K. T., i&X, and the various references made by all.

««*»*«Mto;^;^j^s£<.„

110 FEXLiN HEE0E3 A^'D ItAETTES. I THE ANCIENT FENIANS. Ill

Tlie Fenians,- called by the Irlsli writers Fiannd which, as Pinkerton remarks, seems to have been in Eir'wnn (the Fenians of Ireland), are mentioned in the imitation of the Eoman Legion. The words of this

' Four Mastei's, imder the title of Fene, or Feine, which critical writer are worth quoting here : He seems, according to Doctor O'Conor, signifies the Phoeni- says he, ' to have been a man of great talents for the cians of Ireland, and they were probably called so, age, and of celebrity in anns. His foi'mation of a says McDermott, from the tradition that the Phoeni- regular standing army, trained to war, in which all the cians came to Ireland in the early ages. Their mode Irish accounts agree, seems to have a rude imitation of of life would seem to give some warrant to the conjec- the Eoman Legion in Britain. The idea, though sim-

ture that the name was as likely to come from Fiad- ple enough, shows prudence ; for such a force alone hach {Feeagh), a hunt, and to mean an order of hunt- could have coped with the Eomans had they invaded ers. Thus the German Light Cavahy Corps, Jagers, Ii'eland. But this machine, which surprised a rude means hunters. The Fenians seem to have done n«th- age, and seems the basis of all Finn's fame, like some ing but hunt and fight.* other great schemes, only lived with its author, and The most widely accepted explanation of the name expired soon after him.' "* Finn, however, was not is that the Fianna Eirionn, were called after Finn the founder, but the great disciplinarian and most re- MacCumhal their great leader. This Finn is the. nowned leader of the body. hero of MacPherson's Ossian, and is there called Fin- The traditional repute of Finn and his Fenians was gal. " It has been the fate of this popular hero," undoubtedly great, for, as O'Donovan suggests, their says Moore, " after a long course of traditional renown achievements were handed down, vividly remember-

in liis country, where his name stiU lives, not only *in ed, and enthusiastically recounted, while their imi- legends and songs, but yet in the most indeUble tators, the Kerns and GaUoglasses of later ages, are scenery connected with his memory, to have been all nearly forgotten, at once transferred, by adoption, to another country The Fenians were the standing military force, the

(Scotland), and start under a new but false shape, in a, national militia, instituted in the early ages long be- fresh career of fame." fore the Christian era, but brought to the greatest Dr. O'Donovan says, " This celebrated wai'rior, who perfection in the reign of the celebrated Cormac, Mon- had two grand residences in Leinster, one at Almhaim, arch of Ireland, in the third centm-y. They were in now the hill of Allen, and the other at Magli File, regular and constant pay, and their duty similar to that now Moyelly, in the King's County, was son-in-law of of any modern standing army. They had to defend King Cormac, and General of his standing army, the country against foreign or domestic enemies, to

• See 0'Mahoiif'E£eatisg, nates to prefaces • Pinkerton'B Inquiry into the History oj Scotland,

GERTRUDE KISTLEK MEMORIAL LIBRARY ROStMONT, PA. MAETYES. THE AlTCrENT FENIANS. 112 FESIAN HEEOES AOT) 113

• to the chief monarch, gain admittance into so distinguished a support the ri-hts and Buccession of body, are meet any sur- mainly condensed or adopted fi-om Keating. he ready at the shortest notice, to and to The method guarded the sea coasts, of dressing their meat was very partic- prise or state emergency. They ular : when they creeks and havens of the had success in hunting, it was their havinc strict eye upon the there to prey custom in the forenoon t(^6end any pirates should be lurking their attendants, with island, lest what the country, ihey they had killed, to a proper place, where upon the inhabitants, and plunder there country, and was plenty of wood and water. There support the crown, defend the ^ they kindled were to great of the people fires, into which they threw a number of large secure the liberty and property Samham (All-Hal- stones, where they remained until they were red In the winter time, that is from hot. Then they troops were quartered applied themselves to dig two great pits in low-tide) to Beltani, (May) these the year they lived the earth, into one of which, upon the bottom, upon the people, and the rest of they and pro- used to lay some of these hot being permitted to hunt and fish stones as a pavemen^ aut of doors, upon received pay during the which they would place the raw flesh, bound vide for themselves. They up hunting season, liard in green sedge or bull-rushes; and for wages during the over these bundles winter season, was caught, which brought a fixed another layer of hot stones, then a quantity the skins of the animals they of flesh, arrangement the troops and this method was observed until the pit was good price. By this admirable full. In this athletic activity, and manner the meat was stewed till it was • were always kept in a state of fit to eat, and then during the greater they uncovered it ; and, self-sustaining establishment when the was a hole was and fishing was mot emptied, they began their meal. This Irish part of the year. The hunting militia, duties, as they were it must be observed, never eat but once permitted to interfere with other in exercises, and to be twent3'-four hours, and their meal-time was always enforced to perform their military in the were enjoined not to evening. When they had a mind to alter under discipline. The ofiicers their inhabitants from the in- diet, instead of stewing their meat, as described, they oppress, but to defend the would roast it to promote the peace before these fires, and make it palatable roads of thieves and robbers, and was their duty to . and wholesome. and happiness of the people. It As an to raise fines, secure undisputed evidence of these fires, the marks QueU all riots and insurrections, of the monarch, enquire them continue deep in the earth, in many places forfeited estates for the use of of the island, beginning all seditions, and to this day; for they were very large, and into and suppress at the burned exceeding the State required. fierce, and the impression they left to appear in arms whenever "durmg the is now to be met with many feet deep in account of the habits of the Fenians the ground- The "WTien quaUfications necessary any husbandman in Ireland turns up with hunting season, as weU as the hia

;

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114 FENIAN HEE0E3 ASD 5tAETTE8. THE Al^CIENT FI»a4U8, 115 plough any black burnt earth, he immediately knows battalions, each battalion consisting of 3,000 able men. the occasion of it ; and the soil of that color is known, Eut this was the establishment only in time of peace, witli great propriety, by the name of Fulacht Fian, the when there were no disturbances at home, or fear of cooking places or kitchens of the Fenians, to this time. any invasions from abroad. "When the force was com- When the Irish militia came to these fires to dres3 plete, it consisted of seven Catha, that is, battalions or their meat, before they went to eat they would strip legions, making, according to O'Halloran and other themselves to their shirts, which they modestly tied I historians, 21,000 men for each of the five provinces about their middles, and go into the other pit dug in ; or about 100,000 in time of war, for the whole country, the ground, which was very large and filled with water. Finn, the commander-in-chief of the Irish militia, Here they would wash their heads and necks, and other had several inferior ofiicers, who, in their degi-ees, ex- parts of their bodies, till they had cleansed themselves ercised an authority under him, by his commission.^. Trom the sweat and dust occasioned by their liuntip4.j Every battalion or legion was commanded by a colonel and this custom was very wholesome and refreshing, every hundred men were under the conduct of a cap- for they would rub their hmbs and their joints, till they tain officer, ; an in the nature of a lieutenant, had fifty had forgot all their fatigue, and became as sprightly under him ; and a sergeant, resembling the Decurio of and active as when they began then- sport in the morn- the Romans, was set over five-and-twenty ; but when ing : when they were perfectly clean, they would put a hundi-ed of these militia were drawn out, by ten in a on their clothes, and begin their meal. rank, there was an officer appointed from that ten over After they had eaten they would apply themselves the other nine. to build huts and tents, where they made their beds, Every soldier that was received into the militia of and designed to repose themselves for the following Ireland by Finn, was obliged, before he was enrolled, night. These beds were composed and laid out with to subscribe to the following articles : the first, that, great exactness. They cut down branches of trees, when he is disposed to marry, he would not follow the which they placed next the ground ; upon these was mercenary custom of insisting upon a portion with a laid a quantity of dry moss, and upon the top of all wife, but, without regard to her fortune, he should was strewed a bundle of green rushes, which made a choose a woman for her virtue, her courtesy, and good "very commodious lodging. These beds, in the ancient manners. The second, that he would never ofiPer vio- manuscripts, are called Tri cuilceadha na feine ; which, lence to a woman. The tliird, that he would be char- in Englisli, signifies the three beddings of the Fenians. itable and relieve the poor, who desired meat or drink, constant number of these standing forces, that The as far as his abilities would permit. The fourth, that were quartered upon the kingdom of Ireland, was thi'e6 he would not turn his back, or refuse to fight with

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116 FEXIAN npEOES AlTD MAETTES. THE ANCIENT FENIANS. 117 nine men of any other nation tliat set upon Mm, and encompassed with green sedge, that reached above his offered to fight with him. knee ; he was to have a target by him, and a hazel It must not be supposed that every person who was stake in his hand of the length of a man's arm. Then willing to be enlisted in the militia of Ireland, would nine experienced soldiers of the militia were drawn be accepted ; for Finn was very strict in his inquiry, out, and appointed to stand at the distance of nine and observed these rules in filling up the number of ridges of land fi-om him, Vtud to throw aU their jave- his troops, which were exactly followed by his succes- lins at him at once ; if he had the skill, with his target sors in command, when they had occasion to recruit and his stake, to defend himself, and come off unhurt, then- forces. T he was admitted into the service ; but if he had the mis- He ordained, therefore, that no, person should be en- fortune to be wounded by one of those javelins, he was listed or received into the service, in the congregation rejected as unqualified, and turned off with reproach. or assembly of Uisneach, or in the celebrated faipof This trial was to make sure that the claimant for ad- Tailtean,. or at Feis Teamrach, unless his father and mission was competent to fill the post of leader of a mothei', and all the relatives of his family, would stipu-. file of nine men, in which position he was expected to late and give proper security, that not one of them ward off from his men, the javelins of an equal file of should attempt to revenge his death upon the person attacking: enemies. that slew him, but to leave the affair of his death A fourth qualification was, that he should run well, wholly in the hands of his fellow-soldiers, who would and in his flight defend himself from his enemy ; and take care to do him justice as the case required; and to make a trial of his activity he had his hair plaited, it was ordained, likewise, that the relations of a soldier and was obliged to run through a wood, with all the of this militia should not receive any damage or re- militia.pursuinghim, and was allowed but the breadth proach for any misbehavior committed by him. of a tree before the rest at the setting out ; if he was The second qualification for admittance into these overtaken in the chase, or received a wound before he standing forces was, that no one should be received, had ran through the wood, he was refused as too slug- unless he had a poetical genius, and could compose ^ gish and unskilful to fight with honor among those verses, and was well acquainted with the twelve books valiant troops. of poetry. It was required, in the fifth place, that whoever was The third condition was, that he should be a perfect a candidate for admission into the militia, should have master of his weapons, and able to defend himself a strong arm, and hold his weapon steady ; and if it against all attacks ; and to prove his dexterity in the was observed that his hands shook, he was rejected. management of his arms, he was placed in a plain field.

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118 FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETTES. THE ANCIKNT FENIANS. 119 Tlie sixth requisite was, that when he ran through quent fall of the Irish monarchy, for, after the a destruc- wood his hair should continue tied up, during the tion of the Fenian forces, the Irish kings never were chase if it fell loose, ; he could not be received. able to muster a national army equal in valor and dis- The seventh qualification was, to ^ be so swift and cipline to those heroes, either to cope with foreign foes, light of foot as not to break a withered branch by or to reduce to subjectitn the rebellious provincial touching upon it. kings and princes ; hence the monarchy became weak The eighth condition was, that nond' should have the and disorganized, and the ruling powers were unable honor of being enrolled among the Irish militia, that to maintain their authority, or make a sufficient stand was not so active as to leap over a tree as high as his against the Danish and Anglo-Norman invaders of forehead or could noi, ; by the agility of his body, stoop after times."* easily under a tree that was as low as his knee.- The Ossianic Poems are replete with descriptions The ninth condition required was, that he could, of the gi-eatness, magnificence and gloiy of Finn, and) without stopping or lessening his speed, draw a thoru the prowess of the Fenians. One of the poems gives a out of his foot. glimpse of the great fortress on the hill of Allen, in Kil- The tenth and last qualification was, to take an oath dare, the chief residence of the Fen'an chief, and the of allegiance to be true and faithful ^o the command- troops under his immediate eye. It is thus versified ing officer of the army. These were the tei-ms required for admission among When I supp'd in the halls of Finn, these brave troops ; which, so long At ev'iy banquet there, Tve seen as they were exactly insisted upon, the militia of A thousand costly goblets brimming, Ireland were an invincible defence to their country, Then- edges wreathed with golden rimming; and a terror to rebels at home and enemies abroad. The Twelve habitations rose in state, great Finn was slain by the cast of a javelin or Fill'd with the Fenian legions great the shot of an arrow, at a place called Ath Brea, on In the son of the daughter of Teige's command. the river Boyne, A. D. 283. After his death, the Fe- At fair Almhuin of the Fenian band. nians were commanded by his son Ossian, (pronounced Twelve great fires forever flamed. Osheen,) the Celtic Homer, who was a famous warrior In each of the princely dwellings named, as well as a bard. At the great battle of Gaura, the And round, to be but in death sund'red. Fenian forces, numbering twenty thousand, eighteen Were Fenian heroes by the hundredl thousand of whom fell, were commanded by Ossian's The Ossianic Society's publications are throwing son Osgar, who was also killed. " The tremendous great light and innumerable battle of picturesque illustrations Gaura is considered to have led to tlie subse- • Annota, ConneUan'e and MacDermotrs Four Hasten,

120 FENIAN HEROKS AND MAKTYRB.

on the customs and habits, as well as the political his-

tory of what is particularly distinguiBhcd as the Fe- nian era of Ireland. This society numbers among its members very distinguished, as well as some vei"y 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 l)ring a new soul into Ireland, or revi've the spirit of the old national guard, in the creation of the Fenian Brotherhood. Thd'Ossianic Society ought to be encouraged in their cflbrts to illuminate tlio Fe- nian history of Ireland. Macphers^n, in liis manufac- tured Ossian, leads us to look upon Finn as a myth. The history brought to pul)lic view by the Ossianic So- ciety, show him to have been what he was, a great patriot-general, of remarkable foresight, military genius, and heroism. There is no greater inspiration to heroism than the example aflPorded 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 imagination to noble actions, and to strengthen the will to perform them.

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COLONEL THOMAS 'FRANCIS BODEKB. 121

COLONEL THOMAS FRANCIS BOURKE,

^ °^ ^"'^'='' ^"""y ^ America and Canada- Arl'?n.^°"^;r^°7'r'"'P"^'"«-^<"»« '' '"- I'<^nlan Brotherhood after the War-T, ,1 P rt^'^CongTcs-Saccess ZT tl ^ as OrganiEer for Manhattan Distri.*- m^!^^^^ T'.T,',"^"'^''"'^-^'^'^^^^'' ""= TlpperaryDietrlcfr-Th« ^' '^""y""'^' Fort-Indicted for High TreaBon-Trial-Ert- deneetl^^~^TVlof the Informers Masseyand Corrydon-Great Speech in the Dock- Touching Letters to his Mother-Description in his Cell,

It has 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 Istbk May, 1867. j No doubt the similarity of the scenes which go into the immortal history of Ireland's martyrology simultaneously suggested the comparison between them, to many minds. It was natural. It would have been remarkable, indeed, if beholding the one, the memories of the 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 prosperity to her oppressed people. Uncontrollable circumstances baffled ^, his devotion, waylaid his hopes, exposed his plans, frustrated the result, which should have fol-

122 FENIAIT HER0E3 AITO MAETTEa. 7 CX)LONEL TH0SU8 'feaNCIS BOUEEE. 123 lowed his entliusiastic and carefully devised labora, won simply by fortunate circumstances on the one and flung him into the relentless jaws of English au- hand, or appealingly oppressive treatment on the other. thority, as administered in Ireland by the infamous The vital spark of genius, whether it be manifested in Norbury. He died glorying in the sacrifice he was letters, art, science or heroism—for there is a genius in able to make on the altar of his country's rights ; and heroism outside of tharother reliable kind mentioned- his wondrous words are daily given in school-books' m gazettes, and based on routine—must be there- and "Headers," with those of the founders and heroes must give life to the act or exi^ressed thought, must of the United States, to the boys of the Eepublic. to give that touch of nature which makes the whole enliven their mental marrow with deeds of glory, and world kin. Eobert Emmet was scarcely known untU strengthen them with faith in love of countiy, even he never could be known, save by the record which unto dying for her. his genius and his faith made. The name of Thomas The heroism and romantic disinterestedness which •Francis Bourke was scarcely known until it filled aU we have been accustomed to regard with a fervor which mouths and he will, no ; doubt, be associated with his awoke our pride, not less than our pity and pity, the day, when those who — occupied public attention for " Irish dramatist tells us, is " kin to love —^has been en- years before it, will be placed on the retired lists of acted over again in these, our supposed prosaic days, history, This time the hero went to Ireland, not from France, It is those truths, which anticipate tradition and history, but from America, guided by similar desires, fed by as that lend an interest to the career, whatever it broad a faith, and encouraged by hopes born of facts, may have been, which preceded the act which gives apparently not less—actually miich more convincing, or propitiates fame. than those upon which the young revolutionist of 1803 Thomas Francis Bourke was born on the 10th De- based his mission to Ireland. cember, 1840, in the town of Fethard, county of Tip- It is not only a source of consolation, but of hopeful peraiy-" Tipperary of the broad hiUs and golden val- leys inspiration, to see the effect produced by the bold and ; Tipperary, where the rivers flow like Irish melo- words of an honest man. They are self-con- dies, dividing their touching chorus with the more ru-^ed and vincing to the heart of every manly reader ; they need picturesque hills of Waterford, that seem to grtw tame no argument to enforce their truths, or prove the char- with listening, as the 'rude sea' erst did to the ' dulcet acter of the man who utters them. Thomas Francis and harmonious breath ' of Oberon's many mermaid." Like Bourke, who had been scarcely mentioned in the pub- of the very ablest men, wits, orators and poets, press, before his trial, has leaped into a widely ac- CuiTan Moore and lic Jfangan, for instance, and most devoted ; a position cannot be and effective knowledged pre-eminence which patriots, like AVolfe T^ne and

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124 FEIOAN HEROES AOT) MAETYES. f COLONEL THOllAS PEA^CIS BOtmKE. - WilHam 135 Putnam McCabe, Bourte sprung from the succeeded in establishino- • himself t, people. We learn that both of his wT... parents belonged gaveway,andachangeaiTeeame ° ''"° ^''^*'^ to the most respectable of those families, known in '"^ ^^<^^™e necessary. two years in St t=.° After Ireland as " the middle class." His ''''^^^^ father was a man to Toronto, CaSdawS *° ^^--« of marked intelligence, and wh"^ morg than the average a member ' ^^^^*^^^' ^f the ^™^°<^'^^ProSal education of persons engaged in trade. ParhamentPaS "T"'"!resided. He carried on Meanwhile t^, the painting and decorating business successfully for many years, and, as well from his cleverness and industry, as from his family connection with ijjany of the professional men ana better class of farmers, enjoyed a large share of the contracts in his county. ¥0 man Btood higher in his community, than the good father manly " independence for hTmself "°? of this good son, who was one of six children. The but a T He nobly contributed results to of the famine year, which were felt so heavily in thSlyl^^H His father's health "^'J^'"'**'• the south continued to and west, materially affected ilr. Bourke'a W \^'^ had ^ ' ^^ertions been unremitting. T,; ? • T business, so much so P^^"?^^^^"*^ indeed, that emigration from in 1858 heTe?am overtasked, the isle L nl of sorrow was suggested, and accepted as thenceforth the told the entire we are sZort5T:r^father only means of affording his young familytthat f m.^j^^^^ ^^^^^ present and a boy b othe?"!! care and future prospect, which his heart projnpted °" *^^ ''^^^ and skilfJl hand of ^-rt him to give them. t^3 7 T^ In 1850, Mr. Bourke and his fam- *'^ of this sketh :L remttef ^^^J^* ily arrived in Xew York, and commenced the world h-T*^^ anew. His days were spent in pro\ading the means of physical sustenance for his children, his evening leisure hours to the imparting of such literary aliment to them as his early habits enabled him to bestow. At the end of two years, he had acquired a modest compe- tency, when the failing health of his wife demanded im- ^"^ers, and rebeved brother in nart cf t\.^ v their mediate removal ; and the family, leaving ""' ISI'ew York o-ngiy bo'™: ° 2,;° '" '-^^'^ ""' settled in St. Johns, Newfoundland, to commence n t life aer. »„d Mr ''^"^ fur the third time. M J. HeSrntT Mr. Bourke's attention and in- ««f V^ indebted forraanv of fl..T;u' '^ ™ "» dustry produced their inevitable reward, and he had . graptic and '""*'''' "» Z^to'4tihrView ot => the saymgs andf^doings

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126 FENLUT HEEOES AIO) MAETTES. COLOIJEL THOMAS FEA1TCI9 EOUEKE. 127

had been in tlieir Inimble but happy liome. He says it was a so abused, wronged, degraded and despised, and she there and then great ti-eat to their few and select friends to visit made Tom a Fenian 1 And as them of an evening. " Poor Tom came in from his the evening wore on, some friend paid a visit and day's work, with his pleasant smile* and his cheery heard a sweet song sweetly sung. (How charmingly- Tom's voice accompanied those laugh, and his little sister picked up her books and of his beloved sisters 1) slate and made way for Tom to kiss dear mother; No silly rhodomontade, but the real thing—' CusUa Gab Machre,' and then his grown up sisters come in, and they had and '^lio fears to speak of Ninety-eight?' such welcome for each other as though they had been And, dear, oh dear, how poor Tom could sing all absent for years. And then they sftt down to tea • The Green, O, the Green, 'tis the color of the trae V in such a jolly humor, and talked over old times; and old struggles, and old fr-iends, and of the little brother And then bed-time came, and the favored visitor at school, in Canada, under the guardianship 'of the having gone, this thrice happy little household knelt relative above mentioned; and when the tea things down together to mingle their responses in the Rosary, were removed they read a while froni books of their and offer an united prayer for the repose of the soul intelligent mother's choosing, and from the morning of the dead father. And then they retired for the papers, which Tom was always sure to fetch home, and night, under the shield of God's special protection from some national journal, which they received from tills Irish widow and her Irish children, with their an unforgetful friend in the old countuy^. And then Jiearts full of Irish virtue and Irish love." After an they chatted a while, and their fond mother, and one absence of three or four years, Bourke returned to of the truest types of a true mother, told them stories New York, about May, 1865. In some respects of a time and a country which the elder children he was greatly developed. His natural abilities could not more than remember, and which the young- had been expanded by experience with the world, but his constitution, er ones never saw ; and she related passages of that never strong, was radically impaired. country's most melancholy history, and named the However, he promptly set to work, and soon his quick books in which the episodes could be found, and they intelligence was rewarded by the position of foreman in one of the largest read these books as soon after as possible ; and she painting fii-ms in the city, with a told them stories of wrongs and sufferings, which handsome salary. their race had been made to bear, some printed in The Fenian Brotherhood had received a wonderful impetus during books, and some which were printed nowhere but in the war. The development of Irish character and the burning memories of the Irish people. She bravery, as illustrated by Corcoran, at Bull-Run, as explained to them how it came about that such a race prisoner of war and subsequently, in

128 FENIAN HHE0E3 AIO) MAETTES. COLONEL THOMAS FEAUCIS EOTTEKE. 129 command of the Irisli Legion in fa- ; by Mulligan, Ms pathies once aroused, Bourke's every energy followed mous defence of Lexington Irish ; by Meagher and the in the same direction. Consequently, with his positive Brigade ; by Shields, who out-mancBuvred and defeated talents and manly attributes, his pride of uprightness Stonewall Jackson ; by Bryan, who feU at the head of and horror of subterfuge, he rose rapidly in the estima- " his regiment at Port Hudson ; by Cass and his Irish tion of his brethren of the Wolfe Tone Circle, which !Ninth" of Massachusetts; by Guiney, who succeeded he had joined. He was elected a delegate to the third him, and by B^Ties and his twenty-eighth of the same National Congress, held at Philadelphia, (Oct. 1865,) State; by Cahill and his Connecticut Irishmen; by and strenuously strove to prevent the change in the Lawlor, of Kentucky; McGroarty, of Ohio; Thomas Constitution which introduced a President, Senate and Smythe, of Delaware ; Matthew Murphy, James E. Mc- House of Delegates into the organization. His efforts, Mahon, James P. Mclvor, and many others, had a very however, were not successful ; but the ability and intu- powerful effect on the Fenian organization. Thi^was ition exhibited in the debates, in which he participated, augmented by the action of England during the war; were not lost upon the authorities then controlling the and the expectation that hostihties between the United Brotherhood, and on his return to New York, he was States Irish soldier and the former, would give the a selected as, and requested to accept the position of^ or- chance to strike at his old enemy, brought hght and ganizer for the District of Manhattan- comfort on many a weary march, and nerved him to Thomas Bourke at once gave up his excellent em- suiwive all difficulties, in view of the long expected day ployment, and entered on that path of destiny which of retribution. This hope caused Fenianism to spread he was so well fitted to distinguish. A natural orator, rapidly, as well in the army as out of it. The military with that useful education which is always effectively enthusiasm, bred of experience and the self-reliance it ready, because self-acquired; with a clear, pleasant creates, thus infused into the organization, gave it great voice, and a manner not less fervid because graceful hopes and vitality. and easy, Bourke quickly made himself felt in his new return of sphere. On Bourke's to l^ew York, he foimd many He never talked from a subject, but at it, and his associates, both soldiers and Fenians, anxious to put into it, and brought -}p home to the minds of his hearers the the knowledge of the former iuto the cause of the latter. sterling convictions which animated his own. His sin- "With the teaching of his good mother, under the shel- cerity and earnestness were strongly indicated by his ter of the Eepublic ; with the memories of British be- words and manner, and gave assurance of unquestiona- nevolence to Ireland, in the shape of famine, fever- ble patriotism and nature's nobihty. slieds and oppression, it was not difficult to enlist him At the time Bourke became organizer, there were in the great old cause, with the older name. His ejm- some seventy circles, with ten thousand members, iu

THOMAS FRANCIS BOHRKE. 131 130 FENIAN HEROES A2sT> MAETTEB. COLONEL am resolved to go, the State ot l^ew York. In two montliB of his «No matter," said Bourke, "I There is surely something " preaching" as he used to call it, New York city and you must let me. for the paymaster." alone had one hundi'ed and four circles and thirty that I can do, I can keep accounts Centre, "be thousand members in "good standing." At the "Very weU, then," said the Head division in the Fenian ranks he remained with the paymaster yourself." parent organization; was a delegate to the Fourth " Thank you, sir," said Bourke. District Cen- National Congress, New York, January, 1866, which 1 On that day, Bourke resigned his then. Other abolished the Presidency and Senate, and reinstated the treship, but he did not sail for Ireland BeUo adventure, proved old constitution ; and was unanimously elected District divisions following the Campo brotherhood. But Centre for the District of Manhattan, which embraced disastrous to the plans of the of Bourke the Counties of New York, "Westchester, Kings, neither the faith nor the perseverance disgusted, but he Queens, Suiiblk and Richmond, in the State of New was shaken. He may have been of James York, and County of Hudson, in the State of New was not disheartened. On the arrival continuance of Jersey. His days were taken up with incessant labor Stephens, Bourke again undertook the so wearied and in his office on the ground floor of the celebrated head- those labors in which he had been summer he remained quarter, opposite Union Square, while his nights were 60 successful, and throughout the organization, and assist- not less laboriously devoted to visiting the circles. at his post, making tours of to rebuild the The spring of 1866 was looked forward to by the ing Mr. Stephens in his attempt Fenianism. He great body of the Fenians with a sort of restless comparatively shattered fabric ot the matter not to see expectant enthusiasm. It was hoped that the rising had set his heart too largely on too zealously not to in Ireland was close at hand, and the government of further into it. He had labored In the Winter, he the Fenians in New York purchased and fitted out seek with his own eyes a result. received it -'the manner its first vessel for the looked-for Irish crisis. When begged his mother's blessing, speech in the dock, and this was eflected, Bourke's heart became lightened. heTo proudly aUudes to in his oppori;unity whereby Contemplating the prospect of active service, he started, hoping to aid or make an !" might vindicate exclaimed, " Tliank God, for I am tired of preaching the leaders of the Fenian movement He was determined to go with the vessel, in striving their promises. Mr. Heffeman, to dissuade him from which. Col. O'Mahony, the Head The same friend, quoted above, Col. Bourke's Centre, said: gives a very graphic sketch, not only of of the views wliich " Why, yon can be of no use yet, you are not a appearance before he started, but This is peculiarly Bailor." inspired him to such a course.

COLONEL TH0MA8 FEiNClS BOUEEE. 133 132 FENIAN HEROES AOT) MAETTE9.

peculiar to those who have not interesting, and exhibits in a marked manner tlie mistaken notions question in all its bearings. The preservar comprehensive ^dews of duty, as well as of faith, grow- studied the of honor is but one (and it is the least ing out of a clear head and a fi'esh heart. tion my impels to the course "I met him," says Mr. Heffernan, "the evening important) motive, which me about to take, and which I should speedily before he started for Ireland. His bright, intelligent which I am there higher principle at stake. In face was pale and sunken, and his dark, penetrating abandon were no first are not sure that the movement eyes gleamed with the additional lustre of a violent the place, we be abortive. Providence may throw the neces- fever. His soft, persuasive voice had a deeper tone, w^l sary advantages in our favor, and where there is even which he tried to make as cheerful as he could, but he the ghost of a chance, the present desperate state of was sick—very, very sick, and every muscle quivered, should run the risk. But, . affairs demands that we with pain. His health, never very robust, had begun allowing the impossibility of our attaining the great to fail early in the siunmer, just about a year ago,' object of our lives at present, a ' rising' in Ireland now and at the time of his departure, his buoyant and cannot be otherwise than a success, for it is indispen- happy spirit commenced to succumb to the disease the very life of the cause. Let us see how the which had slowly but too surely undermined his sable to case stands. You know, as well as I do, that the only constitution. Hia ringing laugh was growing more hope of Ireland's redemption rests with the 'Irish moistened, so to speak, every day, and there were Nation in America,' and you know that that new moments when his countenance wore that sad, half nation has the wiU and the power to make Ireland's Borrowful, half resigned expression, peculiar to those freedom a certainty. You know that so far from who fed that their days are not long in the land. proving this doctrine to be fallacious, the ill-directed I tried to dissuade him from going to Ireland th^n^ and badly managed Fenian Brotherhood has fiilly because I knew that his declining physical strength demonstrated what an immense power this new Irish would not permit of his undergoing a military cam- nation might be under honest and able guidance. paign. In order further to prevail on him to abandon You know, that in proper hands, it could tear Ireland his design, I taunted him that his only motive in from the united grasp of all Europe. But to be of going to Ireland must be the desire to redeem hia any use whatever, in that direction, it is absolutely character from the stain that bad men would try to necessary that a clear understanding should exist fasten upon it, on account of his persistent adherance between the Irish exiles here, and the patriots who to Mr. Stephens while he conducted the affairs of the may still remain on their native soil. They should fcnian Brotherhood ia New York. regard each other with more thaa brotherly love, and " ' There,' said the gallant fellow, ' you evince tlio

134 "FEStyS HEROES JlSD MAHTTES. COLOITEL THOMAS FEASTCIS BOTTEKE, 135 above all, tliey must liave a firm faith in, and reliance fi-eedom, but even to save the common cause from iipon, each other. It matters not now fi'om what shame and dishonor. We have had the name of cause, but that feeling of mutual faith and reliance 'leaders,' and it devolves upon us to give the lie grows weaker and weaker every day. It must be direct to those who would but too gladly say to Irishr re-inspired and strengthened at any cost, or effective men: 'Your leaders betray you; beware how you work for Ireland will be rendered impossible. The trust them again.' Mutual trust and confidence, injudicious course hitherto pursued by Mr. Stephens between the Irish in Ireland and the Irish in America, has left the men at home under a strong impression and between the people and their leaders must be that they have been abandoned by their brothers in restored. When that is done, the game can be played America. K we allow that impression to remain, over again, with all the advantages on our side of they will never trust us again, and then good-bye tp having seen the enemy's hand. To be sure, it wiU lives, it will be well worth all hope for Ireland ! It must, I say, be removed at any cost some hundreds of but of her children is the only cost I Now, who is to remove it ? The wily enemy the purchase. The blood * * is now at work, in press and pulpit, aided by many commodity in which poor old Ireland is rich.

' in ruining ourselves and an Irish patriot' (God bless the hearers !) to weaken But it may be objected that right the faith of the people, here and at home, in their those who depend on us, we have no moral to destruction hundreds of good men in leaders—to prove that these leaders have, through involve the of sordid and other miworthy motives, led their confiding Ireland, who may follow us into danger and death. followers into a trap, and then abandoned them. It I am aware that quite a number of tender-hearted must be confessed that the conduct of Stephens has ' patriots' would take this high ground just now, and given this villainous slander a very plausible appear- they would be perfectly right if those on whom they ance of truth. He, having made that disastrous lavish their cheap compassion were of the same argu- pledge, should have redeemed it with his life. His opinion, which, unfortunately for that, merciful failm-e or folly must completely demoralize the people, ment, they are not. It would, no doubt, be very pleasant for those, malignant tongues and pens if it be not counteracted. It must be. Kelley, Halpin, whose M'Cafferty, and the rest of us—'his associates in are already prepared to vituperate us in any case, to be able ' ' crime,' as we are innocently called—must prove to the to say that we dragged our poor, ignorant people at home that their lives and liberties are not countrymen to perdition, unshriven and unprepared, in order to our characters, trifled with by the Irishmen of America. We must redeem own or through some other less creditable, personal motive. The prove to them that we are in earnest—that we are facts, however, give ready to pour out our life-blood, not only to give them of which we trust to you to a

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136 FEN-IAN HEEOES AOT) MAETTES. COLONEL TnOlLiS TItANCIS DOTJEKE. 137 plain statement, at the proper time, will utterly belie Irish race will ever be the shackled shame of mankind. the assertions that vre are "urged to this course by any We give our lives as an o'fl'ering of purification, that selfish consideration whatever, or even that impru- our cause may be cleansed from the pollution of its dence had any share in the matter. Ton are aware enemies—that it may be lifted from the filthy slough that within the past two months we have received into which it has been cast, and placed as high beyond despatches from every district in Ireland, all bearing the touch of the venal and corrupt, as it is to-day the same burden all chorusing the same tune all — — beneath the notice of those who are sincere and" beseeching us to go to them at once, no matter what worthy. It behoves you who remain behind to see means we possessed, and help them to fight the good that this willing offering is not made in vain. On fight, which they would immediately inaugurate with- with the good work! Begin over again, and we'll out us in case we failed to be at their head. If we fight it out on this line I Farewell 1 '! oppose them now, our own brothers in Ireland wiI14)e He went to give his young life as an '•' oflfering of pu- the most persistent and vehement malignera of the rification," " for the eradication of distrust," for the es- Irish race in America. wiU be the result ? The What tablishment of mutual love and " kindly forbearance." men at home wiU never trust us again, and then, I These parting words of Colonel Bourke, show him to

repeat, farewell to Irish Regeneration 1 They, not we, have sounded the depths of Irish necessity, and to have

^XQ forcing this business ; but, God willing, if they go struck the key- note of Irish success. He went to a down, we, who first raised their hopes, will go down sacrifice to show others how to go to a success. with them aye, no matter how far down they may — In the distribution of the district commands. Colonel go 1 Therefore, I go to Ireland—feeble and prostrate Bom-ke was assigned to the Tipperary District. The as I am in body, I shall go to Ireland, and were I general rising, as agreed upon, took place on the 6th obliged to be carried through the fields, I shall be in March, 1867, and under that date, was issued from the the thick of the first fight ! My comrades and myself " Head-Quarters I. E. Army, Limerick Junction, Tip- with a full belief in the ultimate triumph of ouj holy perary," the following proclamation, the main charac- cause, go to ofier up our lives—not even for the teristics of which will not lead us to err in assigning it immediate consummation of our dearest hopes, but to Colonel Bourke: for the eradication of that distrust and want of true fraternal feeling, scattered "Soldiers, whose seeds the enemy has —The hour for which you have longed has come at broadcast amongst us, and for the establishment of last, Tou are now about to confront the enemies of your countiy and your that love of one another and kindly forbearance of race. You must not expect material aid from without nntU you have shown the friends of Republican Liberty, by deeds, each other's faults and follies, without which the not words, that yon are worthy their sympathy.

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138 FENIAN HEKOES AND MAJKTTRa. COLONEL THOlLiS FEANCI3 BOTTEKE. 139

" Ton are not bo well armed as you might be, * • • fortune." Bourke replied " : I wish you the same, Ma- but you will remember that history furnishes no instance of revo- jor, and thank you for the kindness you have extended lution, when the insurgents tools the field as well armed as the gov- to me." ermnent forces opposed to thent. The Special "You will carry on the struggle for Irish Independence accord- Commission sat in Dublin on the 10th April, when the ing to the usages of civilized warfare ; but should the enemy inau- prisoners, against whom bills of indict- gurate the 'stamping out' process, or should they insult, injure or ment had been found, were placed at the bar, in order violate any of the daughters of our land, let then your battle-cry to receive the necessary notice of trial, and to have coun- oe war to the knife I sel assigned them. By direction of the Lord Chief Jua- "Comrades I the eyes of the world arc npon you, and thousands tice, Thomas F., known as " of yovir brothers beyond the Atlantic, and elsewhere, will rush to General " Bourke, was the fii-st placed at arms, when yotir deeds proclaim that you are reaUy ' the men in the bar. His Lordship then informed him that the the gap.' grand jmy had found bills of indictment for "IrishmenI Jlay the wrongs and woes of centuries of oppression high treason against him ; that he was entitled to copies and misrule, neiTe your ai-ms when you march forth to combat, of the indictment, lists of the jurors, and of the wit- with the flag of you fethers above you, and the light of battle in nesses against him; also, that he your faces." would have ten clear days to consider his defence, and was at Hberty to name two counsel, The Govemment was prepared for tlie rising. It had who would be assigned by the court. Colonel in its pay since the September previous, the now noto- Bourke selected Messrs. Butt and Downes as his counsel, riously infamous infoiTaer, John Joseph Corydon, who and Mr. Lawless as his attorney. The indictment found by the had been used as a despatch messenger between the ^ grand jury, which consisted of four counts, leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, for nearly two may be here condensed, as it re- fei-s not only years. This Corydon set the authorities on the track to Bourke, but to other noted Fenians, whose names it of Patrick Condon, alias Godfrey Massey, who acted preserves, and who will be referred to subsequent in the capacity of traveling agent, or adjutant-general m chapters. The first count of Colonel Thomas J. KeUey, the acting C. O. I. R. sets forth the general charge against the accused, as follows " He became likewise an informer, and his evidence con- : The Jurors for our Lady the Queen, upon victed Bom-ke, who was captured at the affray at Bally- their oath and affirmation, do say and present, that hurst Fort, near Tipperary, on the Cth March. Bourke's Thomas Bourke, (otherwise called Thomas F. Bourke,) John graces of manner won even the good-will of liis cap- M'Cafferty, (otherwise called WiUiam Jackson,) tors. On his deportation, for trial, to Dublin, Major Edward Duffy, John Flood, (otherwise called John PhiOips,) Lind, of the 31st regiment, shook hands with him, say- Patrick Meares, Patrick Doran, George " ConnoUy, (otherwise caUed ing : Good-bye, General Bourke ; I wish you good Francis ConnoUy,) Jarleth

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140 FENIAN HEE0E8 AlO) MAETTE8. COLONEL THOMAS FEANC18 BOUEEE. 141

Mooney, Ilenrj Filgate, Thomas Joseph William wards, to wit, on the 11th day of July, in the year Clarke, John Hughes, Joseph "Wheelan, Chi-istopher of our Lord one thousand eiglit huladred and sixty- Byrne, Luke Fullam, Laurence Fullam, James Gor- si::, and on other days, as well before as after that

man, Terence Kelly, and John Beirne, being subjects . day in the United States of America, did conspire, con- of om* said Lady the Queen, not regarding the duty of sult, consent and agree with James Stephens, John their allegiance, nor having the fear of God in their O'Mahony, Colonel Kelly, General Cluseret, Doran hearts, but being moved and seduced by the instiga- Killian, James J. Kogers, General Mullen, General Vif- tion of the devil, as false traitors against our said Lady quain. General Fariola, General Condon, Colonel Quin- the Queen, and wholly withdrawing the allegiance, lan, Colonel Henry Quinn, Colonel Patrick Leonard, fidelity and obedience, which every true and faithful Major O'Dowd, Captain McClure, Captain Fitzharris, subject of our said Lady the Queen should and of right Captain Gleeson, Captain Burke, Captain O'Brien, ought to bear towards our said Lady the Queen, to wit, Major Delahunt, Captain Nolan, Captain Bible, Cap- on the 11th day of July, in the year of our Lord one tain Ilennessy, Captain Mackay, Captain Decle, Cap- thousand eight hundi'ed and sixty-six, and on divers tain Moran, Captain Dunn, Captain O'lSTeill, Captain other days, as well before as after that day, to wit, at Joyce, Captain Corrigan, Captain Doheny, Captain the Parish of St. Peter, in the County of Dublin, mali- Gibbons, Captain Murtagh, and divers other false trai-

ciously and traitorously, together with divers other false tor, to the jurors aforesaid unknown, to move and stir traitors, to the jurors aforesaid unknown, did compass, certain foreigners and strangers, to wit, certain citizens imagine, devise and intend to depose our said Lady the of the United States of America, and persons resident Queen from the royal state, title, power and govern- in America, with force and arms, to invade that part ment of this realm, and from the style, honor and king- of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ly name of the Lnpsrial Crown thereof, and to bring called Ireland. And further to fulfil, perfect and bring and ^t our said Lady the Queen to death ; and the to their most -wicked treason and treasonable compass- said treasonable compassing, imagination, device and ing, imagination, device and intention aforesaid, they, intention, maliciously and traitorously did express, ut- the said Thomas Bourke, etc., as such false traitors as ter, declare and evince, by divers overt acts and deeds, aforesaid, afterwards, to wit, on the 11th day of Feb-* hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, in order to fulfil, ruary, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun- perfect and bring to efiect their most evil and wicked dred and sixty-seven, and on divei-s other days, as well treason and treasonable compassing, imagination, de- before as after that day, mahciously and traitorously vice and intention aforesaid, they, the said Thomas did make divers jom-neys, and did go into that part of Bourke, etc., as such false traitors as aforesaid, after- her Majesty's dominions called England, and, to wit,

M gtMiifliitf'--^'-^f-^i^'^'''^*'*^'^ "Vi'i ttdC"" 'Ai

142 FENTAN HEEOES AKD MAETTE8. COLONEL THOMAS FEANCI8 BOTJEKE. 143

at Chester, in the shire of Cheshire, did collect and allegiance, fidelity and obedience which every tme bring t

they might the better arm themselves, and fight against Queen in the County Dublin ; and the fourth again the troops and soldiers of our said Lady the Queen." sets out the illegal acts relative to the attack jipon the

The next section of the fi.rst count charges that the police barracks at GlencuUen, etc., where the accused accused did conspire with the persons named, and other " did arm and an-ay themselves in a warlike manner, false traitors, to raise, levy and make insurrection, re- and did then and there make a warlike attack upon bellion and war against the Queen, and " witfi force and fire at a body of constables, then and there lawful- and arms, at the Parish of Tallaght, in the County of ly assembled in the due execution of their duty, and Dublin, maliciously and traitorously did arm them- then and there did make a warlike attack upon a cer- selves witli, and bear and carry certain weapons, that tain dwelling-house and barrack, in which divers con-

is to say, guns, pistols and pikes, with intent to asso- stables of her Majesty then were, and did call on and ciate themselves with divers other false traitors, armed demand said constables to surrender to the Irish Re- with guns, pistols and pikes, whose names are to the public, and did fire upon said constables, and then did said jurors unknown, for the purpose of raising, levy- compel the said constables to surrender the said house ing and making public insurrection, rebellion and war to them, the said traitors." against our said Lady the Queen, and of committing In the list of witnesses to be produced by the CroWn, and perpetrating a cruel slaughter of and amongst the against the prisoners indicted for high treason at the faithful subjects of our said Lady the Queen, witliin Special Commission, and to be resumed on Wednes- this realm." day, the 24th of April, when the trial of the Fenian The subsequent sections charge the prisoners with prisoners would proceed forthwith, were the following 'having attacked the police at GlencuUen, Stepaside. persons connected with the United States of America. Kilmallock, Eallyknoekane, Ballyhurst and Drogheda. They are thus described, amongst over two hundred The sec^jnd count repeats the same overt acts as in others: Patrick Condon, otherwise called Godfrey the first count, omitting the words " being subjects of Massey, formerly a colonel in the Confederate Army of the our Lady the Queen, not regarding the duty of their Southern States of IS'orth America ; afterwards a allegiance," and the words " wholly Mathdrawing the canvasser for a commercial house in New Orleans, and

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144 FENIAN HEROES AND MAJBTYE8. COtDNEL THOMAS FEANCIS BOtTEKB. 145

at present no occupation ; formerly Phelan's coffee- n large number of men emerging from it in twos and threea. As house, at New Levee, in the city of Kew Orleans, we approached the foit, we were fired upon by men in the fort I saw a single horseman in the fort He moved away in an America; afterwards Tavistock street, in the county oblique direction from the rest of the mob. As he rode away he of Middlesex, in England, and now the office of the was fired upon by several of the meru I obseived hun fall or Metropolitan Police, Lower Castle Yard, county of the dismount from his horse. We closely pursued him. Privates city of Dublin. John Joseph Corydon, formerly a Squires and Dickens were under my command. With me they lieutenant in the United States of America, and at overtook him behind a hedge. I identify that person as the prisoner Bourke. He had a stick in his hand and appeared to be present no profession ; late the Commercial Hotel, Is- lame, I did not lose sight of him from the: time I first saw him • lington, Liverpool, in England, and now the station of until he dismounted. There were no persons near him but soldieis the Police, lane, Metropolitan Chancery county of the when we arrested him. city of Dublin. John Devany, formerly a clerk in a. Wm. Roberts, color-sergeant 81st, deposed that he searched the mercantile establishment in New York, and at present prisoner Bourke, and found with him a pocket-book and two documents. In the pocket-book was inscribed the following oath: no profession ; late Kidge street, New York, in the "In the presence of Almighty Gad, I solemnly swear that United States of America, and now the station of the I will not bear arms against, or by word or act give information, aid or Metropolitan Police, Chancery lane, county of the city comfort to the enemies of the Irish Republic, untU regularly of Dublin, relieved of this obligation. So help me God." The two docu- The trial commenced on the 24th of April. The ments were lists of names. following evidence was elicited On cross-examination the witness stated that the man on horse- back was three hundred j'ards away It was proved by one Edward Brett, a servant from him when the men fired, and that at that distance he could not recognize him. of Mr. James Bartel, of Thomastown, that having I been sent for bread on the morning of the 6th March, Another account, written on authority, varies little was on his return, and from statements he stopped from the depositions on the trial, but sufficient to give to brought tlie bread to Ballyhurst made him he Fort, Bourke full credit for the position in which he was cap- where Bourke, who was lame, distributed it among tured, " and says : Tlie force of the 31st, which acted the men. Sub-inspector Kelly, who had seen Wm. there under Major Lynd, did not at first fire a single Bourke in the month previous, described him as " a shot, but charged up a hill against the Fenian insur- man with a broken up constitution, and not capable gents, intending to attack them with the bayonet. of much physical exertion, The latter bolted away, and the soldiers, after a long nin after them, saw WiUiam Woodworth, color-sergeant 31st Kegiment, examined: them gathered together at some di-stance I was stationed at Tipperaiy, on the afternoon of the 6th March off. Marksmen were then ordered to the last. I went out with about sixty men to Ballyhurst Fort. I saw front, and knelt down and fired, and several Fenians

U6 TEmXS HEE0E3 AKD MAHTTES, COLONEI. THOMAS FRANCI8 EOtJEKE. 147 ^ere wounded. It w rwt a fact that the rebd caUeA Colonel Thomas Bourke, or Colonel Thomas Vohnd' Bourlce P. Bourke, in America. surrendered. He was on a horse I knew very weU a person named Colonel KeUey. I gave money to trying to rally liis men when a sergeant Colonel took aim and Thomas P. Bourke. I gave him about £10 in London. I fired at him, and it is supposed that he wounded the stated to him when I gave him the money the purpose, which was horse from which that he should come with me to Ireland to Bourke fell. Bourke was afterwards join the rising ; that was found some weeks previous to the 11th February on a truss of straw, and was arrested," last He said that he had .to leave London for Ireland on the evening of the day in which The evidence of the informers, Godfrey Massey, he would and John receive the money. After I left Washington, I went to Joseph Corydon, on the trial of General New York. I arrived there before Stephens by a few days. On Bourke, referring to many other Fenian heroes and Stephens' return, there was a meeting of the Fenians held at New martyrs, is given York. About substantially in full from the reports, the middle of December, 1866, there was a Fenian leaving out the meeting held. Some of the Irish Centres were questions which ehcited the narratives. present General Halpin The same was present. I cannot thmk of the names of all, but about evidence in its main features was given by thuty were present I am not sure whether the prisoner. Colonel them on the trials of . the others identified and convict- Bourke, was there. Stephens presided at the meeting. 8t«phena ed by them. ^ made a statement showing the amount of war material held by the Brotherhood at New York. He said that the amount was not one- Patrick Condon, seventh of alias Godfrey Massey, was caUed. the minimum fixed by himself He said that the mini- On the witness ascending mum was thirty thousand the table, the prisoner, General Bourke, rifles. He objected to open the fight, as changed his position in the dock, he had promised, but to prove his and looked Massey straight in the fidelity to Ireland, he ofiered to face, but the latter turned his come over and put himself hi the eye aside. The witness stated that hands of the pohce authorities, he was a colonel in the 2d Texas and to be hanged. That proposition regiment, Confederate service after- was scouted by every one, and wards a it canvasser for a commercial house was determined that the fight should be opened. I knew a person m New Orieans ; that he became connected with the Fenian named Captain M'Catferty. Brotherhood about AuoTist, 1865 He was at that meetmg. Some even- and went to New York in October, higs after that, Stephens convened another 1866. He first saw Bourke! meeting. About twenty whom he now identified, officials were present at that in the Central Fenian Office, 19 Chatham meeting. It was pmely a military one, street. New York. M'Caffcrty wanted to He met Stephens there ako. He continued- know the plan of the campaign. Stephens I was at a Fenian meeting in did not Uke to mention it. I said that Philadelphia. Steps were there M'Caflerty was right, and taken for the purpose supported his motion of coUecting war materials to divulge the plan of the campaign to his and money. An . officer was appointed to officers. That was what fumed out take charge of the materials. The war afterwards to be the campaign materials were to be sent to for Ireland. At that meeting several New York, for shipment to Ireland. of the officers said that they Stephens and I left would leave on the next PhiLidelphia and went to Washington. We day, Saturday, for Iieland, and they did. there met some men belonging Tlicre was a ILst of names of to the organization, and consulted officers who were to go to Ireland made them. I know that James out. I got that list of names from Stepliens was connected with the Fenian Colonel Kelley. He then held th.^ Brotherhood. That position of C. O. I. portion of it which began with John O'Msho- R. He was the deputy of Stephens. C. O. K. signifi.-d ny, was under his directioa 1. "Chief Organizer of the I have known the prisoner, Bomke, as Irish Repubhc." After the time of the firet meeting, some of the officers left for Ireland. I do

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148 FENIiN HEROES AKD MAETTR8,

not COMHm. remanber the names of those THOILU rEAKCIS who left for Ireland. After that BOOTIII. 149 mee,„gi,»ended a meeting at Stephens' lodgings, West Eleventh °'^'"""» ">•'"" ^ ™' '"'' ^'"''"'^ '" ^"'--^ Colonel Kelly, Cap- "'-^ ".» "« .w fZ%Jam O Shea, "lU*^ andfothers. I know the district of Manhattan At a Bubsequen. meetmg Stephens was deposed and repudiated, andCd!

'''''P'°= '°^ ^^"«^'-<^ fiomPortland,^ the Stat rM^"" iT' onelSlff'r ^f'7J^"^<^N-^-'UreeeivedfromCol- """"^^'^ *° ^-^ <^=««t,nted among the officii ft r fV^"'""^

'" ""' *" '''°''''''' ^-''^ I tvegave them '' Instmctions th™\the moneys. Ifarrived in Liverpool on the 2Gth Jann

^''^ "ffl^-^-^ • ^'Jôse nês !1™? -^"^r-^* Colon'el Kelly dis- -'^-ho-I-t in London, .-as the prisoner, Th'omi don. I went to iJcurke, .^: Colonel Kelly's ' SSe who wm appomtcd to lod-mgs. Kellv ^r J the Tipperaiv di.trirt r„r., O'Brien and Dominick O'Mahony '^"'^'"^^ ^^ ^^'^^ th^linLXeTS ..re'^mcZ ^Tcl tte 5th of Ma^ch,': De^y was for the cZZ zirrT that being the anniver^ Mill-street distriet A man named of the day on which ce Jov e wi forFermoy. General Haipin I was for ,l>e Dublin diSer ll" not be held by the msurgents. A guerrilla war w^ to be mLTI the monnng after my amval, and returned to Dublin, for a day or *'-''""'"^' f--^'a,ypu^se. turn On m/i t^'toD^frto Dubhn a meeting of Fenian Centres was held, tanee at some dS^ from Porto Bello BazTaeks. O'Beuê was there. ToTd the mght of the 5th Mareh ^ was fixed for the rising. day On the n^ went to Cork, where I saw O'Mahony, to wh;m I sSd ^W tê mh of March had been fixed upon for L nslTsooTlf^l Ph by left Cork, and went to the g. paragraph. It spoke Limerick Junction, whe,; aboutthe wrongs of I wa. i^^L called Ireland a^ on the railway platfonn, ^ upon the people to take up on the night of the 4th arms and invok n" tit ? MarcZ

On the cross-examination, Connsellor Butt forced ^<- ^he disgrace both of his e^er ^Z an?and wife.'?/^^rHe proved he was the illegitimate sea

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150 FENIAN HEROES AND ItAETTES. COLONEL THOIUS FRANCIS BOITEKE. 151

of the foi-mer by one Ma^sey, and that the latter pressed 0'5Iahony and many other Fenian officers; we had a meeting nim to become an informer. when I arrived, and we gave the tidings of the expected escape of The statement of Stephens ; the prisoner Bourke was there ; I had been introduced tlie other wretch, Coiydon, whose hrazen to him in Union-square ; I to ; mmchalance was quite came back Ireland the announce- in keeping with his ment of Stephen's escape was made while I was there ; Bonrke degradation was as foUows was an organizer for Manhattan, and he urged the men to unity, and said when Stephens could get out of an English jail what ^'^'^^^ ^^^ ^•^^'"^^ • ^ ^^^^^^ the ri?r!r.' 'V"' - of could not people outside do in accomplishing the objects for which ^'^'"''^ ^ *^ °f 1S«2; I was then in heP.. , r'^ they were banded ; I came to Queenstown on the 22nd December; *"''."^''^*' "•"=" '^"^''^^ *^« organization^ ?aJck J rT/' I went to Cork, and from thence to Dublin ; I remained in Ireland ^'"''" "^" administered the oath to me he w^rrr one night ; I delivered my dispatches to Colonel Kelly in Heytes- °''"' ''^ ^'^^"' ^ ' I l^^t «a^ tim on the Sattn-daySat,;. I bur>' str( et ; I got dispatches from Kelly to O'Mahony, and went n>ght previous to the rising; I remained nearly years fo^ to York again, where I saw- Bourke; in January, 1866, I m the Federal army; I New left it ir> Juij. i865; I menZ F man meetmgs came to Liverpool, and thence to Dublin ; I remained here until while I was in the Federal aly ; I 'n,et Cond^ Gleeson, ; to Colonel Burke, and April ; I know M'Cafierty he was introduced me as a Fenian Lieutenant Joyce; the prisoner^ I last saw M'CaSeily in the prisoner's van ; he was described to me *'' ^""""'^ ^""^"^^ ' -«-' ^ r;maine7rNew Yo'rkrYork an officer of the organization, and one of the guerrillas of the aboutTa month after the army as was disbanded; I attend^ ^e Feman Southern States ; I met several other prominent Fenians, including headquarters nearly evety day while I ;«« i^ York N^w Kelly, Col. Bourke, John Flood, Capt. Doherty, Major Quinn, they were in Duane street ; ; John O'Mahony was the hZ &c. ; I saw M'Cafferty in Dublin, in the latter end of January or

; I met also ; in jipnl, "^^^^»»^y J"^° Febraary Edward Duffy 1866, I went to O'Mahony to James Stephens m Angus Liverpool and remained there until February last : I received pay ZZZTV;!• was not the bearer of any despatches; I was from the funds of the Fenian brotherhood ; the paymaster accompamed by four other persons was com^ected with the Feni^ organization; Capt. O'Rorke, who went by the name of Beecher ; we received their names were Major Maitin Wallis, Captain M.cbael O'Bnen, Edwanl ordere to be prepared to move on to Chester ; our orders were at O'Byme and Thomas O'Connor w^ went to LivenxK.1, and from first to remain quiet untU we would be told to move ; I next saw that we came to Dublin. In Dublin I prisoner in the early part attended a Fenian meetingatDenieffe's the of January, 1867, in Birchfield house inNo.lh Amie street- it street, in Liverpool ; it was then stated that he came from w^ attended by James Stephens, Amer- O'Donovan Rossa and otheiB • i said to ica ; I met persons who had come from America with him ; they Stephens we were desired by John O'JIahony to report ourselves to him ' were Captain or Colonel Dunne, John Joseph Rogers, Harry ; he told us to find lodgings, and that he wo^d know where to find us Miledy, who went by the name of Shaw, and some others ; I met ; Iremained in DubUntill November, 1865 • those people at a meeting in Birchfield street ; the prisoner whde here I heard of James Stephen's Bourke an-est; I know Colonel KeUy he was at that time an was at that meeting; he stated that they came over for the ; officer in the Fenian Brotherhood- purpose of fighting, and it was useless to think any longer that he t^d me that the purport of the dispatches was that Stephen^ Stephens would fight, for ; would be out of jail in five he would not I met John M'Cafierty in or six days; I mean out of Richmond Liverjxjol, in I went February, 1867 ; I met him on more occasions than to New York by the Scotia on the 19th November- I saw one ; I remember a meeting being held in Liverpool in the latter

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152 FENIAN HEROES AND lIAETTEa. COLONEL THOMAS FEANCTS BOtTEKE. end of :i53 Jannao-, 1867, or beginning of Febmaiy, for the puroose place on the Sth of March ; in case I could not see O'Connor, Kearney was to get me introduced to the "Centre," near Mill- town, county Kerry, and I was to take the command ; my party was to blow up bridges, tear up the raOs and telegraph wires, and -n ere m favor of forming a directoiy "break banks," and ; he said they were forminir if possible, we were to go as far as Rath- ad..ctoo;andM'Cafferty and he were keale in the county of Limerick in it, and hlwaS^ ; I saw General Halpin in Dublin before I left for the south ; I also saw the other man Bourke ; I -wM'Caffertj-afew received £3 from Duffy before left °;« days before I ; I went to Millstreet affair, the Chester on the Sr ^Flood and aD the 4th of American March I saw officers in Liverpool ; Kearney ; he told me to go back to the there thêeting were city ; was held at the of Cork and see a house of a man naZd man named Michael Murphy, who would pro- in Edgar street; wZ M'Cafferty and Flood eaid bably give me nstructions about they were sent fS^ O'Connor ; I went to Cork that night I saw "^* "^""^^ ; Michael Jlurphy ; he sent me to ^:y "^ '^' theirâyireSrT Dominick Mahony, srift^^ the Head Centre for Cork ; did not see Massey in Cork ; M'Mahon Chester; that the castle there wa. to be attacked, told me he was in Cork at that the arms ee^d time ; I saw Captain O'Brien, a t^m seized, and the arms put into it of Captain Condon and others in Cork c»iJe; the ra^s^ê ; Condon was in MiUtary command at "^" ^' ''' Cork ; he told me to go to ^"' -^toprocer; Middleton ; I remained trn'r ohZ r T in Cork tiU Monday, the 4th of March; I left by the morning m Ireland • tliat plan was agreed train I met to at the ; Massey's messenger ; he told meeUng ; no anunê- me that Massey was inentslhrc=«3ingitontweremade; after the coming by the 12 o'clock train to Limerick meeting seJTtet Junction ; I came "''"'' '""^ Monday. to Dublin, and arrived about I gave inform'atStftê 4 o'clock ; I went to the au.hontiesma'^fh'r ^"''' Lower Liverpool, I made arrangements Castle Yard, and gave mformation to go to Chest r to the authorities; I saw "^""^ ^'°"' Massey next a prisoner I first ^^°'^' ^-' ^ Chester: I i; ; began to give infonnation to the thmtheil att Birkenhead;;r-\ T I went there authorities m Liverpool in with them; I me AnZ September, 1866. Gibbon^ one of the American officers at Birkenh'ead ; a c<;tr^ niand of the order to march on Chester was given by he me that gS^ t

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T I yi-rllt^'»|-|i^WW.I iittMi

154 FEKIA.V HEROES AND JUETTE8. My Lords, it is not COLONEL my intention tr, THOMAS FEANCI8 BOUEKB. in answering "''"'^ 155 the question why ""* "^ ^""^ ««»« "ô- the se^t be passed °'^'" ^"""^ tie my brow my conduct and on n.e. But S" ^'^'^^^ ^^t ; career, both here and in a I LaV ! America^ ntle of the ''"^''''°^' If you like, as a soldier-are evidence that ha. ^^^^ before you, and even in this my hour evidence S bro^ IT of tnal^ that I feel the consciousness I would speak "'' '"''^ '^'"'^ «"» of having lived an honest of I hat of ^ man ; and had the f^ I m^ d.e proudly, conversation "^^^-^^^P-^ôr Kelly, believing that if I have wi h me i^, r who given my life to give tlât freedom he asked either and liberty to the land of ^BoTZmTT'^^'"'''^- ê^t.te^ my birth, I have done only ttat fr>end which Stephen^ and " ^** ^^^^^ every Irishman and eveiy man thatl mfde 1" -^ whose soul throbs with a feel- ôlued ans^"'^ ing of n.n that ''''^"*^« hberty should do. I, my lords, ever had been -°^ shall scarcely-I feel I should Here, °or evT t' not standing on '"""''^ ^^ at all-mention the name of Massey. the brink of^ ^ A««^«a. I feel I should not pollute Almighty and "" ""= my hps with the name of that Ever-LiviTi^d n "^T P'-^«'^°«« of the traitor, whose illegitimacy has been P-^-y that ever '''''' proved here; a man whose man Svelte'.?,"" ""^^ " ''' '^^^^ name even is not known, and who' everoccun^L ^° «"^^ deny pomt-blank, ever wore The naTe of ' ^"'^-ez.ation the star of a colonel in the Confede- pass Se w from that, '"" "-^"tioned.. rate army. Him I shall and then touch 1 shafl let rest I shall pass him, wishing tJ-t on the "f ^^him. I assisted in "'''""• m the woi-ds of the poetr— distributS^the brâ/trfr" ^<^ ^^'- that I stood P^"""^' with him ° ^ *« tort,' "May in the ^7.!^ and the graBs -Blther from his feet; '^''^"^ May the woods deny -a.notinthefortatthetoeltfllw"'- '^'^ âlse. J him shelter-earth, a home • âs being °°' Theashosagrave; ' distributed. "^^'^ ^^«° 'he bread theeunhlBllght; I came £ Jft And fons have Bothof Heaven its God." been made, and s^b^tt^T'''^ these asser- -y life ^sted, a. ' Let Jlassey remember evidence, " "^"^^ ^^^ from this day forth, he carries ml on ?oath,t r^" with him. aa Bolelyandp„«,yfo,t,^^^^J ^7 these men-made my learned and eloquent counsel (Sir. Dowse) has stated, a serpent P-ave. (The ttat will prisoner ""^ *" ^ ""'^^ gnaw his conscience-will cany about a her^^Semlv^^^r ""l with him m his almiebilof h« n-emo^, breast a living hell, from paperinhi^hafron looked which he can never be sepamted. of the C^/f^* L my evidenceduring notes lords, have no desire for the name the trianTh^'''''^^*^«"«f«^ of a martyr. I seek not the death «>athavebeenswon.tohe,.rtoiover"'"'°^P°^'^> -y'ords, of a martyr but if it is the will ; of the Almighty and act., Omnipotent it has been God that my devotion alleged I too/Zin'^'r'''"''^^''^-*'"^ to the land of my birth should" be ' tested on lords, to give '' " ""' ""^ '^--^ the scaffold, I am ^y utterance to -wf wUhng there to die m defence of the âs been o^wl ri-ht of men pronounced t/"""'' ^"^-^ ^'^''^ to free govemraent-the right upon me -^ch of an oppressed people to throw as a man, LT conscious off which has never ^ of my honor the yoke of thi-aldom. I am an Irishman can hL by buth, an American go into by adoption, my grave ^°°-'''- t>^ by nature a lover of freedom, S a n melT:'-'""^ " and an enemy to that only say this: power that these "-nl»ed-I can that holds my native land in the bonds o^™ paLeraet'lfr^*- of tyranny It has so aggrandizement, often been admitted or to 1^ '''''^^''''''''°' their thai the oppressed have a right Jve St to throw off the pandered to the P"^' "êrable yoke appetite if T lives, have of oppression, even by English statesmen, that I deem it unne- cessaiy to advert to that fact in a British court of justice. Ireland's ness of my of eve^-act in the rightLs! children are not-never were— 00^,^:^,!°J 'f'^'^^ and never will be—willing or sub- -em in Ireland, I have """- missive slaves, and so long as nothS Te^ nT'T''''^ England's flag covere one inch of ° that -- L-ish soil, just so long wiU they -—S wo.d WuTthTbT^- --ot beUeve it to be a Dhine right "to conspu-e, imagine and devise " means to hui-1 it from power, and erect m its stead the God-like structure of self-government. Before

156 FKWK DEEOES Am> MAETTM. COLONEL TII0MA8 FEAJTCIS BOUEKE. 157

™p^';'^- ^^^ t.at i o^'°T74t::'j, t;::,:r .., to dispo. nor met That paper has been put in there for some purpose. I gift-tLe '""""'' positively it thanks- '^ "^'^^ can swear was not in my hand writing ; he st a.?'"'"' ^ "-' P-' I can also -an; I " '^"'" °^' swear I never it, it is offer hin, too, • "" ^--' saw yet used as evidence against me. Is this rna" e I^^^h ST' people. ^""'^ "^^ '^'''"^' justice ? Is this right ? Is this manly ? I am willing, if 1 I know th^t I amTr ^^ "'^ have in transgressed the laws, to suflfer the JHend, fact-three thousanZt rZ^ ^^'^^^-^^'^-^ « punishment ; but I object to this know that ""^ system of trumping up a case, I am not forgotten ^ ^''^^^- ^"t ^ to take away the life of a human tha7 TI ^'^' hean of America ^'^ ^"'^ generous Lish being. True, I ask for no mercy. My present cmp.ciated form— to-dav feels for t,% 'ôt constitution foêt the man ^'^' ^nd does my somewhat shattered—it is better that my life should who is wU^X / Tf^'^^^ anU,_p„,u^^ «caffold-aye, be brought conscious oT^"^^:*^.''^ defi- to an end, tlian to drag out a miserable existence in the Pimciple^ln .""'"' "*" ^'"erican prison pens of Portland. Thus it is, my lords, I accept the veidict. defence of iibertv TTtT!'' Mr. ''""' Of course it OXogMen-aU ' ^ '^^ ^°--' my acceptance of is unnecessary ; but I am satisfied my counsl' one of ^ Cumn-and my able ''^'" ^'"^ ' "''''''^ ^r. with it. And now I shall close. True it is there are many feelings solicTtof T individnaUy 1 ^"^'^^Î and coUectiverL «tam to them, that actuate me at this moment. In fact, these few disconnected shaJI "^^ ^'"''^* remarks now, my lords, TjoL7 "'^"ks. I can give no idea of what I desire to state to the court. I ^-ratteLnSreriT have ties to bind me to life and society, as strong as any man In ô^d^S::!^"^^^^ on to that home where ^ '''"" ""^ '°°^ this court, I have a family I love as much as any man in this soitows aê It an T\ I shaU hope '"'-^^'^'^ i« court does iiis. But I can remember a^d pmy that fceTom T J°y eternal the blessing received from an down.t«Hiden country. Thafk ITh "^ ^'' •'''™ ''^ "^ P<«r aged mother's lips, —as I left her the last time. She spoke as the 1^ wonb I shall utt^r ""^ P^^"' ^d the Spartan mother did "Gro, my boy. Return either with your wi 1 b1 T' a prayer ^2 Z """^ for poor old Le "ni T'"" '"^ forgiveness, and shield or upon it." This reconciles me. This gives me heart I other man, '"'^' ^^'^«°° submit to my doom, and I hope that God will forgive Co^-don, I .Si makfaT' "' " ^ ">« me my past I SO to Ootydon, '^'^'^^ sins. I hope, too, that inasmuch as He has for I should sa^ much l T'"^' ^^^^''P^ seven hundred Of Colonel KeUy, ''°'^° years, preserved Ireland, notwithstanding and of the °° '^"^ '^^'^ ' aU the tyranny to which jn ^21"!:^ London. I desh. she has been subjected, as a separate and distinct nationality. to state, I ntver .'""^" " '°'^^ He lodgings Sew were, and I ''" ^°'°"«J belly's will also retrieve her fallen fortunes—to rise in her beauty and her never knew Jh , . heard the infonner, Maslev aZ "^ '^ ^°°*°' '^^^ I majesty, the sister of Columbia, the peer of any nation in the world. tended a meeting a'tcS ^"--*- nienta abo« LeCld I't'^-"°*''^ hhn, that has °*^' ^t^te- beJllZ , The prisoner here ceased, and stepped back from the gentlemen of ^°"^ the jurv I n„w ^ f '"'"^^^'P^' '^d to you. front of the dock, just as calmly as he had advanced unfomaded and fre°from "^ '^^^ '"^ ^^y to it, but -(vith perhaps a slight additional lustre in his -.all paper CZ^T"'! that was introduS "^''"°" ^ «^« eye, and a heightened color. Throughout he never evidence, ^ id"b^'^""^'^ as havmg been found n ^g^'^st me, as hesitated for a word, but spoke slowly, distinctly and that oath, Idesi«°u,t; ^ ^°--«- S. -ith deliberately, to the end. He was listened to through- and I k,ew pap^wTT^ no person wLose 0°°*/°""'' "'^ ""^ Pe-on. o-ub.. name .1 out with breathless anxiety. A muiTuur of applause or.oseo.er ->-^. peôryoThTai-- and delight with his eloquent and touching address,

: : :

COLONEL THOMAS FEANC18 BOmiKE. 159 158 FEOTAN HEE0E8 AXD MAETYE8.

Again, here is the record of a loving thought and arose amid the audience, as lie stepped baclc, but it comforting fact was, of course, instantly suppressed by the officials. The sentence of the law for high treason was then "I have carefully guarded and preserved the Agnui Dei which pronounced, that the prisoner be hanged, di'awn and you suspended round my neck at our parting * * » On partook of Holy Communion at a late Mass. quartered, on "Wednesday, the 29th May. last Easter Sunday I longitude and yours, I counted the difference of time between this In appearance, Thomas Francis Bourke was strik- partaking of the for I Isnew that you and my dear sisters were ing, even though enfeebled by disease. About five feet Sacrament at early Mass on that day, as was your wont, and I felt 1" ten inches in height, with a slight stoop recently that our souls were in communion together contracted, his earnest manner gave his actions a ' the young hero is enter- spirit of enthusiasm which was greatly heightened by As anything relating to especially all that illustrates his internal his eye (full but not prominent), when anjithing taining, 'and following reminiscences of one who obtain- occurred to stir his natural genius. He was deeply nature, the in Kilmainham Jail, while imbued with a religious feeling, both of sentiment and ed admission into his cell of death, will be particularly appro- action. On the night before his trial he wrote the under sentence following strong, touching, and beautiful letter priate and interesting " A warder paced without in the passage. I w'ent over and looked witliin, and lying on a hammock, little table beside him, upon which stood a Deaelt Beioted Motitee : Long before this r?ache9 you, my with a sentence, I pie uine, will have been made known to the American crucifix, a vase of holy water and some books, waa woild by the Atlantic cable. This is the night before my trial, the nearest of the ' Irish felons' to death. and what that sentence may be I do not know ; but I resigned am " His quick eye noted me at once. He had a book and prepared to meet, in a manner that becomes your eon and in his hand. He laid it down. He raised himself by my own manhood, whatever God in his mercy has destined for me. attached to the lower end of his couch. I in Him are all my hopes, and He will not desert me in my hoiu' a cord invitation to enter, and I beckoned the of trial, nor you in your dce|) affliction ! O, my dear, dear mother I took it as an there is only one thought that almost unmans me, and that is, I, warder. who was only happy in youi- happiness, should, in your declining " The door was unbarred, and I walked forward. years, cause you even a moment's pang of sorrow 1 But, as this A few words were responded by me, and I sat down. transitory life is at best, but a vale of tears and suffering, you hammock in which he lay was s\vung from iron have before your eyes the grief and unspeakable affliction of that The cell, extended Holy Mother who gave up her Divine Son to crucifixion for hooks fastened in the walls of his and the {he redemption of man's immortal soul ; and she who is now a transversely across that apartment. Beyond was mother to me, will be to you the Kefuge and Comforter of the straw pallet in which the prisoner used to lie at night. Afflicted.

'""'^ rll-FitTiTiMiffiir"''''*'''™''

ICO FEJsTAil HEROES AiO) MAETTRS. COLONEL TnOMAS FEANCIS BOUEKE. 161 The boot wliicli he had been reading on my entrance goes by very fast in the cell of a man whose hours are lay open upon the conch. I looked at its heading, numbered by the law, and my hour with Thomas and it was the ' Preparation for Death,' by St. Alphon- Bourke fleeted faster than I dreamed. Bus Ligoiiri. Much he spoke, and much I learned fi-om others of him, but all " I saw no change in Thomas Bourke the condemned h& said only fixed the picture I drew of him deeper in and Thomas Bourke on trial. Self-possessed and my mind, that a better and nobler soul never calm as ever, he spoke quietly, firmly and gently. existed upon the earth, His observations were given almost invariably in " They have spread reports of his bearing reply. In the life of the informers he could see noth- 'and treatment since his imprisonment, which are ing worth 'living for, when they had outlived their neither respectable fiction nor stray fact. It has been asserted honor and foreswore their oaths ; so he gave his dictum, that he has left a wife and family in New York and I ; that believed him. I spoke of his worn and'enfeebled he has been allowed every delicacy which he state of health, for I had special reasons for so doing. required, and nothing has been refused to him ; that the Sisters He told me it was his souvenir of a gallant fight ; two of Charity were in constant .attendance upon bullet wounds had passed through his leg near the him— and to aU those assertions I give a upj)er thew of the thigh. The hospitals were crowd- flat contradiction. Thomas Bourke never was married, he has no wife, ed with wounded, and although he got as much 'care no children. He leaves behind him in America a dear as possible,' still he was not so well cared as, ' under ^nd venerable mother, and as dear sisters, and of all other circumstances he would be ;' and the muscles of of whom he was the prop and stay. When he his leg sloughed away, until, he said, when the wound was convicted and sentenced he was placed npon the diet healed, " the skin alone covered the bone." And so, which the law allows, and no more, and. that diet is truly, it was; from his thigh to about ten inches lut hread and water. Afterwards, he received above the knee there was only the bone covered with the diet of the ordinary prisoners, and no other delicacy. thin and seamed skin. There was one topic more The Sisters of Charity never were in attendance upon which I started, and that was the most import- upon him but the Sisters of ; Mercy, from Goldenbridge, ant topic death was near him. I shall not toll — how visited him upon one of the last days of his stay I neared that great subject, but well I remember his at Kilmainham, and I believe did so at the request of the reply. ' There is a little book,' he said, ' which has Very Eev. Mr. Kennedy, the chaplain of the jaiL taught me much, and one thing it has taught me ]Sow, little as all those items in the strange eventful beyond all ; the longest life is not life. the best You history of General Thomas Bourke may seem, there is read,' he said, 'the Imitation Christ,' of An hour a necessity that there should be no mistake about

MAETTKB, 162 FENIAN HEE0E8 AOT)

manner, liis kindliness, tliem • and wlien I add that his courage impressed his gentleness, and his unobtrusive idea of his character, I all ai-ound himwith a high though not all, ot have given to public record much, and cell of Thomas what I learned in anhour in the jail Subse- Bourke when he lay there condemned to die." commuted to quently the sentence of death was perpetual impriBonment.

163 COLONEL THOMAB J. KELLT,

COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLT.

h>B Un^on -Fllee from TenneBBee for ^^''^-;f°^'^^^^^l, Stoff-Health

" Govenunent. AimB of the ProTiBioiial

whose name is bo Colonel Tho^8 Jame8 Kellt, evidence .of Massey, and frequently aUuded to in the the retirement of who became Chief Organizer after resources marked ability, various Stephens is ^ man of sagacious clear thinker, and a and untiring energy ; a displayed a very remarkable worker, he has also in England and Ireland. adroitness in his movements organization, he While managing the details of the of the authorities, and has baffled the watchfulness betrayed to the Govern- even when his residence was restless foresight which ment, he managed by that his whereabouts and amounts to intuition, to change police. present the attentions of the to evade up to the passed m America, as The dangers through which he service during the war, concen- an officer in the signal has been of such use to trated the self-rehance which foUower of the art him in the service of Ireland. A knowledge gamed as a preservative of all arts, the

,js^^'^^j^S3Ss/i~-^ —

164 FESTAN HEROES AND MAETTES. COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLT. 165

printer and journalist has stood liim in good need on roll—the Franklins, Berangers, Michelets, and in our the emergencies into which his patriotic duties led own days, the Greeleys, Colfaxes, and others, not to him. mention those of a military turn, like Marechal

Thomas J. Kelly was born in Mount Bellew, county « .^ Prune, who, graduating from the composing stick to Galway, ia 1833. His father belonged to the farm- the baton of France, distinguished himself by driving ing class and brought up his son for the Church. On the English and Eussians from Holland, and against the this account he received a better education than is Austrians on the plains of Italy. Truly may the generally the lot of young men in similar circum- printers be proud of the men who have done honor to stances, l^ot having a vocation for the clerical the profession, and it was extremely pleasing in this profession, his father wisely bound him to the printing connection to hear some of the craft refer to KeUy, as business in Loughrea. Finding the prospects before one who illustrated the force ef character, ready him too circumscribed for his aspiring mind, young resources, sagacity and honesty, which are claimed as Kelly started for America, and arrived in New York characteristic of its best representatives. when but eighteen years of age. Like most young On his arrival in New York, young Kelly, having a men on their first arrival here, he had to encounter predisposition for military matters from boyhood, waa those buifetings which almost invariably fall to the delighted with the advantages offered by the National Guard, lot of the inexperienced in a new country ; but with and companies of citizen soldiery. He of his usual persevering industry, he overcame them, and course joined a military organization, and in time got good employment at his profession as printer. He identified himself with every movement tending to soon rose in the estimation of his employers and in exalt his countrymen in the social and moral scale. the good opinion of his brother craftsmen, among The moment a true young Irishman gets a weapon into whom he was quickly distinguished for his integrity Lis hand, his first thought is for Ireland, and the more and ability. He was a prominent and active member he learns the use of it, the more intense is his desire of the Printer's Union, and members of the craft now to use it against England. Kelly had this natural refer to him as another evidence of the ability which feeling, and became an active member of the Irish distinguish Printers when they enter public life. The Society which had produced the Fenian Brotherhood eminence to which the followers of Guttenberg and that known by the significant title of " The Emmet Faust, of Etienne, and Caxton, have arisen, is a favor- Monument Association." ite and prolific theme with the crafts-brethren. This is In 1857, at the recommendation of some friends. not to be wondered at, or checked, when we consider Ml-. Kelly went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he the philosophers, poets and historians, on the muster- Boon afterwards started the NashviUe Democrat^ which

167 166 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTKB. COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLT.

by his ably supported the Presidential claims of that noble miUtary spirit added to the feelings engendered declaration of patriot, Stephen A. Douglas, during the exciting polit- treatment as a Union man. The 69th ical campaign of 1860. Colonel Corcoran in New York, tendering the and calling for Mr. Kelly continued to be a warm and fearless Kegiment for the defence of the Union, with the inten- • supporter of the Union cause, and when the rebellion recruits, reached him, and he started it. When broke out he was obliged to leave. These were the tion ot going to New York and joining enrollment terrible days when terrorism ruled in Teimessee, and he arrived at Cincinnati, he heard of the immediately when the Legislature in secret session, and without of the 10th Ohio, an Irish regiment, and expiration of waiting for the people to vote on the question of seces- joined its ranks as a private, and at the war. sion, placed the power of the State at months' service, he re-enlisted for the the disposal of the three ^ Virginia the " Southern Confederacy." By the machinery of He had seen some active service in Western wounded in mobs and vigilance committees dextrously worked, in his first campaign, and was severely immediate- night and day, thousands of Union men were forced one of the battles that followed. He was for gallant and to fly from the State. " We have seen scores of the ly promoted to a Second Lieutenancy him unfit best men of Tennessee," said a competent authority, meritorious conduct, but his wound rendered able to return to his writing at the time, " within the last few days, and for service for some time. When Signal Officer on they all bear witness that in their belief, the reign of regiment he was selected for duty as Captain, a distinc- terror now raging and maddening in that State, has General Thomas' staflT, with rank of when conferred had no parallel in modern history. There is less of tion which speaks for itself, especiaUy personal freedom, there is more of atrocious and horri- ' by so able and discerning a commander. importance, tad ble tyranny in Tennessee at this time, than would be The signal service was one of great found under the worst and most wretched government imminent danger. From the nature of its proceedings Tact, sagacity, of Asia, or the savage islands of the sea." At this little publicity was given to them. under all obstacles, time, Kelly was the last man to fly the starry flag in quick perception, and persistency distinguish an officer in Nashville, over his printing office, and he had to fly were the requisites to make or officers, accom- so precipitately that he was unable to save his proper- this service. Oftentimes the signal a prominent ty, and therefore was again thrown on the world with panied only by a few men, had to occupy to telegraph nothing but his own strong will and industrious isolated position on a mountain or hill, These positions perseverance to rely upon. But he was not disheart- their signals or respond to others. raids, and the officers ened. He saw that a great war was in its inception, were frequently exposed to rebel and that patriotism should meet its just reward. His were often overpowered or killed.

1G8 FENIAN HEEOES ANB MAETTE8. FEOTAN KEEOES AND MAETTE8. 169

Captain Kelly capacity. Accredited to Mr. Stephens, the inter- discharged the duties of his position tary to the entire satisfaction of General' Thomas, who view had a special influence on the future of both. complimented him were immediately struck with each other. for his ability and zeal. In camp They he was a great favorite Kelly beheld an untiring, restless conspirator, with with his brother oflBcers, on account of his capacity to sway rnen's minds, in Stephens ; Stephens agreeable manner, in their social hours, and his daring blunt, and capable soldier, in disposition in times of danger, made acknowledged the honest him relied and influ- on by the men. His regiment was finaUy Kelly. Becoming convinced of the power mustered out of the ence of James Stephens, and fimding him master of service, having served its time honorably. the occasion, Kelly became his devoted adherent. Ahnost broken set deputed to make down by hardships and exposure, He was at once to work, and Captain Kelly an inspection of the state of things in Ireland, and was unfit for active duty, and he retired with his r^ment to recuperate. report on them on his return. His report was fully About this time satisfactory. stated that he was amazed at the when he had helped to saVe the He Republic of his ramifications of the Brotherhood in Ireland, and could adoption, circumstances led him to place his experience in not have believed it, only he had convinced himself by the cause which designed to make a republic in his native land. By so doing he actual observation. doubtless interfered In all his transactions Kelly exhibited such a clear- materially with his foture prospects, as he was ofi-ered promotion in the American ness of perception, and vigor of thought, such integrity service, and declined energy, that Stephens quickly recog- it to further the cause of Irish of purpose and liberty. Being present nized as an invaluable agent -in carrying on bis at the Chicago Fair, to raise him funds m aid of in various the Irish movement, he received much organization scheme. He was employed information concerning the progress of republican offices, sometimes in visiting circles in diferent sections Ideas m Ireland, of the country, at other times in assisting Stephens in and the desire of the Fem-an Broth- erhood there to take the executive management of afiairs at home. the field. He was so much impressed with what he heard, andbeUeving he would During these trying and dangerous missions the cool- be of positive benefit signal officer, were constantly from the training he had under- ness and courage of the gone, he made up his mind to join the struggling band brought into play, and he labored with a secrecy and came to New York, caution that baffled the most vigilant detectives. and placed himself and his expe^ rience at the disposal of the Brotherhood, On the arrest of James Stephens, Capt. KeUy had The result was, Captain to exert himself with unceasing ability. He had to Kelly was dispatched to Ireland as an envoy, meet the different centres who were impatient to the first who was sent in a miK-

wi^mmmmim

FENIAN HEKOES AND MAETTE8. 171 170 COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLT. dream. Although you thought Mr. is over it appears only to be a operations on the occasion, and to calm or Dublin untU that mght, commence Stephens had left the country, he was in British spies, he left his lodgings make controlable the excitement that existed. The and, spite of aU the vigilance of Liffey, and saUed for promises of support from America were so flattering on an outside car, got on board a vessel in the English port. think it prudent to give his consent to an that he did not policemen on the to me to see him pass several an out- It was amusing a rising then. Stephens, too, was opposed to were three days m quays, and walli deUberately on board. We "break under the circumstances. ultimately reached a port in the Channel owing to bad winds. We originate rode in the maU tram Captain Kelly supervised, if he did not Scotland, slept aU night m Kilmarnock, London, and (in the the plans for Stephens' escape, which were so success- next day from there to London, slept in sleeping all mght the heart of the enemy's city), after ful. The arrangements were admu-ably prepared, morning, m (in thePal«» across the street from Buckingham Palace with a few friends, received the liberated in a hotel and Kelly, from the Victoria Station for Hotel), started by the mommg train prisoner outside of the jail walls, and conducted him to Dover. ' ,. _» 1 all search for him. there about eleven a place of safety, and baffled We got on board the French mail steamer Calais, which we reached in Most of the leaders were now in prison or sentenced o'clock on Sunday, and started for and happy when I touched French soil, to penal servitude. Kelly's activity bordered on the safety. Wasn't my mind position to Organizer of the Irish RepubUc m a marvelous. had to meet the diflFerent centres from saw the Chief He of the British to capture laugh at the blindly-mad, childUke eflforta the country to make their reports for it would create him. , £• u r ' \k suspicion if too many were seen to visit the retreat of steamers outside of the Inan After all the searches of ships and their every movement, that the the Chief. coast, so weU were we informed of this The next time that James Stephens Of course, the particulars of the transactions of affair was comparatively easy. that their barbarouB soil, he will show the British period, or of Captain Kelly's important services touches the Iiish the national flame treatment of Irish patriots but added fuel to Suffice it to say, that he cannot now be published. "stamping it out, kindled aU over the island, mstead of of the aheady did good work which fully met the approval Bose wUl find when he attempts as they propose to do. Sir Hugh Brotherhood. When it became as those of which he was guilty leading minds of the to commit such devihsh barbarities his try and to deal with. Let him order necessary for Stephens to visit this country to m India, that he has not Sepoys and childien and gray-haired old men heal dissensions and unite all lovers of Ireland, all the soldiers to butcher women and blow our soldiers from the cannon s arrangements were made by Captain (as he threatened to do), preliminary black-hearted intentions toward^ let him dare cany out his fully stated in mouth— Kelly. How he effected his object is such a retribution, not the women of Ireland, and there will be interesting letters British empke, as will not the following alone m Ireland, but m the heart of the stone unturned to paraUeled in history. The enemy left no Paeis, March 21, 1866. be played a desperate card fight before we were ready ; they night, yon make us , When I parted from you on Tuesday :Mt Deae of the anival of Mr. Stephens and lost. Just wait and see the effect hadnt much idea of the heavy task before me. Yet now that all

HEEOES AND MAETTES. 170 COLONEL THOMAS 3. KELLT. FENIAN 171

appears only to be a dream. Although you thought Mr. commence operations on tlie occasion, and to calm or is over it Stephens had left the country, he was in Dublin until that night, make controlable the excitement that existed. The and, spite of all the vigilance of British spies, he left his lodgings promises of support from America were so flattering on an outside car, got on board a vessel in the Liffey, and sailed for that he did not think it prudent to give his consent to an English port. the a rising then. Stephens, too, was opposed to an out- It was amusing to me to see him pass several policemen on were three days in break under the cireumstances. quays, and walk deliberately on board. We the Channel owing to bad winds. We ultimately reached a port in Captain Kelly supervised, if he did not originate Scotland, slept all night in Kilmarnock, rode in the mail trahl the plans for Stephens' escape, which were so success- next day from there to London, slept in London, and (in the ful. The arrangements were admii*ably prepared, morning, in the heart of the enemy's city), after sleepmg all night and Kelly, with a few friends, received the liberated in a hotel across the street from Buckmgham Palace (in the Palace the Victoria Station for prisoner outside of the jail walls, and conducted him to Hotel), started by the morning train from

Dover. ' ' ' a place of safety, and baffled all search for him. We got on board the French mail steamer there about eleven Most of the leaders were now in prison or sentenced o'clock on Sunday, and started for Calais, which we reached in to penal servitude. Kelly's activity bordered on the safety. Wasn't my mind happy when I touched French soil, and marvelous. He had to meet the different centres from saw the Chief Organizer of the Irish Eepubhc in a position to British to capture the country to make their reports for it would create laugh at the blindly-mad, childlike efforts of the suspicion if too many were seen to visit the retreat of him. Irish After all the searches of ships and steam'ers outside of the the Chief. coast, so well were we informed of their every movement, that the Of course, the particulars of the transactions of this affair was comparatively easy. The next time that James Stephens period, or of Captain Kelly's important services touches the Iiish soil, he will show the British that theu- barbarous cannot now be published. Suffice it to say, that he treatment of Irish patriots but added fuel to the national flame " stamping it out," did good work which fully met the approval of the already kindled all over the island, instead of as they propose to do. Sir Hugh Rose will find when he attempts leading minds of the Brotherhood. When it became to commit such devilish barbarities as those of which he was guUty necessary for Stephens to visit this country to try and in India, that he has not Sepoys to deal with. Let him order his all heal dissensions and unite all lovers of Ireland, the soldiers to butcher women and chUdi-en and gray-haired old men preliminary arrangements were made by Captain (as he threatened to do), and blow our soldiers from the cannon's intentions toward^ Kelly. How he effected his object is folly stated in mouth—let him dare carry out his black-hearted women of Ireland, and there will be such a retribution, not the following interesting letters the alone in Ireland, but m the heart of the British empke, as wUl not to Paeis, March 21, 1866. be paralleled in history. The enemy left no stone unturned

; they played a desperate card My Deab , When I parted from you on Tuesday night, you make us fight before we were ready Stephens had'nt much idea of the heavy task before mc Yet now that all and lost. Just wait and see the effect of the anival of Mr.

FENIAU HEE0E3 JLND MAETTES. 173 172 CX)LONEL THOMAS J. EELLT. think the time auspicious, the former called a meeting In America, and you -mil see I speak correctly. All is Tvell for on the 4th January, 1867, the facts of which being Ireland yet Next Christmas I liave confidence I will dine with deemed official, are you as a free and independent citizen oi the Irish Republic. Kind here given remembrance. Yours, et«. None but Centres and Delegates were admitted, Kellt. Thomas J. and Colonel Kelly laid before the members a statement of the affairs of the organization, giving an account of James Stephens' conduct at the critical Paris, Msirch 21. period when action was expected, pledging at the Deab Mm I have been remiss in not vrriling to yon same time that the work was progressing favorably, before this. Mr. Stephens and myself arrived here on Sunday great ease. Just and that the last. We were enabled to make our trip with prospects of final success were promising. think how horribly stupid the enemy's agents are, when we were The details of the plans and measures adopted were open day through Scotland and Engird— enabled to U'avel m the not made public, but the statement that all moneys to embark at eleven in the day from the harbor of Dover. received, were employed in carrying out the great After all the ship-searching, we started from the quays in the work of Ireland's redemption, and that true and effi- city of Dublin. Mr. Stephens left his lodgings on an open car, cient and, on my honor, undisguised. We had no easy time in the men were ready at their posts for the work Channel, as we were kept there three days owmg to adverse winds. assigned, gave heart and purpose to the members We were driven to Carrickfergus Bay by stress of weather, and it present. Members of the Irish organization were think how much the Mayor of Belfast would give was amusing to present who stated that the men of the old land were as the to know what a distinguished ' guest he had. However, willing and prepared for the final struggle ; that now wind changed after being anchored all night, we did not maie a and hereafter, they would place no confidence in the call or leave our cards. Tours, Very Sincerely,

Thos. J. Kellt. words of this leader or that ; that they at home", come what may, were determined to fight for their Arrived in America, Colonel Kelly was the right homes and nationality ; that there was nothing left of his chosen chief. On the transfer of the hand man for the manhood of Ireland save paupers' graves or management of Fenian affairs, Kelly, by circular of the emigrant ship ; that their hopes, their honors and June, 1866, took charge of the Central OflSce. the 18th their lives were doomed forever, unless they succeeded Towards the close of the year, the most intense anxiety in driving the English garrison from Ireland ', and that the Fenian body. Arrests continued to be jermeated the attempt would be made, come weal or woe. in Ireland, the hopes of an outbreak were rife. made Kothing, they said, could be worse than the present necessity was argued by the great majority, Its condition of Ireland, and they are determined, and so especially of the mihtary men. Among them Colonel are the men of L-eland, to put an end to it. The Kelly was prominent, and when Stephens did not

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FEOTAM HEEOEB AOT) MAETTEB. 175 KELLY. 174 COLONEL THOMAS J. The mtrinsic value of their labor. which shall secure to aU the in the face of want of action on the part of Stephens, salaries, and the national soU, the aboUtion of RT'^^-^^/T^ " of severe is desired^ by the his uncalled-for promises" was the subject universal suffrage, such is what based on Amer- services the stay of ite exUes in criticism and condemnation, though his past Ireland of 1867, regenerated by of in common with the programme great labors in the cause of Ireland were not ica. What has that and agamst ^ miiversal suffrage, which he is W even in the disappointment and irritar Bright? Not forgotten or ignored skutB of one man? We should you fasten us to tiie thei and tie tion of the moment. -that is to say, t^etemal are a people and a principle oflScers of New therefore do meeting of Centres and vanquished? Why, . Another ThsoJe. Can a principle be hundred, York and vicinity, to the number of five yousay wearevanquished? Did not C^s^'^'y^'^T^^r,^^ with tHe blood of action not, like us, water the ground was held on Sunday, the 6th, at which Kelly's defeats ? Did it to those of ^^^Vr^"":^^, martyrs. Ours yield in nothing was sustained. The report says its cou^d the dmigeons of England, and if their voices, stifled m was made known,- your strange advice, and ^<^^ "When the defection of James Stephens come here to protest against language ^tiaa who had aheady would use any other and the action of Colonel Kelly to sustain the men stranger criticisms, not one the a vote of m<^ent in their name and m gone to maintain the national honor was ascertained, which I use to you at this that com- to sustain Our movement is only confidence in Colonel Kelly, as weU as a determination all proletarian Ireland. name of shaU adopted." finish. As to 6a«te«. we the fighting men at home, was unanimously Zcing, and is not about to untU we are strmtg erun^^ to avoid instead of seeking them Kelly was soon on the other side of the with the English Befonners, rtis Colonel gain them. As for our alliance given in the you have only to read the r^ Atlantic. An outline of his action is accompli; if you doubt it, a fait imde^ meetmg. But by Reformei^ we informer's evidence on Colonel Bourke's trial. It only lutions adopted at the last bottom of the move- mean to go radieally to the remains to give the following translation of a letter stand those who the direction of rt. I not those who officially assume in the Paris Liberie, after the result ment, and aU which appeared are strong enough to await add that a nation and a principle of the rising' in Ireland, on the 5th March, extenuating circumstances, even from tune without ever claiming insurrection, or ratha generosity of another nation. The to say a few words in reply to an article entitled from the Sm : Permit me follow. Compromised follows the course it ought to Insurrection of the Fenians," published by you in the the revolution, "The leaders, who, bke us, by the unskilful zeal of some Liberie of the 17th of Mai-ch, 1867. M. W. de Foneville, the lor an instant men no resumed its tranquil course; plans, give battle, it has of the article in question, is certainly ignorant of our love to writer the EngUsh flying columns; of hmiger and cold than fear resources, and our principles," affinned in a proclamation ren- more die our not prevent any member of reform of Mr. J. Bright will dered public-by the English, Belgian, and German papers. We and the post, or from domg his duty m reproach organization from being at his have wished to eflace from the opinion of the peoples the the provisional govermnent I avad Republican with the ordere of the of Castelfidardo, and give to the world a gauge of our confoimity to the sympathy of the of this circumstance to appeal principles and our social aspirations. That is why we have nr'.elf of our cause. I am, &c., sentence people of Fi-ance in favor inscribed in capital letters ujwn our proclamation the ^ccncrous *^ Thomab J. Ekt .t.t. "We aim at founding a Republic based on universal suffrage

FENIAU HEE0E8 AITO MABTTES. 177 176 COLONEL THOMAS J. KELLT.

Many details of Colonel Kelly's devotion to tte cause of Irisli Liberty cannot be given, as lie is fortunately " at large " yet, and their relation migbt compromise others as well, whose services in the future will doubtless be needed. CAPTAIN JOHN M'CAFFERTT.

Acquitted—En- AiTCBtca—Tried—Half-Alien Jary because he is an American- Wood Meeting voy from Ireland to America—Address at tbe Great Jones' Arrest—In the In New York—Goes back—The Affair at Chester-Second CelL Dock—Corydon's Evidence—Found Guilty—Speech in the Dock—In his

SoAECELT less attention has been directed to Captain M'Cafferty, than to any of the Fenian prisoners. The legal fact that he is an American by birth, and the measures taken, in consequence, by his able counsel, to effect his liberation, have kept his case constantly before the public, which has lost nothing either by the manly style in which the subject has conducted himself. seizure of The excitement- immediately following the , 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 Queenstown, 18th September, Captain John M'Cafferty, announced 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 Philip St. George Cook's work on military movements, with illustrations by Colonel George Patten, late United States Army; the third, the "A. B. C."

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MAETYEB. 170 FENIAN HEROES AND 178 CAPTAIN JOHN m'cAFFEETT. e.aminationofyouTcaee,Iflna,fiJ,^^^^^^^^^^ of SMrmishing Infantry, Ohio; and Movements for hj Wm. State of --"jj Jamnesty oath ' dusky, ^^^J^^^T^â y during the war ; t^ Ualton, late Second Eoyal Middlesex Rifles ; and the rebel army ^^^^ ^ ^^ fo^^' ^"* month of May last; men to go fourth, a School Manual, by Stephen Pinckney, Colo- in the penmssionf^^^ gouthem go to PariB, to get ^^^^^ nel Ninety-fifth New Tork National Guard. These tember, to ^^ ^ fifth, that you -«« of to Mexico; f-^^^^^^^g you in a suspicion appearing, as the officials sagaciously said, " to con^- documen^^ volye:. and treasonable '^^''^y^d. ^^^^^ tain every information necessary for the management treasonable ^ô^^^^^j^'^.y compUcity with ,« Paris to con- that you of troops," the authorities regarded the ex-Confederate i. true ^ as - youx statement J^^JJ, „,, whether, disloyal to -J^ Capcain as a very dangerous character, if not a walk- Lt with men still ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^,^ ^, Fe- you axe an aên^ cê,yon billfl suspected, ^^ in either ing arsenaL He was remanded, put in prison, rehelhon^^^^d,m organization to ra> e ^ ^^pport from found against him, and sent for trial to the Special nian ^^ ^, forfeited aU clftuns have entirely ^^'^^^yo /^ ^^^ of ^lle^. Commission, held in 1865, in Cork, charged with felo- Government. 1 return y the United States servant, neously compassing and intending to depose the Queen your obedient ' ance, and am ^ ^ EASTMAN. from the style, honor and royal name of the Imperial

Crown of the United Kingdom ; also, with feloneously the G^^^^^^ ^.der têsecircu^nânc., intending to levy war against the Queen, and of mov- the ing foreigners with force to invade Ireland- * not resist ^-^^^'^^^^^^'Ûe 16th, counsel prisoner's <^^^''\^^''';^^ the The prisoner pleaded not guilty, and his counsel, the j^^tjee, discussed at the Mr. Butt, claimed that as the prisoner was an ahen, having, '^^'^^Z^^t^:^^^'^^^^^^ manner inwhach "Hav- half of the jury to try him should be aliens also. The r said: ^^^âmed,-^^^f^^f^^-p,,,!^^^^^^Mr. Justice g Attorney-General requiring to see the foundation of hadbeen ^^^ considered ing carefully evidence the claim, Mr. Butt read a certificate from the District ^^^T'^^Ce^..that thê wa no to the conclusion Court of Michigan, United States, that the prisoner, Lad come sustain an overt -* tie who had been in the Confederate army, had taken the to ^^^^^^h^ ,',,id 4ect tender amved return- oath of alliance to the United States, in May last. after -P'^^J^^Lcordance, Jury to important, and He also read the following letter from the United ^^^f^^'2n^,ll This fact is ' verdict of corn- States Consul, at Queenstown, to the prisoner, who, ed a j Meany, who ^^"^'''^^f-^..^^case o^ upon the Britain, after his arrest, applied to him for his interference bears f^f^^J;, ^ ^rât

United States Consulate, Qtjeenstown, ) 1865. October 9, $ J. JirCATFEBTT, EsQ.: Sm—I am ia receipt of your communication of 7th inBlant, and in reply, I beg to infonn you that, upon

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jflf^^iiiiT^'^'^^''-'-^^*-'^''

181 180 CAPTAIN JOHK u'cAITEEIT. FEKIAS HEEOES AND MAfiTTES.

to show that when the strug- quently, on lais way to Dublin, he was tlie object of man to have something enough to aid the mucli attention and sympathy -wherever, along the gle was going on, he had patriotism the extent of his power railway line, the fact of his presence hecaiue known. cause of his native land to his patriotism in this emer- Men and women pressed forward to shake his hand, let him have some token of heir-loom to his children. and congratulate him on his release from captivity. gency, to hand down as an though not probar On his release from prison, Captain M'Cafferty put Of course there were possibilities, look into the future himself in communication with the Fenian Govern- bilities, of failure. No one could absolute certainty, what would be the ment in Ireland, and was desi>atched by it to America and predict, with perchance, they should to explain the extent of the moveme.it there, and the issue of this contest ; but if, movement in America, would reliance placed in the promise of assistaince. At the fail, the aiders of this would, like many of his great mass meeting held in Jones' "Wood, New York, Lave the assurance that he bleaching on the soil of Ire- after the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act, in Feb- comrades, leave his bones ruary, at which two hundred thousand persons were land- resolutions were passed, con- present. Captain M'Cafferty was introduced as "the At this great meeting, American Ambassador, envoy of the Irish Eepublic, with important despatches demnatory of Mr. Adams, the Consul at Queenstown, for the order in this country." He implored his hear- at London, and Mr. Eastman, the case of Captain M'Caf- ers to stand by the Irish revolutionaiy army, which for declining to interfere in in the Confederate service, amount to two hundred and fifty thousand men. All ferty, because he had been " Captain M'Cafferty they wanted was arms and munitions of war. He and notwithstanding that the said required by the President, spoke of the discipline which existed, and in the course has taken the amnesty oath against cast into obUvion all former acts of his remarks said : He could not speak to them as who thereby of the United States, eloquently as other gentlemen present could. He was the Government or authority and said Captain M'Cafferty to the fuU only a soldier ; he desired to fight, not to talk. Ii-e- and restored citizenship." land was not even his native country, he was an entire rights of American M'Cafferty attended and addressed the mass American by bu-th ; but Ireland was now his adopted Captain Washington, Philadelphia, and other country, and it was her cause he was now pleading. meetings held in Philadelphia, he said there could He was dealing in no extravagances, he was telling leading cities. At opinion, among those who are m- them plain facts. Another consideration he would be no difference of where the blow should be impress upon them. In carrying forward the struggle formed on the subject, as to of Canada was not to be thought which had been inaugurated, they might fail of sue- struck. The invasion three yeai's to compel the surrender cess. In that case, it would be worthy of every Irish- of: It would take

FENIAN HEE0E9 AITO MAETTEfl. 183 182 CAPTAtH JOHN M'CAITEEIT. for two o'clock, went M'Cafferty having ordered dinner of Quebec, and to obtain the control of tbe St. Law- that the matter was out with Flood, and soon found rence. He expected to return to Ireland, He prom- Before leaving, blown up. They then disappeared. ised to do 60, and he would keep his promise. Most Austin Gibbons, to M'Cafi'erty sent a messenger, one assm-edly he did. As he said, he was soldier, and from Liver- a countermand the officers who were coming affair only believed in fighting ; consequently he was one of to say that the pool by way of Birkenhead, and those who adhered to the military programme, when. the officere was 'blown upon. As might be expected, Stephens refused to fight in Ireland, and immediately Ireland. On the found their way one after another to started for the theatre of operations. The Attorney- landed at the 19th February, M'Cafi'erty and Flood General, charging M'CafiTerty with being the chief in- They went to a port of Whitehaven, in England. strument, if not the originator of the contemplated foUowing day, when hotel, where they stopped tUl the seizure of Chester Castle, gave an outline of his move- caUed the New they sailed for Dublin in a coal brig, ments, up to the date of his second arrest, based on«the the 23d day of Draper. They arrived in Dublin on information of Corydon. were prepared February. Fortunately the authorities The attack was to have been made on Chester was kept on on beforehand for their arrival, and a watch the 11th. of February; but on Sunday information of river police were the New Draper. At each side of the the design was given by Corydon to the authorities, the river, they stationed, and as the vessel sailed np who were enabled, in consequence, to take the boat, which neces- observed two men di-opping into an oyster precautions. " If chase m a sary that project," said the Attor- was rowed by three men. The police gave ney-General, " had been carried out, it would be im- as they got into a feriy boat, and arrested the men possible to exaggerate the disastrous consequences to as William Jackson collier They gave their names this country which might have followed." They were M'Cafi'erty (M'Cafferty) and John Phillips (Flood.) went to Chester some days before the contemplated being searched m identified at Mountjoy prison. On attack, and took apartments at the King's Head, in the cloth and the the jail, there was found between the name of Frederick Johnstone, and remained tiU be produced, contain- linin

'tTT^mmifl^^^'^ iiPPiPIP i^^i..^.. ^^'^^^^'^''*^^*'^°^'''^'''^^

^^^ 185 Ê^ÂS HEKOES J^ 184 CAPTAm JOira M CAITEETr. that .she sits there, it.no^^tr:i^ the bar for trial. ITr. Butt applied to the Court for a is to do this. He at his inter- -f^^X^'ôo^ngo^t l^^^ postponement of the trial to the last of the Commission. the sdd.er s W form, and has ^^^ The application was grounded on an affidavit which steadily. He^B .,^, ^ rogator ^^ ^ was verified by the prisoner, and which set forth that The-prmcipal «-den.e ^^^ ^^^^ he in States given o was born the State of Ohio, in the United continuation of that

of America, in the year 1838 ; that he was indicted at follows: the last Special Commission for the County of Cork, when he was ti-ied by a jury half of whom were foreign-

ers, by whom he was acquitted ; and that there were Ca&rty know Jobn M ^tToduced to all certain official documents of the Republic of the United toued: I _ States of America, believed he be able which he would was m- officers -, he Uie American *^'^^«„"'^^%„t,u^ at that time to produce, to authenticate his affida'dt, anti which Amencan who had tei. of all the o^-^^^Toi the rebel ^7, were material and necessary for his defence. The At- Captam M Cafer^ to me Uodaced to me as ^^ ^^^ ^^de I knew torney-General, for the purpose of the trial, admitted served iB Morgan's S-"^;«i^r» Brotherhood; all of being a member ^-^^'^ captain Doheny^ the prisoner to be an alien ; when Mr. Butt withdrew to his as I ^^^^ • meeting were Feman j^^^Flo^ his motion for postponement, the object of the applica- at that «^^;^,êd Colonel KeBy; »p GeneralHalpin, ^ ^^ ^^^^ tion having been attained. The trial was proceeded at Fenian " ; ImetCap^^ often -« ,e,7 provm^ê of Comâught with on the following day. He is thus described in orgamzer for the ^^ there; he was ^^^^ " court : Captain John M'Cafferty is put forward. I at these Iremain^m tain Dum.e --^-J^/^se meetings ; also '"^^ business Ire- look do^wTi at him, as he comes up from where Thomas there; 1 ^'"^"T ^JfEmployed in Fenian ; 1867 Captam .-pool till Febiâry, from Bourke and Patrick Doran passed in, -with his hat upon Liv, ^^^^Jof "'^ ' ,^^ while there, out M'Cafferty m cei' ed pay, i gaw him, which he now removes. He sits down in his ac- by the Bo- O'Horke; he went --^^^^^tomas Bourke, J. J- customed place, and the case goes on. Few men have a m L^^^"^"" ' first saw him Februaiy, 1807, ^';^^; w^Ôi him; 1 and others w«e face in which determination and symmetry are so much Colonel Dmme, ^^^ ^^^^ „f the L^ ths. w^ in blended, as that of John M'Cafferty. It is bronzed, ^Mfield street, L-^-J; ^^^^.^^ ^^^ ^^ Brotherhood; put up with hrs too, with the light of battle-fields, where it gleamed Fenian t^^y Wd not ^^^^ffight, ^|ana did not niean to y ^'Cafferty was at amidst the lines of Morgan's troops, as they dashed Stephens longer, some- any . went noênse -- ^^^^^/^'^^the^woras M'Cafferty along in many a desperate charge. He fixes his gaze could hear ^^^^^ ^^^^, ^ tbat meeting, ^^ ^^^ always intently upon whoever speaks. A witness, or a la'wyer, or a judge, or a juror, whenever he opens his lips to speak, will meet M'Cafferty's eyes. Yet I see,

; ,r--"^'^*'-^^'"#iiiit ^nmmtmi' ifiiifiTiitfiii"'"'^-!! ^'^''"'-^''-''~tiirlihilll»

FENIAK HEK0E9 AND MAETTE8. 187 186 CAPTAnf JOHN m'cajteett.

ing of the American officers, called at the Zooio^cal Gardens, Ches- tones ; neither M'Cafferty nor Flood were present ; Captain O'Rorke ter; and we were then directed to come to Ireland, and wait there presided at it ; the meeting came to the understanding that Stephens for the final instructions as to the rising in Ireland; I did not see did intend to fight at all; O'Rorke they had, not stated that now about a M'Cafferty again till I saw him in prison at Kilm ai nham ; therefore, formed a directory, which was to depose Stephens and week before the rising, I attended a meeting held near the canal, constitute themselves as the authority of the Irish Republic ; he in a small street off Brunswick street, in Dublin, at which it was further stated that the Centre in England joined Head (Tlood) had instruc- announced the rising would take place on the 5th ; I got this directory, as well as Captain M'CaflFerty and himself^ and want- tions to go to Millstreet, in the county Cork, and see the Centra of ed also to know if the American officers then ui Liverpool, would that district ; that was about the 25th February. sanction Flood's name and M'Cafferty's name as members of the / Mr. Butt contended that the Attorney-General had no right to directoiy; the meeting agreed to have Flood and M'Cafferty on the examine the witness as t« the measures projected at tiie meetang directory; I saw the prisoner afterthat, in Liverpool, fixjm the 11th referred to. to the 19ih Februaiy; there was a meeting of Fenians ; M'Cafierty The Court ruled from the Crown- and Flood attended ; they said they came from London,! represent- Examination resumed—At the meeting at the Zoological Gardens, ing the diiectoiy ; that they had brought about twenty poimds to there were there Colonel Doheny, Captain O'Brien, Colonel Dunne, be divided among the officers there, to pay their way to Chester; Buike the only Kirwan, James Smith, David Joyce and Dennis ; they stated that at Chester the castle was to be seized, the arms member of the Directory present was O'Rorke, who paid each ofil- therein to be taken and put into trains, the rails were to be destroy- cer present thirty shillings, to keep liun till the rising took place; ed after the trains had started, the telegraph wires to be torn ; they O'Rorke also stated there would be French and Gei-man ofBcers to were to go to Holyhead, seize mail steamer, and go thence to lie- head the rising in Ireland; he did not say what the movements land ; the way Captain M'Caflferty stated Uiese plans to the meeting, instructions, O'Rorke said, when we would be ; we were to receive in company with Flood, was—^the night of the following Monday were in got to Dublin; he did not say from whom, but said they was fixed upon to carry out the plan, all the American offlceiB reference to the time for the fight; I always traveled from the in Liverpool were to go to Chester, as well as the Centres in Liver- Kingsbridge station, on the Great Southern and Western Railway, pool ; a Centre is a colonel ; he has got that rank ; he commands a Vhen carrying despatches, and on my way to Queenstown. regiment or company ; he is a commander of a circle ; the majority tl of the meeting assented to the plan proposed by John M'Cafferty The same pen that gave us an ontline of the prisoner, and Flood ; some of the men went to Chester on the Monday I " also gives us an impression of the persecutor. I look gave information to the authorities at Chester; I had been giving Irishman, " at Corydon, and take down information since the September before ; I saw the Fenians going well," says the to Chester by Biikenhead, thence to Monk's Feny, and on to Ches- a mental photograph of him. Sharp and clear of fea- ter I went to Birkenhead myself, and remained till one o'clock his ; ture, his hollow eyes set far under the caverns of saw at least five hundred Fenians starting from Birkenhead for I brows, are not a favorable feature. His retreating Chester ; while I was getting my ticket at the railway station, a chin, and sharply angular jaw, Lavater would tell us man named Gibbons beckoned me to go back ; I went to him, and gives his evidence he told me he was directed by Captain M'Cafferty and the Fenian is the type of a weak man. He and endeavors to im- authorities, to go back, as the affair in Chester was sold ; all who with the coolness of a veteran,

had not gone on to Chester then went back ; there was then a meet-

matm

188 CAPTAD* JOHK m'cAFFEETT. FENIAN HEE0E8 ABB MAETTE8. 189 press us -vdtli the belief that lie is doing what he con- bar, and to the noble and gallant Mr. Dowse. [Turning to Messra. siders an act of ^-L^tue. He is not believed ; and when Bult and Dowse] he said : Gentlemen, to each of you I tender my sincere thanks. Mr. Dowse cross-examines him, he is made to feel that. [Then, tuniing to the juiy,] he said : GenOemen^ I have only this statement to He asks him questions, under which he winces and make to this jmy. I am a stranger. Unfortunately, 1 have been tried writhes, but in vain. He pins his shame to him in his in this comitiy by you on the charge of treason-felony against the Government despite, and makes even the hardened informer blueh- of Great Britain. I was acquitted by the judges who presided at that tribunal after There is, however, a variation in the scene. There is the evidence had failed against me, on the part of the Crown prose- an argument about a law point, and Mr. Dowse dis- cutor. They discharged me, without aUowing my case to go to' the putes with the Attorney-General. The Attomey-Gen- jury, on that occasion. I pleaded, and properly pleaded, not guilty to the charge brought against efal find'? fault with Mr. Dowse's manner, and Mr. me. That was the tnith. I Bad com mated no overt act of tieason within Dowse retorts that he is not to be taught manners by the reahn and jurisdiction of Ixieat Bntam. I returned to my native country after the Attorney-General, that he is as good and stends as my acquittal. I again returned within the realm and jurisdiction of Great Britain. high as he does, though he has not the harness of Gov- I have been led to believe-and I make the statement, emanatimt from ernment on his back. The Attorney-General subsides, my conscience-I have been led to believe, that from fta moment of is decidedly and unmistakably snubbed." my arrest, the Government of and Great Britain did not intend to deal fairly with me: I do not In his address to the jury, Mr. Butt alluded to his make this statement for tie purpose of gaining sjTmpathy. client as " a man who had won an honorable character Mr. Butt, Q. C—Ton had better not state that You have paid on fields of fame, and who had only done what Eng- me a compliment, and I would ask you not to say that lishmen gloried in, when they went to fight with Gari- M'CafTerty— I have been 'ed to believe it baldi," and held that there were no two witnesses to Judge Fitzgerald-Tou had better be guided by your counsel in any observations upon prove the only act of treason which affected him, as the this case as it now standa Mr. Butt-I really and sincerely informer's statement was not corroborated. At the con- hope that Captam M'Cafferty will not use any strong language agamst the clusion of Mr. Butt's address, Judge Fitzgerald said: Government- he has paid me a compliment, and I would ask him, as a favor, to make no attack upon the CTOvemment, or anything remarkable. John irCaflFerty, I have to apprise you that now, after your coun- M'Cafferty-I beg to explain. You have misunderstood me in sel has spoken, you are entitled the law also gives you the privi- the manner in which I mean to — bring this forward. I do not wish to make any of addiessing the jury ; and if you have anything to say attack upon the lege, to honor and integrity of the Govern- the jury, tliis is the proper time to make it . ment Chief Justice-If Captain M'Cafferty said : 1 have but one statement to make, and you have anything to say in the case, we win hear previous to making that statement, I feel bound, by private feelings, you, but this is a general discursive statement You had better confine yourself to to return my deep, and bounden, and sincere thanks, and to both observations upon the case. Jlr. Butt, I consider the star After consulting with Mr. of them I do so, to whom of the Irish Lawless for a few moments, M'Caffer- ty, addressing the jury, said : I have merely to say that I am inno-

: :

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190 CAPTAIN JOHN M'cAFFEETr. FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETTM. 191 cent—^tliat I have not committed any overt act, with which I am can, and as an alien, I have a right to sympathize with the Irish charged, within the realm or juri8diction of Great Britain. people, or with any other people who may please to revolt against Mr. Butt^That is quite right that fonn of government by which they beUeve they are tyrannl-/ caUy treated. England sympathized On Monday, May Gtli, the jury returned a verdict of with America. She not only sympathized with her, but gave support to both guilty, on all the countB. Sentence was postponed for parties. Who ever heard of Enghshmen being arrested ^y the United States Govern- several days, to hear argument before the Court of ment, for taking up arms on behalf of the confederation of the Cri;uinal Appeals, on points raised by Mr. Butt, who Southern States, or of bemg placed upon his trial on a charge of high treason against the declai'ed that in the whole range of state trials, perhaps Government ? No such case ever appeared. "I do not deny but that there vas not a single case which involved, he would I have sympathized with the Irish people. I loved Ireland, and I love not say so many intricate questions, but questions going the Irish people. If I were free to-morrow, and the Irish people were to lake the field for independ- so directly to the root of the law of high ti-eason. It ence, my sjTnpaUiies would be with them. I would join them,*lf was, however, of no avail. On the 20th of May, Cap- they had any show whatever to win that independence, while I tain M'Cafferty was brought into Court, and being would not give my sanction to the useless efliision of blood- I have done it, and I asked what he had to say why judgment of death state distincUy, that I have no connection whatever, direcUy or indh-ecUy, with should not be passed upon him, in a clear, unhesitat- the. movement that took place in the county of DubUn. I make that statement on ing voice, he said the brink of my graveu Agam, I claim that I have a right to be discharged on the charge that has been brought against me, "My Lords, I have nothing to say that can, at this advanced by the nature of the law by which I have been tried. That law stage of this trial, ward off that sentence of death. I might as well distmcUy says that you must produce two independent witnesses hurl my complaint, if I have one, at the orange trees of the sunny to prove the overt act of treason against the prisoner. South, or the lofty pine of the great North, as now to speak to the I claim, and claim loudly, that yon have not produced, accordmg question why sentence should not he passed upon me, accoixJing to to that law, these two independent Witnesses. This is the only complamt I the law of the day ; hut I do protest, loudly, against the injustice have to make. I make that loudly. I find no fault of that sentence. I have heen brought to trial upon a chai'ge of with the jury. I have no complamt to make against the judge. I have been tried high treason against the Government of Great Britain, and guilt and found guilty, and • I am perfectly satisfied I has been brought home to me, on the evidence of one witness, and will go to my grave. I will go to my grave as a gentleman and a that witness a peijured informer. I deny, distinctly, that there have Christian. Although iVegret that I should be cut ofi' at this state been two witnesses to prove the overt act of treason against me. of Ufe, still many noble and generous Irishmen fell on behalf of my Southern I deny, distinctly, that you have brought two independent wit- land. I do not wish to make any flowery speech in this court nesses to two overt acts. There is but one witness to prove the of justice ; and without any further remaiks, I will overt act of treason against me. I grant, and freely grant, that now accept the sentence of the court" there has been a cloud of circumstantial evidence, to show my con- The death sentence was then pronounced nection, if I may please to use that word, with the Irish people, in by Judge Fitzgerald, after which the " their attempt for Irifih independence, and I claim that, as an Am pri. prisoner, still uuBhaken," Bpoke as follows

19S FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETTR8. CAPTAIN JOHN M CATTEETT, 192 ^fW*^ The artist had pictured the the diadem of agony. "Pf f of go^that "I wiM accept my sentence as a gentleman and a Christian, and gashed forehead, the heavy gouts a>at oozed from the I have but one request, and that is, after the execution of the een- and foot and side, and the w^^ole er^^^ fell from the hand I looked and liB- , tence, my remains may be turned over to Mr. Lawless, to be inter- sacrifice of Calvary. awful representation of the red by him in consecrated ground, as quietly as h^ possible can. of human presence. Low tened-the supplicant still unconscious I bave now to return my grateful and sincere thanks to Mr. Butt, murmurs of andpar- murmurs reached my ear. They were prayer the :*}ar of the Irish bar, for his able defence of the alien prisoners. with the spint of a CW^ don-the prayer of a man about to die faith [To Sir. Butt]—Mr. Butt, I return you my thanks. I also return should I intrude upon its rapture, ita tian genUeman.' Why the same token of esteem to !Mr. Dowse, for the kind manner in and consolation." which he speaks of my former life. Those allusions recalled to my mind many moments, some bright, beautiful, glorious, and yet some sentence was commu- In June, Captain M'CafFerty's sad recollections drifted before my eyes, of that gleam of hope that The prisoner received ted to penal servitude for life. floated for an instant in the revolutionary struggle, and then sank under a composure, and was removed fSrever. Mr. Butt, please give to Sir. Dowse my grateful asd sin- the news with penal depot. cere thanks. Mr. Lawless, to you I return my thanks now for strong escort to the Mountjoy your many kindnesses, and I can do no more."

Mr. Lawless tlien shook Lands witli the prisoner, who immediately retired with a firm step. The gentleman who visited Colonel Bonrke in hie cell, caught a glimpse of his fellow prisoner, himself unseen, and thus relates it

"When I entered the prison I was shown along through many corridors, to that recent building called the New JaiL The door was opened upon a passage, lofl;y and airy, in which my view waa bounded by a screen, but whose hue was, to my eyes, of ebon dark-

ness. I passed beyond it, and a cell door met my glance on the side of the passage, in the centre of which was a small trap-door, of about one foot square, through which I looked, and saw Captain John M'Cafferty, dressed as I last caught his glance, with stalwart form as ever, but now kneeling, with his arms outstretched, and his hands clasped beneath, his face bent upon them, in prayer. Before his humbled brow rose an image the most sacred to Catholic eyes, the most hopeful to Christian hope. It was the image of the Crucified. The lofty brow of the great Sufferer was crowned with

tuvmmvtf !»!"

194 COLONEL JOHN J, o'cONNOE.

COLONEL JOHN J. O'CONNOR.

Bora on Vdentla Island-Emigrates to America-Runs off and Joins the Union Anny-Long: Serrice-Promotion-Gallant action at Wonnded Spottsvlvania- »t Cold Harbor-First Lieutenant-Captain-«erioasly Wonnded again at Petersbnrg-In Gommand of his Eegiment-Mastered ont-Goes to Ireland-Organizes Kerry-The Rising-Statement in the House of Lords-Reporter Arrested for Telegraphing Military Disaffections-O'Connor eent to Amerjca— His Address to the Pablic—Organizing Tour.

Although one of the youngest of the Military- Chieftains of the Brotherliood, Colonel O'Connor has had very. distinguished experience; and his. connection with the moTOments in Ireland, being the first to raise the flag of revolt in the mountains of Kerry, in Feb- ruaiy 1867, gave his name a wide-spread prominence. After the failure 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 following the Chester afiair created great consternation, and the telegraph wires conveyed his name throughout the Eritish Empire, over land and under ocean, to this continent, where it was welcomed and toasted by his ciiiintrymen, who then heard of the gallant young soldier for the first time.

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FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTE8, 195

Jolin James O'Connor was born on Valentia Island three on the Western coast of Kerry. W hen between and four yeai-s old, while the terrible years of fever and famine had swept the South and West, his parents J emigrated t6 the United States, and landed in Boston, in which vicinity the boy was brought up. I Having New England " go-aheadativeness " grafted on the natural ardor of his race, young O'Connor desired to join the anny of the Union when the South- em rebellion broke out, but his relations resolutely opposed the idea in consequence of the youthfolness of the applicant. However the youth might be denied, he could not be dissuaded. His feelings became warmly aroused. Like young Norval, he

'.' had heard of battles, and he long'd. To follow to the field some warlike lord; And heaven soon granted what his sire denied."

one bright At last he made his opportunity ; and morning in the month of September, 1861, TOthout from acquainting liis fi-iends or relatives, he proceeded and his home, in Braintree, to the City of Boston enlisted in the 28th Kegiment Massachusetts (Irish) Volunteers, under the name of James Connors, think- concealment ing' the assumed name a good means of against the pursuit of his friends. His relatives, however discovered him, and endeavored to persuade him " I to return, but to no purpose. His only reply was : straps on." am all right, and will return with shoulder He was just seventeen years old a week before his regiment departed for the seat of war.

19G COLONEL JOHN 3. o'cONNOE. FENLAN HEEOES iiND MAETTES. 197

The 28tli Massachusetts was destined for Sonth sprang forward, and raising the dear old gi-een flag of Carolina, and there, amid the swamps and sandy his regiment, waved it defiantly in tlie face of the foe. plains, regiment, afterwards so eminently distin- the This first di-ew the attention of his commanding officer, duties soldier life. O'Connor giiislied, learned the of Major Andrew J. Lawlor, a fine type of the Irish sol- soldier, a one. His was determined to be a and good dier, who thanked the sergeant for his gallant conduct, first act was to send home to his mother for military and who, a week later, May 17th, at the second battle books, on the receipt of which, he studied ; and, com- of Spottsylvania, met his own death at the head of his bining theory and practice, soon mastered many diffi- noble regiment. culties, and made himself eminently fit to rise. His On the 3d June, O'Connor was severely wounded, against the youth and quiet disposition, acted desires at the battle of Cold Harbor, and was not able to re- his ambitious spirit, and in the shade for of kept him turn to duty until the following August. Having, in the a long tune. It was two years before he achieved his mean time, been promoted fii-st lieutenant, the yoimg first step upward corporal's warrant, which, —a he soldier had won his " shoulder straps " with his blood. said, he prouder than a after- often was of commission On rejoining his regiment. Lieutenant O'Connor was wards. During this time the 28th—besides the move- obliged, owing to the scarcity of officers, to command ments on Dawfusky and Tybee Islands, and an attack two companies. In November, he was promoted cap- on Fort Munson, James Island had gone through the — tain. But one officer of the original organization was campaigns of the Kapidan and Rappahannock, and on the muster-roll, and that was Colonel Cartwright, the still more momentous campaign in Maryland, who proceeded with the remnant of the regiment to sharing the gloom and glory of the second Bull Hun, Boston, the terra of service having expii-ed on the 20th Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam and other December, 1864. The officers and men whose term fights. the 23d November, 1863, the regiment On had not expired, and those who chose to re-enlist, fell was transferred from the Ninth to the Second corps, and to the command of O'Coimor, as senior Captain. He assigned to the L-ish Brigade, under General Meagher. consolidated his command into a battalion of five com- A year passed, and O'Connor secured another pro- panies. motion in being made sergeant. Next year came the In about two months, Major Fleming, who had been great campaign of 1864. At the battle of Spottsylvar wounded, returned, and Captain O'Connor again took nia Court-House, in the memorable charge of Han- charge of his company. In March, 1865, the army cock's corps, of which the brigade formed a part, the again advanced to storm' the works before Petersburg, ambitious young soldier gi-eatly distinguished himself. and here again O'Connor was very severely wounded, When the color-sergeants were struck down, O'Connor from which he still suflers. He rejoined his regiment

198 COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONITOE. FEOTAN HEEOES AITO MABTTES. 199 a few days previous to the grand review by President he had little recollection of it, his heart still yearned Johnson and General Grant, at Washington, on the with those feelings which our birth-home ever must return of the troops at the end of the war. He was inspire. There were few Fenians in Kerry, and it had scarcely able to be present, but he could not deny not up to that time kept pace with the movements here- himself the soldier pride of being present on so splen- tofore undertaken. O'Connor did not think this was did an occasion. After the review, the commanding the people's fault, and soon had reason to believe he was officer who was also severely wounded at Petersburg, right. He organized the county, and though very returning home, the command again fell to O'Connor. closely watched, managed so as to lull suspicion The battalion was mustered out on the field on the for a long time. After having more than usual good last of June, arrived in Boston, July 5th, and was luck, he was forced to leave the towns and take to the finally mustered out on the 22d of that month. Owing country, where the people attended to his every want, to some negligence on the part of the State official, and were constantly on the look out for his safety. the gallant young soldier did not receive his promotion' The police were often on his track, but he was as Lieutenant-Colonel, to which he was entitled, enabled, by the faithfulness of the people and his own although his name had been duly sent to Massachusetts celerity, to evade them, until broken down with for the purpose in May. continual watching, being a " poor walker," and his O'Connor had at least a part of his ambition grati- wound coming against him, he was reluctantly com- fied. He had won his distinction, but his health was pelled to leave the scenes of his operations for greatly impaired. His wound was open, and a England. relapse taking place, he was again prostrated, and all With returning health, he ran the blockade in hope of his recovery given up. But he was destined ITovember, and entered his native county, passing as for other service. a detective officer. He again set to work, preparing

He had become a Fenian while in the army ; and and instructing the people in what they most anxious- six weeks after his return home- he signed the Koll of ly desired to know—a knowledge of military matters. " to the effect of his Honor, to serve his native land ; saying to himself I His enthusiastic nature added have fought for the stranger—surely I could not do military erperience. Sometimes in conversation with less than fight, and if need be, die, for the land of a friend who doubted the success of the movement my fathers." in view, from want of money, or otlaer causes, O'Con- He went to Ireland and landed in Dublin, whence nor would reply: "Money is not all we want, but he was immediately dispatched to the County Kerry, the dauntless corn-age of men willing to devote them- where his people were known, and for which, though seh'es to a cause which they must never hope to see

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200 COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOK. FENIAN HEROES AKD MAETTE3. 201

in town of Killamey, tipon which BuccessM, but whose graves will form the ramparts hensions were entertained the the noble it was said that the mob were marching. That, as over which others will achieve victory," Marquis knows, is distant from Cahirciveen about forty miles. At last O'Connor received orders to commence KiUai-ney, at the time, was utterly unprotected, but provision for operations, and immediately, and with cool deter- the safety of the place was made by sending instructions immedi- mination, issued his orders. ately for the movement of troops by express trains from Cork, of For the reasons previously stated, the Kerry move- Tralee, and also from the Curragh. We received in the course the night three subsequent telegrams, the last of which informed ment was allowed to die out ; but not before the most us that the first detachment from Cork had arrived at Killamey, wide-spread excitement and anxiety had been created. and that the second was expected there in the course of a few This was widened by the statement made in the hours. I learned to-day from Lord Strathnaim, that a detach- House of Lords on 14th February. In reply to an ment of five hundred men were on their way from the Curragh, inquiry by the Marquis of Clanricarde, the Earl of and already arrived at Mallow. It is satisfactory to learn that minds of the people ot Derby said • these measures afforded great relief to the KiUamey, and that no further outbreak has occurred, except, as " I can oitirely understand the anxiety -which the noble Marqnja we understand, that the police barracks at Kells was attacked by and your Lordships must feel with regard to the unfortunate cir- the same party which visited Cahirciveen. We have not heard cumstances which have occurred within the last twenty-four hours, that they approached any nearer to KiUamey, nor have we heard and I also recognize to the Mlest extent the duty of withholding of any symptoms of distvirbance in any other part of the country. nothing fhnn your Lordships. And though the information whidi It wiU also be satisfactory to your Lordships to know that we we possess is only such as can be received by telegram, and is, have arrested an officer in the neighborhood of Cahirciveep, who, therefore, in the highest degree meagre and unsatisfactory, I am when arrested, was proceeding to take command of the insurgents, ready to state, without reserve, all the circumstances perfectly and was taken with strongly criminatory papers in his possession. that have come to our knowledge. Yesterday afternoon wo I believe that the feeling of anxiety and alarm which this sudden received information by telegi'am that between Mallow, Valentia, outbreak produced has greatly subsided. At a conference which I and Killamey the telegraphic wires had been cut ; and by telegrams felt it my duty to hold last night with His Royal Highness the subsequently received we learned that they had been repaired, and Commander-in-Cbiet; the Secretary of State for the Home Depart- that the Company were regularly patrolling the line for the purpose ment, and Lord Naas, Chief Secretaiy for Ireland, it was decided of its protection. Last night, a little before 11 o'clock, we accord- that Lord Naas should proceed to Ireland at once ; and he received telegraphic information to the effect that an outbreak had ingly did so at a very eai-ly hour this moming. A telegraph from certainly taken place we do not know in what number^ or how — Lord Strathnaim states that he goes over to Dublin by the mail to- far armed—but that at Cahirciveen the Coast-guard station had night I have no reason to believe that this is more than a local policeman, been sacked, and that a messenger, a mounted had notice has been ^ven in every direction outbreak ] at the same time been fhot by a body of insurgents. We received information this that the utmost vigilance is to be exercised." morning that, although the man had been shot at, he had not been lulled, but his arms and horse were taken possession of by the In reply to the telegraph, troops were rushed to mob. Our infol-mation further went on to say, that great appre- Eollamey by special trains. Six hundred men of the

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3. 203 202 FENIAN HEKOEB AND MAETTEB. COLONEL JOHN o'cONNOE.

the former may be placed the latter whicli Forty-eigttli and Sixtli regiments arrived from ITew- Among given to the world a Glasgow journal bridge in a special train of nineteen carriages, also was by " With regard to the Fenian rising in Kerry, I can three hundred of the Fourteenth foot from Fermoy, assure you, as a fact, that no one knows either its and one hundred and fifty of the Sixtieth rifles from extent, the exact numbers of those engaged in the- Cork, under Colonel Palmer—the whole force being •insurrection, nor whether the insurgents have come commanded by Brigadier Sir Alfred Hosford. into close contact with the soldiers. The Government The correspondent of the Cork Herald, -who got took possession of the lines of, telegraph whether himself into trouble, gave the following idea of the — or leave you to be the judge " insurgent chief:" " I have not heard that they have judiciously otherwise I and nothing has been allowed to transpire, except made any arrests ; and if the current rumors be credit- whatever came through their own hands. I have ed, it is not likely that the young man, O'Connor, who learned, however, that, in places where the wires were commands the Fenians, will allow his men to be* arrest- cut, some of the Fenians adroitly fixed galvanic ed. He has the character of being a brave, resolute and, with the coolest impudence possible, soldier, who served with distinction in the American batteries, kept up a correspondence with the authorities in army, and that he wall make his band of followers—^to — Dublin. Just fancy a lot of fellows standing in a field, use the words of an old song ' conquer or die.' O'Con- some smoking, and others joking, while a few of the nor is said to be as great an artist in personal disguises practiced hands are busily engaged sending as Stephens himself, and though moving about the more a ' message like the following to Dublin : 800 insurgents country for many months past, he all through eluded in arms, led Captain Moriarty all over Kerry, the vigilance of the police, who were most desii'ous to up by — especially in the mountainous district. Speed, and meet him. He is by birth a Kgrryman. Captain — word what troops are coming.' Answer ' "War- Moriarty also served in the American army, and send rants for the arrest of Moriarty and O'Connor are Sheehan who is lodged with him in the county jail, despatched special messenger. Troops are ordered fought in the Papal Brigade, and- was wounded at by Dublin and Cork.' '- Spoletto." from Curragh, reward of £250 for O'Connor failed to influence The rising, indeed, as was natural, gave the public A people, save in doubling their eflTorts to mislead journals extensive business. Every one of them seem- the the shield the Fenians. ed to have a special correspondent in that County authorities and of the newspaper reporter, and amid the abundance of rumors, picked up from In discussing the case alluded to, who was arrested, the public journals the soldiers as well as the people, and circulated freely, completely nullified the efi"ect intended to have some amusing and interesting scenes were embedded. been

•^"w

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COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOB. 205 204 FENIAH HEEOES AITO MAETTES. a power above the law and the constitution, and that facts mtiBt incarceration, and gave extensive expo made hj Ms be suited to his taste or not published at all. We thought it was sure to tlie trepidation into which the officials had going pretty far when the messages for the press were all subjected one fallen through fear of military disaifection at this to official supervision, but in an exigency like the present, no making complaint on tliat score. It is, however, dif- time. The following, trom the Cork Examiner, brief- thought of ferent when the personal liberty of members of the Press is violated ly sets forth the fact, and the state of feeling it - in a manner that reminds one of what we hear about continental aroused: despotisms,"

" new feature in Irish government has been exhibited by the A The officials would not listen to the idea—no matter police magistrate who has charge in Killamey, and one which, we what the facts were to the contrary, notwithstanding think, is calculated to set the public seriously thinking whether troops were disaffected, and Mr. Msr there really is any lil)erty left us in this country. As the matter that any of the has reached us, a reporter employed by the Cork Herald was thew Tracey was only released from prison upon his arrested and has been imprisoned, and is still in close confinement, giving £50 bail, and two sureties in £25 each, to ap- discharge of his vocation, he offered for transmis- because, in the pear at the Tralee Assizes, in answer to the charge of sion by telegraph a message bearing the heading, ' Disaffection having " wilfully and maliciously misrepresented her amongst the Military.' If this be the case, then the suspension of Majesty's forces." the Habeas Corpus is not the only Indignity the country has to troops and police suffer. The liberty of every man is placed at the disposal of the Colonel O'Connor baffled the resident magistracy, and there needs neither Act of Parliament and was despatched to the United States by the par- Irishmen as liable to the caprice of nor warrant of law to render ties directing affairs. He arrived in New York about as the Oriental of the Arabian Nights is to that of the stipendiary, the middle of May, and, having reported to the Execu- his CadL There is added to the stoiy a statement that Mr. Ti-acey tive, he proceeded to Boston, where he issued the fol- was only saved from the indignity of being marched to prison handcuffed, by the interference of a military officer. This is lowing address merely a circumstance in aggi'avation of the insolence of the Boston, May 23d, 1867. outrage, but it does not in the least degree affect the principle. To the Irishmen of Massachusetts and all Friends of Ireland: Under the despotic government of France, the transmission of false FKLTXJw-ConNTKYMEN—No doubt many of you will think me news is punishable by law ; but it must be remembered that that presumptions in appealing to you to give your assistance to those things existed only at the will of an autocrat, and lately it for Irish inde- state of who are still determmed to carry on the struggle under our glorious constitu- has been very much modified. But pendence. But I have been sent here by my comrades and my supposed to be fiee. certainly were tion the Press has been We superior officers, to ask you for the help which we need, and which it license to disseminate news under the impression that had a as was promised to us by many amongst you before we embarked in as it could be gathered, and that the question of truth that were to accurately tills enterprise ; and it was in the full confidence we to the unfettered discretion of the conductors. shores or falsehood was left receive all the aid you could give us, that we ever left the But we are rudely awakened by this act of the police magistrate. of America, It appeal's that there is vested in >Ir. Greene, R, M., and his like^

MPPPIPt"^

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206 FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETTEB. COLONEL JOHN J. o'cONNOB. 207

When I left Boston, in the fall of 1865, the Fenian Brotherhood Fellow-countiymen, in the name of Liberty, in the name of Ireland, was a united and well organized body. When I reached Ireland, I I ask for your assistance now. Come forward and enable me to re- Bet about the duty assigned to me, and since then I have fulfilled it turn to my gallant comrades, with the assurance that you have not to the best of my ability, We, in Ii-eland, could never understand forgotten Ireland, and have not abandoned Bourke and his fellow- why a split could occur among our friends—why, at the last moments prisoner to the tender mercies of PentonviUe. Do not wait until when we were ready to commence a great tmd glorious struggle the last man is slaughtered or taken prisoner. I cannot command when there were over three hundred American officers in all partfi the pen sufficiently to give expression to my feelings. My abilitj, of the country—of all ranks—men trained in many a hard fought if I have any, does not lie in that direction. But I am a man of battle against slavery, and who were willing and ready to lead the my word, and I stake my life or my liberty on the truth of what I

' men of Ireland to victory or death. Brothers and fellow-couatiy- assert, and those who know me have never found me wrong in any

these were not as some represent ; men, men fools, them they were statement I have made in reference to Ireland ; and with others who not carried away by enthusiasm. They knew what they had to are conversant with the details and requirements of an army, they contend against, and they knew our advantages. They left this are confident that if our countrymen in America do their duty to

country with the full consent and counsel of all the Erjtherhood. Ireland, our task would indeed be an easy one. England is not the

When I was leaving New York, in 1865, almost the last man I saw England of 1798, and she knows it. The odds wUl not be so fear- was Mr. Roberts. "Go," said he, " and God bless you. TeU our fully against us, as they were lately, with a villain and a traitor friends at home that before three months are over we will all meet chief of staff. The treason of these wretches has baffled our late on Irish soiL" I never saw him after, nor did we in Ireland ever attempt, but not defeated our cause. We have again closed our receive from him one dollar, one musket, or one man. If he is an ranks, and are preparing to meet our foe on a fairer field, and with honest man, if he is a true man, why did he, at the eleventh hour, better prospects of success. We have the fullest confidence in our cause a disturbance in the camp? Fellow-countrymen, do not for superior officers at home. The men in charge of affairs in America one moment imagine that the cause at home is lost or broken up, at present, have proved their sincerity by the manner in which they or in danger of being so. Though our hated foes are expending have supported us. Some of these men I have known for years, millions to accomplish that end, the spirit and principles of the and were I not confident of their honesty and their determination men are as buoyant as ever, and will be while there is an officer to help us, I would not be so w illin g to return to my post in the left to lead them. In our ranks at home, there are men of all classes heart of the enemy's country, with a price upon my head, knowing and professions. The real thinking men, and the men who love well the risk I am going to run, if captured by the bloodhounds their country, are with us. There are many men of high standing who were so long upon my track. and position, who would like to reap the advantages of a revolution, Fellow-countrymen, for the first and last Ume, I appeal to you without having to encounter its risks. These are always hesitating, in behalf of down-trodden and suffering Ij'elmd, in the name of under the plea that the time has not yet come, wait till fall, &c. those noble men now suffering in British dungeons, and in the When our undertaking is crowned with success, they will be will- name of my gallant comi'ades, who are anxiously waiting for my ing to take sides, and share the glory and victory. Until then, we return. You can assist us if you will. Let him who sits coolly must be content with their sympathy. From them we expect noth- at home, reading the accounts of our poor men far away, suffering ing, and will get nothing. Fellow-countrjTnen, do not believe the on the hills, patiently waiting for the expected aid from America, newspaper reports from Ireland. With a few honorable exceptions, beware of the everlasting shame and disgrace awaiting him, if he tney ai-e all in the pay or in the interest of the English enemy.

208 TESUS HEE0K8 AifD MAETTES. CAPTAIN MOETIMEB MOKIAETT. 209

work—the over- cannot say that he has done his part in the noble of our people. throw of the vampire that now sucks the i;fe-blood Brotherhood when I To those who were members of the Fenian Confiding in your assist- went to Ii^fcland, I particularly appeal. country. Whatever may be ance, I went to risk my life for my caused you to give your the inducements held out to you, which ask you now to be no longer led astray assistance to other parties, I MORTIMER MORIARTT, by false lights and specious speech-makers. CAPTAIN those who are wiUing Betum to your allegiance, and unite with 'EscapeB— for liberty. In conclusion, I First Fenian Organizer In Canada—Arrested going to Campo Bello— to give their all to aid us in the fight Kerry—Arrested on Us Way to Talie Command—Canse will not abandon Goes to Ireland—In that, whether you aid us or not, we can only say of Ms Arrest—What Followed-Trial—Evidence of the Spy Talbot—Found comrades to rot and die in the the cause. We will not leave our Guilty—Sentence. without making an eflbrt dungeons of Pentonville and Mountjoy, struggle has onljr com- to rescue them, or share their fate. The Captain Moeiaett, so frequently mentioned in con- with the death or imprisonment of menced, and it will end only nection with Colonel O'Connor and the Kerry rising, better than we found her. of us, or we will leave our country the last was an active Fenian organizer, a man of courage, tact ever faithfully and flratemally, YouTB, propagandist of John James O'Cohnob, and energy. He had been a useful for Kerry. Canada, and his devotion to the Colonel L R. A., and Charge (TAffaires national principles in cause is illustrated by his readiness to sacrifice his arrival, Mr. John PreTioTifi to Colonel O'Connor's life for it. tour through Savage liad made arrangementB for a Mortimer Moriarty is a native of the Parish of Ca- cause, and to instil Massachusetts, in aid of the Irish hirciveen, County of Kerry ; and emigrated with his among Irish- among the Circles the necessity of union family to Toronto, Canada "West, after the famine of Colonel O'Connor visited men for the love of Ireland. 1846-7. The memories of the sufferers in the old land Col- many towns with Mr. Savage. Subsequently, the kept alive his patriotism in the new. He became a Michigan, and the onel went on an organizing tour in prominent member of the St. Patrick's and ffibemian was also a delegate from first shores of Lake Superior. He Societies ; and went still further, in becoming the Congress, which Massachusetts to the sixth National organizer of Fenianism in Canada. His military ten- acted on assembled 21st August, in New Tork, and dencies led him to the command of a company of mili- committees. that sturdy nationahst, some important tia ; and he was arrested, with Mr. Michael Murphy, and others, when on his way to join the armed Fenians at Campo BeUo. After some weeks in confinement, Moriarty and Murphy effected

210 FENIAIJ HEROES AND MAETTEB. CAPTAIK MOETIMEB MOEIAETT. 211, their escape—^mucli to the horror and chagrin of the preceded the attack on the coast-guard station at KeHs, Canadians tliroiigh an underground passage, and, af- — and the shooting of Duggan—the time fixed for the ter further adventures, reached Xew Tork. Captain rising to take place generally in this country—Moriarty Moriarty sailed for Ireland in December, 1866, and proceeded on the mail car from Cahirciveen to Killar-' ^vas despatched Kelly O'Connor's by CoL T, J. to take ney, and was arrested within a mile of the latter town. place in Keny, in the belief that the latter, according He and his luggage were taken to the police station in to report, had been captured. Killamey, and in his pocket was found a letter directed Meeting O'Connor, he was induced to remain in " J. D. Sheehan, Esq.," with the word "present" in charge of the locahty surrounding Cahirciveen ; and •the comer: took up his residence about four miles from that place under the assumed name of O'Shea, which seemed a " February 12th. "My Deas SnEEHArr—I have the honor to very important fact in the eyes of the Solicitor-GSneral, introduce to you Captain Moriarty. He w'll be of great assistance to you, and I who traced up Moriarty's movements in these words have told him all that is to be done until I get to your place. The "From Christmas, 1866, till February, he lived at private spies are very active this morning. Unless they smell a rat, all will be done Connor's, and had no ostensible employment whatever. wilhout any trouble. Success to you. Hoping to meet you, I am, He made frequent visits to Cahirciveen, and said he as ever, j. j. O'COKNOR." came to Ireland for the benefit of his health. In Ca- The Eev. Father Lavelle gives the following account hirciveen there is a reading-room, where dances are of the cause of Captain Moriarty's arrest, and other frequently held, and I think I am justified in stating exciting circumstances attending the Kerry rising: it was for re- used not only the purposes of innocent " It appears that on Tuesday last, the 12th, a shoe- creation, but as a ^lace Fenians resorted. where On less girl came to a Mr. Galway, J. P., agent to Lord the evening of the 11th of February, Moriarty was at Castlerosse, at Killamey, with an anonymous letter, to the dance there with O'Reilly, who had been convicted" say that 'Captain Murty Moriarty ' would be on his as a Fenian at these assizes. About the first of Febru- way next day, or actually was on Bianconi's car from ary, J. J. O'Connor was stopping at the house of a man Cahirciveen to Killamey, bearing important despatches .- named Kelly, a quarter of a mile from where Moriarty from ' General O'Connor,' Head Centre of " the South, was living. O'Connor, as I am instructed, was Cen- to a 'brother,' named Sheehan, in the latter town. tre " for Kerry. "We have thus brought into proximity The agent and J. P., with some Mr. Coltsman or other, tlie prisoner with other leading members, and we have took the alarm, and sent off a posse of poHce to meet him in the immediate neighborhood of the Atlantic the car some four miles out of town, and to arrest the cable. On the 12th of Febmaiy, the morning wh^ party thus informed against. This was easily accom-

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212 FENIAN HEEOES AND MAETTES. CAPTAIN MOETIMEE MOEIAETT. 213

plished, as liis distinctive features were described, lie was despatched with instructions to Yalentia, and be- having lost a portion of the nose in the recent Ameri- ing met on the road by a number of armed men, was can war. Unfortunately, he had on his person papers requested to halt and deliver his papers. He refused, from O'Connor, introducing him to Sheehaa as deputy drawing his sword and striving to make away from the for that part, and prescribing an immediate plan of ao- assemblage. He was galloping off at full pace, when tion. At least so the story is told. Sheehan was, of a ball on the hip brought him down. He was then course, arrested, with Captain Moriarty and a and, man taken to an adjacent house, when, fearing he was about named Garde, conveyed to Tralee jail. The same night to die, he called for the priest. One of the party—call the wires of the telegraph were cut simultaneously at. • ' them insurgents ' for the moment—went forthwith for two places, forty miles assimder ten miles to the east — the clergyman, who attended him as usual. But here of Killarney, and twenty-eight miles to the west, on the the Rev. Mr. McGinn, after acting as the servant of Valentia line. The coast-guard station, at Keils, was God, thought fit to do a trifle in the British spy way attacked, and the arms found therein seized, but no in- and so proceeded forthwith to the police barrack of Kos- jury done to the men. Next day and night the magia- beg, and there warned the police to ' stand to arms.' trates met, panic-stricken, at the Railway Hotel, Killar- He subsequently met the insurgents—I cannot as yet ney, and kept telegraphing, like very furies, to Dublin call them Fenians—and told them to desist, not to ap- and Cork for ' more troops.' And so troops have arri- proach the barrack, for that the police were ready to ved arrived next day from both places, to the amount — receive them. ' Then you have informed on us,' said now in all of one thousand, ^nd imder the command " one of them. Yes,' answered he, ' I did so, and would of a Brigadier-General Horsford. This officer was sent do so again, and am prepared for the consequences;' especially, from Aldershot, to tak^the command. "Without further parley, they left his reverence and " On the arrival of the Cork detachment, at 3.30 in proceeded their way, whither it has not been since as- the morning, they were told off to meet, and beat, and certained. But it would appear that on "Wednesday kill and capture the insurgents. But no insurgent had some of them were seen, wearing green uniforms, pass- they the good or bad fortune to encounter. At night ing the ' Gap of Dunloe,' and taking the direction of other squads, accompanied by the young Mr. Herbert, the mountains. So much for the facts, as far as they P., (I think,) set off to sua-round the M. wood of the have liitherto transpired.

Toomies ; but after passing a di-eary night, no insuir- " The panic, as might be expected, was extreme gents did they meet, nor does it appear that one has among the loyal "West Britishers of the ' Kingdom of been encountered yet by any of the detachments. Kerry,' during the excitement. Mrs. Herbert flitted to "But on the arrest of Captain Moriarty, an orderly the Railway Hotel, with several others from the neigh-

214 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTES. CAPTAIN MOEXntEH MOEIAETT. 215 borliood. Lord Naas, tlie IrisTi Chief Secretary, 'was Colonel O'Connor, and prove, from some experience telegraphed to at his very seat in the House of Com- in naval matters, that he was to take charge of the At- mons, and had to come across to see after this part of lantic cable. One Talbot, who had joined the Fenians her Majesty's dominions—leaving his Irish Land Bill, to be a spy on their movements, said he heard that which he was to move next night, to its fate. ' The Moriarty was the Fenian chief for Kerry. This Talbot Irish Office,' in London, was up all night on "Wednes- was a head constable, and appeared in court in uniform, decorated with day, seeing what to do ; and on the whole, whatever two medals and clasps. On another trea- may be the nature or the result of the commotion, it son-felony trial—that of John Goulding*—the same day, the has rather fretted onr most benign and paternal Chris- testimony given by him was of interest, " ifonly true." tian Masters. He said part of the plan was to seize all the arms " Some persist in denying it to be a Fenian move- from the coast-guards and pohce stations, and from aU the ment at alL I would I could bring myself to l?elieve gentry who had them, and there was a list of these 60 much. But I fear that utter hatred of the intolerar prepared for the night of the rising. On the 10th or ble yoke, with extra enthusiasm, not guided by pru- ilth of February, it was settled in Dublin, that there dence or fortified by sufficient means, may have driven should be a rising in Kerry one day after, to bring the some noble spirits to a deed of rashness, which, if un- army here, then break the rails and leave them here. dertaken in auspicious circumstances, and with pros- I was so much engaged in the business, that they would pects of success, would entitle them to rank with the not hold any meeting, night or day, without me; they were to have made nobles heroes and apostles of Liberty." me Commissary-General ; they took On Thursday, 25th July, 1867, "Mortimer Shea, me to be the head of the whole thing. alias Captain Moriarty," and Jeremiah Daniel Shee- On his cross-examination, Talbot declined to state han, were indicted, because " they did, on the 15th of whether he was attending Fenian meetings at that January, 1867, and on divers other occasions, feloni- time. He declined for " state reasons." Neither would ously conspire and intend to depose her Majesty from he give the name of the place where their meetings the royal style, title, and queenly dignity of Sovereign were held in Dublin, (where the Kerry rising was " of Great Britain and Ireland, and did feloniously ex- agreed on,) as matters were passing there yet." press divers overt acts," &c. Tlie prisoners pleaded not The Solicitor General—Meetings connected with guilty, and were " put back." this conspiracy are stiU held in the same places? Captain Moriarty was brought to trial, at the Kerry Mr. Waters—Do you swear that, Mr. Talbot! Assizes, 16th August. The great object of the Govern-." Talbot—I do. ment, on the trial, was to connect the prisoner with • Sentenced to five yeare' penal servltndik

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HEEOES MAKTYES. 216 TENIAK Am) CAPTAIN MOETIMEB MOEIAETT, 217

Keogli may tell iJie locality withotit Judge —He The prisoner's counsel, Mr. Coffey, made an able names. review of tlie case, taking exception to the admission of

"Ward's hill ; they also Talbot—Francis street and much of the principal evidence, and animadverting on rising of the 5th settled in the same place the second the conduct of the detective, Talbot, and the informers. MarcL He contended that his client had been unfairly and un- — witness, Mr. Waters ^Tlntil you came here as a you justly treated, and claim'ed that on an honlcJ; view of were never in Kerry i the case, he would be entitled to a verdict of acquittal. "Witness No. The learned gentleman's efforts were, however, vain. A Juror—Did you take the Fenian oath ? No. The next day. Judge Keogh treated the jury to a the position of Then how did you arrive at Head lengthened charge, and, after twenty minutes' consulta- ? they took Centre I was not Head Centre, but me to tion, they convicted the prisoner, who was sentenced to be such. a ten years' penal servitude. Massey had seen Moriarty in December, 1866, at .^_>^pOfe - -- -- ^-^ the headquarters, iu New York, and had heard him say " he (Moriarty) escaped from Canada after the Campo Bello raid." Corydon identified the letter found on the prisoner as being ifi the hand-writing of O'Connor ;* had been introduced to the prisoner at theheadquai-ters, New York, by Colonel Downing, " aa a man holding a high position ; frequently heard him spoken of at Fenian meetings, in Liverpool, in connection with the Atlantic cable ; he was well known in that locality, being accustomed to naval matters he was supposed to know how to sever communication between Ireland and America." On the trial, three witnesses from Cahirciveen, who had deposed as to the piisoner's hand-writing, and who refused to support their depositions, were ordered by the court to be arrested for peijury.

• We are In a position to state that it was not la the handwiitiiie of O'Connor. It was written at his dictation.

218 FESIA:; HES0E3 AND MABTTSS. JOSEPH KOONAN. 219

took him to the Euston station, where we all three took through tickets for Dublin. There was no room into in the second class, and the station-master put us arrived at a first. "We left at five in the evening and llugby that night. About half an hour after leaving Rugby, he took^a hold of the window strap, JOSEPH NOONAN. went ont of dropped it, put his foot upon the seat, and an "Ont " will O'Connor—Arrested In London—Marrelons escape from his a^ the window. The train was going at forty miles Eiot in KUlamey— tors -Re-flrre8ted at Atherstane—Broaglit to Dnblin— companion and I were talking at the Ti-ial—Sentence. hour then. My time. "We telegraphed back when the train stopped, " The case of Joseph Koonan, one of the Kerry in- and went to Tamworth, and the following day to ETirgeiits," might have passed over witli nob ijiore than Atherstane, where we got a clue." the usual local attention bestowed npon such matters, After Noonau's escape, the Sergeant and Cxjustable, if liis desperate attempt to escape from the police in both of whom were as much chagrined, as astonished England, leaping from a rail-car speeding at the by at the daring which had taken their prisoner from not rate of over forty miles an liom*, had drawn upon their very grasp, instituted an active search in the him commingled feelings of wonder and admiration. neio-hboriiood, beirfg also eflSciently assisted by the " Colonel O'Connor, He had turned out " with was railway ofiicials and the local police. The ofiicers known to have done so, and to have been probably the gained no information on Thursday, but, on Friday main instrument of maniiging the escape of several morning, they ascertained that Noonan had been to a leading Fenians from the hunted district. He evaded pawn-shop at Atherstane, pawned his coat, and bought the autboi'ities, but was finally traced to London, where a cap. lie was arrested on Tuesday, the 30th of April, 1867. Nothing further was brought to light until night, by a Constable from Ireland. This Constable, Gun-_ when the lodging-houses in the town were searched by ning, a Sergeant, to escort the Fenian and undertook the police. They found the fugitive prisoner in one prisoner Dublin. says in his evidence to The former of these houses, in bed, about ten p. m. He at first " Before leaving London, I went with him to the Lon- denied that he was the man; the oiBcers, however, Bridge Railway station to look after his boxes. don had found a letter in the htiuse written by the prisoner told me he was after arri\nng f-om Havre, and his He to his friends, asking tliem to supply him with money, boxes were there. We got the boxes r.nd brought liiin which, on being made kno\\'n to him, he at once ac- to the police-station that night. The next day we knowledged himself to be the man, and answered any

220 rENIAN HEEOES AITD ilAETTKfl. JOSEPH TSOOSiS, 221 qiicstions freely that were put to him. There is no "A Fenian rict occurred at Killamey on "Wednes- doubt th.at hut for tlie Avant of this money Koouan day evening. A large crowd of people had assembled would have made good liis escape. at the railway station to witness the arnval of Koonan, From his own statement of his escape, it appears tlie alleged Fenian, whose extraordinarj' escape from a that he leli the train about three miles nortli of train in motion was reported a few days ago. Tamworth station, instead of south, as the officers Noonan did not arrive, and the crowd turned upon and surmised. He says he watched his opportunity, mobbed a party of thirteen policemen, who were in waiting dropped the carriage window down, and, placing his at the station, under the command of Mr. Gallwey, J. knee and hands on the sill, with, a cat-like spring, shot P." Tlie display was continued until the police tlu'ouglj tlie window ; he aliglited on his feet, and then reached their barracks, after Mhich " tiie mob, tui-ni;ig had a few rolls and got up—beyond the shaking and a downward from tlie barrack and meeting JJr. sliglit scratch on the I'ight side of his fcrehead, ijoth- Giilh wey, hooted and yelled at liim, and he was ing the worse for his adventure. As the train at the subjected to almost as much ill-treatment as tlie police. On go- time was traveling fifty miles an hour, it is a most ing into his house, tliey threw stones at liiin, and miraculons circumstance how the man escaped with some . of his windows were broken." his life; "and, incredible as tlie feat seems," says one Mr. Noonan M-as subsequently confined in Ka.Ts of the reporters, who saw him on his arrival in Dub- jail, •with Captain Moriarty and Tlionias Garde*, lin, " any pereon, after seeing the man, would feel quito "raid it when was necessary to remove liiu'i to Tralce, read}' to give credence to his statement, which corres- lie was, in view of liis daring proclivities, accompanied ponds in evei-y pai-tieular with the statement of tlie thence by a heavy escort of police. He was indicted officers from wliom he escaped. In appearance he is for treason-felony and brought to trial at the just the man one would expect to find capable of ac- KeiTy Assizes 16th August. -He was identified as conipliihing any such rash feat." one of O'Connor's ]5aity, on the morning of the 15th Februaiy, The prisoner arrived in Dublin on Sunday, the 5th that liad refreshments at the liotel at Glenbcigh, May, and was lodged in Kilmainham jaih It was ex- and' as having got a boat at Glenagli in whicli lie with - pected that he would be brought to Killamey, and the four otiiers proceeded to Muckruss. On liis trial people assembled to welcome him, and probably to some incidents of the lising were given in evidence, attempt his rescue. lie did not appear, however, and which were not alluded to on the othei-s. the populace took the opportunity of making a demonstration against the magistrate and police, an account • Garde Tvcf. nrrfllmcd fnr having " lendercd tlio "Fenian oath (o one Oils. Mm on the 8Ui October, of which is given in the London Times of 13th May Itca He pleaded not goljty, and was acqulUcd bj

" :

222 FENUH HEROES AM) MAfiTTfifl. CAPTAIN JHCHAEL O^OBEZ. 223

Constable Wm. Dugp;an, wlio was shot while carrying dsspatches from Kilorglin to Caliirciveeu, and fell from his horse, stated, after lying quiet for some time, that he got hold of his sword and walked to a cottage, into which, after some parley, he obtained entrance

"I said I was woundeJ—^that I wasn't aWe to do anything. CAPTAIF MICHAEL O'ROHEE. Tliey then called for Colonel O'Connor to come. in—thattbey had

lliis man inside. 1 saw a rcFoIver with one of them. That man *'0"norke, alias Beeclier"—Birth—Family Emigrate to New York—Memories of the Boy Make him a Rebel—Joiue the Phoenix Brigade- Enters the United said, ' I am the man that fired at him.' He came tip quite close States Service—Irish lyjgion-Sad Scene at the Battle of Spottsylvania—Hl» pistol at me. I aslied for a diink of water, to me and presented a Father Killed—Taken Prisoner—Mustered Ont—Goes lo Ireland—HleDutlM and tliey madi an old woman belonging to the house go for it. • I in England and Ireland—Narrow Escape from Corydon—Sent to New York. got some brandy, too, from ColoneJ O'Connor, who had Mr. Anke-

telfs (S. I., Caliirciveen) sword on him. Colonel O'Connor took In the evidence given by the arch-informer, on the the despatch I had with me out of my pocket, and read it, and k trials of Colonel Thomas F. Bonrke, Captain M'Caff- purse I had wiUi 4s. in silver in it. Colonel O'Connor examined erty, and others, the name of Captain O'Rorke, *' alias my wound, and told me to cheer up, and said be got worsshimself Beecher," is constantly alluded to. He is spoken of in the Ameiican service. He promised to send me the pnest and with the most prominent men and move- doctor as soon as be met tbeni. in connection important consulta- ments ; as having been present at Mr. Shea, the propriettn- of the hotel at Glenbeigh, tions, and as being the pay-master of the Fenian or- was acquainted with Noonan, and said that O'Connor ganization in England, through whose hands the funds gave him a slip of pa^jer in acknowledgment of the went to officers assigned to certain duties. Sufficient bread taken for his men. The daughter deposed that allusion is made to him to suggest a man of energy she " gave refi-eshments to twenty or thirty armed in- and reliability, in whom an abiding trust was placed by surgents on -the 15th of February, and got a bond of his superiors and comrades. Events have shown that the Irish Republic from Colonel O'Coimor as payment. Captain O'Rorke was worthy of the confidence placed Got the rnone}' afterward." in him. A trusty soldier of his adopted country, he Noouan M-as convicted and sentenced to seven years' was a no less efficient agent of the cause of his native penal servitude. land. Michael O'Rorke was bom in August, 1841, in Roe- common, Ireland, and is, consequently, now twenty- six years old. His family—father, mother, three sis-

224 FKNIAN HEE0E8 AOT) MAETEEa. CAPTAIN MICHAEL o'eOEKB. 225 ters and a younger brother—emigrated to the TJnv Doheny, Corcoran, and Colonel Matthew Uni-phy. ted States in 185i, and arrived in New York in the With these patriotic spirits, O'Rorlie was not then ac- fall of that year. Though leaving home at this early quainted. It was enough for him, liowevcr, to leam age, young O'Rorke was not insensible to the causes that the brigade was to be a body of Irishmen, ready which had di'iven thousands, as well as his own family, to do duty in Ireland. The dreams of his boyhood from the loved scenes of their nativity. He had seen flushed his imagination, and with almost wild delight, and remembered from childhood the "crow-bar bri- he hastened to join, with heart and hand, these zealous gade," and other barbarous appliances of oppression. -men, whom he learned to love for their untiring devo-

Within his o^vn memory, the once most happy and tion to the cause of the oppressed. _ comfortable homes of his neighborhood "were razed to With unremitting attention, as private, coqx)ral and - the ground, and he had seen grass growing on the first lieutenant, he served four j-cars in the Wolfe hearths around which his young heart had be5n made Tone Guards. In 18C2 the organization ofierred its glad with merry laughter. The hearth sides were ^•vices to the Government, as a regiment, and witli it cold, the voices gone—some hushed in pauper graves. O'Rorke entered the service of the United States. "He

Such scenes made boys men in spirit ; and the boy was commissioned as first lieutenant in June, 1862, O'Korke wandered why such things were, and if there and captain in December following. Of Captain was no remedy for such gigantic evils. He naturally O'Rorke, as a soldier, nothing more to his credit can thought there must be/ some corrective, though he could be said than that olten cheerfully expressed by those not then see what it was ; but the thought had suffi- with whom he served, from the General to the Colond cient inspiration in it to make him an -ingrained ene- and officers of his regiment—that he was an intelligent, my—even unto death—of the causes of such fraud and brave and efficient officer. Many illustrative instances oppression. might be adduced, but Captain O'Roi'ke's career shows' With these feelings uppermost, he became a soldier that he sought more to do his duty than to court of Ireland. In the Spring of 1859, he joined the Wolfe eulogy or notoriety. His regiment—now the IGith Tone Gujirds, Company A, First Regiment, Phoenix N. Y. V.—was ordered to the Spinola Brigade, and re- Brigade, commanded by the lamented Captain Francis mained with it until General Corcoran arrived from Welpley, a brave and devoted son of Ireland, now, alas, his Southern prisons, in New York, (August, 18C2,) numbered among the thousands of true and brave and commenced organizing the Irish Legion for the hearts lost to her while gallantly fighting for the integ- war. By the unaninions request of the oflicers, the rity of this Kepublic. The Phoenix Brigade was at IGlth was transferred to the Corcoran Legion, of which that time being organized, and had for its chief officers,

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226 FENUlf HEEOES Am> ItAETtES. 4 CAITAW MtcSAEt o'eoEKE. 227 it formed a gallant and dasting adjunct, to tlie close ted that love which led his father to face ol the rebellion. death to be near him. The duty which tore It is outside of tlie him from the side of design of this work to dwell on the services the dying, made him reckless of life. He courted of the Irish Legion, which, like its elder death but brother in ; though hundreds were falling around him, the field, the Irish Brigade, bore the brunt his agonized of many a sanguinary desire was not granted, nor did he even fight ; but its name instinctively receive calls lip a wound during his entire service. heroic memories of Corcoran, Murphy, McMa- At Eeams's Station, 25th August, hon, Welpley Butler, Abraham, t 1864, he was Egan, O'Connell, taken O Sulhvan, Marony, prisoner, after seeing his first military instruc- Hickey, M'Caffrey, Flood, and tor, the gallant Welpley, literally • others torn assunder by a hundreds, rank and file, vWio yearned for the day they shell, M-hile leading his command, a Company of the would strike for Irish, as they struck for Sixty-ninth American, freedom. N. Y. N. G., a portion of the same shell Captain O'Eorke served with his also killing another brave officer, Lieutenant Sweeny, regiment, without intermission ; was with it in its of the same regiment. brightest and darkest days, shared in its every march bivouac After undergoing untold hardships in the prison-pMis and battle. Tliere is one field, however, on of " winch he was an the Confederacy," for six months. Captain O'Eorke actor, to which we are drawn by an was exchanged in interest, painfully, February, 1865, when he returned harrowingly sad. On it Captain to his regiment, and remained U Korke received a with it to the close of wound, more deep ^ and Iastin

228 FENTAIT HEE0E8 AlfD MAETTE8. CAPTAIN MICHAEL O EOEKB. 229

liis instructions, left K'ew York on tLe 1-ltli of fifty officers, and sometimes more. "With others, he July, and arrived in DuLiin on the 27tli. hoped, and lived with the hope, that an open inove-

About three montlis were speiit visiting tlie various mant would take place in Ireland, in 1806; and left parts of the country, principally the west of Ireland. nothing in his power undone to farther this design. After the seizure of the Irish People, and in view of The sequel of Mr. Stephens's unfortunate promise, ' the numerous arrests of active Fenians then made, which bred such distraction in the home organization, Captain O'Rorke was called on to perform several is before the world. Captain O'Korke was now called offices fur the organization. Some of these duties led upon to perform other, and even more important du- him, almost daily, for months, to visit houses most no- ties, of which little can be said, save, indeed, what has ted, and whose residents were already watched by the been already indicated by the evidence. His new dn- -. authorities. Still, he succeeded in eluding the vigi- tics led him to visit, at various times, almost the whole lance of the detectives. Not only then, but throughout English organization, and Dublin at least once a month. the whole period of his labors, he was so successful in During the very fever of excitement and vigilance of his management, that he believes he is personally un- both the Irish and English authorities, he successfully known to the spies aiid police np to this day. performed all this, and kept himself and his where- "When the Habeas Corpus Act was suspended, arrests abouts unknown to them, until the informer, Corydon, made by the hundred, and Dublin ablaze, Captain gave the latter, and made a bold attempt on the former.

O'Rorke had not only to see, almost daily, every offi- But on this, as on other occasions, he escaped the snares •teer not arrested, but to visit the lodgings of those who of that wily wretch. Acting on the informer's instmc- ^ wei-e, to look after their effects, and settle any claims tions, a posse of detectives and jjolice, led by Major against them wliieh might have been left unpaid. Greg, chief of the force, proceeded to O'Korke's lodg- When Mr. Stephens was leaving Dublin for the Uni- ings, in Liverpool, to arrest him. They took every ted States, in l\rarch, 1866, he ordered Captain Oltorke precaution, approached the house from thi-ee sides, to send_ all tlie officers not arrested, then in Ireland, to guarded all the entrances, and captured everything, England. This was done, and funds being placed in from the cellar to the garret. The only trace they " hi= hands for their support, he received the appellation found of the paymaster," was his trunk, which they of paymaster, or, as the informer and detectives have broke open, he being safe in Dublin, whither business it, " Fenian Paymaster." had called him the day before. It would not the time — be prudent to enter into details of the At —September, 1866 ^he had not the re- Captain's sojourn in motest idea who gave the information but the search England. Suffice it to say, he ; remained at his convinced him that all could not right. post, providing for his charge, ab'ont be When,

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STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT. 231 230 FENIAN HEEOES A2sT) MAETYES. therefore, he returned in a few days to Liverpool, he removed his residence to a town a few mUes distant, where, fortunately, his exact whereabouts were never known to the execrable Corydon. To this circum- Btance, is no doubt attributable the fact that Captain STEPHEN JOSEPH MEAITT. * O'Rorke was enabled to go on performing all his duties

Poeme «t Bis- -. as before, and meeting Corydon, with the officers, almost Birth—Early Writings for the Press—PnbliBhes a Volame of teen—O'Connell's Reporter- Establishes the Irish Untional Mn^'arjne—In suspicions, weekly in Liverpool. O'Korke's without the Clnhs-On the Insk TVtiime—Brenan and Meany Test the Right of the being centered on any special person, were awakened, Polite to Soil the National Jonmals—Arrested nnder the Suspension of Ba^ bras Corpus, 184S—Released—JonrDallem—Emigrates to the United States— and ho took the precaution of making his visits to Liv- * Editor of the Toledo romTTicrcia;, Ohio—Centre-At the Third Congri'ss— Fenianism—Resolntions at Jones' erpool rather irregular, without previous announce- Sunator—Address to the Parent Trunk of Wood—Goes to England— Arrested—Tried for Treason-Felony-Fine Speech ment, and of such short duration in any one place, as in the Dock—Exposes Overtures made to him to Betray the Fenians—Sen- to defeat any covert enemy. And he had, indeed, a^ tenced. treacherous foe, one unknown until he saw him on the The case of Stephen Joseph Meany has attracted pe- informer's stand. At the Fenian trials, this monster culiar atteiition, and thrown light upon a public car- acknowledged that he was receiving pay from the Fe- reer of devotion to Ireland, which it is gratifying to nians, through, as he said, " their paymaster in Eng- record. On the N ational side of Irish politics from land, Captain O'Eorke, alias Beecher," and that, at the boyhocKi, Meany was up to every progressive move-

same time, he was using his diabolical efforts to sell the • ment which, in our day, lifted politics into the domain life of that gentleman, his former companions, and his of patriotism. He does not now suffer for the first country. • time for entering wisely and well into the agitations Notwithstanding that Captain O'Rorke traveled to exposing the misgovernment of his country, or advo- all parts of England, meeting hundreds of persons cating measures to achieve her independence. In 1848, nightly, known to all, each having the conviction that he shared the hopes and penalties of that brilliant band his betrayal would insure a large reward, yet it is a of poets, authors and journalists, whose writings, not healthy evidence of uprightness of purpose, to know less than their aspirations, chivalry and sufferings, that he experienced no peril, but, on the contrary, was were sufficient to make that year an ever-memorable shielded with devotion. "Within four months, it has epoch in the annals of Irish intellect and progress. been stated that he was as many times arrested; Stephen Joseph Meany was bom at New Hall, near but it is gratif3'ing to remark he was safe in the hands Eimis, County Clai-e, Ireland, in December, 1825. Af- of his friends, in Xew Tcrk, having been sent there oa the business of the organization, in June, 1865.

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2S2 FENIAK EEEOKS >a-it) MAETTR8. Stephen Joseph loiAivr. 233 ter jiiepav 'uiy btiidies, he adopted the profession of; matter of course, led the active journalist rciHii-ter and jom-nalist, and became distinguished as a into thepi'-o grcsiive ranks of the Young Ireland iijost capable sliort-iiand writer when little more than partv. In 184! he made a most intellect laudable attempt to estabfish fifiecn years old. A vivacious and romantic a cred 'it able weekly periodical, kind rein Dublin, of the same cliara'c natnraliy found expression in poesy ; and the ter as Chamlers' Edh^urgh Journal. ception given to some contributions to the Ctor^ Jovr- This publication. The Irish National Magazine, a Dublin weekly, bearing the signatures of was in every wfiy nal and inost creditable, but did not continue "Abelard," "Werner," &c., induced the author to probably mo^a tnan ' six • 1 months. . print a volume, which he did in ISil, with the title In 1848, Mr. Meanj _ hecame an " Shreds of Fancy." This book, which was dedicated active propagandist in the Confederate Clubs, and soon entered to Sir Michael 6'Loghlen, Bart., Master of the EoUs, stifl more prominently on not the path of danger. John is in some respects remarkable, as evincing, Mitchels powerful appeals, versifica- , coupled with the excitement but a felicity, in diction and , bred of only a facility, the European . upheaving, and especially than .usual maturity in one so young. by the three tion, of more days of Paris, had created a fervor which The tender afiections, of course, were the main inspira- swept the eaders-almost against tlieir youthful baid but love of country found wiU-into the considerJ^- tion of the ; tion of revolutionary means and measures. expression happily prophetic of the author's patriotic As he stJ. ted on his trial, Mitehel provoked the viceroy future. -About the same time, young Meany an- into his courts ofjustice-as places " 1S31," in three of the kind are called-and nounced The Terry Alt ; a Tale of forced the Government publicly and volumes, which necessarily embraced illustrations of notoriously to packajury to conv.ot him. He was convicted, ; and the state of the country. permitted to leave the island. In 1843-i, the era of the monster meetings, the series of retrj- During Ei)ect.ve letters published with the title O'Connell convened the people on Tara Hill, of"TheLasfc when Conquest of Ireland, (Perhaps,)" Mitehel give, lilullao-hraast and Clontarf—beacons and battle- an idea at of the sens3 of duty governing j-etribution—and inspired those who took up his grounds of Irish glory and * i- cause. He says : them with feelings never to "be gratified by him, ^ "The fierce enthusiasm of position of chief of the our confederates was Meany was entrusted with the doubled re- after my removal. Tiiey "His tact and facihty.in re-^ lioped at least that Freeman's Jourml staff. ;f tlH^y were resti-amed from action "Liberator," caused him to be distin-" then, it was to some producing the good end, with some sure and weU-defined gnished as " O'Connell's Eeporter.". The enthusiasm purpose^ less than Iris literary leanings, as a of his nature, not •''Lii5tConqa«t,''LcUa-xxsiI,p. " £31 '

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234 KENIAl? HEROES AIvD MAETTR3. STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANT. 235 and there -srere many tlionsands of men tlien in Ireland, sary to establish a newspaper to take the place Avlio longed and burned for that end and that purpose; of the c/n lied Irishman. to earn an honorable death. How the British system " It was a breach as deadly and disappointed them of even an honorable death, remains imminent as ever yawned m a beleaguered wall; but men were still to be told. man can die in Ireland of hunger, found A prompt to stand in it. Within two weeks or of famino-typhus, or of a broken heart, or of deliri- after my tnal, the Irish Tribune was issued, edited by O'Doher- itm ireme?is / but to die for your country— the death ty and Williams, with Antisell and Savage as contri- dulce ei decorum—to die on a fair field, fighting lor butors."* . - _ freedom and honor, to die the death even of a defeated lleany became connected with the Tribune as soldier, as Hofer died ; or eo mucli as to mount the sub- editor and contributor, and at once attracted the watch- gallows like Robert Emmet, to pay the penalty of a ful attention of the authorities. His glorious treason- even this was an euthanasia writings at this — whicli cns,s werepeculiarly forcible in style, and more thau British policy could no longer afford' to an Irish na- usually pomted in suggestiveness. Take tionalist. ' the follow- , ing passage for instance, which is as suitable " Yet, with all oads against them, to-dav with the Irish as m Jnlyj '43 • -^ gentry thoroughly corrupted or frightened out of their ' senses, and with the "government" enemy obviously "Frcethouglits-frecmen~fiv««on for treating national Ireland! Theseare th« bent on our aspiration as an igno- ^rcd nsbts of Nature. .Vc „s!c not freedom becau once aTa,' minious crime, worthy to be ranked only with the of- free u^ .rust not to ; such frail and f.ivolous auxiliariea. Wo fences of burglars or pickpockets-f-still, there were a-k freedom because we have a right to be free. Usaê dents, authonuos prece to dare the worst and statutes sink into men resolved and uttermost for but insigniQcnee bef rj r. bt s' We seek our remedies in onf) chance of rousing that down-trodden people to one nature, and throw onr parchment manful effort of resistance against' so base and cruel a Irish Confederation," tyranny. The re-constituted its l«-<"oree. bo „,,.,,. httle is plam sense heard m,.,.onon3 nonsea.^ In thp council, and set itself more diligently than ever to the which is the cloak of poHtical fc„.d, that tho task of inducing the people to pro<;ure arms, with a •The view to a final struggle in the harvest. As it waa, ""'^ rcK. !iid ^"""'- ^•''H" T. Mejlur clear that there was nothing the enemy dreaded so It cn.„.cD.ori^ C. ^ , i\ my- M.h..c,^Bohcny .„, wrote the s,ephenJ.Me..,..u.^h;Z much as a bold and honest newspaper, wliicli woulcf ""^ "^^-'f l-=IriofIn Apri which the „„i- ^ '"""' '•"d i-™<^<' -rd. expose their plots of slaughter, and turn their liberal "I, mo Eloik in the hards "'"nf fhn ,r.„,i._, .... . ' J.Î..I the '"= «"''="• "''-> '1>™ ••Trih,;ne '"^'rî Z'Z'^,'V'7^'î' pro- professions inside out, it was, before all thing?, ncces-

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236 FENIAN nEK0E3 AKD MASTTEa. 61-EPHE.V JOSEPn MEANY. 237 CoT:?s, and Bl.icUstoncs, nnd other jurists, speak tis if onr right to not, ileptn.lcd on il3 possijsjioii by our ancestors. In the coai- he says, «,ndtilgo ficcclo:ii in homilies of moral mys- iiKiu (us:s of mor.ilily we wouUl bhiih at such an absurdity. No jct.m b.tter_adapted to the amnscment of a people m;'.n ivould jusli'y inur.lu'r for its aiiliquily, or stigmatize benevo- l.at. to thetr .ttstruction. . Sttoh thitigs are not fitted lence for beiiij novel. The genealogist who would emblazon the for the tttne. Ho^ do not leave one as coeval with Cain, or deuouucc the other as upstait with their hearths and hotnes and expose themselves, Howard, would be disclaimed even by the most frantic partisan of their fortttnes and their clHtdren o nnn.inent aviftocraey. This Gothic transfer of genealogy to truth and jus- peril, withont deep and dreadful cause. tice is peculiar to politics. The existence of robbery in one age Anytlung like a general or national move- ma!;es its vindication in the next; and the champions of freedom meat mnst be the restilt of Ion. misgovernment." have abnndoncd the stronghold of right' for precedent, -whicli Is He tmplores the people to train, to drill, and ev.-r fjebl3, fluctfliling, partial and equivocal. I repeat, it is Kor to arml and concludes Ins t.mely exliortatioa r.EOArsE WE IIAVK BEES FREE, BUT BECArSE WE HAVE S. KIOIIT TO with these words pointing to something more BE FUEE, THAT ws ODGiiT to D3MAUD Fr.F.EDoM. Justicc and Lib- than . City Lave neither birth nor race youth nor age. "Let us hear no '•The Tribune's — tongue and poet's penl" more then of this ignoble and ignominious pedigree of freedom— "With organization, confidence, strength let hear no more of her Saxon, D;^nish, and arms us Norman, or Celtic nn- -with a training and drilling, not cestiirs— let the immo'tiil daughter of Reason, of Justice, and o' only of the animal, but of the intellectual man, Qjd be no longer confounded witli the spuiious abortiijns tliat with our harvest alread^

' rq|en.ngmaJulysun, have usurped ber name.. . with \; . everything in onr and moral "Primary politic-al truths arc few nnd simple; it is easy to physical condition to insure success-wliy with make them understood. : A government may be made to bo rc-

Ej>ected, not because it is aucient, not because it has been estab- ~ "'" '^''''* of lished triumpb.and tlien- by l)arou3 or applaiided by priests, but because it is useful. c"T 7. God oe merci u to tne rampant Jlen may easily be induced to maintain rights wliicb it is their in- rufiianism of En^l'sh lau-s and English " ° tjrostto maintain, or dj|it;s w'hick it is their interest to perform. Government!" A circumstance T.iisis i.heoxi.Y p;inciple pf nuthorily tliat does not violate justico occurred about this period whicli is and insult humanity; itis also the only one which can possess ^"nsrrative of Meany's manly sense of Justice, as weU Etahility. as of the violent state of lawlessness which the " Is tliis principle an ingredient * Govem- of English rule in Ireland V' inent was forced to adopt in its conflict with- the patiiot.. M.tcliel was right The TTcek following ^vc find Ifenny reviewinix, in a when be said there was nonung the troiicliatit manner, tlie political Government dreaded incidents of tlie dn^-. so much as a boll an Iionest lie dctih pliiiisly nnd journal. The Irisk boldly witji tliem, !' ^Ye will Trihcn. was quid h ollo^red by the appearance of the Irish FclonX that • TrccU for tlic Tribanc"— /ris* Tribune, July 1813. he.ewe.-e 1, two ij^irless national journals in t^e capital, be=iues the Nation, which bad received a healthy

. «H^.4,l yWBW

238 FENIAW HEROES AND MABTTES. BTEPHEN JOSEPH MEAIfT. 239 impetus by the necessity exhibited in the popnlarity ny, were kicked and cuffed and dragged in the excite- of its yoiniger rivals. Every possible obstruction was ment, and Meany and Brenan were arrested for as- placed iu tlie way of the circulation of the Tribune sault, and conveyed to the College street station, fol- and Fdoii. The news venders were seized by the po- lowed by considerable numbers, who repeatedly and lice and detectives not in uniform, and the papers for- loudly cheered them. The excitement before the Ma- cibly taken from them. gistrate lost nothing in interest, Brenan defending On Monday, the 10th July, two days after the ar- himself; and it being generally supposed—from the rest of the editors of these journals, a large force of usages of those days—that the gentlemen were police proceeded to Trinity street, where the offices about being committed to Newgate, under the were located, and made a foray on the news venders. " Gagging Act," for their writings. Brenan's talent The same system having been pursued on the Satur- for satire, which he leveled at the " authorities " in day previous and to such an extent that private indi- the court room, — did not benefit him. It was decided viduals of the highest respectability, as welf as to accept bail, but to send his case for trial; whfle the poor venders, were forcibly deprived of the Meany, being legally defended, was set free on his own papers they had bought—greatly irritated the gen- recognizance. tlemen connected witli the papers, and suggested Both parties had thoroughly aroused the vindinctive to some of them the necessity of testing the power watchfulness of the Castle officials; and having left of the police. The action of the police attract- Dublin on the suspension of the Habem Cbr^Act, ed a large crowd. Meany, on the part of the and the consequent scattering of the leaders to the Triljune, and Joseph Brenan, on the part of the Luis, were arrested together in the west, while seeking Felon, procured copies of the respective papers, and, some sphere of action to precipitate revolution. exhorting ths venders to resist the confiscation of their Meany was in the clutches of tlie Government for goods, boldlj' went into the street and offered the pa- about nme months a ; prisoner in Belfast, Newgate pers for sale. The matter was taking a tangible form, (Dublm) and Kihnainham jails. The friendship which and numbers went forward to purchase, and thus show kindred sympathies suggested between Meany and their antagonism to the illegality being enacted. The Brenan in the streets of Dublin, was strengthened in police interfered, and demanded the papers. Meany prison, and some poetical illustrations of it have been and Brenan peremptorily refused. The excitement in- prmted, which have an additional interest, now that l>renan, creased ; the journalists offering their wares, the police (one of the brightest intellects of the era,) is no demanding them, the former resisting, and the crowd >'>'>re, and that Meany-re-enacting, as it were, the cheering. The detective police, by their own testimo- earher phases of his life which brought them- together

240 FENIAN HEROES AND HAETYE8. STEPHEN JOSEPH MEAHY 241 maj- ponder on the association " " ^vhicll bronght a gleam and restored the Fenian organization to its original ofsniiliglit" into his cell wliile tenanting it yeai"s ago. simple and effective form," Mr. Meany received the After^Mr. !Meany's release from prison, wliicli took thanks of the Brotherhood, and was elected -District place on Srd March, he a pajier 1849, became editor of Centre for Ohio. He almost immediately started on an in the South of Ireland, and subsequently followed his organizing tour, and returned in time to participate in profession England. in He was for several years asso- the great Jones' Wood meeting of the 4th March. ciated with Mr. Whitty, of the Liverpool Daily Post Here he presented a suggestive preamble and resolu- aivd Journal, as chief of the staif of that journal, and tions, of which the following are a portion was first president of the Liverpool Press Association before leaving the Old Country a position " for Whereas^ It — Is now manifest that Ireland, so long held in Tas- saline by the wlu'ch his honhommie and graceful talent in a social Gjvernmsnt of England, is now ftboat to strike de-' tenniuudly sense, as well as his professional experience, well for hor freedom and independence; and ir/jerea?, As we, fitted liim." as Aoi-rican citizens, bave a perfect right to assemble and bestow any material Mr. ]\Ieany emigrated^ to the United States some aid upon uny people desiring to be free and whereas, ; during the late unhappy differences seven or eight years ago, and pi'oceeding to the West, between the States of this Union, the Irish people assembled en masse in settled in Ohio, at Toledo, where he became editor the )tunda R of Dublin, and with one accord sympathized with proprietor the Cominercial, subsequently, and and of and expressed the hope of a speedy re-unian of the American Centre of the circle of the Fenian Brotherhood of that Slates ; therefore, i23?oJued,— locality. In the latter capacity he attended the third l.We, citizens of the United States, native and adopted, hereby Ifational Congress of the Brotherhood, held at Phila- tender our heartfelt sympathies to the struggling patriots of Ireland, and assure them delphia, October, 1865. On the appointment of two that they shall from thne to lime receive from us encouraging words and the sinews from each State and District to form a Committee on of defence to the very extent of our ability to aid. Government, Constitution and By-laws, Mr. Meany 3. That the suspension of the writ of ^a5eas Cbrpiw by Pariia- one of the two selected to represent Ohio ; and on was ment and Crown of England is ipso facto an acknowledgment of the adoption of the new Constitution, creating a Presi- the fact that Ireland is in a state of war, and by aU the rules of for the civilized warfare, entitled to all the dency, Senate, and Hoiise of Delegates Govern- rights of belligerent parties. ment of the Brotherhood, he Avas elected a Senator. * » • • • 6. That as England assumss the When the division in the ranks of the Fenian Bro- right by virtue of mi-ht to declare war agamst the Insh people, we, therhood occurred, he was one of the three Senators citizens of the United States, reiterate our right to extend oui- sympathies who refused to secede; and when thefomth National to the cause of Irish nationality, and with the cause of the Irish patriot. Lone ^^oliva Congress assembled in New York, January 2, 1866, the Irish RepnbUcl ^

FENIAN UEE0E9 AND MAHTTHB. 242 BTEPHKN JOSEPH HEART. 243 St. Patrick's addressed On Day, Mr. Meany the give the needful Information, by one of the agents of citizens of Pouglikeepsie with eloquence and earnest- the British, who have been watchmg events in New ness, giving an interesting sketch of his early escperi- York and elsewhere for the past few years. ence of the festival in his native county of Clare, and The presiding Judge, Barou Hughes, refused to conjuring up the tender associations of the day which sentence Mr. Meany, on the ground that the court had fills subsequently- the breast of every Irishman. He no jurisdiction in the case. The points raised by spoke at a series of great demonstrations in Philadd-i Baron Hughes were subsequently argued before the ]iliia, and proceeded on his tour through the greafc Court of Error, when six of the Judges gave judg- AYest, where his energy was conspicuously effective. ment affirming the verdict of the jury, and four dig- Mr. Meany's predilections lor journalism and en- sented. As a consequence, Meany was brought up thusiasm in the Irish cause led him, in July, 1866, to for sentence and ; on Friday, 21st June, 1867, in an- start a journal for the advocacy of the lattef in New swer to the usual question, at the Commission of Oyer York. It did not prosper; and after settling his and Terminer, he delivered the foUowing exceedingly- business, went to England to visit some Mr. Meany able speech, which, from the peculiarity of the case, members of his family. and the probabUity that it will be the basis of some arrested in London, conveyed to Mountjoy He was international action, is worthy of careful perusal It for trial the charge prison, Dublin, and committed on is, moreover, a worthy and able culmination of Oyer and Mea- of Treason-felony. The Commission of ny's efforts in the cause of his country. It is scarcely Terminer was opened on the 13th April, 1867. And necessary to draw the especial attention of the reader Mr. Meany was arraigned on a charge of Treason- to the base overtures made to the prisoner, in his diffi- . plead not guilty. Mr. O'Loghlen applied felony. He cnlty, by the British Government, the officers of. for a bill of particulars of the overt acts, which which had asked him to give evidence for the Queen •was denied by the Attorney-General. Mr. Meany against the members of the Fenian party just arrested was found guilty by the jury of making certain at Dungarvan, in the County Waterford. speeches in New York, and offering Fenian bonds As Meany ahnost madly scorned the insulting pro- for sale. The wretched creature who played the position in the cell, he manfully exposed it in the informer in his case, was a Joseph Devany, role of dock and also the prospect ; of hberation in six months lived in York for " eighteen or nineteen who New tendered to him, if he would plead guilty to the years ;" became a member of the Shields' Circle in charges m the indictment; which he, as a man and October, 1865, and was subsequently Secretary of a an American Citizen, would not and could not do— Circle, and was sent to Ireland in January, 1867, tg knowing he had committed no crime.

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STEPHEN 244 TENIAE HEROES AKD MAEXrBS. JOSEPH MEAOTT. 245

Crown—that I was an "accessory before the fact" The Cleric of the Oo\vii asked if the prisoner had in that fammis Dublin overt act, for which as an aforethought of tlie Crown, of death should not be I anything to say why sentence was tried though not indicted ; and I ask you further to bear in passed upon him ? mind that the afBrmance of the conviction was had—not on ti.\ed principles of law—for the question was unprecedented—Ijut on a speculalive view of a suppositious Mr. Meany—^Jlost certainly 1 have. I have much to eay. There case ; and I must say, a stmined application of are many reasons I could offer why sentence should not—cannot an already overstrained and dangerous doctrine— the doctrine of constructive be pronounced upon me according to law, if seven months of ao- crkninality—the doctrine of making a man at a distance of three solute solitary imprisonment, and the almost total disuse of speech thousand miles and more, legaUy responsible for the during that period, has left me energy enough, or even language words and acts of othere whom he nevlr saw, and of whom he never suflBcient for the purpose. But, yielding obedience to a sugges- heard, on the snpiTOsition that he Wiis a co-conspirator. tion coming from a quarter entillad to my respect, as well, indeed, Fortified by such facts—with a court so divided, and with the opinions as in accordance with my own feelings, I avoid eveiything that of the judges so expressed—I submit that neither acconling to could bear the aspect of speech-making for outSde elfecL Be- act of Pariiament, nor in conformity with the practice at common sides, the harned counsel, who have so ably represented me during law—no, not m any way in pursuance of the supposed principle these proceedings, and the learned judges who, in the Court of of that apocryphal abstraction- -that magnificent myth—the CriDiinal Appeal, gave judgment for me, have exhausted all that British Constitution, am I amen.able to the'sen- tencc of this court—of any could be said on the law of the case. Of their arguments and court m this country. True, I am in the toils and it may vain opinions your lordships have judicial knowledge. I need not say ; be to discuss how brought mto them. True, a long and dreaiy that, both in interest aud ui conviction, I am in agreement witli, imprisonment—shut away from all association or converse with aud adopt the constitutional principles laid down by the minority humanity—the humiliations of prison dis- ciphne—the hai-dships of prison of the judges in tliat couit ; but I have, at the same time, suffi- fai'e—the handcuffs and the heartr burnings this court, and its cient respect for the dignity of the comt, and sufficient regard, I — surroundings of power and authority • all these are hard hope, for what is due to m^'self, to concede fully aud fi-ankly to practical facts, which no amount of mcUgnait protests can negative—no the majority a conscientious view of a novel, and, perhaps, diffi- denunciation of the wrong refine away • and it may be, as I have said, cult question. worse than useless, v^ and absurd,' to question a But I do not seek too much in asking that before your lordships right where might is predommant But the invitation just extended proceed to pass sentence, you will consider the manner in which to me by the officer of the court —if it mean anythmg—if the court was divided on the question—that you will bear in mind it be not like the rest, a solemn mockery —gives me. I presume, that the minority declaiing against the legality of the trial, and sttll the poor privUege of complauit. And I do complain. I complain that the validity of the conviction, was conijMsed of some of the ablest law and justice have been alike violated in my regard I complain judges on the Irish b;;nch, or on any bench—that one of the ; that the much-belauded attribute, British fair play, has been learned judges who had presided at the trial in the Commission for me a nullity; I complain that the pleixsant fiction known ConrtjWas one of the most emphatic in the Court of Appeal in de- in the books as pereonal freedom, has hail a most against liability unpleasant illustration claring my to be tried ; and, moreover—and smely m my pci'son ; and I tiuther- more and particulaily he ought to have known that there was not a particle of evidence to complam tliat, by the design and contrivance of what are Eustain the case set up at the last moment, and relied ni)on by the facetiously termed "the authorities," I have

STEPHEN JOSEPH MEANY. 247 246 FENIAN HEE0K8 Alrt) MAKXTES. an informer. I am tttt than this sly and secret attempt at improvising kidnapped in England, and brought to this coiittlt, «<* been unpleasant as in view of the suggestiveness ; and, justice, but for judgment 1 forget the pain trial, but for condemnation—not for almost glad of the opportunity exhaust my owtt is my position here to-day, I am wUl not tire the patience of the court, nor the system in prisons. case. But, be- which may end in putting some check to spy Btrength, by going over the history of this painful honor and honesty by the which, as ttin- How many men have been won from fore I proceed further, my lords, there is a matter than I can say. How as involving secret and stealthy visit to the cell, is more ply personal to myself; I should not mind, but which, or their wickedness to indi- many have had their weakness acted upon, high interests to the community, and serious consequences opportunity of know- system of manB- fanned into flame, by such means, I have no viduals, demands a special notice—I allnde to tie blossomed Into inform me ing. In' how many frailty and folly may have facturing informers. I want to know if this court can There Is one cell «t falsehood, it is for those concerned to estimate. by what right an officer of the crown entered my solitaiy thing, however, ceitain : operating in this way is more degrading Kihnainham Prison, on Monday last—unbidden and unexpected- there to the tempter than, to the tempted, and the Government owes it to uninvited and undcsired. I wyit to know what justification tactics, pursued in its name, and in m^ sorrow itself to put an end to a course of was for his coming to insult me in my solitude sent«ii« which, in the results, can only bring it to humiliation. The pub- —ostensibly informing me that I was to be brought up for prisoner from the putting to me tbe lic are bound, in self-protection, to protect the on Thursday, and in the same breath adroitly over these things, arrested near DongW- prowling vists of a too zealous ofiicjaL I pass question if I knew any of the men recently Coming with ie- my lords, and I will ask your attention to the character of the evi- van, and now in the prison of Kilmainham. & obtained—^the evidence a threat of Bt«- dence on which alone my conviction was t«cUve dexterity, cartjing in one hand, as it were, of special, subsidized spy, and of an infamous and ingrate in- counterpoise, a tempta- a tence and punishment—in the other, as a not say that in aU ages, and amongst all peoples, the crown former. I need treachery. Why would a responsible officer of tion to abhonence. In the amnesties of brokai the spy has been held in marked suppose that seven months of imprisonment had so m^ war, there is for him alone no quarter—in the estimate of sodal be -an easy prfcy to spirits as well as my health, and that I would life, no excuse ; his self-abasement excites contempt, not compas- that the prospect of liberty bis blandishments! Did he dr«am sion —^his patrons despise while they encourage ; and they who which newspaper rumor and semi-official information held out t6 Btoop to enlist tlie services, shrink with disgust from the moral " forfeiture of honor! me, was too dear to be forfeited by a "trifling the servitor. Of such was the witness put for- would open leprosy covering Did he beUeve that by an act of secret turpitude I n^ ward with the design of corroborating the informer, and still not others prison doors only to close them the faster on who mayor corroborating him. Of such was that phenomenon a police spy^ that he — not have been my friends; or did he imagme had may who actually declared himself on that table an unwUling witness manipulated in tbe ser- found in me a Massey, to be moulded and for the Crown. Did anyone believe him ? There was no reason his conscience and cu- vice of the Crown, or a Coiydon, to have he should have been reluctant ; he confessed that he had not only wonder how why pidity made the incentive to his baseness » I known me previously, and there could not have been personal I was a prisoner, and the interview ended as it did ; but I knew feeling in the matter. But I have no desire to speak harshly of safety and my patience. Great my self-respect interposed for his Inspector Doyle ; his bread depended on his acquiescence ; he hard and heart-breaking as have been my humiliations in prison, swore in presence of the CrowTi Solicitor, and was not contradict- have passed smce the as have been the ordeals through which I «-

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248 FENIAH HEBOEB AKD UAITFTBB. STEPHEN JOSEPH MEAMT. 249

miscreants faithless own coiiRoicncc ; God will jiirige him. But how phall I speak of host of mercenary to who, their friends and tlie infomier, Mr. John Dovany 1 What language should be em- recreant to their principles, have (paraphiasing the words of Moore) ployed to describe the traitor spy—the man who adds to the guilt taken tlieir pertdies to Heaven, seeking to make nn accomplice of wretches of perfidy to his a.ssociate.s, the deep and damning curse of peifldy tlieir God ; who, for paltry pay, or from pidtiy fear, have to his God—the man who, eating of your bread, sharing your con- embalmed their memories in imperishable infamy, and consigned

fidence, and holding, as it were, your very purse-stringB, all the their accursed names to an inglorious immoiliiiity. Nor wiU I

time meditates your overthrow, and pursues it to its accomplish- speculate on their career in the future. We have it on the best ment. IIow proud the wretch who, under pretext of agreement authority extant, that a distinguished informer of antiquity, seized in your opinions, worms liimself into your secrets only to betray with remorse, threw away his blood money—his pieces of silver who, upon the same altar with you, pledges his faith and fealty to and "went forth and hanged himself with a halter." We know

the same princij)le8, and then sells faith, and fealty, and principles, that in modem times—even witliin the memory of some still living

and you alike, for tlie unhallowed Judas guerdon. Of such, on —a government in this country actua'ly set the edifying and

his own confession, was that distinguished upholder of t|je British praiseworthy example of hanging an informer when they had no Clown and Goveiiiment—Mr. Devany. With an effrontery that further use of liis valuable services thus dropping his acquaint- did not falter, and knew not how to blush, he detailed his own ance with ijfvct. God knows I have no wish fur such a fate to pailicipation in the acts for which he was giving evidence against any of the informers who have cropped out so luxuriously in these latter days— long life, and a troubled me as a participator. And is evidence of this kind—a conviction a conscience would, perhaps, be their best punishment obtained upon such evidence —any warrant for u sentence depriv- ; but, certainly, there would be a co- incident compensation, a poetic justice, ing a man of liberty—of all that malces life enjoyable or desirable in a termination so exalted to a career so brilliant I leave these scoundrels, and —hon»e, fritude, and family ? It is needless to describe a wretch turn for » moment to their victims. of that stamp—his actions speak his character. It were superflu- And here I would, without atiy reference to my own case ous to curse him ; his whole existence will be a living curse. No any j-egard to the fate before necessity to use the burning words of the poet, and pray myself—earnestly implore that sympathy with poUtical prisoners should not b» merely telescopic in ita character, ;" Hay llfa'a nnbleBeed ccp for him distance lending "enchantment to the view and that Be dragged with treacheries to the brim. when your statesmen sentimentalize upon, and your journals denounce far away tyrannies—the horrors of Neapolitan dungeons, Every sentiment, in his regard, of the country he lias dishonored the abridgement of personal liberty in Spain, and the exercise of and the people he has humbled, will be one of hate and horror of arbitrary power in other European countries—they would turn their eyes homeward, and the informer ; every sigh sent up fiom the hearts he has crushed, examine the treatment of their own po- and ihe homes he has made desolate, will be mingled with execra- litical prisoners. I would, in all Eincerity, suggest that liumano and tions of the very name. Every heart-throb in the prison cells of wi.'ll-meaning persons, who exert themselves by prayer and petition for this land, wliere his victims count time by conoding thought the remission of the death penalty, as a mercy, should ratlwr pniy and petition every grief that finds utterance from these victims, amidst the in- that the long death of solitary and S'lent caplivity hhouM dignities of the convict gangs in the quariies of Portland, will be remitted to the more mcrcifGl doom of immo- diate relief from ascend to Heaven freigliled with curses on the Nagles, the Deva- suffering by immed:ate execution—the opportuni- at least, of an seys, the Uaseeys, the Gillespies, the Corydons, and the wholo ty, immediate appeal from man's cruelty to Qod't

250 FENIAS HEBOSS AST) UABTTBS. 8TEFHEN JOSEPH KEAST. 251

Justice, I speak strongly on this point, because I feel ft deeply, honrs would I Burrender faith—that I need never look, ahd conld my lords ; and I speak not without example. At the Commisaoii never look wife or children, friends or family, in the face again at which I was tried, there was tried also, and convicted, a young with a consciousness of manhood, if capable of such selfish cow- man named StowelL I well remember that raw and dreary morn- ardice. I conld not, to save myself^ imperil the safety of others. ing, the 12th of March, when, handcuffed to Stowell, I was srait I could not plead guilty to an indictment, in the overt acts of from Kilmainham Prison to the County Jail of Kildare. I well • which six others were deliberately charged by name as ccM^nspi- remember our traversing, so handcuffed, from the town of Salins rators with me—one of these since tried, convicted, and sentenced at the risk to the town of Naas, ankle deep in snow and mud ; and I recall to deuth—I could not consent to obtain my freedom of with pain our sad forebodings of that morning. These, la part, theirs, and become, even though innocently and indirectly, worthy have been fulfilled. On Sunday after Sunday at chapel in lie j«a, of rank with that brazen battalion of venal vagabonds who h»Te I saw poor Stowell drooping and dying. One such Sunday, the made the Holy Gospels of God the medium of barter for that

12Ui of May, passed, and I saw him no more. On Wednesday, nnholy gain ; obtaining access to the inmost heart of Uieir selected 15th May, I accidentally heard of his discharge—mercifully dis- victims, only to coin its throbbings into the traitor's gold Mid traf- charged, as they say ; but the flat of mercy had pre\'tonsly goM fic on its very life-blood. I stand at this bar a declared citizeli of forth from a higher Power ; the political convict merely reached the United States, and I protest against the right to pass anyaea- his home In Dublin to die with loving eyes watching by his des& tence in any British court for acts done, or words spoken, dr al- bed. On Sunday, the 19th May, his body was conveyed to his leged to be done or spoken on American soil, within the shadow last prison-house, in Glasnevin Cemetery. May God have mercy of the American flag, and under the sanction of American institS' on his Boul. May God forgive his murderers 1 May God give tions. I protest against the assumption that would in this ootmlzy peace and patience for those who are bound to follow. Pardon bind the right of thought, or control the liberty of speech in s& this digression, my lords; it was wrung from me—I conld not assemblage of American citizens in an American city. The United

•void H. States will, doubtless, respect and protect her neutrality laws, and . E'lCtuming to the question why sentence should not be pro- observe "the comity of nations," whatever they mean in practice nounced upon me, I would ask your lordships' attention to a fiict, —but I repeat, I protest against the monstrous fiction—^the trans- showing how, even in the estimate of the Crown, the case is Oof parent fraud—that would seek in ninety years after the evacoatiaB one for sentence. On the morning of my trial, and before true of New York by the British, to bring the people of New York terms were offered to me by the Crown, the direct proposition was within the vision and venue of a British jury in a Britishjaw court. conveyed to me by my learned friend and Solicitor, Mr. Lawles^ I protest against the " supposition " that, in ninety years after the by the learned counsel, Mr. O'Loghlen, who so ably defended me, last British bayonet had glistened in an American sunlight—after and by Mr. Price, the €k)vemor of Kilmainham prison—by all the last keel of the last of the English fleet ploughed its last far- three separately, that if I consented to plead guilty to the indict- row in the waters of the Hudson or the Delaware, would restore ment, I should get off' with six months' imprisonment. Knowing that city of New York, its people, and institutions to the domini- the pliancy of Dublin juries in political cases, the offer was, doubt- ons of the Crown and Government of Great Britain. That is the less, a tempting one—valuing liberty, it was almost resistless in meaning of this case. And so, disguise it as the Crown may, will view of possible penal servitude—but having regard to principle, I it be interpreted in America. Not that the people in America spumed the compromise. I then gave unhesitatingly, as I would would care one jot that Stephen Joseph Meany were hanged,

BOW give, the answer thAt not for a reduction of the penalty to six drawn, and quartered to-morrow ; bat there is a great principle

252 FENIAM HEEOEfi AND MAKITES. BTEPHEN JOSEPH MEABT. 253

an"air--po- Involved. Personally I am of no consequence in the to the language of the Attorney-General, when he Irish adopted cilizcna of liticiilly, I represout in lliis court tlic said tliat he (the prisoner) was one of the hor,t of plun- on the sub- if, the N<^w York llnrald, writing Amoica—for as derers that were living on the money of the Fenian justl- ohscrved, the acts done in my regard are held to be ject, has petty charges of that kind. same justice Brotlierhood, and other Cable, there is nothing to prevent the exlenflion of the before higher It is, there- In tliat court he should protest, and a to any oDier adopted citizen vii/iting Great Britain. not in Oie that never, directly or indi-' fore, in the injuKtice of the case the influence lies, and and more just tribunal, " perfection of importance of the individual. Law is called the rectly, was he the recipient of one penny profit or danger of its being regarded as the reason." h there not, really, emolument, in any shape whatever, from the Fenian fictions of this kind can be turned into very climax of aljsurdity, if other political organization, nor Eng- Brotherhood, or any on the mere caprice of power ? iVs a distrnguished realities Brother- suggested—" Though was he ever a paid or salaried officer of the lish jrmrnalist, in reference to the case, has majority in «ic Court hood, lie came to this country on private and family the law may, doubllepa, be satisfied by the would be w idcly prove that he of Appeal, yet common sense and cfjmmon law businesB, and that the Crown could not judgment bo obtained." antagonistic if Bcntence were to follow a had since November, 1860, by word, act, or writing, submit this is not a case ."or sentence. On ^1 grounds, then, I taken part in any ju-octicdingB that had taken place in objection, if I may M Waiving for the puipfjse the international the country. lie was now done, and was ready to itself on the matter. The pn>- _ terra it, I appeal to British Justice give the benefit of receive the sentence of the court fessed policy of that justice has ever been to charges to juries, have was listened to with the utmost atten- doubts to the accused. Judges, in their Mr. Meany surely judges themselves uniformly theorized on the principle ; and tion by everyone present in court, and after a short the theory. My lords, I will not refuse w give practical elTort to address, of a somewhat complimentary nature, from observation with this exception, there is ond more have now d.)ne, the judge, Mr. Meany received the sentence of Fifteen lordships' permission, I •with reference to myself which, witli your Years' Penal Servitude. is pronounced. It is one simply ^vill r. serve until my sentence placing myself putting forward a matter of Cict, with a desire of right before my country.

Judge O'Hagan intimated to the prisoner that •whatever ohscrvations he had to offer, should be made before the sentence of the court was pronounced. Mr. Meany said there hud been much poetic fiction circulated concerning him. Before his trial by jury, there was one he undcnvent a trial by journal ; hut — alluded fact to which he should especially refer ^he

8iiriiir)>iiiiii#iffiiiii?ilfTi- ...

254 TESUS HEBOBS AND KABJTSS. OAPTAW p. J. Opl^DOK. 255

this time he learned that his father destined him for the priesthood, an elder brother having been already for some years in holy orders. Not agreeing with the family views regarding his future, young Condon passed a creditable examination for the Dublin Medi-.

cal Hall, in 1849 ; but owing to pecuniary circumstances, he was unable to prosecute his ambition in the CAPTAm P. J. CONDON. medical profession, and consequently adopted his fa-

Tonth nnd Khool days—EmigtateB to America—Enters the anny—lo the IiUh ther's business. He emigrated to America in 1852. Brigndc—Goes to Ireland—Arrested—Correspondence with IT. 8. Connl— When the civil war broke out, Mr. Condon's de- Uueraccd—Qoes a second time to Ireland—Arreuted again—Tried—Acquitted. votion to the integrity of republican liberty inspire4 - Paitjick Joseph Condon, one of the most efficient him to enter the army. He joined the Emmet Guard,

officers of tlae Brotherhood, and who was lucky enough a company of the 2d N. Y. S. M., then commanded to escape the clutches of the British Government, was by an old and valued friend. Captain John Keimedy, bom at Craves, near Cahermoyle, County of Limeridc, His attainments soon asserted themselves, and he was on the 16th February, 1831. The Condons had con- nominated for a lieutenancy before he had served two

siderable possessions in the locality; and the father months ; but, having carried a hostUe message, he was of our hero, having received a portion of the paternal detailed on recruiting service to New York. He sub- raised for Regiment, estate, cultivated it untU the Summer of 1839, when sequently a company the 63d N. Irish Brigade and he sold it, intending to emigrate to Australia. An ac- Y. v., which joined Meagher's cident to his wife altered the intention of the family, greatly distinguished itself throughout some of the which removed to an adjacent town, where the father most brilliant and bloody scenes of the war. Witlj extensively entered into the business of a builder, to this command, Captain Condon was most honorably distinguished, which, conjointly with farming, he had been bred. never having missed a march or a battle in which the Brigade took part from its forma- After attending the best English schools of tlie neigh- tion to the consolidation of its borhood, young Patrick Joseph was sent, at the age regimental remnants. received a bullet in of twelve, to a Greek and Latin school at Shanagol- He wound the thigh at Antietam, commanded his regiment at the battle den, fi-om which he was transferred, in 1845, to the of Fredericks- burg, and placed Classical Institute of Kilmallock, where he remained was in command of an important post, Banks' Ford, until the '48, when he hastened, though but seventeen at the battle of ChanceUorsviUe, which he held with seven officers and one hundred and years old, to join the Tipperary insurgents. Al^nt

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256 FENXiH HEK0E3 AOT) MAETYES. CAPTAIN p. J. CSONDOH. 257

" T am a citizen fifty men for five days and nights, wliile tliG figliting of the United States of America, and have my residence in New York i-arjed furiously all around liim. He was finally com- city. I was arrested in my lodgings at Harold's Cross, Dublin, on tlie morning pelled to swim the river, in the middle of which he of the 23d ult., by Acting Inspector Clifford and a squad of the detective force. 1 1788 con- lost his horse from under him. On St. Patrick's eve, veyed to Chancery lane station, where, in company with two oth- 1SG3, Captain Condon M'as presented with a sword ot ers, I was confined for fom- days and three nights in a filthy, loath- honor by citizens of in hia some ceU or privy, New York, appreciation of without any sleeping accommodatiohs. "Were it not for the gallant services in the field- humane attentions extended towards ns by the poUce of that station, belonging to After the consolidation of the Brigade, Captain A division—attentions shown to ns at the risk of dismissal—I feel impressed Condon received a confidential position in the United with the belief that we should have perished. I was conveyed to this prison on the night States Engineer Department as inspector shipper and of the 26th nit., where I am still confined. No cause so far has" of materials for fortifications, and was giving tlie full- been assigned for my arrest A duplicate of my citizenship paper was taken and is est satisfaction, whtn he received an order, in the Sum- still detained from rue, togethefwith other property of mine. I claim mer of 1865, to proceed to Ireland to take a command from the American Consul here the protection of my government. in the anticijjated uprising. Captain Condon had joined the F. B. so^'^n after his fii-st landing in Ameri- Under ca, and, as became an earnest and zealous member, he date of April 21, Mr. "West informs the prisoner at once obeyed the order of his superior officer in the he has drawn the attention of the Lord Lieute- organization. nant to his case He accordingly resigned his situation ; and on the 28th, further says, the Vice- roy in tlicU. S. service, and even sold property to go. He is unfavorable to his recognition as a citizen of the United left New York for Ireland in September, 1865, and States. On the 30th, Condon writes he will abide the was arrested at Harold's Cross, a suburb of Dublin, issue, believing that his Government will take a bold on the 23d February, 1866, on suspicion, under the and dignified stand. He says any conditions of release suspension of the Habeas Corpus act. From an ad- short of allowing him to be a free agent wiU dress made to the President of the United States be useless. By waste of time and eva«jon the Consul inclosing a correspondence with, and complaining o^ kept Captain Condon nearly five moTithB in •prison. Mr. "West, tlie United States Consul at Dublin—a nar- On the 4th July, as if in mockery of the American freedom rative of Captain Condon's imprisonment may be indicated by the date, he writes to say that the found in his own words. "Writing from Kilmainham Lord Lieutenant ^vill order his liberation "on condition jail, March 9, to the Consul, he says: that you return direct to the United States." Captain Condon replied:

HKEOEB AMD MAKTTBa. DAPTAm p, J. comxat. 259 258 FENIAS

' ' was Informed, says Captain " MouNTJOT Prison, Jnly 10, 18C0. I " Condon, by the British anthorl- ties that would get ten days Consul I to leave Ireland for the United Statet Mr. William B. West, United States piison read for me direct, if I would petition for it, which I declined doing, and ac- Sih-Oq the 4th inst. the Governor of this cepted of the police substance as foUows:— escort in preference, leaving per steamship conditional discharge, which was in my City of York the Queenstown under police escort, New on 19th of July last That I should go from here to "All the United States citizens confined with ship for the United States di- me were subjected and there take passage in a packet to the grossest indignities while in prison ; and on the last within a reasonable time. I imme- anniver- rect, and not return to Ireland sary of our national independence, when I proposed celebrating that release on tliose conditions, and diately refused to accept of my ever-to-be-remembered cheer, loud, business of considerable im- day by a long and heartily re- infonned the Governor that I hal sponded to, not alone coantry and in Scotland before by every United States citizen, "but by evciy portance to myself to airange in this Irishman within hearing, the severest sentence wished to go under medical treat- was passed on my- leavin- Europe, and also that I self and others for a breach, as it were, health was much impaired by con- of prison discipline—one ment for a short time, as my mouth in solitaiy 4th reached me on the oth insU, confinement, and three days on bread and water. finement. Your letter of the I felt the effects of this than to recall my.non-ftCceptance sentence telling so fearfully on my already which left me no other alternative shattered constitution, that the conditions offered. Now, sir, I I left the prison on the conditions ac- of release by acceptance of cepted for the those conditions are accepte J of for me by ConsuL" wish to be informed by you if they are, I shall con- me by the United States Government? If it the pressing reasons have urged upon clude that grave and Having remained some months in America, during citizens (who are necessity of consenUng to have its humiliating which he made a tour of organization with Colonel any crime) marched like common T. neither charged nor convicted of of a foreign country, to its F. Bourke, Captain Condon returned to Europe about malefactors through the thoroughfares I say if such necessity exists, the middle of very confines, and thence banished. December, 1866. After traveling in find a grave stroke, but if not, I shall sooner I bow my head to the England and Scotland, he arrived in Ireland in the longer In to do if I am kept much here, which I am very likely beginning of February, 1867, and was again arrested accept of terms which as my health is bad, than confinement, in Cork, 2d March through the instrumentality of estimation. I respectfully de- — would lessen me even in my own at Corydon, who knew him well, a copy of it, to our Minister having been a private mand that you send Uiis letter, or anxiously look for. I prefer in his company and transferred from it, for cowardice, London, the reply to which I wiU him through you than wntmg adopting this com-se of sending to to hospital duty. True bills were found against Cap- respectfully yours." to himself dhect Very tain Condon on the 21st May. He was arraigned for

terms high treason on the 22d ; tried on the 29th and 30th The Consul writes on the 12th July that « the at the Cork Special should be escorted to the ship Commission ; and mirahile dictu, of your release, that you acquitted. the first time from your By a strange chain of circumstances, Cap- by police, which I learned for tain Condon is the TJnitedStates Gov- connected with several of the moat letter, are accepted for you by him that Mr. noted actors in the late movement. He is married to ernment," and two days after informs Adams approves of the same.

TEKlAi? DEEOES ANl) MABTTES. 260 CEOWLKY, KELLY ASD it'cLCEB." 261 a sister of Captain John McClure ; his family and that of Peter O'Neill Crowley have been connected for over a quarter of a century ; one of the informers served under him, and the other was known by Mb name. This last circumstance gave the subject of our sketch intense pain; and he cried with joy in the presence ofhis lawyer, and a fellow prisoner, O'Mahony, PETEE O'NEILL CROWLEY, JOHN EDWARD when he learned that Massey, the informer, had no KELLY. CAPTAItf JOHN McCLURE. title to the name of Condon. Three Fenians Captain Condon's services and adventures in the ^ve Battle to the Waterford Column and Police—Sketch ofPeter O'Neill Crowley—Martyrdom of hia tincle, Father O'NeDl—The Martyr's Fenian cause for the past two years would make a Heir—His High Character— Sketch of John Edward Kelly—Goes to School to Halifax—Emigrates to Boeton—Becnmes a Printer—Joine volume of exciting romance. f the Fenlane In New for York—Passion Military Knowledge—Instmcta the Emmet Gnards In Boston— Goes to Ireland—Military Instructor In Cork—Views on Irish Renv lotion-Duties as Agent of the L R. B.—Plans at the Time of the Rising— Sketch of John McClure—Native of New York—Joine the 11th N. Y V C«t» «1"7—Sen-Ice—Mustered "nt—Goes to Ireland—Attacks Knockadoon Station —Crowley, Kelly and McClure in the Mountains—Fight In Klldoony Wood* —Capture of McClure and Kelly—Death of Crowley—His Funeral-PopiiJ«r Sympathy -McClure and Kelly In the Dock—Manly Speeches—Senteace.

Where there have been so many individual instances of gallantry as the personal adventures of the* Fe- nians exhibit, it^is difficult to assign the palm of particular distinction to any one ; but it will doubtless be conceded that the fight at KOclooney Wood, between three Fenians and the British forces, was the most gallant 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 defiantly resist and ofiFer battle to one hundred and twenty soldiers, besides the district constabulary, bor- ders almost on the marvelous. But men, inspired m

FENIAS HEROES AND MABTTE8, 262 CEOWLET, KELLY AND m'oLTIEB. 263 tliey were, are capable of any sacrifice—even life itseUl have been guilty of sanctioning the murders of 1798, The names of these self-sacrificing, daring men, are transported to Botany Bay, and since pardoned by the Peter O'Neill Crowley, John Edward Kelly and John mercy of Government." After denying in the most McClure ; and their example and record may be hand- solemn manner that he was guilty of the offence ed down to the admiration of those who honor noble charged against him at his arrest, in 1799, he thufl deeds and will strive to emulate them. proceeds Peter O'Neill Crowley was born on the 23d May, 1832, at Ballymacoda, in the county of Cork. HisfiEi- "It was my peculiar misfortune that the charges then made ther was a respectable farmer, living in the locality, against me were not only withheld from myself, but even my and his mother was the niece of Father Peter O'Neill, friends had no intimation of them, except by common report, which who, flogged in the City of Cork in the year 508, was then was busily employed m disseminating the varioua atrocities supposed to have afterwards sentenced to transportation for life for his been committed by me ; but nothing specifically authenticated alleged complicity in the rebellion of that year. While had transpired ; the very committal was BO vague as to have excited the astonishment yet young, Peter Crowley's father died, and his grand- of a professional friend of mine in Dublin, and to "have eventually led to my dis- uncle, the priest, who had been liberated from jail af- charge. I shall now proceed to the particulars of my case: ter five years' incarceration, took the boy under his Immediately upon my arrest, I was brought into Tonghal, where, without care, and at the time of his death directed that due at- any previous trial, I was confined in a loathsome recepta- cle of the barrack, called tention should be paid to educate him in all the mod- the black ^oZe—rendered still more ofieusive by the stench ern iranches of education. of the common necessary adjoining it "In that dungeon I remained from Friday until Monday, wrongs, suffered ft'hen As the by Father O'Neill were I was conducted to the BaU-alley to receive my punishment. No treasured by the family—becoming an inspiration to trial had yet intervened, nor ever after. I was stripped and tied up six soldiers patriotism—and as they receive an additional interest ; stood forth for this operation ; some of them right-handed, some of them left-handed from the blood poured out by young Crowley to men, two at a time (as I judge from the quickness of the avenge them, a brief account of them, found in "A lashes), and relieved at interpala, nntU I had received Iwo hundred and Critical and Historical Review of Fox's Book of Mar- seventy-five fashes, so vigorously and so deeply mJiicted that my back and points of my tyrs, by William Eusebius Andrews," will prove of shoulders were quite bared to the flesh. But I had not- sad interest. Most of the narrative is extracted from hitherto shaken the triangle; a display of feelin'g which, it O'Neill's " seems, was eagerly expected Father own Remonstrance," dated October from me. To accelerate that spec- tacle a wire cat was introduced, armed 23, 1803. The extract will speak for itself ; we shall with straps of tin or lead. .... Whatever were its appendages, only premise that it was written in reply to a laio-lord I cannot easfly forget the power of it. In defiance of shame my waistband had spoken of Father O'Neill as " was cut who one proved to for the finishing strokes of this lacerating instrument The veiy

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264 FENIAN HEROES AOTJ MAETTE8. CEOWLET, KELLT AND M'cLPEE. 265 first lash, as it renewed all my pangs, and shot convulsive agony bad just written would assuredly through my entire frame, made me shake the triangle indeed. A hang me. I exclaimed that their dreadful threats had second infliction of it penetrated my loins, and tore them excra- compeUed me to write it, which exclamation beingcaniedbi the officer, ciatingly; the third maintained the tremulous exhibition long he returned the next day; he called me to the jail window enough—^the spectators were satisfied." commanding a view of the gallows, whereon two men were hanging, their bodies so bloody that I imagined they were After detailing tlie several means to •wliich the offi- red-jackets. A third halter remained yet Onoccupred, which he declared was cers—commissioned and non-commissioned—^had re- intended for me, should 1 persist in disclauning the aforesaid note. ' Look,' said he, ' course, in order to force from him a confession of at those men ; look at that rope your treatment shaU ; be worse than theirs if yon disown guilt, Father O'Neill proceeds what you wrote yesterday ' ; adding that it was stiU in my power to get free. I imagined from this that he wanted money " After I had answered him (one of the officers) in the comer of from me, or a favorite mare which I had occasionally lent Mm. the ball-alley that I would suffer any death rather than acknow- My answer tvas— If you liberate ' me, you shall always find me whereof I was not guilty, he told that thankful, there ledge a crime me I should isnothmgin my power that I will not da' 'Do not attempt, be set at liberty if I would agree to a certain proposal which he then,' said he, 'to exculpate yourself,' and then retired. I now then made ; but justice and truth commanded me to reject it. procured paper whereon I wrote a formal protest against what When conducted to jail, after a lapse of three hours, I was pre- ha had extorted from me as above that, ; should I be executed, sented with a refreshment. It appeared to be wine and water, but this protest might appear after my death." must have had some other powerful ingredient, for it speedily brought on a stupor. The same officer soon roused me from my After this martjrour hero had been named, and the effort to extort this lethargy, with a renewed avowal from me ; he granduncle was very much attached to his nephew. his sword ; he declared he would never depart from me until drew On Father O'Neill's death, young Peter inherited^ it was given in writing ; he threatened that I should forthwith be under his- will, all that the ' led out again, flogged as before, shot, hanged, my head cut off to priest was worth in the world, including his be exposed on the jaU-top, and my body thrown into the river residence. The management of that he would allow me but two minutes to determine. Then, the property was assumed by Peter Crowley's eldest going to the door, he called for a scrip of paper, while the sentinel sister, who, some years his senior, endeavored to carry swore terribly at the same time that he would blow my brains out out faithfully the bequest of the deceased clergyman if I persisted any longer in my refusal. Under this impression I Time rolled on, and Peter attaining scribbled a note to my brother, which they instantly cried out was his majori^j worked with great energy on the what they wanted ; the precise expressions of it I do not at this farm which had been it that left to him, and, moment recollect ; purported a wish my brother might no by industry and perseverance, soon longer indulge uneasiness on my account, for I deserved what I got. converted it into a valuable property. He was always officer withdrew sister-in-law then got The ; my admittance : she a man of exceedingly temperate habits, never having" told me she had just heard' the sentinel say that during my entire dnmk a drop of spirituous liquor since he was ten punishment, nothing was against me ; however, that the paper I years of age; and when his day of toU was ended he applied himself to study.

266 FENIAS HEE0E8 AlID MAETTEB. CEOWLEY, KELLY AJJD M'cLtTEa 267 "Well versed ia the liistory of Lis coimtry, and deep- business, at the expiration of which he came to Kew ly impressed by the dreadful punishment to which his York, where he joined the Fenian Brotherhoo'd, in the imbued Arith grandimcle had been subjected, he was Spring of 1860. Being an enthusiast with practical feelings of the dee^pest hgstility towards the English ideas, he attached himself to the military department Government. Peter Crowley's grandfather was like- of the organization. He was one of the original mem- '98, for two wise mixed up in the movement of and bers " . of the Phoenix Zouaves "—a Company which, years a outlaw ; in short, he was he was proclaimed at that time, numbei-ed among its members several descended from rebels. It was natural for him to be young men who afterwards distinguished themselves national; and, joining the Fenian Brotherhood of — on many a hard-fought field in the service of the Re- which he was a for several years—^he threw member public—chief among them being Colonels J. P. and himself heart and soul into 'the movement, fostering Denis J. Downing, Captains John D. Heame, "William its designs and extending its ramifications, i His na- O'Shea, and Francis "Welply. The two last-named ture was high-toned and loveable. He was most .wor- heroes died on the battle-fields of Spottsylvania and thy and excellent in his family relations—the best of Ream's Station and all ; the others Were, more than brothers ; and, rather than cause those with whom he once^ severely wounded while attesting their devotion lived any uneasiness, -he was accustomed to steal, out to the cause of human freedom. at night, unobserved, with a view to forwarding the Under the tutelage of Captain Thomas Kiely— cause which was so dear to his heart, returning in the splendid military instructor of the United States morning to his work, apparently unfaligued by the Army, and a" whole-souled Irish patriot—Kelly soon loss of his night's rest. The blood of the martyrs became a proficient in the use of the rifle and bayo. was in him, and gave him strength. net. He w.as indefatigable in acquiring miKtary knowledge— both theoretically and practically—and he was seldom without " Hardee's " The 'second of this trio of heroes, John Edward Tactics in his pocket. In the winter of Kelly, was born in Kinsale, County Cork, on the 6th 1860, he went to Boston, and became instructor of the July, 1840. His parents emigrated to Halifax when Emmet Guard, t^ch was organized by the Brotherhood the child was but two years old. He went to school soon after his arrival. So highly were his services there, and when yoimg, displayed a talent for drawing, appreciated, tlf&t, on his expressing his desire for proficiency in which he received a premium. to go to Ireland for tho I'uqxise of aiding his • compatriots "When about fourteen years of age he removed to Bos- there in making preparations for the work before ton, where he served an apprenticeship to the printing* tliem, his friends in Boston insisted on defraying his expenses homa

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268 FENIAH HEEOES AJvD MAJtTTEa. CEOWLET, KELLT AOT) m'cLTIEE, 269 After remaining a few days with his old comrades in but he found welcome and a home in the family of Mr. New Tork, he sailed for Ireland in the month of April, and Mrs. John Buckley, devoted Fenians, now resi- 1861. Since that time, up to the outbreak in March, dents of Maiden, Massachusetts. He was fond of al- 1867, he resided principally in Cork, where his ser- luding to the tact that, while suffering from a severe vices, in imparting military instruction to the young fever, he, a Protestant, experienced the greatest care patriots of that city and its vicinity, under harrassing from the good Sisters of Mercy and priests in Cork. difficulties,.will be long fondly remembered. Mr. Kelly's duties now took hhn constantly from Mr. Kelly opposed the proposition for the Emmet Cork to Dublin, and he escaped arrest, on the seizure Guard to volunteer into the American service, believ- of the Irish People, by having been just ordered to the ing they would be wanting immediately in Ireland. former. The latter part of 1865 found him stiU or- But when in Ireland, and seeing the tendency of evQpts, ganizing in Cork, and encouraging the people, whUe he was a most earnest advocate of the Union cause. the appalling scenes of the first Special Commission Kelly, it appears, never had much faith in aid fi;om were being enacted around him. He always worked America, always contending that the men in Ireland with such systematized caution, that he could venture were able to work out their own freedom and it was ; on bolder undertakings than even those- who were less intimate " only, says his most associate, after the 5th known. At this time Thomas B. Hennessy, and a March, 1867, when he saw all the branches broken for few of the Boston men, arrived, to participate in the want of a common trunk or centre to raUy upon, that expected struggle. Kelly took them around the city he admitted that an expedition from America was ne- showing them the fortifications and strategetical cessary for success." After his arrival in Dubhn, he pomts. It was about this same time that, as Mr. Hen- himself in, with the put commimion authorities of the nessy writes, " a batch of Western officers left Cork I. R. B., and went to Cork, where he obtained work recalled by Mr. Scanlan. Their defection caused the' and made friends, even with Orangemen, who were utmost depression in Cork; and Kelly took his Boston employed in the same establishment. He subsequent- friends to the meetings of the Brotherhood, and, intro- ly went to London, but, disgusted with England and ducing them to the different officers, assured them the Enghsh, returned to Dublin, and obtained employ- that numbers of others were on their way over. This ment on the Irish People when that journal was start- action contributed, in a great measure, to re^assura ed. Here his talents were observed, and he was sent the Centres, who were beginning to get disheartened to Cork as an agent of the organization. He soon when they saw the men on whom they depended for raised a company, and was commissioned a " B." leaders deserting them." During this period, his means were often at alow ebb, After undergoing many privations in Dublin and

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270 FKNIAN HEE0E8 AND MAET7E8. OEOWIBT, KELLY AUD m'0LTJE&. 271 amid Liverpool in 1866, we find Kelly, in the Fall of that born. He was their fifth child, and growing np its virtues, year, engaged as a printer on the Cork Herald, Bfill the simple scenes of country life, imbibed of Nature, ao- • keeping np tlie discipline of his men, althongh he had and surrounded by the magnificence to learn, he misgivings as to any movement taking place. Among quired its innate nobility. When able " place, from the nationalists of Cork " Kelly's Men " were known was sent to the district" school of the English education. He con- as the avant-garde—all " dare devils like himself" He which he derived a plain years of age, when was only dissuaded from going to aid the Kerry rising, tinued at school until about sixteen the guidance in February, by being reminded that he had " no or- he came to New-Tork City, and, under James, he ders ;" but he made his mind np to make a certain and advice of his elder brother, William occnpa- movement to rally the people, if the leaders gave no obtained a very desirable clerkship, in which At this eign of action. tion he gave satisfaction to his employers. height, and On the Saturday before the rising, he calTfed on time the American civil war was at its exhibit them- Crowley, who was in the city, and, taking a walk with the idiosyncrasies of the lad began to ^ he him and Hennessy, unfolded his plans to them. Crow- selves. On the morning of December 5th, 1863, hifl his post ; nothing was known of ley thought them rash ; but Kelly's eloquence finally was missing from the 10th inst., won XDrowley's consent, who agreed to take part in whereabouts until a note from him, of Washington, having en- tliem if something else did not occur. That " some- stated that he was bound for "1. Cavahy, thing " was the rising of the 5th. Crowley, grasping listed as private in the 11th N. V. " efi"orts of his family to have Hennessy's hand, said : Mr. Hennessy, when we (" Scott's 900.") The were unavailing, and EO he entered meet again it will be on the battle-field I " Hennessy him return home promised to join Kelly's plans, but he was assigned to thp theatre of war. Washington,, part- ol other .duties,. with the Cork forces, by Massey, He After some months of duty at Court Maftial never saw Crowley again. the time being employed as clerk in the with his regiment on board The youngest of the Kilcloony heroes is John Mo- Rooms there, he embarked where they were Clure, who was born 17th July, 1846, at Dobbs Ferry, a transport ship for New Orleans, into the^ Con- "Westchester County, State of New York. His parents quartered, making occasional incursions the guerillas, vdio were were both Irish, his father, David McClure, being a federate country, and checking was removed up native of Tipperary, and his mother, who was of the rampant. Eventually his regiment were the raids made O'Donnell sept, liailing from Limerick County. They the Mississippi river, and many supplies; and many had emigrated to this country several years before, and by John and his comrades for skirmishes he experienced through Mia- were in respectable circumstances when John was hard rides and

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272 FENIAH HEKOES AOT) MAETTBa, CEOWLET, KELLY AUD u'cLXmB. 273

eissippi, Arkansas and Tennessee—now foraging, now 1866, he set sail, with his older and more experienced overawing the guerillas. It was a wild and merry life, Fenian companions, for the scene of Irish insun-ection. early in January, • with hut little of bitterness in it ; and it is a fact that They arrived at Glasgow, Scotland, young McClure was never engaged in any of the and scattered to different parts. McClure went from pitched battles of the war. He was appointed quar- Glasgow to Liverpool, and thence to Cork, from which termaster sergeant of his company, (" L ") and sub- latter city he wrote to his brother in Hew York avh- " sequently quartermaster sergeant of Company " B rosa, about the middle of February, that, notwithstand- The war ended, and the troops marched home. John's ing the failure of the F. B. in America in arming their regiment was mustered out at Memphis, Tenn., and brothers at home, thei/ were resolved to precipitate the dischai^ed at Albany, N. Y. On a bright day, early death-struggle for independence with the scanty wea- in October, he walked into his brother's plac§ of busi- pons at hand. He was appointed to command the ness much the same kindly lad as he was twenty-two Middleton District, in Cork County. months before, having doifed his militaiy gear at Al- Such were the antecedents of the three gallant spirits, bany, and purchased a civilian's dress, " more service- whose lives had become so honorably united in a com- able than elegant." " Again he took up the pen, and mon purpose. labored very constantly for over a year. On the night of the 5th March, Shrove Tuesday, a The strength of the Fenian organization had been large ~body of men, armed with rifles, guns, revolvers, great, its hopes high, its disasters many, and in tho pikes and scythes, assembled at a given point, and ar- Winter of '66-7 it arrived at the most ominous period rayed in military order, they proceeded—according to of its vicissitudes. Young McClure never by act or a preconcerted plan—to the Knockadoon coastguard word expressed any special predilection for the move- station. Captain McClure was in command of this ment, and it was not until two days before his depar- party, and made one of the most successful of the in- ture for the British Isles, that his family knew of his surgent attacks. .'' determination to cast himself into the breach, and After sacking Knockadoon coastguard station, the make one of the forlorn hope of Irish patriotism. party proceeded to Killeagh, and were to have joined

There is no doubt but that he was influenced to this the Middleton and Castlemartyr contingents.* By a course by association with some of the Fenian leaders, mistake—which could only be accounted for by the who met together occasionally at the house where he loss of their leader, Timothy Daly, who was killed resided. Their anticipations were bright as their de- the latter party did not ineet the former ; who, tired signs were daring, and awoke the youth's susceptible of waiting, proceeded direct to the Tipperarymountains. Bpirit of adventure. On the 18th day of December, Ketuming from the Galtees, the Ballymacoda con-

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KELLY AND m'cLUBS. 275 274 FENIAN nKEOES ASD MAEITK8. CEOWLET, Column. This was composed tingent (wliicli tenaciously held together, notwith- the County "Waterford Carbineers, two companies of standing Eonie defections, settled down in a remote of a troop of the Sixth infantry, some of the military part near Mitchelstown. Here in the defiles and the Sixth Warwickshire all about one hundred gorges of the chain of mountains which extends beyond train, and Royal Engineers—in Major BelL Guided Fermoy, towards Mitchelstown, the insurgents passed and twenty men—commanded by resident Magistrate

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276 FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETYE8. CEOWLET, KELLT AOT) M'CLUEK. 277 military lines, under fire, in pursuit of the fugitives. Bome ammunition. In his pocket-book were several He overtook Captain McClure as the latter reached entries, headed as his "journalof the campaign;" and the river, and grappled with him from behind. the last entry, when five were together, was made on McClure tried to shoot Mr. Redmond over his shoul- the 7th of March. He had also a green silk flag, with der, but in doing so he left himself open to the soldiers^ white fringe, a green handkerchief, and map of the who rushed up to bayonet him. Mr. Kedmond com- County Cork. manded them to spare his life, and just succeeded in An elevating interest centres on the martyr-hero, checking the direction of an outstretched rifle. They farmer Crowley. The priest was sent for, and the struggled for a short time in the water, but McClure military surgeon. Dr. Sugrue, who stauhched hia was soon ovei-powered by numbers. His companion, wounds, read the last prayer from Crowley's own Crowley, was more unfortunate ; as he was also jump-, prayer book, which he always carried about him. The ing into the river, some shots struck him and he fell dying man was conscious to the last. When asked mortally wounded. The soldiers plunged in after how he was, he replied, " I feel better now j6u were him, and drew him to the bank. about an hour too early ; if you were an hour later I It was found on examination that one of the shotij would have given you a hot reception, and a very nice had struck the lock of his musket, breaking the third morning." "What he intended to convey by the re- finger of his right hand, and then rebounded, making mark may not be obvious ; but it was believed that the a large welt across his stomach. Another shot had remainder of the party, who were not far ofi^, had ap- entered the middle of his back, and passed out through pointed to meet at Kilclooney Wood at six o'clock the right axilla. He was laid on the ground, while that morning. Had they been allowed an opportunity the surgeon tried to stanch tlie blood by pressure. As of concentrating in the plantation before the mCitary he lay on the gi"ass, with his eyes devoutly raised to assembled, there can be little doubt that a fierce and heaven, few (says one account) " could withhold an desperate encounter would have ensued. He had been expression of admiration and sympathy from one who conveyed on a litter to the nearest farm-house, but the had, in many respects, the qualities of a hero." ])eop]e not wishing him to die there, he had to be taken Kelly was observed by Ensign Meredith crouching to Mitchelstown, where he received attention and spir- behind a ditch, rifle in hand ; he was summoned to itual consolation. surrender, and, seeing the uselessness of further re- The last moments of the wounded insurgent were eistance, threw do^Ti his gun, which was afterwards most impressive. For lialf an hour before he suc- recoo-nized as a coast-guard's weapon. He had a cumbed, a clergyman was present, ministering to the haversack containing a few pounds of raw pork, also dying man the consolations of religion ; and the rev-

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^jyiTWIMi'^^^ifaiit j;

278 FENIAN HEE0E8 AJID UABTTBS. CEOWLET, KELLT AND M'cXtrEB. 279

erend gentleman, -vrnting to a friend, describes him in ter exhibiting some doubt, as to the right of rach a

the following tenns : "His death was most edifying. large body of men firing on three fugitives, ultimately Never did I attend one who made a greater impres- returned a verdict of death from the effects of a gun- Bion upon me. He begged of me to tell his sister not shot wound inflicted by the military while in the dis- to be troubled because of his death, which he hoped charge of their duty. would be a happy one." The body of the deceased The funeral took place on Tuesday, the 2d April,

had been removed to the workhouse, and when it be- and awakened the strongest feelings of sympathy. came known who it was, a large crowd collected out. About one hundred women and children, each carry- side the gate of the union, and insisted upon getting ing branches of laurel, formed a procession four deep the remains, in order that it might receive the last then followed a scattered group of female* iriends; rites in proper form. When the sister of th% deceased next the hearse. The coffin was strewn with branches arrived, she had some difficulty in obtaining admit- of laurel. The sister of the patriot walked after thp tance, owing to the commotion outside. Tlie martyr coffin as chief mourner, her head covered with a dark was laid out in his " habit " in the dead-house, and the hood, and being supported by three priests. The love loving sister immediately recognized her brother. Her in which Crowley was held by his neighbors, and their request to see his clothes that he wore on the fatal sympathy for his hero-death, was exhibited by the morning was complied vdth. They were the disguise closing of all the shops in the town. At Fermoy, which he had worn in his expedition, and she did not during the interval that elapsed for resting the horses, identify them as his own. The police endeavored to the plumes and hearse were decorated with ribbons

detain them, but Miss Crowley insisted upon claiming , and green boughs, and a representation of the Irish them. Besides the scapulars which he wore, he had harp was placed on one of the panels of the hearse. also attached round his neck a large bronze crucifix For miles the coffin was borne on men's shoulderp and a little medal, the emblems of a Christian " order." and it was only when the " shades of evening^' had The crucifix was shattered in two places, and the fallen, that the corpse was placed in th'e hearse. The medal was bent, plainly indicating they had been following day the remains were removed from his late struck by bullets. On the chest of the deceased, residence to the place of interment at Ballymacoda. where the religious tokens had been worn, there was In consequence of a request previously made by the an indentation in the skin corresponding with the size relatives of the deceased, there was not a renewal of of the medal, as if it had violently pressed against Tuesday's demonstration ; but the mournful procession that part of the breast. which followed the corpse expressed their sorrow and

- An in«iuest was held the next day, and the'jury, af- regret for the deceased in another and more pathetic

CJEOWLET, KELLT AND M CLtTEB. 281 280 FENIAN HEE0E9 AND UABTTEfl. one could scarcely be convinced how they could have form. Among the persons who attended the funeral possessed so much pluck and endurance as they, ad- a large body of stalwart, yet respectable young men, mittedly, displayed." were present. After the burial requiem had been, On the third day of his trial, McClure was induced, chanted, and the prayers of the people offered for the after persistent pereuasions on the part of the U. S. Boul of the departed, all that was mortal of Peter Consul, Eastman, and his solicitor, to plead guilty, Crowley was deposited in the earth, amid the sorrow with the "distinct understanding that the United and weeping of some, and deep expressions of ven- States Government would interpose for his release on geance from others. giving security to leave the country." On the same Crowley's comrades, McClure and Kelly, were con- day Kelly was found guilty. On the next day, Fri- veyed to Cork Jail, and were arraigned at the Special day, 25th May, they were put forward and, the Clerk Commission held in that city on Monday, 2J.st May, of the Crown having formally asked McClure if he 1867, by Chief Justice Monaghan, Justice Keogh, and had anything to say why sentence of death should not Justice George. Their appearance in the dock is thus be passed upon him, the prisoner rose in the dock, arid " described : The demeanor in court of Edward KeUy, resting his hands on the front of it, addressed the as well as that of Captain McClure, was marked by Court in a loud, calm, manly voice. He said: an air of the most complete and unassumed indiffer-

ence. TVTaen called on to plead, each i-ose from hia " lords, in tmswer to the question as to wliy tlie sentence of seat, and in a gentlemanly, firm manner, answered My tlie court should not now be passed upon me, I would desire to " not guilty." Kelly and McClure looked remarkably make a few remarks in relation to my late exertions on behalf of well, and appeared to enjoy the change of scene from the suffering people of this country—in aiding them in their ear- the cell to the dock. No one, looking at them in a nest endeavors to obtain the independence of their native land. casual way, would suspect them of having taken a Although not bom on the soil of Ireland, my parents were, and part in a most daring and memorable incident of the from history, and the traditions of the fireside, I became convers-

ant with this country's miseries from my earliest childhood ; and late insurrection. They are accused of teing two of as the human breast possesses those Godlike attributes which make the three men whose bravery, when surrounded by the men feel for suffering mankind, I felt for Ireland's wrongs, and for soldiers and police in Kilclooney "Wood, called forth her moral degradation, and I felt that I should assist her people in the admii-ation of the military. The third of that their attempt to right those wrongs and raise her from degradation. Li-ave trio—Peter Crowley—was shot dead whilst at- I shall not now state to what cause I attribute the failure of the insunectionaiy movement Nor shall I express a sorrow I do tempting to cross the river which outskirts the wood. late not feel with regard to my own conduct. I am fully satisfied of Looking at the boyish face of Kelly, and the almost the righteousnefifl of my every act in connection with the late rero- eq aally youthful and quiet countenance of McClure,

282 FENIAN HEROES AITO MAETTB8, CEOWLET, KELLT AND u'cLtTBE. 283

lutionary Tnovement, having been actuated alone by a holy desire ing, southern eyes were fixed steadily on the to assist in the emancipation of an enslaved but generous people. jndfes as he spoke, except where he It affords me more pleasure to have acted as I have done in behalf quoted from the Psahnist, and then they were of the Irish people, than any event that has occurred to me during raised upwards ; and for a while the my eventful, though youthful existence. I would wish it to be prisoner appeared transported in thought to that distinctly understood—and I say it here standing on the brink of world to which he was soon to be consigned. He an early grave—that I am no fillibuster or freebooter. I came to eaid: this country with no personal object to gain—^with no desire to my

advancement, I came solely lords,' ^ ovm here out of love of Ireland and "My the novelty of my situation win plead for any want sympathy for her people. If I have forfeited my life in having of fluent utterance, and I therefore pray your indulgence if I am done so, I am ready to abide the issue. If my devotion to an op- necessarily tedious. I thank the juiy for their kind recommenda- pressed people be a crime, I am wUling to receive the penilty of tion to mercy, which I know is well meant, but also knowing, as that crime, knowing, as I do, that I have done I do, what was in b|balf what that mercy will be, I can only wish that their recom- people cause just and holy mendation of a whose wts —a people who will ap- will not be acceded to. Why should I fear deaUif preciate and honor a man, although he may not be a covurtryman What is death 1 The state of passing from thU life into another. I trust of their own, but still a man who is willing to suffer in defence of that God will pardon me my sins, and that I win have no cause that divine American principle—the right of self-government. I to fear entering the presence of the Ever Living most Merci- to tender to learned and ful Father. ' would now wish my eloquent counsel, Mr. I do not recoUect having in my life mjured a human and Mr. Watei-s, and to solicitor, Collins, Bin- being intentionally, Heron my Mr. my and in my late conduct I see no cause for re- and heartfelt thanks for the able in which they have gret—I mean in political cere manner my conduct. Why then, I say, should I conducted my defence. And now, my lords, I trust I am prepared fear death. I leave the dread of death to such despicable wretches to submit to the penalty it will be the duty of your lordshipa as Coiydon and Massey. now Corydon I a name once so suggestive of sweetness to pronounce upon me. I have no more to say." —now the representative of a loathsome monster. If there be anything that can add to Corydon's degradation " The prisoner then resumed his seat, his firm, though Chief Justice— " We are willing to give you every latitude, but we gentle restrained sit manner, the mild enthusiasm which cannot here and allow you to speak of third parties who have been examined as marked those parts of his address which referred to witnesses. Strictly speaking, you are only to say why sentence his love of Ireland, making a ueep impression on his should not be passed upon you, but at the same time we are very unwilling to hold a very strict audience. hand, but we cannot allow you to cast imputations upon third parties, witnesses, or Edward Kelly having been asked in like manner if others, who may be examined against yon." he had anything to say why sentence of death should Prisoner— "WeU, as near then as I can answer the question pur to me, I shaU not be passed upon him, then rose and rested his hands say that, remembering that every generation since England on the front of the dock. He looked rather pale, but obtained a footing in Ireland have been sufferers from het nile—remembering that his paleness was evidently not cattsed by trepidation, every generation have risen to protert agamst the occupation of our native soil by England—surely I may but by the effort to collect his ideas. His keen, flash- say that Is an answer to the question why sentence should not be

2B4 FENIAN HEE0E3 AND MAETTEa. CEOWLET, KELLY AOT) H'cLtTEB. 285

in height, passed on me. In the part I have taken in the late instirreclion, McClure is about five feet Beven inches I was onl}' conscientiously discharging my duty. Next to serving light and active, with dark complexion, and reserved country. the Creator, I Tjelieve it is man's solemn duty to serve his manners. In social life he was generous, good-natured [Afier a long pause he continued.] My lords, I have no more to and temperate. As a member of the New York Mer- say, except to quote the words of the Psalmist, premising that yon cantile Library Association here, the books he usually will understand me to speak of my country as he speaks of his— for were on military and kindred subjects. 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cun- applied the Irish ning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof His chief study, just before he espoused Re- of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. cause, was " Campaigns of Napoleon," and Doheny's the childi-en of Edom in the day of Jerusalem, member, O Lord, " Felon's Track." who said—Raize it, raize it, even to the foundation thereof. O KeUy is about five feet six inches in hight, slightly daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed, happy shall be he compactly built, with a fair complexion, oval face that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.' In conclusion, my but " clean compos- lords, I wish to return my solicitor, Mr. Michael Joseph Collina, and blue eyes. He was a swift and of my thanks for his untiring exertions in my behalt To Mr. Heron itor," a proficient French scholar, and had a habit also, I retiim thanks for his able defence of me. My lords, I have insisting on everything being done well and to the no more to say." minute. His temperament is highly poetical, and h» his other The prifioner then sat down. At that part of his possesses considerable literary talent. Among writing a ti-agedy, addi-ess where he referred, in terms so aprojws, to the avocations in New York he was for mil- irrformer, Coi'ydon, the soft and serene expression and had it nearly completed, when his passion was which his face hitherto wore, changed, and his eyes itary knowledge absorbed all his faculties. He faith but his joining his flashed scornfully and wrathfully. After the interrup- brought up in the Protestant ; " Virgin " dur- tion of the i-,ourt, he paused for a while, and then, in a comrades in the Kosary of the Blessed voice of deep emotion, and with an air of sudden ining their lonely vigils in KHclooney "Wood, shows how spiration, he repeated the beautiful words of the little he was actuated by religious prejudices. Psalmist, " And his soul went forth with them;" and when he had concluded the quotation and lowered hifl eyes, he appeared 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 hench and appeared deeply moved—in fact very few eyes in the court-house were dry. Sentence of deatli was then pronounced.

286 FEIJUN BEBJDEB A2iD UASryUB.

l^nCHAEL DOHENT, GENEEAL MICHAEL CORCOEAN, JOHN O'MAHONY, JAMES STEPHENS.

Bke(cho'Mlehi>';lDoheny-T(mth atthePlonyh— Doelrc forKncmli«l«6—Btna- len i-n k uii Ijitin— Life In I/ondon—WrllcB for the Preuft—Admitted tolhB Bar—National Orat ir la the O'Cooncll Movement*—Joins y. ong IreUnd Par y, aud Writ«B for the "Natlou 'and "Trfbnne"—EwaipeB toTranw »n

Out of the R';hclllon—AdvlBen the (fflth to go to the War—Conrt^inirtlal Qnanhed, md Popular Appiaane— Servlcefof the B!)th—Corcoran Captored at Btill Kon-ln Pricon—H'-ld ae HonUge for a Privateer—Cabinet Conndl on Exchange of Priaoncru—LibCTaU;d—Oreat Ovation— In the Field Again with thelrlHh Legion— Defeat* Pryorand BaffleBLongHtreet^Deff.iiccof WoKhlng- ton—Death. Skcteh of John O'Mahony-Poyltlou In '4S-What I..nuet.ced bin Political Career—Hereditary Dlnpnle* 14^l— Takes Charge of O'Donohne en route to Smith O'Hrien—Remains with th« latter—At Klllei.aulo and Baillngarry—f>n the Hills—Escapes to Franco— CMabony and Stcphfms In Paris—.Join a R':volotir>nary Sf*cic1y—O'Mahony a Gaelic Tutor—Stcph'-ns the French Translnlor of Dickens—O'Mahony goes to America—Stephens to Ireland—A rreBfjd-Ri-pud la Ics British L«« B'jfore the Magistrates—Encape from Prison— In America—Eetlrement—O'Mahony de- fines bis Pnaent Position.

Tnp; cxttnsion, if not the very existence of modem

Fenianism, is indebted to the men whose names head

DOHENT, CORCORAH, o'MAHOlTr A BTEPHENS. 287

this chapter. The existence of Irish disaffection is not owing to any one man, but to the sufferings of many from generation to generation. Doheny has truly said that " the disaffection of Ireland is immortal." But

there is none the less honor due to those who combine, organize and direct disaffection, so that it may cope with oppression, redress grievances, and finally confer freedom. Of these fosterers of disaffection, founders of the Brotherhood, and propagandists of the organization, two are in the grave, and two in retirement. The memories of the dead are eloquent with great •i,- > truths nobly spoken, great deeds nobly done, great examples which cannot be buried with them. The acts of the living speak for themselves. The life and services of either of these four men might easily and in-

structively be extended to a volume ; but a briet

sketch is all that can be furnished here. Being widely

known, however, there is less necessity for detail than in the ease of others treated of in this book. The name of Michael Doheny is intimately associ* ted with every movement suggested by the ills of hia country, or projected for their amelioration, for more than a quarter of a century before his death. His life was an evidence at once of the imtameable nature of indigenous ability, and of the cares which unconquer- able devotion to an idea engenders and overcomes.

His first twenty years were as remarkable in their un- lettered throbbings, as the remainder were active in the rostrum, at the hustings, in the journal ofiice. In those latter years he was but putting into energetic and eloquent service the visions and impulses that vis-

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288 FENIAH HEE0E6 AND MAETTE8. DOHENT, tX>E00RAN, o'mAHONT & STEPHENB. 289 ited him at tlie plough. Actually, he was an inspired as a tutor, and waa thus enabled to solidify by use the plough-boy.* Doheny boasted of the transition, waa acquirements he had made. An intellect so strong proud of alluding to his youth ; and looking at the po-. • and so busy soon found utterance by the pen ; and af- sition he attained, the speeches he made, and the vari- ter some telling essays on local politics, he mainly sup- ous waitings, both in prose and verse, from his accom- ported himself by its use on the London press, when plished pen, there are none who can deny the assiduity he sought that city to put in his terms at the Temple and energy that must have produced such results. as a Student of Law. The means adopted for a living Doheny was bom 22d May, 1805, at Brookhill, near in London necessarily made him a student of the lead- Fethard, County of Tij^perary. His early life, like ing men who ruled Great Britain, the measures they that of so many eminent men, both dead and living discussed, the whole modus operandi of British politics.

who have left their deep track on the road of renown, In after life, this knowledge was of the greatest use in like Jackson and Clay, Webster and Douglas, Corwin the frequent impromptu debates his great powers as a and Lincoln, and Andrew Johnson—was occupied in public speaker forced him into. labor—learning those needs which they, in after life, 60 Admitted to the bar, he returned to his native coun- eloquently advocated for the masses. The son of a try, and, fixing his headquarters in the ancient city of BmaU farmer, young Doheny's days were chiefly spent Cashel, he was ever afterwards identified with it until at the plough, not always attentively driving it, to bo increasing force and an irrepressible influence made Bure, but ostensibly so; di'inking in the memories him not only a potent man in his county, but in the which every hDl and stream, the clouds of sunshine nation. Ever throbbing with the feelings of the peo- and shower overhead, and the gray ruins about him ple, he became one of the most popular tribunes of our presented, so typical of his country's gloom and glory. day, at times rivaling even O'Connell. In the days of His early education was scanty, but a natural desire the Catholic Association—in the brilliant fight for for books, and the unappeased hunger for knowledge Catholic Emancipation, under the lead of Richard " which their perusal created, ^oon made a suggestive Sheil and O'Connell ; in what was known as the tithe foundation for the future orator, writer, and patriot war ;" in every struggle, great or small, in which a He had closely approximated to the age of manhood popular right was involved, there waa to be found the before an opportunity presented by wliich he could trenchant logic, the impassioned force, the popular en- approach the classics. With his usual energy, he at- ergy, the poetical sympathy, the broadly-enunciated

tacked and captured Latin and Greek ; and fortified principle, the bold invective, the high-souled apostro- with them, he graduated fiom the field into the study phe—to suit the mood or measure of the people—from

• '88 &Dd 'IS—p. Ml. the glowing heart and gifted head of Michael Doheny-

2?0 FENIAS" HEROES AND MAETTES. DOHENT, C0EC0RA.K, o'MAtlOKY & STEPfrENS, 2^1

His patriotic energies expanded with tlie increasing agitated or illustrated the times. Some of the ablest necessities of tbe Repeal cause. He was one of the reports were from his pen. most ready and reliable of the gifted band which cir- When the younger branch of the Association de- cled " The Liberator " throughout the great Kepeal clined to be the simple satellites of O'Connell, he join- movement ; and mixing with the still younger blood ed them, as he ever was the advocate of free speech which infused its passion and power into the national and the right to differ. In the new organization, the cause, in prose and verse, through the columns of the Ii-ish Confederation, he was still more eminently promi- ^atio7i newspaper, contributed many powerful and nent and effective, and in '48, after the " three days timely essays and poems to that then splendid organ. of Paris " had lit the fires of popular revolution aU of O'Brien, His prose writings were characterized by a suggest- over Europe ; after the prosecution ive force and simplicity of argument which quickly Meagher and Mitchel, and the still further prosecution supplied the populace with ready reasons for National and banishment of the latter, Doheny flung himself

discussion ; while his occasional poems breathed a lov- wholly into the revolutionizing of the island by force

ing and strong effalgence of inspiration caught from of arms. , the hiUs and vales of his dear Tipperary. In every- He wrote in the Irish Tribune, and on the seizure thing he then, or indeed ever, wrote, there was a direct, of that and other national journals, took to the hills unswerving, hopeful purpose, growing from or guiding with the other leaders. The adventures he passed his intense and devoted love of country. He touched through with a price on his head, the untiring energy nothing but to draw a lesson of perseverance from it, with which he went among the people, the passionate t6 incite to noble passion in the public mind. He was yearnings of his soul, as well as the endealvors of his the author of that apothegm which became one of the associates, have been—as far as circumstances would world-honored shibboleths of the " Young Ireland allow—recorded by his own pen. — " party " Educate, that you mat be feee ! and by It is not the time for us to follow him through all every means he sought to illustrate, the ennobling sen- the hopes and heart-burnings, the attempts and devo- timent by pen and tongue. tion of that gallant band. Suffice it, they were nn- In addition to his constant labors in the sanctum successlul; and Doheny, making his escape as a

and on the rostrum, he was a member of the celebrated drover, first found his way across the Irish Channel to '82 Club, an active member of the Council of the Re- London, thence to Paris, and ultimately to the United peal Association, and the important sub-committees States—landing in "Sew York early in 1849. He to which were variously referred the questions of made this city and its vicinity his home to*his death. finance, Parliamentary duty, internal resources, which For many years he practiced as a lawyer, became

292 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTE8. DOHENT, COECOEAN, o'jIAHONT 4 6TEPHEN8. 293 known in politics and letters, as After a brief illness, Doheny an able speaker and ^ departed this life at his residence. lecturer, and otherwise endeared himself to his friends Eighteenth street and Ninth avenue, South Brooklyn, and many men of distinction bj those loveable char- at half-past nine o'clock, on the night of the Ist of acteristics of head and heart whicli we can but faintlj April. The suddenness of his decease sent a thrill analyze here. through the hearts of his comrades and friends, as well as Amid the many vicissitudes surrounding the exile, the community at large, which has Michael not yet, even after Doheny kept "the whiteness of his bouL" five years, been tempered down to same star a calm The that shone over his hopes in Ireland and comprehension of the sorrowful fact. Those led him into exile, who knew and loved was his beacon and his glory in it. him, those who had such hopes His brain was in his faith, can ever liluminated by it. It was to him scarcely yet realize that Michael the eternal and Doheny is no unquenchable lamp in his temple of more—that the hearty energy and eloquent tongue, immortality. The hopes and feelings which l»ent in which once indicated so stalwart a phy- sique and homage to'it, found vent in participation in various so luxuriant an inteUect, can no more come Irish within our circle societies and military organizations, and in the to enliven us with his brilL'ant and constant use of loving reminiscences, ' his pen and tongue, whenever oppor- and exalt us with the holy pur- tunity presented to expound or give aid poses in which he alone lived, and comfort moved, and had a. to the darling projects of his being. Doheny was one of manhood ; in all of whicli those fii-mly-knit, hearty he was men, whose lovingly and enthusiastically seconded and ani- departure to the "shadowy land" we mated by a devoted wife, rarely permit ourselves and by a sister-in law—now, to think of, much less to dwell alas, no more—to whose on. In his instance, untiring solicitude, under aU the love and affection his purity circumstances of his career, lie has left and innocence of heart instigated us most touch- and won, placed at ing and ennobling testimony. He was a still more remote distance any a member of anticipations of so sad a reality. every society started in New York for the dissemina- tion of Irish principles, or the aid The officers of the Sixty-ninth of those who kept Eegiment, and those alive the patriotic fire in Ireland. of the Phoenix Brigade, attended His connection his remains to the -mth the Fenian Brotherhood has already Calvary cemetery, where all been noticed. that was mortal of the His soul was centered exiled orator, poet, on it. It presented to him a patriot and man, Michael Dolienv lirospect which would was lowered into more than repay liis life-lonJohn Savage, Captain John cause. But he passed away Kavanagh, Patnck before it had assumed the O'Dea, and John Hughes, who were his gigantic proportions which set the world wondering. associates in Ireland. 13*

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295 294 FENIAN nEEOEB AND MAETTEB. FEKIAN DEEOEB ACT «AErrE8.

Sligo. .Ifter receiving "WTiile presenting a flag to the Irish Brigade, and in the County of rowkeel the " some three years in ^ alhiding to that previously presented to the Old English education, he spent estabUshment-resigned tluB^ COtli," Judge Charles P. Daly made touching allusion Irish ConstabulaiT to Amenc. m 1849. G^ to the faith of the Irish soldier as represented by Mi- sition, and emigrated and living nothing to chael Corcoran. " At the head of it (the 69th)," he with a keen, clear intellect, immedi- " exertions, he ^sa almost Baid, was the noble-minded, high-epirited and gal- rely on but his own purpoBe, exhibited dii^tness of lant officer, to whom bo much of its after-character ately employed. He etrc^ natura talents was due—a descendant by the female line of that unimpeachability of action, and a^d the latter kept illustrious Irish soldier, Patrick Sarsfield, Earl of The former made him friends, led which subsequently , Lucan, whose name is identified with the siege of awake an honorable ambition, Limerick, and who fell fighting at the head of his position. to distinguished , * may be dated. j from

HEEOES AND HAETTE8. 297 296 DOHEST, COECOEiS', o'mAHOXT

arduous labora assigned to •was the personal friend of several of tiie exil^ who In the pro'gress of the of the won the esteem _ were prominent in '48, and, command, Colonel Corcoran , last—not least—was one his and the applause of of the founders of the Fenian Brotherhood. He de- heads of the War Department, with whom he co-operated- clined to parade the Irish-bom citizens nnder his mili- the United States officers avant^ard^. of the brigade, hav- tary command, to do honor to the son of a Sovereign As the bulwark and the defence of the principal ave- under whose rale and in whose name the best men raised ing in special charge into Washington, the 69th won in Ireland for half a century were banished. He was nues from Yirginia through its service-at Anna- consistent with the heroes with whom tradition associ- enduring honors. AU at George- to the Junction ; ated his blood, not less than with the corps he com- polls along the railroad of Fort Corcoran—a name ; during the building manded ; his own theories, and the principles of the town' Department—along Arlmgton Brotherhood be sought to extend. This action brought conferred by the War the relief of the Ohio troops at Corcoran under c-onsiderable censure and a court-mar- Heicrhts ; at the the various midnight alarms tial but there was a speedy change in the opinion of raifroad near Vienna; ; and the- and out of camp ; those who thought the ruthless conduct of Great Britain and preparations in at Centreville, ending at to the Union during the war a base requital for the subsequent movements the indomitable Colonel hospitality extepded to the heir-apparent. the battle of Bull Eun— unceasing examples of courage Colonel Ccffcoran's action at the breaking ont of the eave his regiment greatly distinguished himself Ittbellion was quite characteristic of his patriotic and patriotism. He believe was the only one character. His unselfish and upright course was one at BuU Eun, and we report) (see General ^Sherman's of the most severe blows the sympathizers with secession- officiallv chronicled a hol- his regiment off the field m in the North recei red. Many of the offic-ers of the 69th as having brought duty Corcoran was wounded, were donbtfhl of the propriety of " turning out " while low square.* In this pri- captured. For some time he was their Colonel was undergoing a cou.'-t-martial for an' and soon after Castle Pmckney, ; afterwards at net which they justified. Immediately, Corcoran, in soner in Eichmond and in anticipation of an assault a public letter, implored them not to take him into Charieston harbor; expedition, he was removed to Co- any account, but to stand liy the flag of the Union by the Port Eoyal after interior of South Carolina. Soon and the sacred principles involved in its sustainment. lumbia, in the that was offered liberation on condition The com-t-martial was quashed tlie Union sentiment his capture, he ; repel- again take up arms. Indignantly of tl:e Irish rushed like a torrent into the ranks of the he would not Erank lloors. H. T, army ; and the C9th left for the seat of war, attended Tune," &c, Edition; . Sec -Notable Men of the M wblch ihl« sketch IB condenwd. by one of the greatest demonstrations recorded in the G. P. Pnaam; trom histoiy of New York.

298 DOHENT, CX)EOOEAN, HEE0E8 AOT) MAKTTE8. 299 o'mADOOT

ling the OFerture, munioipal addresses and pop- he avowed his faith in the Union, His speeches, in reply to and declared he attracted universal attention to him as would take np anns just as s-on aa ular outbursts, circumstances would permit. man of prompt thoughts and felicitious expression, a * Upon and decisive action. Colonel Corcoran, probably more than on any as well as of unflinching courage other of the on his new duties, he recruited Union prisoners, was public attention Immediately entering fixed at " Irish Legion," and was in , that time. The announcement that he was and organized the famous chosen as one of middle of November, reporting to the hostages for the safety of the the field by the privateers, condemned Dix at Fortress Monroe. He imme- to death as pirates, sent an in- Major General dignant thrill News, and towards the of pity and shame throughout the North, diately encamped at Newjwrt and fixed more proceeded to Suffolk. In January intently and impatiently the minds of end of December thinking men in command of several details from on the subject of a general exchange of General Corcoran, prisoners and a regiments of the division, was sent to clieck ; commission, composed of Hiram the various Barney, under General I'lyor, acroBS Esq., Collector of New York, Judge Daly, a movement of the rebels, and on the morning of Messrs. Eichard O'Gorman and John Savage' the Blackwater. At four o'clock, Esqs., was induced struck the enemy neai- a deserted to proceed to Wasliington to con- the 30th, the troops fer with ensued took its name. the Cabinet and Congress on the immediate house, from which the fight that and the Genera! command- humane necessity of such a proceeding. For The rebels were repulsed, and several the following order: days the Committtee were activelv engaged ing, Major-General Peck,' issued canvassing the leading minds at the seat of Govern- 1863. ment, and on " Hbadqtjaetees, Suffolk, Va., Feb. 6, the 10th December, they were invited General desires to thank Brigadier General by the President •'The commanding to attend a foil Cabinet their good council. Corcoran aod the troops assigned to his copimand, for Their efforts were satisfactory in 80th Jan- an eminent degree.* conduct and gallant bearing in the engagement of the In August, driving the enemy 1862, Colonel Corcoran was exchanged, uaiy, 1863, at Deserted House, which resulted m and immediately commissioned by President Lincoln to the Blackwater." as Brigadier General, to date from the day of his cap- Hill invested Snffolk with ^ire. In April Longstreet and The progress of Corcoran from prison to New Dm-ing this seige General York, through over thirty thousand men. camps, cities and towns, was a brilliant had been assigned to the command of and marvelous ovation, Corcoran, who and served only to bring out division of the Seventh Coitus, made a recon- more folly the dignity the first of his character, and to develop his addresees. and especially Ms correspondence dormant talents in a very » It is to be hoped that these remarkable manner. of which have foniid Kith Captain JamL-9 B. Kliker. and other friends, portions • o his countrymen entire. "Notable Men," 4c, p. 62, their way Into print, wiD be cuUcctcd and given

300 DOHENT, COECOEAIT, 301 o'mAHONT & STEPHENS. FENIAN HEEOES AND HAETTE8,

noisance, with about five thousand ramifications through the men, to find out every facility to extend its ;.the positiou and strength of the enemy, soldiers might be^ and had a army, so that the best and bravest brisk engagement on the Edenton heart. Eoa'd, uncovering enlisted in the cause so dear to his the enemy's position and driving him from the breast works. This gallantry again drew forth the special congratulation place called Mnl- of the Department Commander. la On the banks of the Suir, at a consequence of Tipperary, there lived, in the the disability of General Peck, who louc^h, in the County was of ajnple means confined farmer , to his bed, the chief command devolved beginning of '48, a gentleman on General unassuming manners aud Corcoran, who completely baffled Long-- and thorough education, of street, who raised the warm southern natures siege after a month's vain efibrtt, devoted patriotism, in whose and after the raisingof ancient Celtic tongue and mis- most extensive works to effect hia deep knowledge of the object. The a silent but lofty ven- rebels driven over the Blackwater, Long- fortunes brooded and tinct with street being hopes and aspirations compelled to retire, the evacuation of eration and enthusiasm, the Suffolk was decided on and manifested themselves in the ; the important dutv was which at the period assigned to Corcoran. who, in a word, was a •' rebel; He was now placed iu" com- Youn<^ Ireland party— mand of the defences courageous, and in his dis- of Portsmouth; thence to the a pur^souled, high-hearted, Department of counties oi Tipperary, Washington, and assigned an import- trict—which encompassed the ant position for the ' most powerful rebeL His defence of the Capital. ffis head- Waterford,* and lulkenny— quarters were at * Centreville, and subsequently at name was John O'Mahony. Fairfax Court House, Clonkilla, a lovely spot where occurred the sad accident O'Mahoro^ was bom at m which depri^^ed (on as it flows out_(rf 22d December, 1863,) the army of the south bank of the Funcheon, the Union of one of its reared at Kilbenny, with most devoted officers, and the Mitchelstown demesne, and future army of of his early life are Ireland of an efficient leader, who which the pleasantest associations hoped to culminate -are connected memones his miHtary career on an Irish connected. With it also battle-field for reflected in his politi- Irish rights. which are deeplv and intensely General Corcoran was, as been the firet resting place stated, one of the foun- cal career. Kilbennv had ders of the Fenian Brotherhood, wliich settled in the and through the days of the branch of the O'Mahony's of its trials one Earls of King- of its most hopeful workers. He saw neighborhood. They held it of the it spread to be a power, to Clonkilla of the O'Mahony s vindicate its military char- ston- who in turn held acter on the field for and bitter enemies, and republican liberty and the Irish Their families were hereditary name was one of J the Central Council, and gave

302 DOHENT, MAETTE8. 303 OOEOORAN, o'liAHONY A STEPHENS. FENIAH HEE0E8 AND

on the death of Savage met O'Mahony, and they John O'Mahony's father, who had and Meagher, John -*been a powerful together, organizing the country while any*, Nationalist, and with whom'the lease remained of K.lbenny expired, Doheny says, "they spent many the fiat went forth that the hope remained. O Mahony's should in counsel together, when it was sup- he exterminated, as there could anxious nights os- not be "two lords" all spirit had left the country. The first in that neighborhood. To' be posed thus compelled the people together under to leave the hearth which had become tensible object that brought Bacred by family guidance and control, was the reap- associations, at the will of an upstart their immediate Saxon lord, was like wheat belonging to O'Mahony. A tearing out the heart of O'Maho- ing of a field of ny. It was in crowd, amounting to -several hundred stalwart 1840, while pacing for the last time vast the deserted rooms of the men, assembled. They had scarcely entered on their old house, which still stands over the weird a troop of horse was an- town Loch-na-Anna, that John O'Ma- labor when the approach of hony first conceived nounced. O'Mahony and Savage were compelled to those ideas on the Irish L^nd q^uestion, which he retire. military cavalcade rode through the peo- has since brooded over and advo- The cated until they have ple and the com, but the reapers desisted not, giving become a distinguishing characteristic of Fenianism. no pretext for any arrests or further outrage from the He learned to feel for the other victims of the The time for defiance and resistance waa Irish Land law by the poignancy' soldiers."* ot his own grief some weeks ahead. Savage at once threw the in- and indignation. Against such yet popular wrongs he did not see spiriting scene into the following verses, to a the use of what was called Constitutional agitation;" and it was not nntH he air saw the young Irelanders OF MOULOUGH.- about to take the field that THE REAPING he exerted the miluence which his family wi-ongs and Air—" Ibish Mollt O." his associations with the people gave him If Natvtre gave to human life a centuried length of years, men the leaders took "to the hiUs," he succored, And with them gave the strength of mmd for which age only aided, and cheered them.'knd when they were arrest- fears, ed, wandering outlawed harvest-day, and chronicle the date, through the island, or seekinij 111 bless that glorious 'for sorrowed 'Forty-eight. the shores of America For 'tis a smile 'midst mem'ry's tears and France, O'Mahony stUI brooded ^ over the wrongs and cause sorrows of the fathei-land. From far and wide the Reapers came, through love our they He could not leave his native hills. He looked down bore, the golden valley of Commeragh's wild to Slievenamon—from Grange to Galt«e- the Suir, and said, as CromweU From said when gloating over the more; same scene, "This is a countij worth fighting • " for." Looking for O'Brien Dohenj'B Felon's Track," P- 157-S.

; — ; ^^S3EJ

FEKIAN HEEOES AKD MARTTES. 305 S04- DOHENT, COEOOEAN, o'm.VHONT 4 STEPHENS. Kilkenny, is native of the City of Like streamlets rushing to the sea, like wreck'd men to a rock, James Stephens a forty-three and forty- They hurried down, and gathered at the Reaping of Moulough. and is now, probably, between education, four years of age. He received a good bless God the sturdy Reapers 1 and God bless the mind that gave He which he has continued to enlarge and improve. The thought that made their sinews aid and help the outlawed and profession a surveyor and civil engineer, brave 1 was by O'Connell's repeal agitation The minds that Dve in noble deeds, all earth-made vaunteni mock, during the latter years of Western And souls like yours are Freedom's hope, ye Reapers of Mou- he was engaged on the great Southern and this lough 1 Kailway works, at Inchicore, Dublin. About fascination over time politics commenced to throw their Oh I bend the Reapers joyfully ! —the hook with fervor plies^ he became an attendant at the And maidens of the sunny south bind up the falling prize 1 the young engineer, and '48 his professional duties Oh 1 may the tyrants of our soil so fall before our wrath. clubs. In the early part of of in the County And wives Irish victors aid to bind them in their path I brought him from Dublin to Thurles, took advantage of Tipperary, and in the Simimer he Bright thoughts of Freedom 'woke my mind, as bound was stook to visit his pareiits. and sbeaf of his proximity to Kilkenny occurred which There thousands not less noble souls around the noble Chie^ While in Kilkenny an incident was the And eager waited but the word to make each stook a rock changed the whole current of his life—that

To plant the Flag of Freedom at the Reaping of Moulough I O'Donohoe, who arrest in that city of Mr. Patrick to Mr. entrusted with dispatches from Dublin The organization of the disaffected districts resulted was to Kilken- O'Brien. " He proceeded on his mission in the insurrectionary movements in Tipperary and Doheny, "and there applied to one of the Waterford, "which commenced on the 12th Septem- ny," says was known to none of the members, and ber. O'Mahony, by a series of really startling adven- clubs. He suspicion. It was, became at once the object of tures, eluded the vigilance of tlie police. He was in the rest of his accordingly, determined to send him Clonmel during the trial of O'Brien, organizing a another mem- journey und6r arrest, and Stephens and force to attack the Court House, when he was dis- proceeded to ber were appointed to that duty. They covered, and saved himself by leaping from a back welcomed Cashel, where Mr. O'Donohoe was warmly window. He ultimately escaped from Island Castle, O'Brien, whose fate he thenceforth determined between Bonmahon and Dungarvan, in the .County by Mr.' resolution share. Mr. Stephens came to the same Waterford, in a collier, and was landed in Wales, to himself to for- the other guard refused to commit wliere he remained for six weeks, until an opportunity but Messrs. wliich appeared so desperate. With lor his conveyance to France. tunes offered He resided in acted Stephens and O'Donohoe this very desperation Paris for five years.

»«t.

306 DOHEirr, COECOEAN, o'lUnONT 4 BTEFHEira. FENLiN HEE0E8 ANT* MAETTEfl. 307 as the most ennobling and irresistible inducement ny and Stephens soon conceived Thej clung the idea of entering to him to the last, with a fidelity the more the most powerful of those societies, and acquiring the nntiring in proportion as the circumstances portended means imminent by which an undisciplined mob can be most disaster and ruin." * All through O'Brien'a movements readily and efiiectually marched against an army of Stephens exhibited an earnestness which " professional cnt-throats." Accordingly, they became won the approval of all who witnessed it. At Killen- enrolled members and pupils of some of the ablest aule, when O'Brien'e party threw np some barricades masters of revolutionary science which the nineteenth to mtercept the passage of a troop of dragoons, young century has Stephens produced. In one point alone they n^- suddenly raised his rifle and covered the lected to copy from their continentaT instructors—^they officer in command ; his finger was on the trigger. " One devised no means of?visiting with summary chastise- moment," says Mitchel, « and Ireland was in ment such members of their organization as led insurrection." were Dillon sternly ordered him to lower by ambition, arrogance or cupidity, into the unpardon- his rifle, and the officer, pledginghis honor he was not able crimes of treason seeking and insubordination- the arrest of O'Brien, was led through by Stephens was an accomplished linguist, and, in time, Dillon himself. At the Ballingany afi-air, Stephens his knowledge of the French language enabled him to with McManus, and the late Captain John Kavanaugh contribute to theJ'euiUeton columns of the Paris news- of the Irish Brigade,t was clear-sighted and efficient papers. Every succeeding efibrt of his astonished After the failure of O'Brien's movement, he had many those who were aware of his foreign birth and educa- adventures with O'Mahony and Doheny, and tion but his great triumph was his success in finally ; trans- escaped to France. . lating Dickens into French. Those translationa, At this period, the Continent of Europe generally, wliich were published, and Paris we believe, in Za I*res8e, at- particularly, was inwoven with a network tracted the'attention of the Paris literary world, and of secret poHtical societies, at once the terror and the were a source of extreme surprise and gratification to ofispring of the sway of tyrants. They had peculiar the distinguished author of '' David Copperfield." His fascinations for those whose former attempts at rebel, efforts as a litterateur thus brought Stephens a hand- lion had proved failures, simply for the want of previous some compensation, which, added organization to certain remit- of the revolutionary elements. O'Maho- tances which -O'Mahony received from time to time • "FeloM' Truck," p. S6. out of the remains of his Irish patrimony and the

officer whose flrrt wonnd for liberty product of his exertions as instructor of Gaelic to some ...V; R^,"^"' ™ receiyed In his natlv, '^"^'^'^^^o,^ co-tr, ou the field of students of the Inh slp^^^tfrTm" Antietan. Irish College, enabled our exiles to live comfortably enough, j

MAETTE8. 309 308 DOHENT, COECOEAU, o'mAHONT

Superintendent After working niglit and day at tlieir tuitions, tranB- endeavored to close the door; Mr. and Dawson lations, and above all, their revolutionary schemes, it Ryan and Acting Inspectors Hughes stairs, followed by was decided to make another attempt, and on a prac- drove it in. Stephens rushed up in his own bed- tical basis, to organize the Irish race at home and Hughes, who took him into custody at the time. abroad, and continue, on a foundation of discipline, room, his wife being in the apartment alarmed at see- the struggle for national independence. Mi-s. Stephens started out of the bed, to take my O'Mahony came to America towards the close of ing the police, and said, "Are you going then sent, 1853, and Stephens went to Ireland. Under the cog- husband from me?" Inspector Hughes the prisoner. nomen of Shook, the latter, in 1858 and in 1859, was down for- Constable Dawson to identify entering known to be an active participator in the " Phoenix Dawson proceeded to the bedroom, and on

'• ? Stephens replied, Conspiracy," and during the prosecutions in Tralee said, How are you, Stephens " " then told aud Cork, which followed, he wa& constantly, referred " Who the devil are you, sir ? Dawson "Oh, I have to in the evidence given by the informer, O'Sullivaa him who he was, and Stephens replied, favor. Wife, yon (Goula.) He disappeared at the time of the trials, read enough about you—I want no was then search- but returned subsequently. The onward career of will never see me again." The house were arrested O'Mahony and Stephens in connection with the Fenian ed, and in the adjoining bedrooms who were aU in organization, is outlined in the historical introduction. Messrs. Kickham, Dufiy and Brophy, " over thirty in number, The latter became widely known, and the author- bed at the time. The police, with pistols in their ities were eager for his capture, which was at last were well armed, and entered resistance. Pistols eifected between five and six o'clock on the morning of hands, but the prisoners offered no their rooms, and the 11th November, 1865, by Colonel Lake, attended and balls were, however, lying about quantities of bacon, flour, by over thirty police and detectives, who suiTouuded the police" found immense feed all the parties for his residence, Fairfield House, Sandy Mount. Scaling bread, &c.—enough, in fact, to some of them, too, £45 in the garden walls, they knocked at the back door. near a twelvemonth." On check for a larger amount, Almost immediately Stephens came to the door, gold was found, and a bank were likewise well ])rovided with and inquired " Who was there ? " The constables an- and others of them placed in separate cabs, each nounced themselves as police officers authorized by cash. The prisoners were and were lodged in the warrant to enter and search the house. Stephens hesi- in charge of three officers, o'clock. tated in opening the door, stating that he was un- Lower Castle yard at half-past six the prisoners were brought dressed. The police promised not to resort to force or On Tuesday, the lith, Magistrate, under the Treason-felony Act. violence if he complied with their request. Stephens before the

mA^

310 DOHENT, OOECOHAN, o'mAHONT & STEPHENS. FENIAN HEEOE8 AND MABTTE8. 311 After some farther identification, tte hearing was adjourned tested their strength, and declared that none of them to the next day, when Mr. Stephens acted in were " a^vêry bold manner. strong enough to hold him. The extreme dat- In reply to the Magistrates, he ing and cleverness of the conception and execution of this feat," said a Tory journal,* " also recalls to mind "I feel bound to say, In the fact strange jnstiflcation of, or rather with a view —a one, to say the least—that the to, my own reputation, that I have employed no attorney or law- American Fenians have boasted of the knowledge they yer m this case, and that I mean to employ none, because, in mak- had contrived to acquire of Irish prisons, and the ing a plea of any kind, pow- or filing any defence-I am not particuiar- er they had to draw the strongest y well up m these legal tenns-I bolts by which they should be recognizing BritiBh aw m Ireland. Now, I dehêmt«ly might be held." and conscientiously repudlata the existence of that law in Ireland-its The escape of Mr. Stephens effected right, or even ita exist- was on the early ence. I repudiate the nght of itB existence in Ireland. I defv and morning of November 24. The night was dark and despise any punishment it can inflict on me. -^ Ihave spoken. tempestuous, and very favorable for the attempt, as the storm and rain prevented the ê prisoners were incidental noises committed for trial, and removed from being heard. The Kichmond prison is to Kichmond Bridewell situated in an isolated position, on the Circular The defiance of Koad. There Stephens before the Magistrate, and are no houses in front, and the canal is in the rear. his repudiation of British law in Ireland, tantalized the The locality is little frequented, especially at night. leading English press exceedingly. They sneered The cell occupied at his assumption by Stephens was in the corridor and ridiculed his " I have spoken " They leading to the eastern wing of the building, and ad- had not ceased leveHng their shafts of satire at joining the their pnsoner, Chapel. His cell door was composed of when the three kingdoms were startled strong hammered, iron, and secured by a massive stock by the news of his, escape from prison. A howl of mingled lock, a huge padlock to a staple, and a thick swinging mdignation and trepidation went forth, and bar. The corridor the conviction on which the cell opened was forced itself upon the minds of those guarded by another who sneered ponderous iron door of great at his defiance, that Stephens "knew ^yhat he strength and thickness, and also double-locked. But was about." The fear into which the authori- these were only the ties were commencement of the obstacles thrown sharpened their memoiy, and many that would prevent escape threats and rumors by the doors ; and escape were remembered, which did not from the windows was absolutely impossible. Afl«r add to their peace of mind. Among these was a statement, leaving his cell, the padlock of which had been opened. made some months before, that Stephens had in vanous disguises, visited all the jails in Ireland, had ' Dablls Krenlsg IlaQ."

" MMiaka

312 DOHENT, COECOEAN, o'mahoNT & SCEPHEKS. •tlsmAH HEEOES AJUl) MABTYE8. 313 ^'/'^ '" P^^^ *^°^^^ -b««t locked *'\i'^' eight- found in the lock of the corridor wiffdoors three of which had door. While the de- two locks, and all of winch were tectives were scouring the city and suburbs, far and left open, except one, which wL relocki near, watching to prevent pursuit. the early steamers and vessels going to sea, and making active At a quarter to four use of the telegraph wires, the in the morning, Daniel Byrne search and inquiries were continued in the prison and *'^ ^^^^-' that ^'^S hS in its neighborhood. dlr^'lr'^rd^covered two tables, placed one above the other, the near It was quite evident that Stephens southwestern waU, adjoining was under the the Governor's garden It guidance of a person who knew the prison was found that these well, as the _ tables belonged to the winding and difficult route from one extreme of the tance prison to the other was accomplished without There were no footprints a single on the upper table wh.ch should blunder, or without balking at a lock or door. have been the case This had it beeSd ^u added by any pei-son who to the anxiety of the officials, which was destined had walked through the open pas- to be still sages, winch were wet further increased and excited on learning and muddy, as Vrents'^of were S^ that Daniel Byrne, who had formerly falhng. The waU bore no been a police- marks whatever of man, had any person havmg left that force to join the Battalion of St escaped by climbing over it. When Patrick in the Pope's the Governor and his army, had returned to Ireland assistants went to the sectl of after the affair of the pnson in which Stephens Castelfidardo, and that papers were had been confined, they found found among his effects associating the doo,. of the corridor him with the Fe- open, and also the door of h.s_ceU nian Brotherhood. " With such facts before us," as bed looked as if he had said not recent^; the " slept zn It, and as London TiTnes, it may be asked. What strong- if he had only n-lled himself up in. hold of a railway rug which the Government is safe from the treachery of was found on the floor, and wait- men who eat ed for the the Queen's bread ? Are time that his deliverer was the arsenals to arrive. Ar^r- and magazines tK^nofthe clothes ? Is the Bank of Ireland ? which he wore on.the mominrof his Byrne was at once arrested, and a arres he left after him, and he proclamation is- must have put on a siut of black, Bued, offering a reward of £1,000 for infonnation which he had received afew lead- dayrbefore ing to the His books and arrest of Stephens, and of £300 for the arrest papers were in the position they were of any person last seen in by the who harbored, received or assisted bim, warders. The searchers for [he with a ^tn-e were not Z free pardon, in addition to the reward, to any left long in doubt as to the meai^ by persons concerned which the many doors were in the escape who would give in- opened, as a master-keT qxute formation to lead to his an-est. bright, as if it had been onl, re'cently madl^wi Outside the prison Stephens was met by Colonel T,

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COECOEAN, o'mAHONY & STEPHENS. 314 DOHEST, PENIAM HEE0E8 A^^) MARTTES. 315

Jolin Flood, and his subsequent escape J. Kelly and of wliom are also my bitterest enemies now. Not one of these has, the sketcli of to France and visit to America is told in up to this, cliarged me with ever having deceived him by willul the former, who has since had a still more thrilling, falsehood. It cannot be done. of the though less mysterious, escape from the hands In reply to the statement that his retirement was authorities in Manchester on the 18th September, compulsory, Mr. O'Mahony says 1867. Of O'Mahony's labors in America a brief outline My resignation was not alone altogether voluntary on my par^ has been given in connection with the progress of the hut I had resolved on that step for some months before it actually • * up to his retiring from a lead- Fenian movement, took place. My princip'al reasons were, becavise, after the Ist of Stephens in Amer- January, ing part in it, on the arrival of Mj. 'G6, I could not understand Mr. Stephens' perseverance then and since, in his war programme in Ireland, and because I felt that ica. The position of Mr. O'Mahony, there was no prospect of an united Fenian Brotherhood in this country, has been defined by himself, f and it is due to his sei^ which I believed to be an says indispensible requisite to success whilst vices to give his own words. Of the past, he I held ray office in it, surrounded and undermined, as I had been for some time, by treacherous and wily opponents and personal eight years I held the position of Chief Officer of For more than enemies of all kinds. excessive labor and the Fenian Brotherhood in America. By extensive, vigilance, I built it up till it became the most ceaseless Of his position since retirement, organization of Irishmen he remarks if not the most effecUve, revolutionary would not, with iU that ever existed. I may also assert that it magnitude, either With respect to my present connection with the Fenian Brother- other surroundings, have ever reached its late hood, I beg to state that I still persevering exertions. Dur- am a private member of that body, at home or in this country, but for my and in what is technically " not conscious to myself of called good btatiding," in the Corcoran ing all my administrative career, I am Circle in this city. But further than act. From Jhe first this I have had no connection having committed one dishonest or one selfish with either Mr. James Stephens or with cognizant of my official con- his successors in the gov- to the last, I have had around me, ernment of the organization for bitterest enemies. now nearly twelve months. Since duct, many men who have since become my last May I have taken openly to charge no part, public or private, in directing their Not one of these persons has ever come forward acts or counsels. several of them have be- From its commencement I totally dissented me specifically with such an act, though matters. They can- from that reckless and haphazard course of action of which Mr. trayed my most secret confidence in other Stephens gave notice in the have had official communi- now notorious promise made by him not do it During the same time 1 thousands, hundreds at the Jones' "Wood meeting last Summer. I condejnned the whole cation, both by word and letter, with many tenor of his conduct in the management of Fenian affairs from that time up to the hour of his departure for Europe.'* • See HiEtorical IntrodncUan. Had I been con- •sulted on the subject in time, and had my opinion prevailed In the " People," dated New tLctter addresBed to D. O'Sullivan, Esq., Editor Irieh Executive Dcpai-tment of the Brotherhood, no attempt at a rising York, April Wth. 1867. would have been made in Ireland this Spring.

316 DOHENT, COECOEAiT, o'lIAHONT & BTEFffKNB.

\7itl1 Of tlie rising in March, and tlie men connected it, be says

Tkcirlatc action bad indeed become indispensable to the present to their honor and ultiniiite success of the Fenian cause, as well as a dcs- own charactei-s as honest and devoted patriots. Tlieirs was military neces- perate venture, but it had become both a moral and sity upon their paits 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 who have her fast approaching liberation. Our gallant brothers Irehmd'B lately left us must be considered the hardy pioneers of freedom in any case.

rENlAU HKE0E8 AND MABTTE8. 317

THOMAS CLAEKE LUBT.

Joins TonTig Ireland In '4R, and Gives np his Worldly ProspeclB-Io alTew Movement in '49-Arrei=led-P.itrioti8m vs. Family Patron.i-e-N;iti..naI Joiimaliem-TravclB with Stepliens-Appearanccs in PiiMic-Vi'eits Amc icm —The /r;»» p.opie Suized—Arrested- The Special Commission, the First Since the Trial of Emract,_in Dnbiin—Speech in the Dock—Pipndiatcs A»- eassiualion-Sentence-IutercBting Sketch of niljp Gray by ilr. Laby.

One of the ablest writera of the Revohitionary Party in Ireland—an eflicient, persistent, working nar tionalist, a gentleman, a scliolar, and a thinker, Thomas Clarke Luby, in the face of iniblic trial and at the sacrifice of private interest, has devoted his whole career to the cause of Irish independenee. Ills ability is only second to the devotion with which he has applied it to national purposes. The son of' clergyman of the established church, and nephew of one of the most learned and distinguished fellows of Trinity College, Thomas Clarke Luby had prefei-ment before him if he had chosen to devote his talents to the enemies of Ireland ; but he had the strength of heart to put liis strength of brain to different use. His cai-eer in Trinity Coll(='ge was most promising, having

won considerable scholastic distinction at an early ai

THOMAS CLAEKE LTTBT. 318 FENIAN HEROES ANP MAETTE9. himself an adherent of their views and purposes, he itorial conduct of which devolved upon him; and ve; sacrificed the friendship and patronage of his uncle, ably did he perform it. Owing, as he states, to tl who was, and is, an extreme loyalist. mismanagement of its ostensible editor, the pap' After the capture and banishment of the leading failed. He subsequently traveled with Stephens- patriots of '48, Mr. Luby, in the follo-n-ing year, united raostly on foot—organizing various parts of the con himself with James Finton Lalor, Joseph Brenan, and try. He gave important aid in founding the Fenis Philip Gray in a new movement, of which he has movement in Ireland, and was one of its most earne "given a brief but suggestive account in a sketch of as well as prominent organizers and advocates, Tl Gray. He was one of the five forming the Committee Shamrock makes brief allusion to the appearance ' of Defence of this new organization, and was arrested " the scholastic revolutionist in public : On the occ at Cashel, after an attempt at a rising had been sioh of the McManus Committee holding its lat made at Cappoquin, 17th Septembo, 1849, and for meetings, Luby was to be seen and heard at their di participating in which, Joseph Brenan and Hugh W. cnssions, the speaker for, and the director of, a pan Collender had to fly to Ajnerica. Luby was kept in who followed his behests with unplicit consent. E jail for a short time. During the year '49, and after, was prominent at the Kotundo meeting, on the aflPa until its discontinuance, Mr. Luby was a leading wri- of the Trent, and was the writer of the celebrated li ter for, and, after Brenan's flight to America, editor of^ of those who were to compose the council which w; the national journal called the Irishman. to decide upon the question of agitation in Ireland ( After the failure of this journal, Luby continued not. When the aggregate gathering for the purpo true to his principles through very trying domestic of raising a statue to Henry Grattan in College Gree: difficulties, notwithstanding the inducements held out in opposition to that proposed for Prince Albert, wi to him by his loyal relative, if he would give up pa- held in the Pound Poom, he was present at its diss triotism and continue his studies for the Irish Bar. lution in confusion." Mr. Luby visited the Unitt Luby, however, resisted all arguments and temptar States in the early part of 1863 ; and later in that yes tions. the Irish People was started in Dublin. It was About this time he went to Melbourne, Australia, bold, bright organ of popular rights, discarding tl and returning by way of France, stopped some time appliances of hackneyed agitators usually indulged i in Paris, whei'e he met those Irish exiles who had by popiilar leaders. It at once struck the popuh taken up their temporary abode in that city. Return- chord. Its chief writei*s were soon known to 1 ing to Ireland he became connected, in 1855, with a Tliomas Clarke Luby, John O'Leary, and Charles . new national journal, the Irish Tribune, the chief ed- Kickham, while J. O'Donovan (Rossa), Denis T)o\

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FENIAN HEE0E9 AND MARTTE8. 321 320 THOMAS CLAJtKE LUBT. in Clonmel, and at men was the one which, in 1848, sat ling Mulcahy, James O'Connor, and other good Bellew Mo- which William Smith O'Brien, Terence and true were connected with it in various positions. • O'Don- Manus, Thomas Francis Meagher, and Patrick It was the literary centre of Fenianism in Ireland. calendar ohue were convicted of high treason. The It was seized on the night of Friday, September 15, who have stood in Green street Court House con- of rebels 1S65, and all the men within reach, who were lengthy rolL for their doom, would make a watched the waiting nected with it, arrested. Two detectives has been grasped At that same rusty iron bar, which residence of Mr. Luby, at Dolphin's Bam, through murderer, the meanest felon and the guiltiest the morn- alike by the night, and having gained admission in of Ireland, stood some of the best and truest men papers as they have ing, arrested him and seized such or death while the game of law was played out for life deemed of importance. memo them. The building in which so many the 27th before A Special Commission was ordered for very unpretend- rable trials have been witnessed is a opening, a motion was November, but, previous to its hidden, in a region incr structure, standing, or rather 23d, on behalf of made in the Queen's Bench, on the In the immediate of"the city little seen by visitors. O'Leary, and O'Donovan (Kossa), for a writ of Luby, narrow streets and wretched lanes be neitrhborhood certiorari to remove any indictment that might and abound; and Green street itself is a miserable found against them at the Commission, on the ground looking locality. The Court House ad- had in disreputable that a fair and impartial trial could not be Newgate—the joined that formidable fortress prison, judgment of the court re- Diiblin. The unanimous the demolition of Bastile of the Irish Metropolis— duly brought to trial. fused it, and the prisoners were had been com- which hideous relic of barbarous tunes victim. Luby was the first previous. Monday menced a few months The Special Commission was opened on liave been The admission to the Court House was to in the Court House, Green morning, November 27th, the High Sheriff; but by tickets, which were issued by over sixty years since a similar street, Dublin. It was Stephens, all the tick- on the 24th, after the escape of the last Special Commission for tribunal sat there— ' ' order of " the issued were declared cancelled by for the trial of ets Dublin having been issued in 1803 the trial, government;" consequently, on the day of Robert Emmet. In the interim there have been many few were admitted save policemen. Special Commissions held in various parts of the coun- observers— the dock stands—the ubserved of all counties In try in Limerick, in Tipperary, and other apparently — prieoner, Thomas Clarke Luby, a man have prevailed the where so called agrarian disturbances years of age, of half way between thirty and forty the only Special Commission but since the year 1803, nose slightly aquiUne, middle size, sallow complexion, which has issued for th§ trial of political prisoners

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322 HEEOES AND MAEITES. 32 THOILVS CLAEKE LUET. FElJIAN

raysel scanty dark England, Scotland, &o., I have exercised beard and n.onstache. zafion of Ireland, His demeanor of military u is empower them to appoint a committee ^on.ewhat hstless, thongh J further he is not ia.attentive to judgment, the functions what spectiou and a committee of appeal and '^' '''^' member by the Executiv * '^ '^"^ ^«™'^ «-^^ "ot far re- which will be made known to each movedm!ZV"-from 1 ful hun sit some ability of the Executive, 1 h,dies. One of them (sadly And trusting to the patriotism and and deeply every man m oi concerned in all action beforehand, and call upon that is passing) is his wife endorse their in all that concerns o. -a aiyhter of the ranks to support and be guided by them poet Frazer, oie of t bardTof 4b, better Icnown Brotherhood. „^,-r„ „ by his nom de plume of STEPHENS." «J de .

.onei Dr. Leary, and Dublin, 911i March, 1864. by her side sits Mrs. O'Don- ovan (i.ossa), who seems in mnch better in the Iru spirits than Upon a letter of C. IE. O'Keeffe, found eitlier of her companions. ' The was based. . Attorn'ey-General People office, a charge of assassination Lawson, a commonplace looking propriety individnal, is stating was shown that Mr. Luby was a registered the case,readmg a good deal from the mnltiplicy his connection with the organiz of of that paper ; and docnments wh.ch he has before him. Nagle, an i Batches, b'^m- as a chief was testified to by one dle. of the tion Fenian archives lie on establishment the table. There former, who had been engaged in the are the ongmals, here are the printed treason-felony c copies in his a folder. He was found guilty of and. Here are letters of John O'Mahony, the trial, and in r,,, here are all the counts, on the fifth day of be snppressed resolutions of the Chicago Convention ply to the usual question, said : here is tliat_ fatal document-the |{ letter of James Ste phens,^appointmg the Irish think any pereon pi Execntive-here are letters" "Well, my lorSs and gentlemen, I don't ot Keelie. Letters, documents, verdict found against me. 1 have be not by the score, or sent is surprised at the by the dozen, was arrested. iUthougl but absolutely by the hundred, prepared for this verdict ever since I are here inc produced-most to fight the British Government inch by of them captured thought it my duty in the Irish guilty, sin Peo- felt I was sm-e to be found ple oii,ce, otliei-s to dispute eveiy inch, I taken at the houses of the w prisoners the Crown took what the Attorney-General ihe suppressed the advisors of resolutions of Of course the Chicago Conven- other day to call the " merciful com-se." tion pleased the proclaimed an Irish long as the cai Eepublic have a fiiir chance of escape so ; and the letter of thought I might Stephens ti vvas m the form of impending over me, but when they resolved on a commission as follows tal charge was that I had not t ing me°under the treason-felony act, I felt embarrassed at t sliglitest, smallest chance. I am somewhat "Ex-ccm!re--I hereby appoint Thomas Under the circui Clarke Luby John present moment as to what I should say. O Leary, and Charles J. Kiekham a Committee of that I would wish to s? OrganizaUon stances, there are a great many things Execuuve, with the same ^ supreme control over the same tiluatiou wiji the home r-°;ni but feeling that there are other persons in T

324 LUBY. 325 FEN-I.Vjq- IIEKOES AND irARTTES, .'rnoilAS CLAUKK

myself, and that T might allo^v myself and America. Well, to Vay something injndic-ioiis l,md, England, Scotland, '^'^^^^^ winch nss.ssmat,ng ^^•o^,Id peril their cases, I feel lliat my entertained any idea of tongue is, to a great that I ever '--';'' J^^ degree, lied. Kotwithstaudins, assuming >t to be h,s there are two or three points the letter of Mr. O'Keefie, ^"«^,r^ °^ upon C cHcf w f^s >vh,eli I would say a few words. acquaintance w»h Mi I have nothins to say of Jnd.re evidence on the subject. My know of Ins existence Keogli's eharge to the juiy. He did nature. I did not even not take up any of tiie topics of the .lightest came after that paper that had been introduced to prejudice I'cople was started. He the case against me—for in- ^vhcn tl iS and stance, he did not take up the accusation a few months, to the office, of an intention to assas- established n inserted, and^^^^^^I call the att. sination attributed to my fellow-prisoners were rejected, some were and myself. The Solicit rles- some he to this fact, that among or-General, in his reply to Mr. Butt, advisers of the Crown referred to these topics. Mr." n'oflo Sal O^Keefle s a, .des ha^ Barry was the first iierson those that were Mr. who advanced these charges. I thou^rht ;e:s wbichV got, put no a., cles of Ins they were partially given up by the scored out; in fact, we m Altorney-General in his open- many paragraphs called " cut.ms down. ing statement, at least they were deal of what is technically put fomard in a very modified wSra 1.4 simply a private cocmuent^ form; but the Solicitor-General, in his very letter of bis to me was virulent speech, put Cl that th « views of the wr.ter; and I P'^^Se forward those charges in a most aggravated manner. the mere private He sou dit contained the pos.- " I believe in spUe of even to exaggerate upon Jlr. Bariy's original ^ ourt as a man of honor-and stafement. Now, am believed to be Willi respect to those charges, among my cuntrymen I in justice to my chaiacter I must say tbn which 1 stand, upon ,t, I would not that in this court there if my life depended is not a man more incapable of anything an an of honor, and that, read that and Ua like a massacre or assassination the thing. When I 1; -, than I am. I really believe that pe". falsely about remember we read .t w>th fits of the wife ; I gentlemen who have shown such ability i' to was my in perseculing me, in fi' I gave the in it My wife at the bottom of their hearts ridiculous ideas contained believe , ll at the me incapable of an act of assas- b ter said, ° letter.' 'Oh, no,' I , better burn that sination or massacre. I don't see that 1 ad I not there is the smallest amount A-d for thing, and never dreaming of evidence to show that I ever ^ as a n^t ridiculous entertained (he notion of a massa- ;:: r u n cre of landlords and priests. I forget whether the advisers of the Ciown said I intended massacre of the Protestant clergymen. Some of the writers of our enlightened press said that°I did.' Kow, with respect to the charge of assassinating the landloids, the the cii.u^e oi present dispose of it, ol only Ihing that gives even the shadow o ..a r-r as 1 can at of a color to that charge is desiring As to the charge of the letter signed, • the landlords. alleged to be signed, by Jfr. O'lveeffe. ni?to aSl "nate Now the it, as being -^--- assuming, but by no means admitting, priests, I deny of course, that the letler :riSr«;: was written by Mr. O'KeelTe, let me make the worid. ^V^., ^^S^-. a statement about it. Lgin -f7^-- ^^ I know the facts I am about to state are in.be of no iiraclical utility articles 1-1—'j"'^''^, them- to f^' ni as tbey confined nie n-ow, at least wilh respect to the ^ judges. I know it is of no praclioal utility to me, because I cannot give evidejice on my own belialf; but it maybe of practical milily to others wilh whom I wish to stand well. helieve I my words will carry conviction, and carry nuich more conviction than any words of the legal advi.'eis of the Crown can, to more than .300,000 of the Irish race in Iie-

26 FE.\iAN- HEK0E3 AITD ItAjRTYES. TnolUS CLAEKE LUBT. 327 ôuld be no more thought of him ,hnn • nny one Tf i I suppose, are bound to find a man of oW"• '"= 's not according to British law—I were to be ability he will „nt t,„ fi , ^ " ° "' '""''^ tried by them—if my guilt or or any one else '""" '' ^"°--'^«r innocence were to bo tried by the S w .1 f' "" higherstandardof eternal right— rear. topHests. '^'^'-^°''^^ ^^''^ and that the case was put to all ! itl^ ^^^'^ ;;tL:,i-r,?-rt,si^,--°--* The prisoner was sentenced to twenty j'ears penal """'' those'thiis. ' "'""^ *''' °f '^''^P°-'<== servitude. . slight flush suffused his face. I din't ê to' °°f A thoughtful be rather "' """" ="'°"' ">-«'^'^- I' ^-uld bene ,h ?„e P^^ His eyes shot a quick and brilliant glance round the ^-onldsaylsho^dno'hJ ^"^'"""^ ^^'^° '^'""^ me Ti"'^'' Court, and, saluting his wife and his associates, he °' "P°" "^^^ at ail-that InZ TU ?," «-=^^'^malion charge ^°'""° """"" walked with a firm pace from the dock to the cell as- ûeh impo'rt " '° '^"-'^'^'S - I ,0 But [, ,''"'''' '° *"^ '^'^'"•^ signed him and his fellow-prisoners, and shortly after my life-and whet ' ^°-«« °f "e it he ^'-" everyman'si«n ^^ -t, will be for was escorted by cavalry and police to Jlountjoy 1 Lr -"'f — /"='''!"' '^'^^"l«-*is '° I know, - man ever loved ireh^ that no Prison.

*" The accompanying slcetcli of Phillip Gray, besides 'lone. '''' "^"'"'^ ^'-^"•'"' "'^t I From e ,bn f' ""^ J^ave '""'^ '^"•''' being a worthy tribitte to a devoted nationalist, is an '° ^'•'^ b'^'^" 'tailed years of di c . here the s^t: S^"";;s:r;r """^"'^ -'"^ ^^^-^ '-- ''->"«- interesting link in the revolutionary history connect- may ' ""^ ""^'"*- ing '4S and the raovemeuts which resulted in the take a di fere "n^""'" V'""""' Others Peuian organization.

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THOMAS CLAEKE LtTBT. 229 328 . rENlAI? HEROES AKD lIARTYKa,

was present at tlie attack of Portlaw police-barrack, PHILIP GRAY. and,]iad a share of the adventures of that period. " After the unsuccessful termination of the revolutionary attempts of '48, Mr. Gray was secretary of tlie Swift Cliil) in Dublin Gray underwent, for three or during the Confederate excitement. Mr. Luby four months ensuing (the close of autumn and begin- winter), the writes :* ning of most terrible privations and hardships. A fugitive from justice in the County "Water- " "Wlien the Young Ireland chiefs had decided on ford, he was exposed to cold and wet, and all the taking the field in the summer of '48, Gray accompa- inclemencies of the weather. He was ill fed, badly riied a gentleman, since distinguished in America and clothed, generally obliged to sleep in the open air the Antipodes, to the County Mcath, where they sometimes at the back of lime-kilns—occasionally, but vainly endeavored to stir up an insurrection. The very rarely, getting a shake-down for an hour or two failure, however, nothing daimted him. Abandoning, in a peasant's cabin. During all these sufferings he without a moment's hesitation, an excellent situation clung to the idea of Irish revolution with invincible which he held in the Drogheda Railway ofhce, he tenacity. He took advantage of his situation to form made his way to Tipperary. Even Smith O'Brien's in the valley of the Suir a secret society, sworn to attempt could not dishearten the invincible spirit of struggle for the cause. It spread from Clonmel to Gray. He lingered in the South, and contrived to Carrick, all over Waterford and the South Eiding of commnnication with Mr. John O'Mahony, . get into Tipper.ary. At a subsequent period, its ramifications and, though previously unknown to that gentleman, extended through the N"ortli Riding, Limerick and succeeded in winning his confidence. When O'Maho- Kilkenny, and the cities of Cork and Dublin. Gray, ny's insurrection broke out in autumn, that chief having extraordinary powers of endurance, being an entrusted the command of the Waterford insurgents indefatigable though ungraceful walker, wandered to Gray, in conjunction with Mr. John Savage.f Gray about day after dn.j. penniless, witli broken shoes and

* This sketch, omitting for want of epace a few personal paragraphs, was in bleeding feet, spreading his organization through the the fonii of a lellcrtoT. F. Mcagho.r when editing the '" Irish News," In which Soufli, though he was momentarily in danger of arrest. journal iMarch 14, 1S57,) it appeared.

found prowling ahont a very hot-bed of nationality, and aetained." Guided + Tliis is not exactly correct. Gray, wary, nnl;nown and alone, in the neigh- by the lady, >rr. Sa\age went, and to his anuisemeut as well as surprise, found horhood of Carri>k-ou-Suir, atlract-! O.- .n,,,i, .,,.. ,,1'sonie of fiie CliiWiists, the siis)iicioiip peivon -^ to be Gray. He was released, and subsequently became wlio arrested him. and sent for Mr. ';,.• I.im. AIth<.ii-li he had a gitit fivurile ii. the lorality. Uis very qualities as a conspirator—the very not met Gray in Dublin, Jlr. S;n -Ikd ofln.' tniih, una the instinct and tact which led him to disaffected dictricts, also g,avo his move- "prisoner'' was released with uiu ....a ^.uu.i wi^.;r. Very eooii alter, Mr. ments a suspicious character. To prevent further mischance, it was arranged Savage was requested by a lady— a devoted nalionalis.t—to go to a certain that ho should, in future, either accompany Mr. O'JInhony or Ifr. Savage. Ictr^'^ity on the Watcrford fide of the Suir, nu i\ "rather suspicious person was

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330 FENIAN nEKOES AND JUKTTE9. THOMAS CLAEKE tUBY. 331

ons, were on the point of from the coun- His earnestness, possibly his snfTerings also, rendered who removal try; letter of John Martin to Mr. Lalor prevented liis appeals to the people's patriotism irresistible. ' At A the attempt from being made. Some of the leaders of last he made his escape to France. Before this, how- the organization, among whom was Gray, subseqiiently ever, he visited Dnblin, and determining to make the an the occasion of the Queen's metropolis the headqnarters of his organization, he meditated outbreak on visit to Ireland. The affair, however, miscarried. called together three respectable and intelligent young Finally, in Autimm, assembly of about eighteen men, formerly members of the Swift Club, and, having an delegates met in Clonmel. They decided that an given them the test, constituted the Provisional Direc- insurrection should take place in September, and tory of his secret society. elected Committee of Defence, consisting of James " Gray made his way to Paris. He received some a Finton Lalor, Joseph Brenan, Philip Gray, the present assistance from his fellow-exiles ; but he 'also endeav- writer, and another person, who, however, did not act. ored to support himself by his own exertions. Hav- The committee, with the exception of this person, met ing learned something of drawing earlier in life, and at Clonmel in due time, and arranged that, on the having a natural taste for it, he gave lessons in that lYth of September, simTiltaneous attacks should be art. However, after a stay of some months in Paris, made on Cashel and Dungarvan. Other movements, he was recalled to Ireland in the summer of '49 by too, were calculated on. the late James Finton Lalor, Avho, placed at the head " Various causes, however, disconcerted the plans of of a new Dh-ectory, now virtually governed the secret the conspirators. Conspiracies with elaborate pro- organization. In Dublin, this Society numbered grammes of insurrection seldom, if ever, succeed. about 1,000 men, partially armed. In the country, Formidable insurrections must be spontaneous, unpre- the numbers were far greater. Tlie promised thousands failed to assem- " Gray immediately visited the various parts of the meditated. ble at the points of rendezvous. A miserable abortive country in which the organization had taken root. indeed, took place at Cappoquin. Joseph His presence was welcomed everywhere. I have seen scuflle, Brenan was obliged to seek the shores of America. him welcomed in cabins, by men and women, as Avriter was arrested near Cashel, and though he were some potent chief. By the members The present suffered a short imprisonment ; so did a few other of the fraternity he was now looked upon as a sort of young men. One or two retired for a time to France hero. Some were foolish enough to institute invidious and for the Cappoquin business a few peasants were comparisons between his pretensions and those of Mr. transported. All thoughts of insurrection were now Lalor. Thoughts were entertained about this time of given up. The organization was vu'tuall}'- at an end attempting to rescue Smith O'Brien and his compani-

332 FE^fIAll HEEOES AJO) itAETYKS. THOlfAS CLAEKE LUBY. 333 and, in Decemljer '49 or Jamiary '50, its most pi'omi- in such health and circumstances, he commenced nent member, James Fintoii Lalor, expired. attending lectures on Chemisti-y, at the Museum of " During several months, following tlie Cappoquin Industry^ in Stephen's Green. With characteristic business, Gray lived a precarious life in Dublin, with- ardor he gave himself up to this new pursuit, body out proper means of subsistence, without any comfort- and soul. He twice, at the examinations, received a able place of rest. His health, already undermined certificate for excellent answering. At intervals he by tlie hardships he had undergone in Waterford, returned to the office of his old employer, the sales- began to be visibly impaired. lie still, however, en- master. To the last he toiled beyond h's strengtli for deavored to rally the oi'ganization, and even carried it his livelihood. Part of the summer he spent in Meath. into new places in the County Dublin ; but it lie suffered much, however, from poverty, and want languished nevertheless, and at last wast formally dis- of proper comfort and attention. In short, his appa- solved, some time in the year 1850. If it were proper rent improvement was illusory. In January, 1857, to do so, I could give many amusing details connected liis life appeared rj,pidly approaching its close. On with the progress of this singular organization. the 18th he received Extreme Unction, and on the " Gray, after some time, procured a clerkship in the night of the 25th of January, he breathed his last. ofBce of a salesmaster of Smithfield. Here he re- " On Tuesday, the 27th, his brother, a prisoner of mained for years, and won the confidence of his em- '48, and a few friends and associates, conveyed his ployer by his rare zeal and integiity, and remarkable remains by the Mullingar railway to the County * * * * talents for business. But every day his Meath, to be there deposited in the burial-place of his health M'as becoming worse and worse. At length, on fathers. His paternal uncle was hanged for rebellion the moi-nirfg of Patrick's day, 1S55, he burst a blood- in '98, and his mother belonged to the sept of the vessel, perhaps in consequence of a recent fall. The O'Carrols. loss of blood was immense. After some time he was " At the suggestion of some of the Irish exiles in sufficiently recovered to go to the County Meath, Paris in 1849, who were desirous of diverting the where he spent a portion of the summer with some attention of the police from Gray, in connection with relations. Ue rallied so far, that on the establishment any Irish movement, Devin Keitly published the fol- of the national journal called the Trthune, in the latter lowing aimouncement in his paper, the Feojple, printed of 1S55, he able to accept a end was situation in the in New York in the fore part of '49 :

office of that paper. The death of the Tribune in the " ' Mr. Philip Gray, one of the Secretaries of the earl_y part af 1S50, threw poor Gray on the world once Swil't Confederate Club, who followed the fortunes more. Yet so great was the force of his mind that, of O'Mahony and Savage in Tipperary and Water-

334 FENIAN IIEKOES A2s'D JtAl^TYKS. • ford, has arrived in tins conntry. lie was with Savage on tlie attack on Portlaw, in September, and

afterwards made liis escape to France. He merely passed through this city, having, with much good sense, immediately started for the "West, hoping to make it his futm-e home. We understand that his actions were characterized by firmness and determination, and his comrades reposed much confidence in him.' " This being copied into^the Tory papei^s in Ireland, had the desired effect; and Gray was the better able to make the exertion outlined above." '

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JOHN o'leart. 335

JOKN" O'LEART.

The Inspiration of Tippcrary—Homo Influences—O'Leary a Man of Means— At College—Goes to Fiance—To America Eetuvus to London and Ireland- Enthusiasm iu the Irish Cause—Spreading the Fenian Organization—n\e Irish Pei'pic—T]\e Sagacity with which it was Conducted-Arrested—In Court—The Trial—Speech iu the Dock—Seutence.

Sentence having been passed on Thomas Clarke Lnby, the next selected for a mock trial and certain conviction was John O'Leary. The British Govern- ment, in its relentless persecution, has recognized his ability as an editor, and his fidelity as a patriot, and

it has not undervalued him in either capacity. Those who knew him depict him as eminently a man of determination, whose mental constitution—" clear and " brilliant, manly, sincere and truthful —gave some idea of those souls " that i-endered the Rome of antiquity 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 L-ish 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 al-

JOUN o'leary. 337 336 FENIAN HEKOES AND 1LU1TYK3.

after freedom ; and all that con- triot in Ms aspirations waj-s been maintained. There are associations only tended to make him served O'Leary saw in that country nected with that portion of Ireland which have mind, and more anti-British than before. to cherish patriotism, to inspire the yonng surprising, therefore, when ilr. O'Leary cause of inde- It is not confirm it in devotion to the sacred extended his travels to the United City of left France and pendence. Situated on its lovely plains is the whole soul was concentrated on of our States, that his Cashel, whose ruins recall the ancient greatness thoughts of Irish liberty. He was warmly receis^ed ancestors—the story of the legal mm-der of Father by the veteran Irish patriots in this country, and was in '98 it expe- Sheehy is current among the people— considered a valuable member of the " faithful and of British officials. rieuced the ruthless tyranny • the few " who were then laying the foundation of an " its own In addition we are told that his home had oro-anization which has since extended itself from the ' a false traditions of patriotism, and he should have been Atlantic to the Pacific, and has become the most stock of Ms hearth, if his good heart shoot of the old probably, against which England and formidable element, brain were not open to the example, teaching and ever had to contend. locahty." has of all he derived from birth and stimulus Mr. O'Leary became ardently attached to America existed in Ireland in 1848, The enthusiasm which the comparison and her republican institutions ; and preceding years, was shared by young O'Leary. and between aflairs here and under the British Govern- in a state close of the '48 movement left Ireland The ment, afi'orded him many a strong argument in favor disorganized hostility, and, until the formation of of of freedom when he returned and took up his resi- Fentan Brotherhood, there was no extended or- the dence in London. A gentleman who kindly furnishes which could realize the patiiot's desire of ganization some interesting data for this sketch, says he can re- being the certain means of Ireland's regeneration. its call "how ably in literary circles he could defend the with ample means by his parents, Mr. O'Leary Left national cause, and demonstrate Ireland's claim to in- himself to study. A naturally strong mind devoted dependence. One of the many errors which even and exalted by full culture. He looked was refined liberal-minded Englishmen entertain respecting Ire- "With a profession, and chose that of medicine. most import- toward land is, that her naaterial progress is of purpose of fitting himself for it he went to Queen's the ance, in the hopes of accomplishing which, she should and after giving Cork ; became distinguished, College, resign her aspirations after nationality and become evidence of the national passion which unmistakable absorbed with England. In these principles Mr. possession ot him, he went to France. was taking O'Leary could never acquiesce. ' Great, glorious and under imperial or republican rule, residence English Wliether Jree^ was his ideal. He knew that as long as the modern pain Franco has never failed to confirm

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333 PESIAN SEfiOlilS ASD MAKTYR3. FENUil HEE0E3 AiTO MARTYiia. 339

cannot be materially cause of Fenianism, and spreading its principles in supremacy is maintained, Ireland cannot^ sanction in- spite of the law. remarkable testimony to the skill or otherwise liappy, and that time A dissimilar in race tlio with which this was done, is to be found in the cir- justice. Both nations are too ; proves that cumstance that the leading journal of high Catholic past cannot be forgotten; and experience British province. opinion in England used to quote the leaders of the Ireland will never consent to be a Ireland Trish frequently as the text and gospel Another authority says: "He returned to People, very zeal into Irish politics, and several Irish daily journals, in- and threw himself with great skill and great of organization. Few cluding the Mail, also took the same course. It is the work of extending the Fenian patriotism, that he asserted, with what authority we know not, that many men of any power of mind, of any sympathizers with of the ' leaders ' were submitted to counsel prior to met, were they that were not made himself aa to a sacred their appearance, and that no doubtful composition the cause to which he devoted ^letermmed, was ever suffered to be printed without being subject work. Keenly sagacious and unfailingly Argus eyes of to that precaution." beloved and respected, he escaped the the very right hand It is believed that, but for the information of the the police unbetraved, and became according to Her Ma- infamous Nagle, who described the People office as a man, it is said, of the attempt, subvert the thi-c::e and sort of chief bivouac of the organization, the Govern- jesty's Attorney-General, to ment would not have convicted the writers for their constitution in Ireland." to be the contributions to the paper alone. As it is, however, ^Yhen the Irish FeopUvtas, established, O'Leary as the no one connected with it has escaped penal servitude. organ of Fenianism, Stephens selected the far-sighted sa- . Mr. O'Leary was arrested at his residence, Palmer- conductor; and as an evidence of O'Leary, but those ston Place. He was arraigned on the 1st December, gacity which controlled, not only of that journal, while the jury on Luby's case were consulting. . On having authority in the management vfiW be m place, their return he was remanded, and brought to trial the the following from the Shamrock as usual, dark clothes not had an opportunity next day. He was dressed, in especially to those who have " careful and as he advanced to the bar, every eye in court was to : The most of reading the articles alluded 'leaders' and over its turned towards him. The judges whispered their supervision was exercised" over its comments, whilst they noticed him curiously as he ' generally dealt with the leaders ' letters ; for, whilst took his position in the dock of destiny. Every avail- the constitution of 1688, the principles admitted by able spale was filled with ladies, "fr'lends of the Fenianism, with the hostility the letters dealt with prisoner." His sister, by special request was permit- and bishops, and in this way Avhich it met from priests ted to sit by him in front of the dock, where she miglit two modes, arguing the tried out the question by

" " :

FENIAK HEKOES AOT) MAETTE3. 341 340 JOHN o'lEAHY. than have his associate's reputation apparently the usual form- converse ^-ith liun. Being asked in impugned. " guilty or not guilty ? ality of British law, Are you It appears that O'Leary was put upon his trial on " of the country, the he replied, It is the Government Monday, ith October, before he had his breakfast, and Nagles Avho are Cro^^^I prosecutors, the Barrys and one of his counsel said he was being starved. This " Are you ready guilty, and not L" They mquire, was denied by the Crown, and the proceedings were must be ready—the for trial?" He answers, "I suspended while the prisoner took some refreshment. accordingly, the trial pro- Crown is ready I" and, On the 6th, the jury found the prisoner guilty on have an impartial ceeds. Mr. Butt vainly seeks to all the counts, and in reply to the usual question, Attorney-General speaks for the jury empanelled; the O'Leary—his form dilating, and his manner animated informer Nagle, and the spy Schofield Crown ; the to a tone of scathing and rebuke—said at New Yckrk,) gave (sent there by the British Consul in an able and argumenta- then- evidence. Mi". Butt, " My Lords, I was not wholly unprepared for this. I felt that incident alone of tive addi-ess, defends O'Leary. One a Government who had so safely packed the- bench, would not be of his devotion to the unlikely to obtain a verdict." the trial will show the intensity During Mr. 3Ir. Justice Fitzgerald^" We are willing to hear yon, but wa principles for which he was to suffer. People news- cannot allow language of that kind to be used. addi-ess he alluded to the Irish Butt's Prisoner—"Very well. Mr. Luby declined to touch upon this which might be construed as paper m a manner from a very natui'al fear that he might do harm to some of the interrupt- of it. Mr. O'Leary, little fear speaking discreditably other prisoners ; but there can be of that now, for a jury an observation. Mr. that could be found to convict of this conspiracy, (vill convict incr him, said he wished to make me threatened if them all. Mr. Luby admitted that he was technically guilty Butt zealous for the safety of his client, O'Leary persisted, say- according to that higlily elastic instrument, British law, but I did he did so to sit down. But not think that those men there V (pointing to the Crown counsel,) " could make that case against me. And this brings me naturally which there has been much misrepresentation havmg it to the subject upon "Imustintemiptyou for a moment. I object to in Ireland—I mean^the subjecTof informers. Mr. Justice Keogh attached to me for my comiectioa Elated that discreOU should be that said in his charge against Mr. Luby that men would be found it be supposed for a moment with the Irish People, or to let for money, or some other motive, to place themselves at the have been connected with that ready consider it discreditable to 1 disposal of the Goverumeul and make luiown the designs of a con- paper." spiracy. No doubt ; men will be alwa^'s found ready for money continued to place themselves at the disposal of the Goverameut, but I Uiink Mr. Butt had no such intention, he As it is agitators, and not rebels, who have been generally bought in O'Leary was ready to sacrifice the his address, but Mr. this way—who have certainly made the best bargains. I have to counsel's speech, rather possible effect of that eminent

'Si-l^'.i&g^r.'.-in.'SPi'sr.'-^'ip:

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HEEOES AND MAETYR3. 343 3J:2 JOHN o'lE/UIY. FEmAN

in the town of Tipperary. say one word in reference to tlie foul charge upon which that of St. Patrick, established in the miserable man, Bany, has made me responsible " He was not at the time a permanent resident Justice Fitzgerald—" caunot allow that tone of observa- honorary, conferred Mr. We town, and the position was mainly tion." National cause. in recognition of his devotion to the The Prisoner—" That man has charged me—I need not defend myself or my friends from the charge—I shall merely denounce the moral assassin. Mr. Justice Keogh the other day spoke of revolutions, and administered a lecture to Jlr. Luby. He spoke 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-felony. Ti'eason is a foul crime. The poet Dante con- signs traitors to, I believe, the ninth circle of Hell ; but what kind of traitors? Traitors 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 Norhury. I leave the latter there."

In the course of his homily to the prisoner, Judge Fitzgerald took occasion to remind him that a pci-son of his education and ability ought to have known that the game upon which he entered was a desperate and worthless one. The Prisoner—"Not worthless." Mr. Justice Fitzgerald—" You oiight to have known this, that insurrection or revolution in this coimtry meant not war only, but a war of extermination." The Prisoner^x-" It meant no such thing." He was then se itenced to twenty years penal servitude. He heard it with fortitude, nobly sustained by the sister who sat contemplating him with pride. O'Leary was President of the National Brotherhood

lit JEKKMIAH o'dOSOVAJS (eOSSA),

JEEEMIAH O'DONOVAN (ROSSA).

Birtli aud Early Stiuggles—Goes to StiT)bereen—National Views of Eossa and M. Moynahan—Starts the Pha'nix Society—Its Character and Progress—Scares the Peace-Mongers—Revival Thvou;^bout Cork and Kerry— Members of the Society Arrested—Mr. O'SulIivan (Agrecm) Convicted—Cork Prisoners offered Liberty; but Pcfuse Unless Agrecm is Liber.Yed also—Rosfa Prevents Illumination for the Prince of Wales—Parades for the Poles— Cornea to New York—Returns -A Manager of the Irish people—ArieBtcd—Trial—Defends Himself—Defiance to the Court— Special Vengeance on Him—Harsh Sen- teucc—Cruel Treatment in Prison.

A HOST passionately persistent organizer and worker out of jail, and an nnbendincr and defiant patriot in liis chains, is tlie man Avhose name heads this sketch.

His career is calculated to encourage his countrymen, and to show what may be achieved by an earnest man. Born of humble parentage, in the ancient and historic town of Koscarbery, in the southern part of Cork, in the year 1S30, young O'Donovan had such opportunities for education as the village school

afforded, £>A this, limited as it was, was cut short when about .sixteen years old, by the death of his father, who was a weaver. The boy went to Skib- bereen and became a member of the family of his uncle, where he remained, contributing to the support of his mother and his younger brothers and sisters

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FKNIAS UEEOES AND 1IAETYE3. 345

until he went into business for liimself. In 1849 au elder brother came to America, and in some three years was joined by all the family, save Jeremiah, who, proceeding on the route as .far as Cork, turned back, feeling that he could not and would not desert the old land. His heart yearned to her and the hopes of her fi-eedom, and he detemiined to watch and wait. This determination led to remarkable and widely historical results. O'Donovan married and settled to business. The efforts of July and September, 1848, had proved abortive, the little affair of Cappoquin, of the following year, was scarcely heard of, except by important na-

tionalists ; the plans of Finton Lalor, Erenan and their comrades, as sketched by Luby, had come to nought the Keoghs and the Sadliers were rising on the ruins of the nationalists, when a few young men in Skib- bereen determined to stir up the embers of the national cause and keep it alive, even if in a smouldering condition. Mr. Mortimer Moynahan, who had taught .school for five years in Glengariffe, took up his resi-

dence in Skibbereen in 1856 ; and soon after his arrival O'Donovan and he, having ex-changed views on the matter, and being joined by some congenial spirits % decided on organizing a Society. The Emmet Monu- •\ ment Association was in being in America, and they thought they could perhaps put themselves in commu-

nication with it, and be the means of interchanging views and helping the Irish cause on both sides of the Atlantic. Tlie Society thus formed in 1857, was ostensibly a literary society, similar, in most respects,

346 JEEEinAn o'donovan (kossa). FENIAIT HEROES AlTD MAETTRS. 34T

to those for nrntual flame spread, instniction and debate wliicli are nahnn on the day following. Thence the so common. Tlie numbered name, "Phoenix National and Lit- and before six weelvs the new organization erary Society," was men. suggested by O'Donovan, as he between two and three hundred, all Phoenix said they intended, to rise trora the ashes of apathetic In a short time it was pushed into Bantry, Een- pobtical hnekstering, which then covered the land. mare, Killarney, Castletown, Borehaven, Dunmanna- There was no oath, the Skibbereen but the members took a pledo-e in- way, Clonakilty, and Macroom by dicative of the equally energetic object—the resuscitation, ever so men, and into Kinsale and Cork by slowly, of national life in was connected with a so- Ireland. The meetings . brotliers. Moynahan, who M-ere duly held, and the Sessions and Phoenix Society spread itself licitor, and used to accompany him to the rapidly into the adjacent towns. It had considerable Assizes, took these occasions for propagating the order, antagonists to encounter, while as it met no fayor from the which he did as far off as Kilorglin in Kerry ; clergy, whom it did not court; nor from the political O'Donovan worked with great energy about Skibbe- agitators, whom it condemned ; nor from the traders reen and Roscarbery, who regarded it as a band of rapidly in numbers and spirit disturbers ; nor from the They progressed so farmers, "who thought of little save high prices." that an Irish-American was sent to give them military Its local repute was that of persons holding extreme instruction. Their drilling became known, and the radical views on Irish questions; and this was brought authorities, becoming apprehensive of trouble, sent an mto still wider notice by a meeting held in 1858—at additional force of 105 men to Skibbereen, 60 to the time of the Indian meeting—at which resolutions Bantry, and a considerable number to Kenmare. The and an inflammatory address were passed. " On the attention thus given to the Phoenix Society, as it was publication of these documents," wi-ites Mr. Moyna- still called, attracted the inquiry of some journalists; han, " the little shoncen shop keepers banned us as a and a discussion ensued which, drew lettei-s from lot of firebrands, and threatened with dismissal such O'Donovan and others, which, of course, tended to of their employes as would any longer continue to be keep up the excitement. members of the Society. For these reasons the Socie- Meanwhile a clergyman of Kenmare, who had got ty dwindled down to a few members, when Stephens possession of some facts relating to the society, con- made his appearance. He had some time before that veyed the same to the Government ; as a consequence, come from France, had been teaching French in Kil- the Government made a descent on the Society, and larney and elsewhere, and had commenced organizin<^ on the morning of the 8th December, 1858, twelve a secret Society." Stephens arrived on a Thursday persons wove arrested in Skibbereen, four in Bantry, O'Donovan was initiated on the next day, and Moy- twelve in Kenmare, and three in Killarney. After

348 349- FENIAN HEROES AND MAnTYES. JEEEMIAH o'DONOVAN (bOSSA)..

being confined for some weeks, several of the Cork a positive influ- Pvossar-aa he was now called—had IJrisoners were discliai-ged, but true bills were found His course ence over the men of his neighborhood. against Mortimer jSIoynaltan, "William O'Shea, Denis Wales illustrates it on the marriage of the Prince of Sullivan, ]i[ortinier Downing, Daniel McCartie, Jere- " had determined Some of the " gentry of Skibbereen miah O'Donovan (Rossa), and Patrick Downing, for of the heir-apparent, to honor the great event in the life treason-felony. immediate trial was sought for Rossa was a member, An and several of a club, of which tlicm, by counsel, but, on motion of the Attorney- hearing it, he went to illuminated the club-room. On General, it was postponed to the next Assizes. An of the club to protest the house and called a meeting application to be admitted to bail was referred to the but as none others attended against the celebration ; Queen's Bench, and failed. At the Tralee Assizes Mr. illumination was contrary to it he decided that the Daniel O'Sullivan (Agreem) M-as convicted by a packed immediately tore down the wi-h of the members, and jury, and thus became the first victim of the new this time, others of the the fla-s and banners. By national organization. nothing daunted, Again the Cork prisoners un- members interfered. He, however, successfully applied to the Queen's Bench for release prevented the celebration. carried out his object, and to his on bail ; and about the same time a proposition was occurrence, ralhed The people, hearing of the made by the Crown counsel to the counsel for the was called, which he ad- aid, ahd a grand meeting piisoners, that if the latter would withdraw their first dres=ed to their satisfaction. plea, and plead guilty, tliey would be liberated. This insurrection, too, he At the time of the Polish and his comrades declined. The Government in honor of that Rossa headed a meeting and procession then approached them with another proposition that obtained some banners, they — noble race; and, having consented to leave the Some of the banners if Rossa and Moynahan conn- paraded the streets of the town. the others would be liberated. On consultation the police interfered, try, Leinc national in their design, prisoners agreed to enter into no compromise with to be dispensed with. the nnd'all save one were obliged Government. few mornings subsequently, some police; it being three- the A This one was a puzzle to the further liberations took place, and Rossa, Moynahan, device, they were allowed to cornered, and having no despite and O'Shea, were all the " Pho2nix men " who re- carried out their intentions use it, and thus mained in Cork jail. After keeping them in prison oRDOsition. months, the Government found it could not there was not some for eight Scarcely a week passed that but he them; and finally Rossa and his associates in his business ; convict attempt made to injure Pu)ssa guilty and be liberated, ^vith the un- persecution could oi ly a'l-reed to plead would not be crushed-petty i derstanding that O'Sullivan, who had been convicted, power that suggested it. he intensify his hate of the should also be set free.

JEEEMIAH o'dONOVAH (kOSSA). 351 350 FENIAN HEROES AND MAETYE3. called any witnesses for his his own case ; and, if he struggle, however, was an unequal one. In 1862 he evidence. defence, to sum up after, or speak to came to New York, but in a few months was recalled to Ireland by the death of his wife. length, though not in ft The prisoner then spoke at considerable animadverting on the harshness of Of course, his relations with Stephens, Luby, and direct or consecutive manner, he said The Referring to the jury, : the other chief men, were resumed, and on the start- the Government towards him. and ordered thirty gentlemen to stand by, ing of the Irish People he became one of the regis- Attomey-Ocneral has persons who would bnng no doubt he considered the present jury the first captured, tered proprietors. He was one of observation might not be com- in the verdict he wished. That and was brought to trial at the Dublin Commission not help It The Executive plimentary to the jury, but he could pinsoners-had on the 9th December, 1865. On the next morning, Government had taken harsh measures against the to dark courses of despot- Eossa interrupted the Court to say that, as he be- violated all law, and had had recourse a man from saying that freedom lieved the Crown was determined to con%'ict him, his ism If trial by jury prevented bulwark of tyranny. The be fought for, it was a mere trial was a legal farce, and that he would not be a mi-ht so arranged as to deny him preliminaries had been, he contended, party to it by being re23resented by counsel. He published articles condemnmg all the a fair trial. The papers had could not be prevailed on to accept legal advice, but admitted he had proceeded prisoners before they were tried. He O'Donnell, but it was on mercantile conducted his own defence, which led to some extra- to America under the name of assumed in order to prevent his ordinary scenes in Court, and some bitter passages business; that name he had welcoming receptions upon political friends there from showering between the prisoner and Judge Keogh. The more proper name as him Ho returned not as O'Donnell, but in his the latter hemmed himself within the walls of privi- committed was that he had O'Donovan. The only crime he had lege, more O'Donovan was defiant, or satirical, J. O'Leary, and Luby. the known James Stephens, John O'Mahony, wished the reporters to take as the occasion suggested. He persisted in badgering He was proud to know them. He United States Government of the the Court and ministers, and in thoroughly exploding down that in the register of the would bo his oath of American citizenship the legal farce. As he said in reply to Judge Fitz- 2Vth of Au'nast, 1863, on Judge Keog\ the found recorded. After a violent al.tack " yeai-s " (the of servitude given gerald, Twenty term result of this trial, he enter- prisoner said, whatever might be the to his associates) " is a long time, and I want to spend any person, from Nagle, the informer, taincd no animosity against a couple of days as best I can." on the bench. He thought it would to Mr Bariy, or the judges of trial we had m this coun- At the opening of the Court on the 12th—the third do good in England to show the sort gentleman belonging to the Continental day—when again put forward and called upon for his try If there was any down the words of the Court, he hoped he would take defence, Rossa asked if he could have the privilege of prc'ss in " Treason is a serious London Times of the Ulh of November : addressing the jury on the evidence produced against rcadmg are undoubtedly guUty of it." The thi.!- and these men him by the Crown. Judge Keogh read the act of prisoner at this stage, occupiel of papers and documents by tlie Parliament for liim, by wliich lie was entitled to open

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352 PE-.n-iN HEROES AKB MA11TYK9. jEREinAn o'donovan (eossa). 353 above two hours. Judge Kcogli tlicn refused to allow him to pro- On the next day, Judge Keogh charged the Jury, which, atlcr ceed with the reading of an affidavit -svhich had been sworn in the being out for an hour and ten minutes, returned a verdict of course of the action agamst the Lord-Lieutenant, on the ground " Guilty on all the counts," that the public time could not be frittered away, whereupon Before sentence was pronounced, the Attorney- General thought O'Donovan exclaimed, " The time of the public has been given to it his duty to mention, with a view to havmg it entered on the try me." The foreman of the jury also asked that the prisoner record, that the prisoner was indicted for a similar offence in July, should mark the documents for theh consideration, and not read 1859—an indictment for treason-felony. " On that occasion, he them ; but he answered that he had laid do-wn a course for him- first pleaded not guilty, but subsequently pleaded guilty. The self, in consequence of the way in which he had been treated since clemency of the Crown was extended to him then, he entermg he had been sent to prison, which he could not depart from. He into recognizances to appear when called on. He would call then read nearly a hundred pages of small print, referring to the upon the Clerk of the Crown to enter the former conviction upon Constitution, organization, and proceedings of the Chicago Con- the record." vention as to which. ; Judge Keogh said, when the prisoner had Judge Keogh—" Has the prisoner anything to say with refer- concluded " It is : scarcely necessary to remark toi the public " ence to pleading guilty to this previous charge ? liress the grave re^onsibility that would attach to the publication The Prisoner—" I have to say this, that I believe on that occa- of the document which the prisoner has read, under the pretext sion Mr. "Whiteside, who was a member of the Derby Govern- that it would form a necessaiy portion of his defence." The pri- ment, intimated that we would be let off if we pleaded guilty soner said his oliject in reading the document was to show that but we would not do anything of the kind. The Government there was nothing the Chicago m Convention documents refeiring then offered to let Daniel O'Sullivan (Agreem) off if we pleaded to him. He afterwards i-ead several articles from the Irish Peo- guilty. We refused to do so at first, but afterwards consented. ple, and at six o'clock in the evening was still continuing his You may add anything you please to the sentence you are about readings, without any appearance of weariness. At this hour the to pass upon me. judges directed that their own dinners, and those of the jurymen The judges here retu-ed from the bench to consider their sen- should be brought down to Court; and it was understood that the tence, and, during their absence. Miss O'Leary stretched her hand silling would be a hie one, in order that, if possible, the prisoner do^TO from the reporters' gallery to take a last farewell of the should fmish his first speech that night. The prisoner asked if prisoner. He caught he hand and shook it warmly. the Court would not adjourn as usual, as he had now been reading the return On of the judges, the prisoner wis asked if he had for several hours, and was wearied out. The only answer he anything to say why judgment should not be passed upon him. received, was, to proceed with his defence. lie then offered to He replied—" With the fact that the Government seized papera read some passages from the Irish People, but Judge Keogh connected wi'h my defence, and perhaps examined them ; with would not permit him to read anything that was not specified in the fact that the Government packed the jury ; and with the fact til indictment. He had' announced his intention to examine a that the jury said yesterday that they considered me " wilness to show than his visit to America was in reference to com- The Court—"We cannot allow this language." mercial matters; but after some fm-ther reading of the documents Tlie Prisoner— " With the fact that the Government sent Judge before him, he annciunced that he could proceed no fuvllier willi- Keogh, of the Norbury breed, to try me—with these facts before ont the papers kept back by tlie Crown. He then sat down, hav- me, I could not say any tiling." ing occupied nearly eight hours in reading.

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354 FENIAN IlEKOKS AND JIAKTYBS. JEREMIAH o'duNOVAN (UOSSA). 355

capital " You liave l)ccn connected with this transaction since 1803," great battles of the anny of the Potomac. A said Keogh. instance of Captain O'Shea's native humor in the " born," replied Kossa. I am an Iriflnnau since I was midst of danger, is told by his brother officers. " will not waste words by attempting to bring the heinonsness I Wliile his company was repairing one of the broken of the crime of which you were found guilty, to your mind," con- bridges over the Chickahominy, one of McClellan's tinued Keogh. aids furiously asked "It would be useless to try," tauntingly said the prisoner. rode up and The wrathful and goaded Judge sentenced his victim to Penal "Who commands here ?" Servitude for Life. "I^-I—I do," said the Captain, who stuttered "All right," he exclaimed, defiantly; and, turning to leave the much. docK, saluted a number of ladies. " I want to know, sir, can artillery pass over ?" • The same defiant and resolute spifit has accompa- "Ye—ye—^yes—if they are fly—fly—flying—ar nied the sturdy patriot into prison. The authorities til— til—lery," said O'Shea, casting a look of droll have labored, by putting him at the most loathsome perplexity at the bridge. O'Shea mot a soldier's death

duties, and by treatment of the harshest kind ; by at the Wilderness. bodily chastisement, and the starvation system known Wlien Mortimer Moynahan was released he found " but as the liglitening process," to break him do%vn ; that all the aristocrats of West Carbery regarded him death. he is indomitable, and will only succumb to as a disturber, he therefore turned his face towards Cork, where he became associated in the same law

Of the Phcenix prisoners who have adhered to the ' oflice with Brian Dillon, one of the first Centres of that old cause, or won distinction since, a few paragraphs city. He retm'ued to Skibbereen in 1860, married will not be out of place. William O'Shea, a native in the following year, and was soon Centre of that of Bantry, came to the United States after his release, town. Being in Dublin in 1SC5, he was arrested on and put himself in communication with the leading the night of the seizure of the IrisJi People. The in- nationalists. He became one of a Committee of Safe- formations sworn against him by the detectives were of the ty which was in being in the earlier days Or- false, he being confounded with his brother, who was the civil war ganization. On the breaking out of an employee of tliat journal. Mr. ]\[. ]\Ioynahan O'Shea entered the 42d regiment, N. Y. V., as a pri- made an affidavit in the court of Queen's Bench to disaster vate. He saved himself at the Ball's Bluff the facts and M'as admitted to bail. He was next ap- by swinmiing across the ri\'cr, and was promoted for iwinted by the chief organizer "Intermedium" for his gallantry on that day. lie served the usual time, the county and city of Cork. After the suspension of the and, re-entering the army, shared in many of tlio hahcas corpus act he was sent, with three others,

356 FEl^TAN HEROES AOT) SUKTTRg. JERESnAH o'dONOVAIT (rOSSA). 357

to London on the business of the Organization, Coqis, and after a searching examination appoint- whence lie was sent to Paris, where he was perma- ed Captain, and successively breveted Major and Lieu- nently detailed by Stephens, and remained for threa tenant-Colonel of Volunteers for his conduct in the

months ; after which he came to America. field. When the V. R. C. was dissolved, Lieutenant- Patrick J. Downing, a native of Skibbereen, was Colonel Downing received a commission in the regu- one of those against whom true bills were found for lar army as First Lieutenant, 44:th regiment infantry. connection with the " Phcenix Conspiracy." He was held to bail; and, after the dischai-ge of Eossa, he went to Palis 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 wcmt to the Avar with a commission in the 42d regiment, N. Y. V. "Was wounded badly several times, and received merited promotion. Colonel Downing was subsequently Adjutant-General, and afterwards Acting Sec- retary for Civil Affairs of the F. B.

Denis J. Downing, brother of the last named, is also 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 fi-ont as second lieutenant of tho 42d regiment N. Y. V. 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 of the army of the Potomac and steadily rose. At Gettysburg he was lieutenant commanding his company, and fell desperately womided. To save his life the amputation of a leg was necessary. For gallantry here he was commissioned, and when able to be about he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve

35S FEXIAN HEKOES AND MAKTVKS.

CHARLES JOSEPH KICKHAM.

His Family—Sad Accident when a Bor -A Student—His Love of Rnral Sports —In the Cabins of the Poor—Forms a Club In '48—Literature—EBpouses Keogh's and Sadlier's Teriant-Eight Part}'—Treachery of the Leaders— Litera- ture Again—Becomes a Fenian—Arrest—Trial—Defends Himself—Speech in the Dock—Sentence—Cruel Treatment in Prison.

In Ms gentleness and force, in his talents and devotion as a practical Catholic, in his patriotism and purity, Charles J. Kickham bears a strong resemblance to Richard D'Alton Williams, the poet, well and Avidety known by his 7wm de plwine of Shamrock, and equally distinguished by being one of the young Ire- land patriot-martyrs of '48. They were likcAvise Tip- perary men, and do honor to that noble county. The more recent transactions in which Kickham was concerned have l)ecome a part of the history of our day. For the facts embracing the earlier portion of his career, we are indebted to one of his associates, Captain D. P. Conyngham. * Cliarles J. Kickham was born about tliirty-eight years ago, in the small village of Mullinalione, which lies almost beneath the shelter of Slievenamon, wliose picturesque beauty he lias interwoven into some of liis best poems. He sprang from a respectable and patriotic stock. His

•Author of " The Irish Brigade and its Campaji^s/' " Sherman's March," etc.

CIIAltLi;8 JOSEPH KrcKIIAM. 359 father, Jolin Kiclvliam, was a wealthy flrajjer, and tlio leading man of tlie village, a patriot and a phllantliro- pist. TTe gave unto liiindi-edfi who were evicted from their little farms, not only clothes from his store, but also money to enable them to emigrate to America; and to their credit bo it said, they gratefidly returned it as soon as earned. Many a farmer, Avho to-day en- joys peace and plenty in happy homesteads in Amer- ica, blesses his memory. His mother was an O'Mahony, and in every sense a lady, refined and charitable. Two of his uncles and several of his relatives were eminent divines. Sprung from such a family, and reared amid such associations, Charles Xickham grew up with unsullied principles and a mind as pure as the gentlest maiden. Jlia fatlicr, 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 competent 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 powder flask brought the boy to the verge of the grave. He slowly recovei-cd, however, but remained deaf and near-sighted ever after. He could not now avail hlm- Belf of tlie instructions of a teacher, so ho retired within himself, and became a great reader and thinker. When only a boy of eighteen ho contributed some beautiful pieces to the press. "He was passionately foud of fishing and fowling. SornetimcB you would meet him along the banks of

3G0 FEXIA2J HEEOES AND MAETYES. CHAKL12S JOSEPH KICKHAil. 361

King's River, a stream near liis neighboring town, or Although scarcely twenty years of age in '48, he wandering along tlie beautiful Anner, that flows be- was an active nationalist, and in conjunction with side SUevenamon. At other times yo\T might meet some congenial spirits organized a club in Mullina- him with a double-barreled gun in his hand, or flung hone. Having fallen under suspicion, he sufi'ered some on his shoulder, with Fan, the terrier, and a pointer inconvenience for a short time. He then returned to his for his companions, wandering over the moors or along old sports, and to literature, writing fii- gitive the mountains, in search of game. He and his liaunts pieces for the periodicals. Soon after Keogh and Sadlier were so well known, that the little children crowded organized an independent opposition par- the cabin doors on the day he was expected, looking ty—a Tenant-right party—pledged to oppose every out for Mmter Charles; for he had a kind word for government that would not do justice to Ireland, Keogh, in making all, and divided his spoils with them, and had slunxor his pledge, raised h's hands and chus with the old women in the corner, and smoked eyes to Heaven, exclaiming—"! pledge myself, so help !" the dudheen with the old man, and talked of '98, of me God What became of all these promises and the Croppies and the Teos, of the pitch-caps and the violated oaths we know too weU. "Wlien triangles, of the wholesale exterminations and starva- the treachery and rottenness of the Keogh and tion of the peasantiypf the present time, until his Sadlier party became apparent, the Tipperary Leader honest blood coursed his veins in fiery streams, and became the great organ of the people in smash- ing up tlieir the tear moistened his eye, and the hope of revenge perjured clique ; and Kickham, Father Kenyon and Father gave a fierce expression to his kind and noble face. John Power M-ere among its ablest contributors. He delighted very much in manly exercises, and keen- Keogh became a ly enjoyed the hurling and the dance upon the green, justice of the Common Pleas, and in time and made these rural customs the subject of some of Kickham was arraigned as a felon and a traitor before the perjured his descriptive tales." judge, ^v\\o, if there was any treason in the Though his society was courted by the wealthiest, act wliich brought him there, was the man who taught him that very treason. it was in the poor man's shelling, or enjoying the merry dance and hurling-matches of the peasantiy, he Disgusted \\{t\\ the treachery of his leaders, Kick- ham again was most at home. The honest peasant who mounred retired M'ithin Iiimself—to Avrite tflles and put the feelings of the wrongs of his country and yearned for its freedom the people into vigorous verse. Wlien Doctor Cane —who toiled hard for his daily bread—was, in his of Kilkenny started the Celt, Kickham opinion, far nobler than the sleek slave who, because at once became a contributor, wi-iting sketches, he had enough liimseLf, closed his eyes to the sulfer- talcs, essays, and poems. ^ Of the latter, his ings around him, and felt happy.

362 FENIAN HEROES AND MAKTYE9. FEKIAN UEKOES AND SLAETYKS. 363

Al- No prisoner had ever been treated more Unfairly than he was. " Kory of the Ilill " appeared in this periodical.^ Not only had he to bear his share of calumny, but from the com- though Kickliain had vowed to eschew politics in fu- mencement of tlie Commission, in every speech made by counsel a convert to Stephens' views; and ture, he became for the Crown, his name was dragged in, and not alone that, but Ireland he initiated one svhen John O'Mahony visited even tlie judges on the bench did it. lie could not but feel a little him- man, and that was our poet, who at once threw surprised wlien one of the judges read out llie names from the organi- " Executive document "—Luby, O'Leary, and Kicl

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FENIAN HEK0E9 AND MARTTE8. 365 364 CHAELES JOSEI'U lacKHAJf. admitted the existence of a wide-spread conspiracy, both in Ire- to Ireland had Ibat the Fenians did. He said that concessions land and America ; but this only showed that the treatment of of Fcniauism iu some shape or other; the liecu always Ihe result England towards Ireland had been judged and condemned. After Governmeut, however, while making concessions, always English a number of observations of an exculpatory character, he quoted they had return ; and, he helieved, expected to get something hi Thomas Davis upon never heen disappointed. Not only had they stipulated instalment in getting prompt payment, hut, also, they got a large " The tribune's tongnc and poet's pen « publication May sow the seed in slavish men, advance. And here he could not help referring to the the soldier's sword alone afraid it But 'tis Gray's affidavit, which he stated he withheld, of Sir John Can reap the harvest when 'tia sown. affida- would uijure the prisoners on their trial, and yet that very return to the article vit was published on the eve of his trial. To who wrote those lines, did his best to make the treason in. "The man " '82 and '29," he repeated, they would find very little Ii'ish people a military people. A few years before his death his the front of the indictment? it. Why, then, had it been placed on friends in his library a number of military books, such as Catholic observed That was done for a passage in it referring to Eomau those formd in the office of the Irish People, and he would say, it, was said, judges, and Roman Catholic placemen, m which ' These are what Irishmen want—this is what they should learn.' tyranny, as "The Catholic judge will prove as iniquitous a tool of His statue, Hogan, is now in Mount Jerome. The whole would not do by the most bigotted Orange partisan would be." It nation mourned his death, and all creeds and classes gathered Attorney-General to select articles in which one of the for the saw the peasants' cabins pulled That round his grave. Thomas Davis judges was mentioned by name in the severest language. down by the landlords, and witnessed the suffering of the people, never seen a be going too far. Judge Keogh said he had would and he wrote lordship had copy of the Irish People, and he believed that if his avoid sitting in judg- have tried to " ' 1 ' spirit seen these articles, he would God of justice ' I said, send yonr dovm wiilers of thein. and proud, mSit on the men who were accused of being the On those lords so crael he believed that And soften their hearts, and relax theirfrown, But the Attorney-General knew of thenr, and Or else,' 1 cried alond— been placed in the front for the pur- the articles he alluded to had ' Vouchsafe your strength to the peasant's hand. against the prisoners the land.' ^. pose of prejudicmg Roman Catholic judges To drive them at length from off " Special Commission was ap- they would have to try ; and the the sole purpose of enabling " did the pomtcd—if that was the word—for The prisoner concluded by saying, "What Irish Peo- the best mode of follow- them to select the judges, and that it was ple say worse than that ? I have done no more than he has on the organization, by trampling felon's if you choose." ing up the attempt to put down done ; doom me to a doom by trampling on the law of the law, and then following that up necessary to interrupt him, Mr. morality and decency. If it were The charge of Judge Keogh -^vas considered not their lordships' wishes to him. Lawless would communicate unfavorable to the prisoner. The jury, however, Keogh—" Not at all. Proceed. Justice verdict of " Guilty on all the counts." be told that all brought in a The Prisoner went on to say tliat the jury might intimates this to him by he denied this. He said the Sotue one near Ivickham this was beside the question. But Irish Government, sign, and he knows that his time is coma Government was on its trial, and not alone the some look or trial. The Government but Enc-lish rule in Ireland was on its

SSf.-Vi.-iW'

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367 FEJTIAN HEROES KSD MAKTTK9. 366 CnAELES JOSEI'U KICKUAJI. asked what was the peasant sufferings, and, when to if he chooses to do so. Stepping " when you reflect to spealv ngain, matter, replied, Kead that, and of the dock, at first stooping slightly pining in a dungeon the front that the man who wrote it is full bar, and then raising himself to his by^all classes, is it over the iron to-day, instead of being idolized " height, he says not enough to make any man weep ? termed a Kickham has suffered what has been " have said enough akcady. I ^^^ll only Mr. Perhaps, .my lord, I since his incar- I have en- "slow and savage torture" I have done nothing hut my duty. process of add that I believe has prepared to suffer for gentle, and loving nature, deavored to serve Ireland, and now I am ceration. His pure, indignity, but to such Ireland." been subjected not only to nation bow its as should make any civilized penal servitude treatment The sentence was that he he kept in a few weeks m head in shame. After spending years. Great commiseration for a term of fourteen where he was treated with compara- during Mountjoy Prison, (said the Nation) for Mr. Kickham, was felj PentonviUe, and_ generosity, he was removed to was, throughout, a tive the progress of the trial, which Enghsh officials. handed over to the tender mercies of " and his defective sight painful scene. His deafoess subjected to the soli- the invalid prisoner was of a great por- Here, caused him to he almost unconscious allowance, until he 'discipline and starvation hut the most material points tary tion of the proceedings ; ulcers, and reduced • "was riddled over with scrofulous to him through the india-rubber were communicated sent to Portland for change to a skeleton. He is then tube which he wore about his neck. During speaking way of healthful recreation, he is reminded of air, where, by his trial one could not help being forcibly the foul gar- into the wash-house to cleanse clever and popu- ordered of one of the verses occurring in his But his brave ments of England's vilest criminals. " Patrick Sheehan "— lar ballad, named his famished body. He soul can no longer support quarnes,^ and to death, is tried in the " O, Blessed Virgin Mary, sickens almost the invalid station at Woking. Jline is a mournful tale, then sent off to was being killed by inches. A poor hlind prisoner here I am When last heard from, he In Dublin's dreary jail Slruck hlind Tvilhin the trenches Where I never feared the foe And now I'll never see again 3Iy own sweet Aherlow."

We read lately of a good old priest, who was found weeping over one of Kickham's graphic pictures of

36S DE^'I& DOWLES-G JIULCAHY.

DEMS DOWLIXG MULCAHT.

Son of a Patriotic Farmer—Fenian Proragandist—StndieB Medicine—His Fine Appearance—Arretted—Trial—Speech in the Doclc—Colloquy with the Judge—Guilty—Sentence—Sufferings in Prieon—Writ of Error.

This gentleman, -whose indefatigable services J;o the Fenian cause were sworn to on the trials of his friends, Luby, Kickham, and others, as well as on his own, is yet under thirty-five years of age. The son of a respectable farmer in the parish of Powerstown, near 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 boyish enthusiasm was fired in '48. The feelings of this

era grew with his growth ; he was one of the first

to join the Fenian Brotherhood in Tipperary ; and, with Kickham, was a chief propagandist of it in that county. Subsequently his energies and ability were brought into play on a larger field of operations. In 18G0 he began the study of medicine in Dublin, wrote for the press, and, on the organization of the Irish PiovJc coq)s, he became sub-oJitor of that journal. At this time Mr. Mulcahy presented a fine personal appearance, l^^^early six feet in height, with a skin fair

FEOTAN HEROES AOT) SIAETTRg. 369

to as a woman's, his rich golden hair long and curling his shoi;lders, his beard fair and silky, and features mild and regular, gave him a dreamy, poetical look. ^Vhen aroused, and speaking of Ireland, whether at the festive board, or addressing the impassioned sons of Tipperary, with his locks flung back from his brow the and his mild eye transfigured into flame, he was embodiment of the boldness and the passion of patri- or- otism. At the period of the seizure of the Fenian gan, Mr. Mulcahy was arrested. After some delay he was brought to trial, and, on the 27th January, 1866, of the found giiilty on all the counts. The trial was the informer, and his usual stereotyped kind ; Nagle, fellows, being the Government resource. The prisoner was about to reply to the usual ques- warned him that if tion, when Mr. Justice Fitzgerald he had any proper arguments " to address to the court, be obliged to he could do so, but that the court would the proper interpose if the prisoner transgressed limits."

have been tried since Mr. Mulcahy—"My lords, several pei-sons Commission. They were supplied with the opening of this Special which were to be produced in copies of most of the documents came to this bar, they were e-vidence against them. When they had to meet. I was arrested on fuUy a-nare of the charges they for the information on which I the 2sth September last. I asked be produced to me. I was was arrested. There was none to twenty-fom- hours. I was thrown into a ceU and left there for committed, or rather rem;mded. brought before a magistrate, I was asked to be shown the evidence upon I was brought up agam. I but there was not a smgle tittle which I was ai-rested or remanded, had nothing but the snuple of evidence to be produced to me, I

—

371 FENIAN HEEOES AND IIAKTYES. 370 DENÎS DOWLING SIULCAHT. "not yet made stopped him ashe had — Mr. Justice Fitzgerald Efatement of the magistrate ' Sir, I shall remaud you for a week.' "— legitimate observation " one ,,„„>,, surprise.„imrise I therefore, expected nothing, but to be taken by surprise, and to show that I was taken by Prisouer-" I am going to observation. be deah with in the arbitrary manner in which I have been treated- That is a fair Sir Justice Fitzgerald-" care very Utt^ Li Luby's case the Attorney-General stated that lie had documents righttoalludeto it? I Prisone -"Ilavel nota wliich proved so overwhelmingly the existence of this conspiracy! conceive that my ^^r^^^^^^'^^- for ZTlson-felony, but 1 that the jury who were empannelled should not try him, but con- wish that the ^^^V^'^]'^''^ been assailed, and I do not wings f^ôf the ^^^^press. vict him. Mr. Butt, who is one of the ablest lawyers at the Irish go abroad on the been made against it should bar, made an application for a postponement of the trial, for the purpose of seeing certain documents; and on that occasion he pledged himself that there was not a single Act of Parliament doctr-ines of wliicli would justify the seizure of the Irish ar- that we preached the People, and the '^°Pri:ir-'"Mr. Barry alleged of assas^nation. I rest of those connected with it. We were deprived of our liberty, the charge sociaW I deny that; I deny thrown into solitary confinement, and those against the preached by the whom maintain that the doctrines Ir^f f^^P^ further. same charges were made, th.at they were engaged in this conspira- camiot hear you Mr Justice Fitzgerald-" I made agamst me, I say tha^ cy, were not allowed to speak one word to each other. According Prisoner-" Respecting the charge paper are pu forward to my lord's observations, every man was held responsible, not against me in that thfdoctrines put forward as high an authority as you onl}- for his own acts, but for the acts of his fellow conspirator's, Mill, who is certainly ly Johtstuan "— no matter at what time -or place committed. When Jlr. Butt As regards the evidence ran find. upon that. application, Attorney-General said that jury have determined made that the the prisoner Justice Firzgerald-" The Mr nothing mimoral ux Lad judicial knowledge of every single iota of evidence which was show that there was Prisone;-" I want to "- to be produced against him, and that copies of the evidence, or of by the Irish People the doctrines preached ^^ to him, therefore called " won't listen to you. the informations, would be given and he ATr Tustice Fitzgerald— I prisoner to hit on that happy upon you to refuse the application then made to you by that Prisone;-"! never yet knew a upon him - learned lawyer, who is an oniameut to his profession and an honor should not be passed phrase why sentence was previous warning, adding, I to his country. I relied on the truthfulness of the Attorney-Gene- The Judge here repeated his might give utterance to attached to his words that weight and importance which apprehension that you ral. I further under the unpose a severer sentence to as the representative of the Crown of this coerce me to were due him coun- . IîlLsTnt which ^ght try—due to him as a lawyer and a gentleman, and I therefore on insufiicient evidence thought that I would not be taken by surprise. But how has he ''fhTvt bl found guUty %^llr that Clonmel. It was not proved dealt with me? That is the question. When I came here yester- proved that i was in It !rnot me could not say that he saw day morning, IMr. Lawless, who was untiring in his exertions on Flniam Mr.flU VoweU IT acted.H asns a Femam ^^^^^,^^_ cou. ^^^^^^ ^^ behalf of those who were accused of being concerned in what is the last ten yeais. ne write for „f „,„ pi,,,r^Pter of called a treacherous conspiracy—an infamous conspiracy—we have heard so much of learned brothers—of learned friends, that one would have expected there should be nothing said that was not coiTect. We were charged by Sir. Bany in his opening statement "

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MtTLCAHT. 373 372 FENIAU HEEOES AND MAETTEg. DENIS DOWLtNG

there owmg to the swore that he never paid me back money, for which I processed neui-algia, which I first caught through my cell. him. That is a fact which I could establish. The Attorney-Gren- strong currents of air which passed eral said something about .being dupes of Stephens, Luby and " that I may not " It did occur to me," he continues, O'Leary "— of the lords — be sent back to Portland tiU the decision Mr. Justice Fitzgerald " I cannot aUow this." poking, known, but that I might be removed to Prisoner—" With regard to the connection between Stephens was London." * * * " Had I and Luby " as it was convenient to have sunk; but I med- Tlie Judge would not listen to that subject. given way to my grief, I must — ' Think Jeremias : Prisoner " One of these letters was put in for the purpose of itated on the words of the Lord to connecting me with Fenianism. There was not a single particle affliction you shall call thoucrhts of peace and not of ; of anything of the acts evidence in the case to show that I knew will bring back your upon me, and I will hear you ; I of others. There was no evidence that I ever went to a drill myself under from all places.' I've placed meeting ; no single particle of evidence that I was at the meeting captivity Virgin Mary, unplored in Clonmel." The prisoner then proceeded to point out discrepan- the protection of the Blessed care upon her Dmne cies in Nagle's evidence, with a view to show that it was wholly her intercession, and cast all my asserted that Nagle's statement that he (prisoner) Mhat I fear I other- incorrect He Son, and so I've been able to do had given him a letter of introduction to John O'Mahony was fate." wise should not bear with resignation—my false. was in a writ The decision of the Lords alluded to Sir. Justice Fitzgerald— " I really must put a stop to these ob- in his case. Mr. Mulcahy was sub- EeiTations. You are simply wasting time." of error sued out " felon cells " of PentonviUe. Prisoner— "All I have now to say is that the Irish People sequently returned to the preached proper doctrines, and that I am proud of my connection " with it, and with Stephens, Luby, John O'Leary Mr. Justice Fitzgerald— "I have warned you of the consequences." Prisoner— " I am now prepared to receive sentence."

The prisoner was sentenced to penal servitude for ten years. Mulcahy, like his friends, suffered and suffers severely in pi-ison. A letter from Dartmoor—a situation on a moor more than a thousand feet above the level of the sea, with a humid, foggy and cold climate—indi- " cated his sufferings : Nothing can be less suitable for one who has suffered as I had at Millbank from

37o FLOOD, DUIFY, AND CODY. 374 FENIAN UEK0E3 AND iUKTVKS. their being driven toojar chor In the hurry to prevent saw Stephens safe to i aus into the harbor. Flood to Ireland, and almost and after a few days returned one of the first ofl^- immediately took his position as Scotch Organization. He is cers of the English and of the " Directory and as frequently alluded to as one Chester affair. His comrades chief pro ector of the JOHN FLOOD, EDWAIiD DUFFY, MICHAEL energy, who a ways him as a man of great ' speak of CODY. work, and was respected and stood faithfully to his upon by the people. Flood Arr.-'stea with McCnffcity—Aids to Relcnfle Stcphpnd^Posltlon In the relied that Edward Duffy was one Orgaulzalion. Duffy Arrested with Stephens— Sick !n Pilson—Liberated— It will be remembered Ec-ArrcBled and Identiflod—Trials— Flood, Doff/ foand on the and Ccdj Guilty— arrested at Stephens' house Their Speeches In the Dock—Sentencee. of the parties 1865. He was morning of the 11th November, confederating and con- the same time with .John Flood, who was an'estod wifli McCafferty in charged at to separate Ire- levy war against the Queen, tlie Liffey under the name of Phillips, and spiring to who waa republic in the England, and to establish a 60 constantly alluded to by the informer and detec- land from magistrates Mr. this occasion, before the tives, presented a striking appearance former. On when confront- denied the catechised the police, and ed with his persecutors. A fine looking man, of large Duffy sharply localities with- to search suspected person, and frank, handsome features, adorned by an right of the latter wanted to expose the fact that ample beard of a tawny color, his bearing was upright out a warrant. He constable can- arrest a "according to British law, a and stalwart, and he seemed' little affected by the con- Ihe without a warrant in Ireland. finement of prison life. John Flood is about thirty man for treason the point, magistrate declined to discuss years of age, and a "We.xftjrd man. Tie first became chief police who on the members of the pi^ss specially distinguished by his participation in the ar- and Duffy called as he said, note the fact, "in order," rangements for the escape of Stejjhens from Ireland. were present to know under what sort of law we accompanied Stephens and Colonel Kelly in their « that the public may He with his Duffy was committed, perilous journey from Dublin to Scotland. Adverse are livin-." Mr. Kickham, and Brophy, to Richmond winds blew their boat into Belfast Harbor with the friends, Stephens,

' their tiller; and it was owing to Flood's knowl- loss of person of Daffy was regarded as a edge and exiK-rience that the party were saved. He ^""ilr Edward man infiuence in the organizatiou-a received a severe injury in tlie hand letting go the an- more'than usual

37G VKXIAN nVJlOKB AND IIAUTVJIS. FLOOD, DUFfr, AND CODY. 377

of capacity, ability and resolution, who Btood high ia known. The Directory, of due to history that tho truth Bhould be the e.-;liniatioii of tlie tlien controlling powers of tho and MeCam;rty were .nember«, wliieh it was HuppOBf^l tliat Flood to Irelan'L Tlie rimng Brotherhood. While in prison, however, grave symp- ha/l been iVrnmlvcA long before they came and Ion- after ¥U, do with Crown lawyers kept lie was aiTCsted, set liirn at liberty. He went to the know of that event. It is plain that the for the purpose of having Klood west of Ireland, and, in company with a young man SlafiWiy and bis infonnations ba-;k They knew that the production of named Thomas Egan, was again arrested at Boyle in and McCafferty eonvictol them. How will an on the trial would infallibly acjuit of J^Iurch, either the County of Koscommon, on the 11th Governnwmt when tliat a?t/.niBhed world look upon the English 18G6. The prisoners were immediately cortvcyed to Secretary, sliall see the light paper, in the k(;eping of tlie Chief

Dublin ; and on the trial of Captain McCafferty, while these men are innocent? arid confirm my statement, that the informer Corydon was being examinef], Mr. Duffy Duffy, and Cody was brought forward for identification with John On Tue;-:day, the 21st May, Flood, the usual Flood- Duffy was characterized as " the organizer for were brought up for sentence. In reply to in a strong, clear the province of Con naught." They were subKeqnent- r^uestion. Flood stood forward, and ly brought to tnal at the Special CornmiKsion, Dublin; voice and pleasant utterance, said: and on Friday, 17th May, Flood, Duffy, and Michael men. have been convicted on the evidence of three Cody, (who attempted to shoot his captoi*s,) were found My lords—" I swoitl To begin with one word of truth has either of them guilty of treason-felony. It will be remembered that Kot not present at tlic meeting ho Cr.rydon. I wUl say that I wa? Flood and McCafferty were arrested on the 23d Feb- Liverpool. 1 knew nothing de6r;ribeB as having taken pUce in had in their ruary, after having eluded the authorities from the tliat the Crown c^/uniiel have about it, and I beUeve that Ma.- of disproving what he said. I believe day of the Chester demonstration ; and it was sought bands the means far,-t, there never disprove it, and in to directly connect tliein with the riring of the 5th eey'B evidence would go to member. The Crown ha.1 that was a Directory of which I was a March. An authoritative communication to the in not produce it. I was not cvidenr;e In their liands, and would contradicts this, and are Dublin Trijihman we in a po- f-ays I was. Every word he that place In Chester where Bray to know that the statement which follows is from beginning to end. £ sition Bwore concf;ming me was a falw^hood over to Manchester, but lie based on fact rnay say that a detr^tive ofllcer went with a witness. If the de- Attorney-General denied it, to tamper " Of course anything that I can nay now cannot alttr the nen- K/.ught to know «h«""--^ ;';''« tef;tivc went to Manchester, and tt-nce of the la-v, nor be of any benefit to the prisoner yet it h have satisfied hlms-;lf tUt ; pwjple told the truth or not, he mu.it

Avassssass^-3S.giiaKi3ri.-i, .

378 FEJrtiN HEROES AOT> MAKTYEg. FLOOD, DtTFIT, AITO CODT. 379

the case may be. I repeat that they did tell the truth, and that I was in Manchester at the f!m«. again I have been unfairly dealt with in every sense Therefore, I say, the Crown held possession of evidence, which of the word. The Attorney-General has alluded to me repeatedly as they withheld, to prove that I was not at Chester at the time the 'that wretched man.' If loving my country through my whole life detective swore I was, I positively declare that the detective should make me wretched, I am

wretched indeed ; for I teli never saw me there, for I was not there. Now the evidence of you now, and I tell the world, that I not only abhor assassination, that Dawson, that very efiective detective, bears falsehood on the face but I would rather go to my doom than be guilty of the moral of it He swears he saw me, and knew my appearance, about assassination that has been practiced against me. I am ready, lords, town for a length of time, and met me in Burke's public house, my for my sentence." where I never was in my life. A strange coincidence is that on The usual question was that night he saw me enter a drill-room. Can any one believe that then put to Du%, who stepped forward, that is ti-ue ? Now I say I have been unfairly dealt with other- and despite the miserably weak state wise, and I say that, by a sort of legal legerdemain, I have been to which illness had reduced him, spoke as follows, placed on trial here on the terrible charge of assassination. No clearly and distinctly, but evidently with much diffi- man in this couit could regard such a charge with greater horror culty : than I do. No man lias a greater horror of it, and I never heard -of such an odious and abominable conspiracy as the witness Jly Lords—' ' I am not in a capacity to say much to your lord- Meara had deposed to. I am sure that no true Irishman would ships, after the evidence of that man Kelly against me. He has attempt to have an3'thing to do with such a thing. I heard noth- sworn falsely against me. I leave my countrymen to judge. ing about it, and I do say that, if I should have been tried with There is no political act of mine which I regret. I joined the as- any one, I should have been tried wiih JlcCafferty, the man with sociation sincerely, for my countiy's cause, and I have been actu- whom I was identifietl, and with whom I was arrested. I might ated throughout by a strong sense of duty. I believe that a man's have got a fair trial then, but I declare I have not had a fair trial. duty to his countiy is part of his duty to God, for it is He that, in Tliere has been an extreme course adopted by the Crown toward fact, implants the feeling of patriotism in the human breast, and me from my arrest to the present hour. I say they ha3 evidence who knows whether I have been actuated by any paltry ambition, in their possession which would have gone to prove my iunocence, and whether I have worked for any selfish ends. For the late and it has been suppressed. Let them deny that. The Attorney- outbreak I am not responsible. I did all in my power to prevent General says he thinks he is above motives. I impute no motives. it, knowing that, circumstanced as we were, it would be a failure. I state facts and leave the world to judge. You saw how the iden- I feel bound, ia justice to myself; to say this. It had been stated tificalion has been proved against by that from me woman Chester. on the trials that Stephens was for peace. That was a mistake, I will tell you how such a thing is cairied on. AVe were taken to and it may be well that it should not be left uncontradicted. It l<- Mountjoy and paraded before the Detective Police, and day after but too well known in Ireland that he sent numbers of men here day came groups of people, cither informers or dclectives from to fight, promising them to be with them when the time would England or elsewhere, always accompanied by one or more of the come. The time did come, but not Mr. Stephens. He remained detectives who came there the day before ; and I do not know but behind. He went to France to see the Paris Exhibitioa It may these people were told, 'That's Flood,' or 'That's .McCafferty.' be a very pleasant sight, but I would not be in his place now. He If they had come forward aud identified me properly, they should is a lost man—lost to Ireland, lost to his country. There are a have said, 'You are the m:m 1 saw in Clitbter, or Liverpool,' as

" ; :

380 FEXIAU HEK0E3 AND MAETrE3. FLOOD, DTJFFT, AND CODY. 381

few things that I Tvould wish to say relative to the evidence given Tlie Lord Chief Justice—" It was not sworn to be in your hand- on my (rial, but I request, mj' lord, that you would give me per- writing, as I understand." mission to make those remarks after sentence has been passed. Prisoner— "Yes, my lord. It was the policeman that swore

They solely and entirely relate to the evidence, and I have a reason it was in my handwriting." for asking why I should be allowed to say them after sentence has The Lord Chief Justice—" That Is a mistake. It was said to been passed." be hke yours, but it was not given in evidence against you."

The Chief Justice—"That is not the usual practice. The fact Prisoner—" It was said to be my writing. The jury have of j'our not having been tried for your life makes it very doubtful doomed me to a painful, but not less glorious death. I bid fare- to me whether j'ou should speak at all as to why sentence should well to my friends and aU who are dear to me. There is yet a not be passed upon you. world where souls are free, and in that world I would sooner be The prisoner—" With regard to the first piece of evidence, I than live in a life like this. I am proud to be considered worthy declare before my God, that not one word that man swore against of suffering for my country, and when I am in my lonely cell, me on the table was true. He swore he saw me at Enniskerry during the longings of my weary spirit, I shall not forget Ireland, but I never spoke to him on any political subject, oi^ that I ever and my constant prayer shall be that the God of Liberty may give knew him to be an important member of the association until I her time and strength to shake off her chains. (Addressing the saw the informations, I declare to Heaven I never did. He never reporters)—I would not wish it to be supposed that it was on ac- spoke to me in my life, I knew him from the time he was a child, count of my position now that I spoke as I did. I am not able to and I knew him to be among the vilest and worst in .that little speak on account of my disease, and I do not wish it said that it town, and I knew the character he was. Is it to be supposed that was on account of my position. It is on account of my illness."

I would put my liberty into the hands of such a character ? I never did. The next witness is Corydou. He swore that at the Michael Cody was regarded as a very dangerous meeting to which he referred, I gave him directions to go to Kerry cliaracter, and the names of the judges, prosecuting to O'Connor, and put himself in communication with them. I counsel, and jurors who tried Bourke and Doran hav- declare to my God that every word of that is false. Whether ing been found upon him, gave a pretext to the au- O'Connor was in the country or whether he made his escape, I extend unusual severity to him. When little thorities to knew as as your lordship, and never heard of the . KeiTy court, he said rising till the tale of it appeared in the public papers. There is his turn came to addi-ess the not a word of that that is not false. And as to giving the Ameri- " evidence of Foley, there arc two men prepared to can officers information, before my God, and on the verge of my As to the saw me until he was brought to Kilmainham. gi-ave, as the sentence will send me to it, I saj' that is also false. say" he never in company with Baines, in the Canal As to the writing the policeman swore to in that book, and which Mea"-her says he met me false for a parcel of bowie-knives. This, also, is , I is not a prayer book—it is an 'Imitation of Christ given to me,' Tavern, with bowie-knife in my possession, but one which was by a lady to whom I seiTcd my time—what was written in that never had a in Lesson Lane. As to my acquaintance book was wriltoa by another young man wlio was in her employ- found in my possession Devoy, and others, I feel proud to be acquainted ment. That is his and not my writing. That is the WTiting of a with St. Clair, the moment I became sensible of my arrest, young man in the house, and I never wrote a line or a word of it," with them. From

382 FEXIAK HEROES AND MAETTE9.

I was fully confident that a case would be trumped up against me, and I am not disappointed with tlie verdict. As to Coiydmi, he also swears that he knew me in 18C5, and that I filled the position of centre, militaiy organizer, detective, and Cliief of the Assassina- tion Committee, I am not so presumptuous as to imagine myself competent to fill any one of them ; hut in justice to my own character, and in justice to the character of the men who are iu the dungeons of Portland, I think I have a right to say that that charge is altogether unfounded. I am now about to be deprived of my liberty, perhaps for life, and I would scorn to say what is false, even to get out of this dock ; and before God and this assembly I say that the charge against me of being connected with that assassination committee, is as false as God is true. I have nothing more to say."

Mr. Baron Deasy then proceeded to pas3 sentence. In the course of his observations, he fully exonerated Flood and Duffy from any connection with the assas-

sination plan , referred to by Corydon, and sentenced them to Fifteen Years' Penal Servitude eacli. The " evidence " produced against Cody on his trial, and the circuihstauce of his previous arrest, " compelled the Court" to give him Twenty years. After the sentence had been pronounced, the convicts were removed from the cells beneath the court and conveyed to Mountjoy prison, escorted by mounted police, and two troops of the Ninth Lancers.

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GENERAL JOHN NEILU 383

GENEKAL JOKN" O'NEILL.

Birth—Local InEpiration at Clontibret—Emigrates to IT. S.—At BnelnePS—Mil- itary Leanings—Goes to the Mormon War—The Rehellion- Service? In— Promotions—Military Instructor—Lieutenant of the 5th Indiana Cavalry— His Dash—Whips Morgan's Men at Buffiugton Bar—Sick—Fighting Again— Resigns—Romantic Marriage—A Fenian—The Representative Man of the Canadian Party- The Invasion of Canada—He Commands the Expedition Battle of Ridgeway—Conflict at Fort lErie—Not Supported—Arrested by U, S. Authorities while Re-crossing.

John O'Neill was born in the townland of Drum- gallon, parish of Clontibret, County Monaghan, on the Sth of March, 1834. His father died five weeks before the birth of his son, and his mother came to America in 1840, accompanied by a brother, leaving the children, two sons and a daiighter, with their D-rand parents in Monaghan. Three years afterwards she sent for the two eldest children, the youngest, John, being allowed to remain at the earnest request of his relatives. He availed himself of the opportunities 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'lSTeiU, who at this place, in 1595, put Elizabeth's troops, under Sir John ISTorris, to rout, and killed in single combat Scd- grave, who was esteemed the most valiant and power-

;

GENERAX JOHN o'NEILL. 385 3S4 FENIAif HEROES AUD MAETTES.

man's bodyguard at the battle of Williamsburgh ful champion in the English pale. Doubtless these Avas through the seven days in front of Kichmond scenes and tales were the inspu'ation which opened the and had his horse shot imder him at Gaines' Mills, path to Ridgeway. just before the Irish Brigade came up and saved the In the Spring of 184:8 the boy O'Neill ' came to^ day. After McClellan's retreat to Harrison's Landing, America and joined his mother in Elizabeth, New tlie 1st Cavalry was temporarily broken up, and most Jersey. After attending school for a year he entered of the commissioned and non-commissioned officera a store as clerk, in which position he remained less were sent on recruiting service. O'Neill was detailed than three years. This business did not suit his ambi- to Indianapolis, and while there did valuable service tious nature. He wanted to see the world—to choose as instructor of the cavalry officers of the "Home his own vocation. Quick, intelligent and reliable, he Legion," as well as of companies and regiments then started out when little more than sevei"4een years of being organized for the field. O'Neill had been pri- age to carve out his fortune. He traveled as agent vate, corporal, sergeant, and acting sergeant-major in for a New Tork publishing house through New Jer- the regular cavalry, and now left that' service to ac- sey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, and subsequently cept the position of Second Lieutenant in the 5th in Virginia, as agent of a London House. In the Fall Indiana Cavalry. of 1855, he started a Catholic bookstore in Richmond, With this regimdnt Lieutenant O'Neill served in but the enterprise failed for lack of Catholic popula- Kentucky during the Spring and part of the Summer tion and spirit in that city. of 1863, and was conspicuous in the pursuit of John O'Neill's leanings had always been to a military Morgan through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. His life, and he had only been prevented from entering services became so well acknowledged by the regi- upon it by the opposition of his mother and relatives. ment, that whenever a detail was made for a scouting He had now mixed considerably with the world. party, the question " is O'Neill going to lead it," be- Travel had but added to his soldier sympathies, and came of common occurrence. A soldier who 6ei"ved wheti the Monuon War was the chief topic of specu- with him, -wTiting from Bardstoum, Ky., in August, lation, he enlisted in the Second Dragoons at Balti- " '63, says : know of seven rebels he lias killed with more, May, 1857. "Wlien the Rebellion broke out We his own hands. We know he charged and put to rout O'Neill was serving in the 1st Cavalry at Fort Crook, 200 rebels with 33 men. We know he charged two California, and accompanied that regiment to the At- regiments of Morgan's command with fifty men, and lantic side, arriving in Washington on Christmas day, took three of their guns. Let every officer in the ser- 1S61. He served -under McClellan throughout the vice that well, and the piivates will soon finish the Peninsula campaign, had command of General Stone- do

; -""^^-'-''rti'imaituTirif rS*^-^-*-

GENERAL JOHN o'nEILL. 387 386 FENIAN HEEOES AND MAKTTE9. Joining his regiments death for weeks in Pusing Sun, Indiana. balance." His acliievement with Morgan's regiment on the 10th November, he was severely we give almost in the words of Archbishop Purcell, wounded on the 2d December, while gallantly and of Cincinnati at Walk- tiie successfully repelling a charge of the enemy General Judah left Pomeroy for Buffington on Tennessee. Here, the Lieuten- er's Ford, Clinch Piver, East night of the 19th July, 1863. He sent first failing to rally the men, O'Neill took com- to try and open Colonel an°t O'Neill with fifty men ahead mand. " He rode out all the day, never seeking shel- with the militia, said to be in close communications had given day- ter, cheering the men. AVhen other ofiicers proximity. He arrived an hour and a half after ' long sight.' Ho been skirmishing up all as lost, he replied, not by a licrht, learned that the militia had had met with a heai-ty response from the men." He was during the night, and that Judah's advance foggy—and wounded while successfully making the last stand. been ambushed—the morning being v§ry leave of absence, and the Chief Compelled to take rest, he received the General's A. A. G., Captain Kise, yeare visited his mother thirty men, and for the first time in seven of Artillery, Captain Henshaw, some Jersey homes. captured and carried and relatives at their New xvith one piece of artillery, his regiment, and finding political the river road, some two Returning to to Morgan's headquarters, on stronger than soldierly merit, Lieutenant ' resolved to re- influence miles ahead. The Lieutenant at once request he was Several parties O'Neill resigned. At his own capture them, and kept steadily on. appointed Captain in the 11th U. S. Colored Infantry, him, but a volley invariably drove them tried to stop Examining Board, " with two regi- and was detailed on the Military back. At length he came on Morgan Nashville, Tennessee. He was promised the guard of one hundred men. He sitting at ments and a body _ regiment of cavalry but the road within Colonelcy of a colored ; his men suddenly at an angle of the halted with prevented from oi-ganization of these troops was dispensed a hundred and fifty paces. He was own men towards the close of the war, and the Captain's wound giving them a volley by seeing some of his tendered his resignation to " forward," he dashed in. becoming troublesome, he in front. Giving the order the War Department, which was accepted November, broke and ran. All of our men were re-cap- [Morgan roman- O'Neill pur- ISGt. He got married about this time, under and thirty of the enemy taken. tured Crov/ pieces tic circumstances. A young lady—Mies Mary Morgan for two miles and captured three sued hear- Purcell, " was —to whom he had been engaged in California, of artillery. " This," says Archbishop ing of his wounds, came from the shores of the Pacific the last of Morgan on the field." nurse and tend O'Neill exiieri- wiVii a family of her acquaintance, to After tlie Morgan chase. Lieutenant troth. Hia point of tlie hero to whom she had pledged her cuced a very severe illness, and lay at the

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383 FENIAN H'EnOEa AND MAKTYES. FENIAN HEEOES AKD ILAETTEa, 589 devotion vras equal to lier faith, and he at once gave licr the right to comfort him as a ^vife. loo. At i o'clock in the morning the Irish flag was In May, 1865, Captain O'Neill opened an oflBce in displayed on British soil by Colonel Starr, who com- Xashville, Tennessee, and was remarkably successful. manded the two first boats. On landing, O'Neill

This he gave up to fulfil what he believed to be his ordered the telegraph ^vires to be cut down, and sent duty in following the policy adopted by the seceding a party to destroy the railroad bridge leading to Port wing of the Fenian Organization. His connection Colbome, Starr, with the Kentucky and Indiana with the invasion of Canada, makes him the represen- contingents, proceeded through the town of Erie to tative military man of the Canadian party—and, the old Fort, some three miles up the river, and occu- indeed, regarding that invasion as the result of the pied it. O'Neill then demanded subsistence of the policv of that party, he may be regarded as the most citizens of Erie, assuring them that no depredations comprehensive representative man of thef spirit of that would be permitted, and his request was cheerfully party in its entirety. The record of General O'Neill complied with. At 10 o'clock he moved into camp at in this especial connection, is made from his official Newbiggin's fann, on Frenchman's Creek, four miles

report, kindly furnished at the request of the writer. from Fort Erie, down the river, and occupied it until In obedience to orders, Colonel O'Neill left Nash- 10 p. M. Some of his men on a foraging excursion on ville on the 27th May, 1866, and arrived at Buffalo, the Chippewa road, had come up with the enemy's N. Y., on the 30th. Being the senior officer present, scouts, and towards night O'Neill received intelligence he was designated to lead the projected expedition. that a large force (said to be 5,000) with artillery, On the' night of the 31st, eight hundred men were were advancing in two columns—one from Chippewa, the reported—detachments from the following regiments : other from Port Colborne—also, that troops from the latter 13th Infantry, Colonel John O'Neill ; 17th Infantry, were to attack him from the Lake side. At

Colonel Owen Starr ; 18th Infanty, Lieutenant-Colonel this time, owing to straggling and desertion, O'Neill's

Grace ; 7th Infantry, Colonel John Hoy ; and two force was not more than five hundred men. The odds companies from Indiana, under Captain Haggerty were terrible, but the commander was schooled in but not more than six hundred were got together when danger. At 10 p. m. he broke camp, and marched the crossing took place. The movement commenced towards Chippewa, and at midnight changed direc- at midnight. At 3:30 a. m. on June 1st, the men and tion, and moved on the Lime Stone Ridge road lead- arms and ammunition were put on board four canal ing towards Ridgeway. His object was to meet the boats at a point called Little Black Kock. They were column coming from Port Colborne—to get between towed across the Niagara river, and landed at TVater- the two colmuTis, and defeat one before the other could render aid.

FENIAH HEROES AOT) MAETTE3. 391 390 GENEEAi JOHN o'nEILL: Although victorious, O'Neill's position was very morning of 2d June, At about 7 o'clock on tlio critical. The reported strength of the enemy he had Ridgeway, Colonel Starr, com- " ^Y•ltllin three niilcB of engaged was 1,400, embracing the Queen's Own," with the advance ot manding tli3 advanc3, came up the Hamilton Battalion, and other troops. A regi- tliem withm sight ot the enemy, mounted. He drove ment from Port Colborne was said to be on the road about half a mile' their skinnisli line, which extended to reinforce them. The column from Chippewa would O'Neill immediately ad- all on both sides of the road. also hear of the fight, and move on his rear with formed a line of battle vanced his skirmishers and celerity. Thus situated, he decided to return to Fort of rails, on a road behind temporary breastworks made Erie and learn if reinforcements for the invading army with the enemy. badin- to Fort Erie, and parallel had been sent across at any other points. Seeing up for half an hour. his Tiie skirmishing was briskly kept after the dead and wounded, he divided com- O'Neill on both' The enemy was attempting to flank mand, and sent Starr with one half down the Railroad draw their centre, which wa3 and led the rest on the sides ; and he failed to to destroy it and the bridges, In this exigency partially protected by thick timber. pike-road to Fort Erie. They united at the old fort yards, and formed a new skirmish with the he fell back a few hundred at i p. M. O'Neill next had a few the invading troops arrived there from Port lire. Tiie British, seeing how AVelland Battery, which had supposed O'Neill some were, became adventurous. They Colborne in the morning, and had picked up pursuit. Now was fired from the had retr ited, and advanced in stragglers and deserters. The enemy fail to take it. The' twice O'Neill's chance, and he did not houses. Three or four men were killed, and Irish, who-" retreat the British come on rapidly after the that number were wounded on both sides. Here nearer and nearer— them Cap- not quite so rapidly. They come Irish captured forty-five prisoners, among purpose. He amputated; now they are near enough for O'Neill's tain King, wounded—who had his leg volley stops the and Lieutenant gives his orders with decision; a Lieutenant McDonald, Royal Navy, their turn to retreat—but precautions against career of the British; it is Nemo, Royal Artillery. Taking Irish after them ia communication with they retreat in earnest, with the surprisal, O'Neill put himself in for three miles, and through stating his desperate position. earnest too ; driving them his friends in Buffalo, their retreat, the British was going on else- the town of Ridgeway. In He was willing, if a movement and everything lilcely to necessary, to make the old threw away knapsacks, guns, where, to hold out ; and, if ten or twelve killed, surrender. His men retard their speed, and left some Fort a slaughter-pen sooner than twelve prisoners in the marched forty n-arly thirty wounded, with were without food or supplies, and had up the pursuit one therefore, he hands of the Irislu O'Neill gave miles, and had two conflicts. When, mile beyond Eidgeway.

FEUIAN HEKOES A2rt) MAETTES. 393 392 GENERAL JOHN O NEILL, learned tliat no crossing Lad Leen made in liis aid, he promptly demanded transportation, which was furnished ahout midnight of the 2d June. Tliey were all on hoard hy 2 a. si., and when in Amcri(;an waters, they were arrested hy the American authoi-ities. So ended the invasion of Canada. The commanding DECLAKATIONS IN THE DOCK. officer, under the trying circumstances hy which he Dillon-John Lynch-Jeremlah If he Moore the Pikemaker - Jolin HalHgan-Bryan was surrounded, displayed undouhted capacity. CaBcy O'Donovan-Thomae Daggan-Chariee Underwood O'ConneU-J. B. S. had heen supported, there is no doubt would have KinnealT^ameB O Connor- he ("The Galtee Boy")-Michael O'Hcgan-John Dwyer Keane-Martin Hanly Carey added to his mihtary distinction. C M. O'Eceffe-ComeliuB O'Mahony-C. John Heyhoame- -Daniel O'Counell- -William Francis Roauiree-Patrick to A. O'Brennan. Having been released on his o\vn recognizance JameB Flood-Hugh Frauds Brophy-Patrlck Doran-M. answer the charge of violation of the Neutra'Ity Laws, 6th De- General O'Neill returned to Tennessee. He subse- Michael Mooee, a blacksmith, was, on the for con- quently took up his abode in Washingtco, D. C, cember, 1865, placed at the bar, and indicted war upon her, where he hopes to repair the inroads maJ?: upon his spiring to depose the Queen, to levy Ireland. property. He said to a friend recently th^t the ser- and stir up strangers to invade reading a ^aces to the cause, thus briefly described. Lave dam- The Attorney-General stated the case, which referred to aged his fortunes to the amount of at Iiaast thirty number of documents and letters, recognized Fenian thousand doUara. the prisoner's connection with the ' The testimony of leaders in Ireland and America. was .the same as on the informers, Nagle and Power, Counsel, addressed previous trials. Mr. Butt, Queen's followed by the So- the jury for the defence, and was licitor-General on tlie part of the Crown.

having been asked by the The prisoner, who was found guilty, anjthing to say why sentence should clerk of the Crown if he had with regard to his trial, what he not be passed upon him, said that was not altogether unexpected on had to say was that the verdict been heard from tlio judge. He had his part, after the charge he not expect to be brought brou-ht there unexpectedly. He did what he was accused o£ He be- into "that court i6 h» Uicd for

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394 DECLARATIONS m THE TlOCK. FENIAN HEEOES AND MARTTE3. 395 beved he ^as not griilty In any case. He was firmly con,n„cea hewasf,n,na guilty ization in Kilkenny since 1859, he became actually b.fore he was Ined. From entered X first cW he , ho jail he was sure so after the incarceration of P. M. Dalany, and in that would be the case Th Ire that capacity extended the organization all over the ylo had found h,m guilty were satisUed he was gniltv, for they country. He became printer of the Irish People, (Rossa), was a Whatever The and with T. C. Luby and O'Donovan jury had done their duty as far as the law rc- qmred^the law Which registered proprietor. He spent most of liis time, governed Ireland, which made man become an hi t Ireland a "rebel," as they termed however, traveling through different parts of it, and made him even '''"^' "°' with authoritative messages, and organizing. Ilis ^^ ^ ^-- "-' ''^ ^=s fen e^ orile ^J^^, f""''''^ '°^ ''^""^ °^ talent-he was only movements were narrowly watched by the detectives hmnLhumble workmgL an man. When a man was found guilty of hi^U and the police tbrougliout the County Kilkenny had eason or striving ,o earn an honest livelihood OSbejus in his own col' special orders to be on his trail. putthatfor..ard as a sample of what tflose who hTd to hve thts " well," says Mr. T. P. McKenna, "the m country had to e.xpect. I rem2mber He was now done, except n ely to ask for- .hat a few articles of his day appointed for the nomination of candidates in the jail, with soie other p:irriara3nt for the county of Kilkenny, when all ther Fenians, preceded by a band, were coming in from Callan with Dunne, the nailor, who was put up as' The prisoner spoke in a firm voice, but at the and Cody, of Callan, time same memlier for the county, Coj-ne with a quietness of demeanor. and Haltigau in the foremost rank. Dunne having Judge Keogli promised that Moore's request sliould throughout the county that he begianted, his placards posted and then passed sentence on him of ten would attend to receive the nomination at the Court jears' penal servitude. House in Kilkenny, the authorities at Dublin Castle'

thou'iht it prudent to send an extra detachment of sol- Jomv Haltigax, the registered printer of the Irish city. The Fenians inarched ' four deep' 1 eo2)h, was mdicted and diers to that tried for treason-felony and the city to the Court House ; but drawn up conspt-acy on the 8th tlirougli December, 1865. Mr Ilaltican had identihed on the street through M'liich they had to pass was a himself with Irish nationality fi^m' youth. ^ detachment of lancers, headed by the stipendiary them to halt, and told them Ilaltigan was foreman magistrate, who ordered printer in the office lullenny of tlie he would not permit them to pass. Haltigan's face Jonrnal ; and when Fenianism fi,-st started Mas one got flushed, and going forward he told the magistrates amongst its earliest members, always ready lives. with his that they would pass if it cost them tuoe means • and nominally the head of the or

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FENIAN HEE0E8 AKD MAETYE3. 397 396 DECLAEATIONS IN THE DOCK. Cork, was tried woiild be Bryan Dillon, of Dillon's Cross, allowed to pass if they got out of military Friday, 19th Decern-- order. This at the Special Commission, Cork, Haltigau and Coyne would not consent reply to the usual to do, and ber, 1865, and found guilty. In after some more bandying of words they firmly, but inaudibly, and said were permitted to question, he spoke pass. This, although a slight incident, is characteristic of the manliness and determina- He never was even for one minute in Warner's (the informers) tion of the man." him was totally mi^rue, company ; that wliat Warner swore about lialtigan never was at a meeting at Geary's house. The exist- was taken the night of the seizure of the and that he Irish People, and ence of the Fenian organization had been proved suflSciently to was the fourth man tried at the organization, but it did Special Commision. their lordships. He was a Centre in that The day preceding his trial, an not follow from that that he had to take the chah at any meeting, article appeared in some Dublin daily to conceal paper, intima- as it was a military organization. He did not want ting (hat if his antecedents alone were investigated, anything. Warner had no connection with him whatever. With it would be sufficient of the Attorney -General, which pained to convict him on his trial." His respect to the observation it did not counsel, Mr. Pi'dney, him very much, that it was intended to seize property, Q. C, had the article next day that he hitended to appropriate in court, and follow because of his social station contended that it would prejudice his the propcity of others. His belief in the ultimate independence client's case. All Judge Keogh did was to say the of Ireland was as firm as his religious belief. article was an improper one. He was convicted. In Judge Kco^h— " We cannot hear that. We will give you any answer to the spoken that are in formal question, the prisoner said he indulgence we can, but we cannot hear words had nothing repetition of the charge." to say, and was then sentenced to fact a seven * years' penal servitude. Dillon said he had no more to say, Haltigan turned round, leaned over the edge of the He was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. dock and kissed his son who stood near him—a lad of about sixteen years of age, the eldest of a family of John Lynch was tried at the same time and received nine and he then — left the dock. the same sentence, previous to which he said: The son, true to the principles for which his father "I will say a few words, my lords. I know it would be only a was exiled—true to the promise made him in the dock waste of public time if I entered into any explanation of my po- —was indefatigable in his exertions to extend the or- in by the vast litical opinions—opinions which I know are shared ganization. He traveled throughout the country with majority of my feUow countrymen. Standing here, as I do, will ijiessages from the Chief, and, in turn, was subjected be to them the surest proof of my sincerity and honesty. With to the vigilance all I have to say is, and I of the police. On the suspension of reference to the statement of Warner, that I never attended a meeting at the Haleas Corpus Act he had to secrete himself and say it honestly and solemnly, that I never exercised with a rifle there, that I never came to America in the Winter of '66-7. Geary's,

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AND MARTYE9. 3fl9 398 DECLARATIOXS tN THE DOCK. FENIAK UER0E3

September, 1SC5, Cap- learned the use of llic rifle, nor dkl any of Ibe other tlnnq;9 he quently heard therein. In a package of swore to. AVitU rcsi)cct to my opinion on Erilish uilo in this coiin- tain O'Connell left for Ireland, bearing tiy " but which — the contents of which he was ignorant, Jfr. Justice Keogh " We can't hear that," the Feniau were sufiicient to show his intimacy with Tlio Prisoner—" I have to say i3 that I was not at Geary's AU landing. He was leaders. He was arrested on his for four or five months before my arrest, so that Warner's state- and trial on the 20th December, 1865, ment is untrue. If having served my country honestly and sin- brought to Being asked if he had cerely he treason, I am not ashamed of it. I am now prepared to found guilty the next day. receive any punishment British law can inflict on me. anything to say, he, after a brief pause, said :

have to make, I hope I Jeremiah O'Donotan and Thomas Dcggan were "1 have; and in the few remarlcs I this honorable court. It is shall not he guilty of any disrespect to charged with swearing in soldiers of the 4th IJragoon eye of the English law the boast of the proud Briton that in the Guards. Tried on 20th December, 1865, and found supposed to be innocent, every man, before his crime is proved, is guilty. Donovan was sentenced to five years' penal tried, found guilty, and punished I have to complain that I ^^as court. When I lea thr ITnited servitude, and Dr.ggan to ten years. before ever I -was brought into this allegiance, upon my legitimate States to which I have swora seized by policemen and business, and before I had landed, I was Chahles Undehwood O'Connell is a native of the There, Sub-Inspector Greaves. dragged off to the police barracks. County Cork. He has had the benefit of a good edu- about like dogs around a surro°unded by his men, who danced me cation, and became a member of the Organization in swear this before God. He wild beast, stripped me naked. I into a cell where a drunken its early days. His parents were dispossessed of their then gave orders to have me thrust I have to speak of the oral farm, and the whole family was subsequently prose- En<'lish soldier had been imprisoned. against me-the evidence of Sub-Inspector cuted by the landlord on a charge of conspiring to in- testimony brought in my pos- He has sworn as to the sealed parcel found timidate him by threatening letters. Ciiarles came to Greaves. most solemnly declare I was as igno- session and m my trunk. I in America 1862, and returning to Ireland, remained package as I am of when time shall rant of the contents of that about six months, when he again came to New documents connected with my regi- be no lonn-er. These mUitary parcel was not in the breast York. lie organized Company K, of the 99th Kegi- ment were m my trunl<, and the sealed trousers pocket, and it was not ment, N. Y. N. G., and served with it at EIraira pocket of my coat, but in my Sub-Inspector Greaves. He came towards n.e in charge of the Confederate prisoners. lie was pas- taken from me by accompanied by the deteclivc, and asked on the deck of the vessel, sionately fond of music and poetry, and his tent was revolver, and ihereujiou arras, and I said I had a me --f I had any tlie rendezvous of many congenial spirits. Tlie strains observations passed, during winch handed it to him. Some of "The Battle Eve of the Brigade," "O'Donnel trousers pocket, pulled nirf the, Aboo" O'M-aiony put his hand into my Now. with regard to the tcs- and other inspiriting songs and ballads, were fre- package and handed it to Greaves.

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400 DECLM^ATIONS m THE DOCK. FENIAN HEROES AKD MARTYRS. 401

Prisoner— " I assure you I will prove that he is an enemy of a timony of the policcmnn Sage, I say there is not a particle of truth near and dear relative of mine, and that he endeavored to ruin ill it—not a single word. I know this country well enough, and him." profess to be pretty well acquainted with it. I know the constab- Mr. Justice Keogh— cannot allow these observations." ulary to be composed exclusively of Irishmen, and it would be idle "We Prisoner— "Anything I state I say fearlessly and aboveboard. for me to ask if he were an Irishman. Such a conversation as he I shall say nothing of the hopes and aspirations which may have lias sworn to having passed between us never occurred—so help filled my mind " me God. The letter read as having been written by me from St. Mr. Justice Keogh— cannot allow to proceed." Louis M'as not mine, Inasmuch as I was never in St. Louis in my "We you Prisoner— " I am not done, my lord," life. Neither was that parcel given me by Col. John O'Mahony Mr. Justice Keogh reminded him that he did not serve hia case. or by any person connected with his office. It was given to me by a gentleman in Broadway, New York, the day before I left to At this stage of the proceedings the prisoner's return homf, with a request to hand it to some person in DubUn. Now, your honorable court, I do not believe there is a parallel m counsel advanced up to the bar and implored him to ' the wide world for the barbarities practiced upon political prison- be silent. ers in this countty." — Mr. Justice Kc )gh—"We cannot listen to that, and your com- Prisoner "Before I conclude, I have to return my heartfelt mon seJise will tell yoQ so." thanks to the noble, gallant, and gifted counsel who conducted my Prisoner—"I have to complain that every little thing I had in defence. It has been put forward that I hold a commission in the 99th Regiment, under Col. John O'Mahony and proud as I Ibe world was seized by the police—my private and family letters, ; am of hooks, and everj'tbing else—the letter from my poor exiled father holding a commission in that regiment, 1 am equally proud of holding it under his command." and sisters to ms : and these they have still in their, possession. Mr. Justice Keogh— " We cannot hear that" They do not contain anything I have reason to be ashamed of. — They bitterly bewail their exile, but do not muiinur against God Prisoner "Well, in conclusion, I believe" or man. I have more than that to contplain of" Mr. Butt, Q. C, here interposed. Mr. Justice Keoo;h interposed. Mr. Justice Keogh, in passing sentence, said

— have set out stating I believed Prisoner " I by that I was tried, "Ton say you swore allegiance to the American Republic^ but guilty, and punished before I was brought into this found court no man by doing so can relieve himself of his allegiance to the will undertake to prove I have to complain of a miserable little I British Crown. From the moment a man is bom in this coimtry " scorpion he owes allegiance, he is a subject" Mr. Justice Keogh— cannot hear that." "We Prisoner—"If that is so, why am I charged with bringing over Prisoner— " I allude, my lord, to her ]\Iajesty's Attorney-Gene- foreigners—John O'JMahony is no foreigner. ral. No, I beg pardon ; it is to the Solicitor-General, Mr. Sulli- van." The judge then sentenced him to ten years' penal Mr. Justice Keogh—"I won't hear anything upon that sub- servitude, upon which Captain O'Connell said, "I ject"

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FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTE8. 403 402 DECLARATIONS IN THE DOCK. to slander anything appertaining to the Court of Jus- pvisoners before tliere will be an excliange of hope tice. that time." The Prisoner—"I have only to say that I protest against having for treason-felony JouN B. S. Casey -(vas arraij^ned been tried by that jury." Commission, 29th December, 1865. Mr. at the Cork Sentence, penal servitude for five years. from Mitchels- Casey ^vas a yonng man originally and became a clerk to Mr. town, who went to Cork Michael O'Reoah was tined at the Cork Special Solicitor-General, Geary, "whose house," said tlie Commission, 30th December, 1865, on a cliarge of " of the principal conspirators." was 'the rendezvous Fenianism, and with having attempted, on tlie 2d No- Irish Fcojjle over the signature He contributed to the vember, to swear in as a Fenian, at Castletownsend, " several of his communica- of The Galtee Boy," and one Hallilian, a petty ofBccr on board her majesty's of his offence—love of tions were read as evidence ship Hastings. O'Regan, who was about tliirty years was scarcely any evidence, country. Though there of age, had recently returned from America. The Warner, who even had the save that of the perjurer, Attorney-General said lie was fully armed witli all the " for ' effrontery to swear that the purpose brazen-faced implements to carry on the work of the brother ; the against Casey and othera -which he gave information " implements " found on O'Regan being, " a Roman pocket of Mr. Butt, Q. C," was to put money in the Catholic prayer-book, a circular issued by tlie Wiscon- the prisoner was found his then cross examiner— sin State Convention of the Fenian Brotlierliood, a mercy. In reply guilty, with a recommendation to^ book on musketry, a driU book, an account book, with - Mr. Casey said : to the usual question, some mysterious items in it, a seditious song book, and

that the evidence sworn by that an apparatus for making cartridges." The prisoner "My lord, I have only to say me, from beginning to end, in reply to the usual question, unfortunate wretch, Wai'ner, against was found guilty, and profess, be- foul peijuries, and that I solemnly is a tissue of most said any of those drill meetings which he fore God, I never attended so also " and I will be entirely responsible is an unfounded untnith, and I will only say a few words, swears I did. His assertion I speech or remarks to injure the conversation between Geary and mc. myself for them. I do not want my i. his statement about informer, I will to the swearing of the police- any one else. "With regard to the approver or bave to say the same with respect writing—he could not—nor did only say that wliat he has sworn is entirely false. It is veiy man JIacaulev. He never saw me beginning to who drank in a room, four feet square, could not I firmly believe that,, from singular that one I address a letter to him. ; that should not be- untrue. I have also to protest,^ m the see him going out of it—veiy strange so you end, he has slated what is " w^hatever, because they are not this vile system of jury packing lieve the words of any iuforiuer face of the world, against only informers, but liars and tiaitois, and are a disgrace to the the prisoner Mr. Justice Fitzgerald would not allow

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404 DECLARATIOKS IN THE DOCK. FKNIAN HEROES AND MAKTYES. 405

for to say anything. I country in wliich they live. They would as soon act as Kara and "My lord, it la scarcely necessary me jury could find no infoi'mere agahist any one else. With regard to what your lord- am sure, from the charge of your lordship, the verdict against me has ship said about my going to America, I hare to say I did not go other verdict than has been found. The convictions have been there at the time stated in that paper of citizenship. I am over been found by the means by which political to the informer, Warner, I eighteen years out of this countrj', and came back to it over ten always obtained in this country. As I never was in the same mouths. I love my country—I will not conceal it—ever since I have only to say that directly or indirectly he any means of knowing my political was forced to leave it from oppression. Your laws would not room with him, nor had with Mr. Luby, I am proud of allow me to live here, and I had to go to America. I saw a few opinions. As to my connection neither it nor anything else 1 have done scraps of the late trials. They were remarks made by the Attor- that connection. I regret ney-General" politically or otherwise. (Murmm^ of applause)." Mr. Justice Keogh—"We cannot allow this. Tou must confine yourself to question to the ; have you anything say why sen- James O'Connor, bookkeeper of the Irish People^ tence should not be passed on you ?" ' was brought to trial on the 8th January, 1866, in The Prisoner— " I wish you would allow me to say a few words. Dublin. He was charged with conspiring to depose There is more tnith in what I say than in what the informer said." the Queen and to move foreigners to invade Ireland. Mr. Justice Keogh— "You cannot serve yourself by the course that he you are about pursuing." • The Solicitor-General undertook to show The Piisoner—"I will only say I love liberty. I see the peo- acted otherwise than as bookkeeper. He was found " ple of this countiy are oppressed guilty, and, in reply to the clerk of the Crown, said Mr. Justice Keogh—"We wiU not listen to any observations of kind." that — When this proceeding commenced he had no intention of ad- The Prisoner "I wUl say no more then." dressing any observations to the court on the act of his having been found guilty, which appeared to him very probable from the Their lordships then retired, and after the lapse of first. However, he wished to state, in reply to the question put several minutes, returned into court. Mr. Justice to him by the Clerk of the Crown, that he thought his case had satisfaction but Keogh passed sentence, penal servitude for seven not been clearly proved, at least not to his own ; to do with the matter. There was no doubt years. that had nothing now that the verdict of the jury hinged entirely on the documentary Prisoner— " I am very glad you got done. I don't expect to be evidence. He saw that before he came forward for trial, in the long inside." letter which was \vritten to him, and which he thought went strongly to induce the jury to find him guilty, was that one ad- John Kinnealt, yho was tried at the Cork Com- dressed to him by Morrisey. Now, it was not very easy, in those contradict most of the evidence given mission, M-as found guilty on Tuesday, 2d January, trials, for the prisoner to against him. He was not in Ireland at the time that letter was 1S06 ; sentenced to ten years' penal servitude. On received in the Irish People office, and he never saw it till he being convicted, the prisoner said regard to saw it in the information made out against him. With

^'-^^':^«»**'Mh'^=^fa?i*tii«'fflam

406 DECLAJKATI0N3 IN THE DOCK. FENTAN HER0E3 AND MAETTES. 407

in the course of tlie loltor Tvhich he WTote to Daniel Conncll, he considered that he ceived that there was one clear truth established an unhappy country, was bouati to reply to it. That letter had not been addressad to these trials, and that was that Ireland was stop to inquire mto. Ho him, and in the absence of O'Douovau it was his duty to reply to but the cause of it he would not then further obseiTa- any lettera addressed to him. There was another letter on which would not detain their lordships by making any no intention of address- his case rested to which he desired to refer. He did not remem- tion, for when the trial commenced he had her seeing the letter which it was stated was written by Stephens ing the court. to him. He had alluded to the fact that it was very difQcult to penal servitude for seven contradict evidence in this case, or any other case, and he thought He was sentenced to the Crown should always prove clearly the charges preferred years. against the person placed on his trial, and that it did not rest on the prisoner to disprove statements made against him. His lord- Cheistophee Mantis O'Keeffe was arrested on the ship, in his charge to the jury, said that the handwriting had not 1865. On the arrest of Luby there been contradicted. That was impossible to do, bscause, in fact, 18th September, letters purporting ever}' person who could disprove his handwriting was at Ihat mo- were found in his possession several O'Keeffe, ment in prison. His lordship also stated that he was no stranger to be addressed to him by a person named in Dublin, and that he could easily have got persons to do so, if and .which were supposed to have been written by a he could disprove his handwriting. Now, he was, he might say, did member of the Fenian conspiracy. Mr. O'Keeffe a stranger in Dublin, for although he had hzen born in tliia city, not belong to the Fenian organization, but wrote occa- he had been out of it nearly all his life, so that it was impossible People. Although not in for him to get any person to give evidence to contradict that state- sional articles for the Irish national sentiments, ment as to his handwriting. In reference to the same fact, he the Brotherhood, he was a man of would apply himself to the evidence of Nagle, who managed and had been Irish correspondent of the Boston Pilot. always to swear what could not, by any possibil'ty, be contradict- Mr. O'Keeffe was brought to trial on the 11th Janu- ed, and it was quite clear that he had studied his evidence very Alluding ary, 1SG6, and found guilty the next day. haid. Nagle said that the meeting at Phibsborough was a Fenian " violent and eccentric " letters brought against meeting, but it seemed to him (the prisoner) that it was not, to the " know : Dublin litterateurs who because nothing about Fenianism was spoken at it. Every man him, the Nationhm^ that, beyond the he refeiTed to was in jail, so that it would be impossible for him the man well are quite convinced to alibi. connection to get any person prove an He wished to state that he writing of those curious letters, he had no considered the line of defence pursued by Mr. Butt was the best remarkably with Fenianism. He put his own case he could adopt, and, on the pait of the Crown and that of his own of in his address to court previous to the passing counsel, he thought each did their duty. The Solicitor-General well lived by his pen—he had to write asked the jury what were they there for; and he himself, in the sentence. He had might naturally same breath, answered that they were there in the pursuit of truth. for his bread—and this circumstance the tone of He hoped he would be allowed to concur in the statement that all be supposed to influence, to some extent, these trials were cairied ou in the pursuit of ti-uth, and he con- It shoidd his contributions to any particular journal.

and M.viiTms. 409 408 t)ECL.VEATlCLTi IN THE DOCK. fe:sian iiEnoEs

could not accede to the not, lioM"ever, be suppos-ed fi-om those remarks of his Mr. Justice Keogh said they sentence of five years' tliat he Avas ready to \rrlte any class of opinions on application, and then passed being ^laid for so doing. His feelings were with his penal servitude. country, he detested tie misrule to which she is sub- liberated, Cornelius DwTER Keake, who had been jected, he hated the fore:;.'ner3 who are masters in this brought up a second time, tried 17th Jan- land, and he was incapaMe of writing or speaking in on bail, was and found guilty of having engaged m a contrary sense. He was a good Gaelic scholar, and uary, 1866, native of Fenian conspiracy. Mr. Keane was a his English style was ter.-e and vigorous. There wasj the" intimately and it was charged that he was indeed, a vein of geniug in the man, and it cropped Skibbereen, he told Ste- acquainted with O'Donovan (Rossa), that out in his address to the covirt. He was sentenced himself sworn in four hundred Fenians to ten years of penal servitude." i,hens he had and attempted to in the nei'^hborhood of Clouakilty, • Nagle, the informer, certified to CoKNELins O'MAHOifT was brought to trial on the swear in two others. Fenian meetings at Plubs- 12th January in Dublin. It was continued the next Keane's having attended street, and Great Bruns- day. The jury disagreed and was discharged at mid- borough road, Buckingham Previous to the sentence Mr. Keane night ;" whereupon the Crown prosecutors gave notice wick street. that they would bring the prisoner to a second trial said:

on Monday moniing. Mr. Butt, astonished, said, " Do liaving myself defended by "I did not intend, up to last nigbt, for ?" believe there was justice to be had you mean the prisoner O'Mahony counsel at all, for I did not country. I was fully con- Mr. Barry—" Yes, We are determined to put him any prisoner charged as I was in this prisoners Cork trials; for not alone are the oa trial again on Monday morning." vinced of that after the the acts of others, of wb.ch he acts brought against him, but Mr. Butt—" That is very hard." own the judges, instead of benig, was not even cognizant. Moreover, the pri- Accordingly, on Monday, the 15th, Mr. O'Mahony impartial between the Crown aud as they ou.-htto be, again put on his trial. found guilty, the Crown than impartial judges was He was and are more the advocates for soner from been pxit in evidence against me in reply to the formal question, said he had merely to of the ca^e A letter has of mine, (Rossa). He was a fellow-townsman say, he was convicted on insufficient evidence. Mr J. O'Donovan of Stephens has his acqu.intance. The name Sidney, asked their lordships to respite and I am proud of Mr. Q. C, always boasted, and will mentioned. I beg to say I have until the been sentence decision of the question as to the hour of my life, of bemg honored coutiuue to boast to the last discharge of the jury on Saturday night last. That and friendship. I do not believe with Mr. Stephen's acquaintance should be ashamed of. As an question was pending in the case of Charlotte "Winser, have been guihy of anything I I banded a combination which was in England, Irishman, I was bound to join m

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FEKIAN HEROES AND MAETYItS. 411 410 DECLAEATIOKS IN THE DOCK.

Mr. Justice Koogh—" I do uot B;e what you have to do with together for the good of Ireland—not for assassination or plunder, other trials." ns has been falsely nsserled. TUe statement of the witness as to Tiie Prisoner—" Do not think I entertain any disrespect to the shooting was entirely false. 1 never said I intended to shoot any- Court. Certainly I couUl have pleaded guilty if I wished, and got body, and it was fastened on lue by the Solicitor-General at the oft' with two years' imprisonment; but I lilce my freedom, and instigation of Sir. Barry. The Solicitor-General would not have "— really tho inducement that has been brought to bear stated it but that Mr. Barry prompted him to do so," Mr. Justice Keogh—"I cannot allow that." The Solicitor-General—-"That is not tme." Tin Attoniey-General— " I feel bound to say that there is not Prisoner— "I saw Mr. Barry talking privately, making some a particle of foundation for that." suggestion to you, and j'ou then alluded to that matter, wh^ch, as Th3 Prisoner—•" It is not about any one belonging to the Crown 1 have said, was entirely and purely false. Now, my lord, I have I sp-ak. It is connected with the press. In the FrecmarCa ouly one request to make, and that is, that you will not give me Journal th3 prisoners are described as honorable men, which they any advice or lecture, as you have done to the other prisoners. I are, though poor, and it describes them as men baitcring with the ask you simply to pass sentence on me, and give me nothing in Crown for their own purposes." the shape of advice or lecture, for I assure j'ou it wobld be lost Mr. Justice Keogh—"I will uot hear observations no way con- npon me." nected with the question." Mr. Justice Fitzgerald fully agreed with the verdict, and thought The Prisoner—" AU I can say is if I outlive the sentence of the the prisoner not only hardened, but beyond the eHect of mercy, Court I will act my part as a man, independent of the anathemas for he was no sooner liberated on bail in Cork, than he forthwith or denunciations of any bishop or priest." went to Dublin and attended treasonable meetings there. "Toil appear," said he, '"to be hardened and determined to persevere in sentenced to live years' penal Borvitudc. this criminal course." IIg was Prisoner—"Most decidedly." Mr Justice Fitzgerald—" It is useless to address any advice to Daniel O'Connell, a native of Toomavara, County you. I shall, therefore, at once pronounce the sentence of the Tlppcrary, was tried at the Special Commission, Dub- Comt, which is, tliatyou be kept in penal servitude for ten years." lin, January 23d, 1866. principal evidence offered against him was his Martin Hanly Caret was brought to trial on the The written, under the signature of " A Spiritual IStli January, 1866, and was found guilty Mitli a having a letter to the Irish People, in which strong recommendation to mercy. In response to the Enliglitener," that he believed it to be necessary that Irish- usual question, he entered on explanations as to he said bind themselves to fight for the independ- whether a man was a Catholic or a Protestant, when men should country. He hr.d also written to Mr. Butt suggested he had better not say any more. ence of their O'Donovan (Rossa), inquiring how he could procure The Prisoner—"I must justify myself about my religion. It some works on military drill, and the best medium lias been introduced into these trials upon some occasions. Ever tlu'ou'vh which to obtain an Enfield rifle and a Colt'a since the Cr.5t trial, the comisul fur the prosecution "

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412 DECLARATIONS IN THE DOCK. FENIAN nEi:0E3 AND MARTTES. 413 vevolrer. Wlieii arrested a ilrill-book was foTUid on you think of it?" IIow was it possible I could get such a document as that from any of the convicts in Mouiiljoy ? As an Irish- his person; and n pass-book, containing the names of a man, I appeal against your sentence to the Iiish people, and I pray Jimnber of men, with ciphers appended to each name, that the God of Justice and Vengeance may guide and strengthea guilty and Avas found in his desk, lie was found them in their holy determination." sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labor, The prisoner was then sentenced to penal servitude for ten years. ."WrLT.iAAi FiiAXcis RoANTREK was brought to trial, in Dublin, for treason-felony on the 23d January, Patrick Hetburne was next tried, on 24th Janu- ISCG, and was found guilty on the next day. On ary, 1S66, at Dublin. The Solicitor-General stated being esked had he anything to say why sentence the case against him, and laying great stress on the should not be passed, he replied evidence which he would produce of arms found in the prisoner's shop, and also a letter to Major-General "I did not think it possible that any jury could bring In against

of guilty guilty of conspiring, it Thomas F. Meagher, which was very patriotic in me a veixlict ; when must have been clear to every unprejudiced man that it was the Crown con- seutimeiit and coucltided with this toast epu-ed. After an absence of seven years, I returned home from Michael one of America. I was set upon by one of the Crown officials, and I "To the memory of General Corcoran, the considered as Irishman or as was publicly denounced by one of its preachers as an infidel. I noblest and best of men, whether an an American ;' and may we all bear a part in fulfilling, under the wish it to be known, and generally known, that no matter who or dauntless Meagher, the two dearest hopes of our heart the res- what he is, no one can hope to live in Ireland except he be a — the liberation of Ireland Schoficld or a Nagle. I was set upon, as I have said; every word toration of the American Union and — of mine was misinterpreted and distorted in the hope of finding am, sir, your obedient sei-vant, soine excuse for my aiTcst. Finding none, Nagle was set upon "PATRICK JOHN HEYBURNE, Guard, Fenian Brotherhood." me, and I was arrested upon his information. I am now, after "Emmet four or five months' close imprisonment, asked, after a few little found guilty, and Judge Keogb preliminaries, what I have to say why sentence should not be Mr. Ileyburne was " passed upon me. Would any word of mine avail me now ? I urged him to be silent, or if he should speak, not to am your prisoner, powerless, fur the" present, to do anything more make an exhibition of himself." than appeal, as au American cili/.cn, against your sentence, not to — lord." any pm-English-Americiin Consul, but to the givat American peo- The Prisoner "I will not, my Justice — give you that advice with veiy anxious ple. I have, as an Irishman, done ray duty to my country, but Mr. Keogh "I molives, and perhaps it would be better to leave the case to the my only rcgi-et is that I have not it in my power to do a great hands of your counsel." deal more. There is one thing more I would like to dwell upon end in the Sidney and Sir. Lawless entreated the prisoner to say —namely, the insane document refeiied to by Judge Keogh. It Jlr. was Nagle hauded me that docuiueut and said to me, '^ what do nothing.

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FENIAN nER0E3 AlTD MAETYES. 415 414 DECLARATIONS m THE DOCK. James Flood was tried in Duhlin on a charge of Tlie P."iso:-.(T— imiRt pay a few worcb, my lord." "I treason-felony, on Satnrday, 27th Jannary, 1S66. Ho Jlr. Ji'.slko Kcnjii— "Tiu'ii you must confine yoursdf fllrrcly " was arrested while casting bnllets, and treasonable to cay i;i matter of law why sonlence bIiouM uot bs passcil upou found in his possession. He was you." docninents" were reply to the clerk's question, Tlic Prisoner— "I w'sli to 6ay a few wor(l3 only; I cniiiiot but fonnd guilty, and in arc return tluuiks to tlie able counsel, because I believe there no said : say any- lioncsler mcu or abler counsel at the Irish bar wlio could days before my ar- "My lord, I came from England only a few tbinj in favor. Tliey argued ably in my delencc, and my have i in the street, I called rest, and the pamphlets were handed to me can Eay not'iin^ about Ibem. I iiavo liad a very fair trial. 1 bad to see young O'Niell, as I to tills place where I was arrested honest men on my jury, I believe tliat, for I Icuow men on tiie know anything knew him before I went to England. I don't jury iiiyscir, and 1 cauld lay my life iu tlicir bands. I liaJ uot according about the Feuian BrotherhooiL Of course, however, iul ended to say anytlihig at a'.l in my belialf until yesterday. I to British law, I must be found guilty. never be'.icvcd I would have been found guilty. I noviir believed I -would until l!ie ruled paper was brouglit against me. If I was He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. standing before God I would say that ruled form was never in my possession. If 1 was on the scaflbld, willi tlie ropo round my HuGii Fkancis BKoroT, who wtiB captured in neclt, I would say that ruled form was never iu my possession. 1 house, was brought to trial in Dublin on the had nothing to do with it. There was nothing in the evidence to Stephen's with being one find me g;uiUy until that ruled form was produced. When that 29th January, 18C6. He was accused conspiracy, and a ruled form was brought iu it found me guillv, and no other way. of the most trusted workers in the Indeed, of Eiigland, I know that the crime entails upon well by law number of letters were brought against him, as " me a severe penalty. I'he histoiy of Ireland of his being as his intimacy with the leaders, and Jlr. Justice KeogU— " I will not liear a word abotit the history at Mullingar when an attack was made on a de- of Ireh'.nd. I i)roceed to announce to you the sentenco of the present made a very eloquent Court, because my delaying any longer would only allow you to tective (Smollenj. Mr. -Butt advised the plac3 yourself in a very fake position." address in his defense, and Judge Keogh — to The Prisoner "Iwisliyou to pass penal serviludo upon mo. jury that they should not allow the brilliant effort Do not giv^ me two years imprisonment, for I would suffer mora verdict. awake their compas^rion, or influence their if I got two years in that prison than if I got penal servitude." guilty and in reply to the Mr. Brophy was found ; usual question, said 1\U: Justice Kcogli then pasrcd sentence —that ho

ho inipfisoned and kept to hafd labor for two years remarks in reference to something " I only wish to make a few fi-om the date of his committah detective Smollen made a state- that passed during the trial. The against my character mcnt-a very serious one if it were true— Tlie Prisoner- "I will have the same principles, my lord, me, there would not be any for manliness. To those who know nftcr wards."

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416 DECEAEATIONS Hf THE DOCK. FENIAJ^ HEKOES AND MAKTVES. 417

I did not see that it had any- necessity to reply to that ; but as there are a great many -who do I assisted in getting np the paper, against her. I always as- not know me, I wish to tell how it occurred. I met Jlr. Roan- thing to do with the levying of war purpose. As to that tree ou the race-course at MulUngar, and I may have ix)uned out sisted in everything got up for a national mentioned, in charging the juiy, to bim, or he may have pomted out Siuollcn to me. In the evening, letter where the 6th of June is _ on the Sunday fol- as we were coming towards the traiu, there were two men mc-t you said it leferred to my going to Mullingar Mullingar fishing, so me—one a veiy young fi-iend of mine, and another man. Before lowing. I was for a fortnight before that in in it, and if so, there I had time to know who they were, one of them stnick Smollen, that it could not be me that was mentioned O'Leary, he who was then with his back to the wall, and they in front of him, could be no agreement about my going there. As to dilTerent name when he thongh he slated he was struck from behind. I was beside the was a workman of mine, but he had a the name he platfoiTO at the time, and as he was against the wall they could was with me. When he was an-ested, Murphy was to look after his not have got behind him. I did not interfere in the row at all. went by. As a workman, I thought it my duty bail for him, Smollen then came forward, stniek two or three men with a large defence. I spoke even to Mr. Curran about getting mentioned that to stick he held in his hand, when the young lad, my friend, ran and he told me it was not the slightest use. I given of it. I had over and struck him \\')th a small stick. I laughed at the idea of my counsel, and I thought evidence might be when I hearfl liit striking with a small bit of a stick a man who drew a large not the least doubt of what the verdict would be a particle of doubt stick with a knob on it. When I saw that, I pushed the crowd your charge to the jury; there could not be fact you never advanced out of the way, seized Smollen, and tried to take the stick from what it would be after your charge. In has transphed in hiiu. In the tussle we both came to the groimd, and two or a smgle argument m my favor, and ti'om what present tune, I tbree of his friends then took him away. That was the end of it these°trials, fi'om the first of them down to the feel proud of iVs to Carty, I never heard the words which Smollen swore to here. must confess, as far as the people are concerned, I I did not leave the platfonn at all. Dawson says he saw me a them." couple of times a week going to the Irish I'eople office; that, too, Mr. Justice Keogh— " We cannot hear more of this." on the re- is not correct. I certainly went very frequently there, but be Their lordships then retired to confer together, and misstatements and Judge swoi-e that for four months before the seizure of the paper he had turn of Mr. Brophy con-ected some ; you are proud of not seen me there, while, when before Sir. Stronge, he swore he saw Keogh took the occasion to remark: "You say that but re- nie there about two months before. That was a great contradic- the men who were brought to trial here. What is

tion. I lived in Constitution-hill ; was building at Frankfort ave- "Imeantthe people, my lord—the people outside." nue, and I had therefore to pass thi'ough Parliament street, and in ^°'prisoner— that way the mistake must have occurred. Dawson said he had He was then sentenced to ten years' penal servi- 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 tude. couple of times a week. Then, again, as to those boolt', with the with Thomas Francis revolvers, the}' were found on the chimney piece in the room, and Patrick Doran was tried, move- not in a drawer; so that the police made a mistake in that also. Biivlce, for participation in tlie insurrectionary As to the getting up of the paper, of course I had to do with that, Dublin in JIarch. He was funnd ments in the County _ and I was chairman of tlie committee meeting ; but I do not see Lord Chief guilty, and in reply to the question of tlie 'what that has to do with levying war agamst the Queen. When

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419 HEROEa AND MAETTR8. 418 DECLAEATIONS IN THE DOCK. FENIAN return and the American Fenians Justice, " lias the the prisoner, Doran, anything to it was said "let to stn- up treasonable and intended say ? —replied that such was and "separate it from the foreigners to invade Ireland " My lords, I have not got miicli to say. Of course, I could prosecutor read from United Kingdom." The Crown not follow the same strain of eloquence that my countryman and Feniamsm m th^ Army an article headed "Alleged fellow-patriot expressed himself iu. But I, alao, am consigned on the te e- Mr. O'Brennan, commenting to an early gi'avc—cut off in tlie vi.t;or of manhood by falschooda in which and arrest of a Sergeant-major sworn here— false as God is true. In relation to Sheridan, he sat gram announcing the there with a smile on his countenance, and swore that I com- Feniamsm, said a soldier in Cork for manded the riflemen, or iu other words, acted as aid-de-camp to the conspirators who were under Lcnning—whoever Lenning is; I Fenianism has extended ..It is rumored, that also stated that I demanded the surrender of the Constabulary.^ ^^^a^^^^^^^^^^ do not know. He amongst the soldiers of the line, ban-ack at Glencullen in the name of the Irish Republic. [Here the f prisoner looked around court.] There are men, who are present, who could give another account of that ; but they were rfot called on that table to prove my innocence. I never spoke to him, good are no longer or bad, that night—never said one word to him, or to any of them the m-dit^y andpeople ;;:L to Ve peo^-^th. I was not there at alL My meeting with Meares was merely an — under allegiance.—Ed. C. P. accident. He is a man I never saw or know before. But I forgive them, as I hope Glod will forgive me. I have to say no more. a more mischievous The Crown counsel thought I return my heartfelt thanks to my eloquent counsel, who so ably c'-ulated as i could scarcely be defended me, and also to my solicitor, Mr. Lawless. That is all piece of treason people t^^^^ to tl- niinds of the I have to say." ntending to convey extended amongst the soldiers Feniani^n had widely He received the same sentence as Colonel Burke. and militia.

Martin A. O'Beennan was arrested on the morn- requested the magistrate to The prisoner's counsel ing of Thursday, 12th October, 1SG5, at Tuam, and declined. - accept bail, which was immediately conveyed by constabulary to Dublin. counsel in to assist the learned On the next day he was brought before Mr. Stronge, It is my duty Mr O'Brennan-" made upon that an aggression is it may appear at the Lower Castle Yard. It was charged that on , ...that ' no maUer who .v'bvl cZn Here is an article, the 30th September previous, in a newspaper, entitled n the Crown: "'\ at door by • my ani he charge is laid the Connaught Patriot and General Advertiser, of which O'Brennan was sole conductor and publisher, thei'e was, among other seditious articles, onein wliich

•^'"-'rihirniiiiiMmfr"'"'"'-"^'^'"^*'''--'-'-™'-'

421 FENUN.UEEOES AUD MAETYES. 420 DECLAEATIONS IN THE POCK, for aud to rule it.' Not seeking to sul)vert tlie power of the

Queen or of the Englisli govermneut, but saying tliat wliich the Couscj vativcs are quietly allowed to do—to subvert Whig neglect, aud to establish a rightful rule iu Ireland "

Sir. Curran—I thiuk it would be a great deal better now, Mr. O'Brer.nnn, if you would just sit down and say no more.

SIi-. O'Breunan— " I subject to you, sir but I must protest, am ; AND PEN. when I find the Crown acting with so much virulence as to take SWOBD me from my large family of nine or ten, and stick me up into no belter thrn a water closet last night, and keep me from three o'clock yesterday morning, to half past nine o'clock this morning,

•n ithout any refreshment. It would well become the Crown to say—how ia this man treated ; or why should such an aggression Arreted. John K. be made upon the right of the subject as has been made Back to Amclca. ^^Z'G^Vl-n^I'vlnX. Ia Ka- upon me. If it occuiTed elsewhere the Attoiney General or Sc.oot-.a.t«™ Jr!''°lnera. F.iola-L.t of Crown Solicitor would be the first to denounce it as barbarous and rir^^'^F^re savage, and a portion of the tyranny that has been earned out in Active Fenians. other countries ; but here when it is exercised upon a subject of GEAET.-Educated, brave, cool and her Majesty, there is not one word at all against it." Cattain John A. .s a true dattger, Captain Geary decisive in tl.ne of The magistrate committed the prisoner for treason- officers whom the Femau type of the band of Irish felouy and thought it did not become him to answer re.nember with pnde Bom Brotherhood will ever catne the statements made by the latter, who was then re- abottt the year 1842, he he County Lhnerick S boy, and moved to Richmond Bridewelh his family, while yet a o this country with

• war Mr. O'Brennan was tried at the Commission, and lib- On the breaking out of the trted in KenLcky. erated November, 1865, on his own recognizance, but private soldier, axtd, by h. brawy Le tlisted as a towtirds the close of March, 1866, after the suspension the rank of Capta.n long and good conduct, attained of the of the IIi(heas Corpus he was again arrested at the ceased. At the conclusion befot^ hostilities railway staiion in the to^m of Claremorris, thonght was to give on a Atnerican coitflict, his first creat move- charge of seditious language, and thrown into the to aid the liberatmg his military experience county jail of Mayo. He was subsequently released, Through his exertions in the land of his birth. ment formed ami came to America, where he arrived in October, Fenian Brotherhood was a fine Circle of the 1867. under his direction, it became in Lexington, Ky., and,

423 FENIAN HEE0E8 AND MAETTRa. 422 SWORD AND PEN. him in the streets The second day following found the organization. He one of the most efficient in Limerick, where a rencontre of Newcastle, County be placed on the roll for traits made earlv application to which Geary's decisive, soldierly upon, he occurred, in uMlitary service; and, when called of police, active illustrated. A six-foot sergeant prepared tor were well reported in Kew York, fully hero alone in the pro.nptlv named Sullivan, observing onr dollar to the general duty, without the expense of a it a favorab e oppor- vicinity of the barrack, thought on his arn- Oro;anization. He went to Ireland, and, recommend himself for the tunity to distinguish and short thne ^\as assigned to duty in Limerick. A by capturmg s.ngle- vaC lona--coveted Sub-Inspectorship, Act,"' in previous to the " Habeas Corpus Suspension " propagandists^ of haifded one of those detested he was ordered to Dublin. When walking up to the Cap- February, 1866, American ideas." Confidently d:etat, took place on the 17th of but this the Government covjp Queen's prisoner ; tain he claimed him as the mouth, several of the Irish-Americans were at Geary had gone to Ir^ that was a slight miscalculation. in their lodgings. Luckily fdi- Captain contingencies He did once arrested land prepared for snch little morning. he had left his lodgings early that officer, who had faced Geary, not think an Irish-American absence three of his fellow-officers, who shonld be captured in Duriag his death on so many bloody fields, arrested on bcmg peeler; stayed at the same house, were ; town by a solitary the streets of his native of which the Captain determined to go Limerick and old Kentucky informed the combined honor of at the to southward by the evening train. Arriving his revolver, he, not caring forbade it ; so, drawing of railroad depot, he found several policemen and detec- bullet through the shoulder kill the fellow, sent a the lookout for " suspects." This brought first shot not disabling tives on the aspiring sergeant. The our hero into play. Touching, with spot levelled him, and the quick wit of him, another near the same large trunk lying on the platform, he authori- in the direction of the bar- his foot, a then, after a single glance inquired for its owner; that individual appear- the neighboring mountains. tatively rack the Captain made for open the trunk at once, and lesson was, that the ino-, he was ordered to The'efi-ect of Captain Geary's detective occupied himself busily exam- sqnads when attempting the the assumed police always went in the train was just starting, especially if he wore ining its contents until capture of a Fenian officer, when, having expressed himself satisfied that it con- " boots." square-toed _ "contraband," he coolly stepped on mountains, Captain Geary re- tained nothing On arrivinc^ in the provisions if for the purpose of watching or in a turf stack, board the train, as ceived temporary shelter and was carried oif from night. After the laj^e o a examining parties thereon, beiu- conveyed to hhn at noses of her Majesty's vigilant detec- with more cointortable nndcr the very few days, he was provided tives.

^v..i-..fj.^j-i.».'ilrj.,.ai.-.^M.an..y.«. "'r'lniil

424 6W0ED AUD PEN. FENIAN HEROES AND MAETTEfl. 425 qiiartci'3 iu tlie house of one of tliose patriotic Irisli knowing from recent experience, that a successful })rieBt3 wlio form the great majority of the clergy of rising in Ireland was impossible for some time, he was " the people ; the acts and assertions of the Queen's willing to devote part of the interim iu striking a blow " Ecclesiastics on the one hand, and flippant, ignorant, at the upholdei"s of the ' Felon Flag ' whenever an self-proclaimed atheistical freethinkers on the other, opportunity offered." Acting on this resolution, he to the contrary notwithstanding. In Captain Geary's was present at the battle of Ridgeway, was among case the character of the true Irish priesthood was the officers captured with O'Neill by the United States nobly sustained. For, knovTing his history, and hon- authorities, and now hopefully looks forward to the oring the bravery and humanity displayed in the ac- uplifting of the green banner on the old soil. tion which caused him to be proclaimed an outlaw with a price on his head, he was, for the six weeks Captain James Mitrphy came to this country when during which he remained in Ireland after the event, a boy, and after a time he enlisted in the United sheltered exclusively by members of their order. Ho States army, in which he served his full term, and was attended a funeral in their company in the guise of a discharged. On the breaking out of the war, he priest, and finally left L'eland as a youthful mission- re-enlisted in the 20th Massachusetts Volunteers, and ary, being accompanied by several of his clerical fought his way up from the ranks to a captaincy. He friends on board the ship, who left him with fen'cnt was v/ounded at the battle of Ohancellorsville, and prayers for his safety. The pistols, which stood him placed in the Veteran Reserve Corps, from which he in such good need, he left in charge of a priest until resigned at the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 the time arrives for again using them in the good old he visited Ireland for the purpose of recruiting his cause of liberty and fatherland. shattered health, was an'ested in Dublin at the tinae Captain Geary arrived safely in Kew York in the the Iri^h People was seized, but claiming his Ameri- latter part of April, when he at once reported to John can citizenship, he was released after a week's impris* party, O'Mahony. Some members of the Canadian on men t. then maturing their plans for the raid across the fron- The authorities claimed that Murphy "con- tier, meeting the Captain, ofiered him a Colonel's com- tinued to engage actively in promoting the interests mand in the expedition. Not wishing to identify of the organi*;ation—going down frequently to liimsclf with that party, he declined the proffered Athlone, Mullingar and elsewhere throughout " honor; but, on relating the occurrence he expressed," the country, for the purpose of swearing in mem- " says an informant, the intention of taking part in bers and otherwise forwarding the movement." the movement should it be actually made; as, well He was consequently arrested again on the suspen-

riCNIAK 11KE0E8 AND MAR'rYKB. 427 AND PEW. 426 BWOKD Ballads, Songs and le- a^^v "A Wreath of SliamroclvS, Corpus Act, and ^^^orl^y received sion oftlie Habeas gends" publisiied in Dublin, which was ot a v>l am- be uv.de the victnn favor. It is .vards v.as sought to by the critics and public with merited ^^^^' that his tal- ous conspiracy. He ^^ Binall testimony to the young writer military no army, removed'^''^'^^'f^,to a of English tcr from the British ents overshadow his politics in the eyes tyranny. sobjecVed to atrocious admire and indorse prison and tlicrc _ critics, while the Irish journals ^ suborned perjuiers his trial by court-martial music and his nationality. Tlie London At appearing both his but the real deserter " book " for all swore to his identity, thinks' it not an "unpleasant mil a- lieview and his certificates of evidence in his favor, treason." as been pio- its taint of States army having " might re- rv service in the United " And here," continues the Review, we his discharge, however duced, he was acquitted. On accepting the 'Wreath of Shamrocks' as the rep- vl o mark, by the detectives ( that w:4 immediately rearrested of the opposite side to ' Orangeism,' he to resentative purpose) and conveyed as hand for that is rabid, stupid, and nonsensical, were on 23d where the latter he remained until the former treason Mountjoy prison, where exemplified in the poet Young, in the incarceration of 18G6, when, after ^n tolerant and intelligible shape, December, Murphy is put in a fascinating, liberated. Captain incomparably eleven months, ho was by an outsider render it his wliich would imprisonment against course, •brought an action for false to the loyalty of Orangemen. Of postponed preferable they got the tVKil could leel xnilitarv persecutors, but Saxon comes in for it, but no Saxon to de the 5th- January, loG7, in his own and he arrived in America over-vexed at being railed at so eloquently the American Government demonstrates that numd the protection of language, and in a manner which before the law courts m a sound while prosecuting his claim the'genUeman indulging in it must have been he intends returning as he curses Ireland, to whicli country student of the authors Avhose countrymen assured of this protection. Boon as he can be as Kehama cursed." and The Nafwn truthfully says of these ballads of fine as a young writer national sentiment, re- John K. Casey, known Eom's: "Always true to the to the nationa press, inspired by th3 promise by his contributions a genuine spirit of patriotism, claim flectin'T "Leo," has an additional of Irish history, and by with the signature of tender" and heroic memories the perse- his countrymen from no misfortunes or reverses on the affections of that n-lowinT hope which brought upon liim. He was Irish heart, mu- cution his talents have 'been Tble to extinguish in the and have Marcli, 18G7, at Castlerea graceful in their expres- arretted on the 13th in their flow, clear and Casey sical Jail of rcoscommon. ^Ir. and legends will be a source lod-ed in the County Bion, those ballads, songs, volume of national poetry, entitled i3 the author of a

FENIAN HKU0E8 AND MARTYE8. 429 428 BWOKD AlfD PEN.

Early in 1807, a so-called "Council of Ten" were of real plc.isuro to nil who feci liow deeply tlic na- captured in Csimden street, Dublin. Their names tiuiial sjiirit ol' this eoniitry is iiidchtcd for its Bustftia- were given m follows: Henry Hughes, Francis Holly- inciil a.id intensity to the popular national poetry." wood: he had a six-barrelled revolver in his i)0SBe3- sion, was said to be a prominent Fenian, and one of John Tx)CKE was born in the aneicnt little town of "llughc-i' ca])taiM8." Joseph O'llara, he liad two for- Calhin, County Kilkenny, about nineteen years ago, miflablc looking revolvers in his posscBsion—one with of humble parents, wlio gave their son as good an nine chambers—and both loaded and capped. John edueatioii r.s tiie village seliool afibrded. He was a 'AValsh, reported to be "high in the organization, doing great favorite with liis eehdolinates, on aeeount of his of emissary in communication between dis- kindness of heart; and his attention to his the duly innate " liictB and circles." Owen Martin, another B." Btiidies and natural smartness made him a great James Martin; also " B." Thomas Cullen, John Law- favorite with his teaeher. After some time he was Foi-cster, book- less, a pronuncnt member. Arthur a appointed to the ofllec of National Sehool Assistant; keeper, whose career was " pretty well known to the but although he had a Government situalion, he could police." He was a sub-centre for the ]\fanche8ter dis- r.ot resist the appeals of natioiuilily. Wlien his day's and had been extensively employed in the Or- work was done he met the " malcontents of Bridge trict, ganization. He was one of the contributors to the among whom were Dunne, the nailer, "of street," Tell" Irifh I\'()j)le, under the name of" William and parliamentary renown," Edward Coyne, James Cody " An"-us," and was in Dublin in 18C5, under the name and others. Young Locke wiis an early riser, and his Thomas Brown. He fled belbie the Ilahcaa Corpus mornings before school lioura were devoted to tlie of act was BU3i)cndcd. He went to Chester in command niuses. A great lover of the beauties of nature, he of the Manchester men during the demonstration has interwoven in liis songs the impressions made on also in charge there, and th<,n crossed over to Dublin— him by the surrounding localities. Our young poet of them—where they were arrested on the ICth Feb- found inspiration in the scenery by which ho was sur- • ruary. After being a short time in custody he was rounded—in the traditions ass(jciatcd with them in' relciised on account of IiIb youth, and permitted to go of his comitry in the miseries of the peo- the history — " at large. " It wiis," says the report, this young fel- ple, lie entered with enthusiasm into the doctrines low who offered the desperate resistance, and tried to of the Irish People^ and became a contributor to that shoot the olliccr who waa Btruggling with him, and jom-nal. On its seizure he wrote for the Irishman, two constables were obliged to knock him down and under the nom de jdm'^^^ of " The Soulliern Gael," wrin"-hi8 revolver from him. When disarmed he said and Bubseciuently was arrested and sent to jail.

; "-TUftiiiaiir"'"-—-'^"^°°°"

AOT) MAnTTRS. 431 430 8W0ED AND PZy. FEKIAB UEEOES

on them to commit yoti for tnaL" tliat all lie regretted was that lie did not slioot tlie offi- make it imperative committed. cer—that he did not care Mhich of the two went to He was then formally hell or heaven, but that either shonld. This prisoner and rENiANisM.—By a was also known to the police as a companion of Baines National Schoolmasters of the House of "Commons, dated in tampering with the allegiance of soldiers, particu- return to an order " schoolmasters arrested larly those of the 30th regiment." the 8th of March, 1866, of all Fenianism, from in Irelaud for Ribbonism, sedition, or date ascertain- the 1st of January, 1860, to the latest of such arrests General Faeiola was arrested iu the Summer of able," we learn that the total number were charged 18G7. On being brought up for the second time, was thirty-four. Of these thirty-one one with July 29th, before the police magistrates, at the with Fenianism, two with Eibbonism, and Lower Ciistle Yard, Dublin, the prisoner wis given entire thirty-four appear under tho sedition ; and the Their names a seat, as he suflered considerable pain from a bayonet description of national school teachers. attached are given wound in his left leg. He said he was not in a con- and the schools to which they were Tipperary; Mi- dition to procure legal aid. Informations were read, thus: Thomas Doherty Brougham, Darragli, Ballycastlc, one from the wretched Massey, who deposed that chael Hyland, Galway; Daniel Armagh; General Octave Louis Fariola came to Ireland to take Antrim; Patrick Mulligan, Manooney, Duggan, part in the rising, and that he was introduced to him James Cheevers, Glynn, Carlow; Thomas Gleeson, Kuockna- iu Loudon by General Cluseret, who said he was to be Ballincollig, Cork, E. ; Jeremiah chief of staff. Witness Sullivan, Blarney YiUage, was the deputy of General gowna, Cork, E. ; Cornelius Cluseret, under the rising the Passage, W., Cork, E. whom on 5th of March Cork, E. ; William Conway, E. Michael Cro- was to be made. James Leary, Carrigtoohill, Cork, ;

; James Lehane, Lishecn, Other informations having been read, the prisoner nin, Rosnacahara, Cork, W. Cork, W.; Ear- was asked whether he had anything to say in defense. Cork, W.; Deelan Monsell, Skull, " Cork, W.; Patrick He replied, I cannot say anything on such meagre tholoinew Brien, Cooscroneen, Patrick O'Donncll, evidence as has been produced against me. There la Murphy, Cahergariffe, Cork, W.; Magee, Dromore, no evidence to show that I was one of the conspira- Arramore Island, Donegal; John James tors. I therefore have nothing to say, and I think I Down; Daniel Kelliher, Killarney, Kerry; Arthur Goii, should be discharged." Col. Lake said, "The magis- O'Crlln-han, Ballyhane, Kilkeany; Limerick trates are of opinion that your comjilicity with rev- Wall, Kilmallock, ; a LeitrlmrLeitrim ; Wm. Henry M. Cur- olutionary movement has been established so far as to William Abitt, Phillipstown, Louth;

; ifiiiSiiM&i^s^siî.:^!/^ eîiî^-3:?î.MiA;J^k«:^^

432 6W0ED AND PEN.

ry, Bclcarra, Ma3"0 ; John Diifiy, Lisanislca, Mayo

James Hyland, CroES, Maj'o ; John Flanagan, Balna- barna, ^feath ; Edwaitl Roche, Tedoo, Monaghan;

Patrick Erien, Tubercurry, Sligo ; Michael Cleary,

Clerihan, Tipperary, S. ; John Dwyer, Tipperary,

Tippcrai7, S. ; Patrick M'Gninness. Crowenstown,

; Westmeath John O'Toole, Coolquarry, "Wexford ; Hngh Byrne, Kingstown.

FUNIAU HEEOES AKt) MAKTYEa. 4S3

DARING ESCAPES.

Tal- John Kirwan—In Papal Brigade—An Active Fenian Centre—WonBdcd at Colo- lahgt—Arreated-Placed In the Meath HoBpiUl—His Escape from it. Appearance In nerLeonard Takes Part in the Drogheda Rising—Mysterions and Captain a House, and Escape from it—Arrest of Colonel T. J. Kelly Driven off in the Dacey in Manchester—Remanded—Crowds in Court— Police and Mob De- Prison Van Handcuffed and Guarded by Police-The Wild Excite- feated—The Van Broken Open and the Prisoners Released. Ireland-Ar- ment Captain Dacey. Captain Lawrence O'Brien-Goes to Escape from Qonmel rested-Committed for Trial-Bold and Mysterious JaiL

of Allusion lias already been made to the escape Stephens from Richmond jail, and the daring attempt of Noonan to escape from his captors. There are daring other instances of adroitness, enterprise and which distinguish the pursuit of Fenianism under mention. difficulties, and which call for honorable The successful adventure of Stephens has been eclipsed by those which followed.

John Kirwan, a Dublin " Centre," became widely hands of known by his " mysterious" escape from the po- the eueiuy. Mr. Kirwan had been in the Dublin Brigade, in which he lice, and left it to join the Papal able Fe- served, like many others who have become return he nian propagandists, with honor. On his

FENIAK HEROES AND MAETYR9. 435 DARING ESCAPES. 434 Meath Hos- Dublin and soon prison infirmary, he was ordered to the mercantile situation in Obtained a shovm to him. Kir- tl-o^f-^-Moc. mflue^^^^^^^ pital, where every attention was he was appointed, determined and. :^ Courts Debtui. wan was well known to be a most of turnkey in the Four to the position previous occasions, ef- prison, and wa. . daring man. He had, on two he left the ^ Prion Subsequently gave special di- Canal Company In fected his escape, and the authorities ranger by the Grand appointed but should be most closely watched, and given for his arrest rections that he 1865, orders were September, appointed to guard him night way,_and, up to Apnl, two policemen were Contrived to keep out of the h well known and day. pursuers, although it was 1S67 to evade his authori- the Feman His health was exceedingly feeble; but the a most active part m thit he wa. takhig On Tues- ties now declare that this was a pretense.

orcranization. . . » seven March^-M-„vf.^ day evening, the 9th April, about half-past prominent part in the nsmg of lie took a of the pris- rencontre m the o'clock, the police constable, in charge severe wound in the and received a a draught iu -rested on the oner, left him for a short time to get Tallaght. He was Tethborhood of The policeman was ab- street, and w a. taken the apothecary's room. in a house in Bihsop GtlfApril and on his return found that committed him for tnal on a sent about seven minutes, bcfofe'Dr. Carte, who which Kirwan brought before the the prisoner had escaped. The room in high treason. When ILre of the corridor«of the acci- the prrsone. .a. one was confined is situated in it was stated ^that nitrates when the constable left, the invalid made an attack on the Stepaside dent ward, and of Ae persons who he got Shrove Tuesday^ made a dash for his life, and saved it. How station on the night of Itabulry " mysteries." He left with nothing g^ât extent eori^borated out is one of the statement, was, to a ThTs and drawers. It is thought that ho âs badly wounded in the breast on but his shirt by the fact that he Kow, where him to the his way into Long Lane or Camden which had passed4hrough made by a rifle bullet him. As soon as his His wife was in atten- there were confederates to assist Ivicle, which it fractured." and as was made kmown, of course there was pei-plex- was in a delicate condôn, escape a^nce, Ind as she made his way to she Pegged the ing excitement. Kirwan, however, husband was in a dying state, ber the hos- has taken up his residence in New York. latter sent to one of America, and nacîstrate to have the proper med- where he would receive pitals of the city Colonel The escape in July, 1S67, of the Fenian move- in the who participated in the insurrectionary Kuan's character stood very high Leonard, "IriT previous, created a his wifes request ment iu Drogheda in the March of influential persons, estimation that town. The circumstan- of being sent to the ..-rcat deal of excitement in las complied with, and instead

FENIAN HEEOES AKD MAETTE9. 437 KSOAFES. 436 DABUja searched, a successful result. Few incidents professional gent e^ without follows: A respectable ceswerea. mtlie connected with Fenianism created more gossip in. astoniBlxmeut-discovered a person L!n-toLls Drogheda. heavy beard and an aj. .pper part of his bouse, with Colonel Leo-rd. On pearance altogether resembling

;

MAKTTR9. 438 DAJtlNG ESCAPES. FENIAN HEEOES AKD 439

an intense in- The two Fenians, together with several women and greater number of those present took of strangers young boys were the occupants of the vehicle, which was terest in the proceedings. A number below the accompanied by eleven policemen—seven besides the crowded the corridors and the open rooms those persons re- driver upon it, and four following in a cab behind court. After the court adjourned, Sergeant Brett o'clock, four were on the box ; two behind, and mained, and by the time the van arrived, three court house was was inside the van in the middle compartment. The the narrow street in the rear of the considerable force of van proceeded quietly until they arrived at the rail- filled by an excited thi-ong. A van clear. Mean- way arch, on the Hyde road, near the clay pits. Tlie police was told off to keep the Superintendent had been officers in front noticed a crowd of men, the majority while, the attention of a appearance, who had of whom were anned with revolvers. This crowd called to two men of soldierly morning. An inspec- was composed of men dressed, some in cloth and some been seen lounging about aU the in the garb of to arrest them,. One of in fustian ; but there were not many tor and constable went forthwith a taU, pow- workingmen; the majority seemed better dressed. them made off and escaped. The other, concert, and a Fenian, resistance. He drew from They appeared to be acting in ful man, made a desperate leader. The loose-springed knite, which, named Wm. O'Meara Allen, acted as his breast a long-handled, forward, became a for- moment the van approached the arch Allen shouted on the blade being thrown with a click. to the driver to stop. Th's was followed by a volley midable dagger, the spring tightening the wrist, and of pistol shots. A policeman incited the driver to The inspector seized his prisouer by wrenching the weapon out drive on. Simultaneously, however, the Feuians in while he was in the act of through the aimed a fearful blow with front fired at the near horse, and shot it of his right hand, the fellow knocked off his box. mo- the constable full in the eye, neck, and the driver was A his left, which caught " and com- ment afterwards the other hoi-se was also shot. Sev- Some more constables came upon the scene shot, and was searched and hand- eral of the officers narrowly escaped being pleted the capture. The man themselves by ducking their heads. Tlie ' afterwards the prisoners, in- only saved cuffed. A few minutes marched between a progress of the van was effectually prevented. About cluding Kelly and Dacey, were of the van. A. twenty of the assailants formed a cordon round the double row of constables to the steps prisoners, who van, and kept the police at bay. Several bystandei-s murmur rose from the crowd as the rush but they the vehicle. joined with the police, and made a ; were in handcuffs, were placed inside the city in could do nothing against a score of desperate men « The prison van then proceeded thi-ough divided into with loaded pistols. In the meantime, the remainder direction of the gaol. The van was the were armed for a prisoner. of the gnng had attacked the van. They separate compartments, each intended

"' ^- ^--i-^-:ia;^--iia^-'* ^.' -f::ii;:yiicz&i^MsiiiiijauKi;^kkJ3^ ""^"^'f ri Nilif4"iBfni MiJY- .j,^.

441 440 DAEnra escapes. FENI^iJT HEEOES &SD ilAJBTYES.

men in the with hatclict'?, hammers, and stones, with which they Kelly, I will die for yoU.' Some young others, tried to force an entrance. The van, wliich was a very crowd gave chase. Allen, with one or two continued their flight over the fields. At Ashton strong one, reaisted their efforts, till at last a party of . chase, and captured the men managed to haul a very large stone upon the Eoad, a police-constable joined the Larkin, of Eliza roof, and soon pounded the top of the van one of the party, named Michael Another young man, into chips. The door was by this tiin^ nearly forced Street, City Koad, Hulme. ran down Allen, and open, when the leader, who had a pistol in each hand, named Hunter, of Pendlebury, of him. resisted violently, and threat- put one to the lock, fij-ed it, and burst the door open. laid hold He with his revolver. Hunter, The gradually increasing crowd of spectatoi-s had, in ened to shoot his pursuer closed with the meantime, made several charges, but were easily however, who was a powerful young fellow, pistol fi-om him, and struck him with defeated by tlie occasional firing of pistol shots. The him, wrested the head, causing a very ugly police are of opinion that some of the pistols were it several blows on the assistance then came up. Allen was not loaded with ball, for several times, when they vi^ere wound. Other' twenty or thirty witnesses as the leader fired point blank, no effect followed. One of the identified by entered the van aiid bystanders was shot through the ancle, and one of of the gang, and the man who the policemen from the cab, who came up to assist shot Brett. " statement of eye-witnesses, we are enabl- the others, received a shot in the back. The leader, From the further details. very acute looker-on, who Allen, was seen to fixe five shots at the van before it ed to add A railway arch, had noticed a number of was burst open. When the door was forced, the lives near the suspicious-looking men loitering in the neigh- leader called to the prisoners to come out. They strange, all the morning. Some of them visited the were, of course, locked up in their separate compart- borhood inn, ' The Kailway Hotel,' from time to ments. The leader then asked Brett for the keys, but neighboring and then went across the road into the unen- he refused to give them, upon which Allen fired. time, along the line of railway. They were Brett was shot in the head, the ball entering the eye, closed field men, and some of them looked as if they and coming out near the top of the hat. Brett stag- stiffly-built soldiers. One of them was rather taller gered out of the van as soon as Allen had possessed had been was a fair complexioned man, with himself of the keys. Allen then released the two than the rest. He coat and cap. He appeared to be^he leader. Fenians, and the whole party decamped across in the a black informant felt sure that ' something was going to direction of the Ashton Eoad. Our About four o'clock he was so occupied "Allen was seen going along in the company of happen.' watching the men, that he did not see the prisou Kelly, and he was heard by the bystandere to say, with

FKNIAJS HEE0E8 AITO MAKTTE8. 443 442 DABDJQ ESCAPES. age, 5ft. 6m. fugitives:—'Colonel Kelly, 35 years of van when it was coming up the road. lie saw the bushy whiskers, hi liand, and several other men who had been loiter- Captain Dacey, 29 Ireland; weighs about 160 lbs. ing about joined those on the bank, making the num- complexion, years of age, 5ft: lOin. high, swarthy ber from fifteen to twenty. The tall man, who acted moustache, whis- hazel eyes, dark brown hair, brown as Ca]3tain, then drew a revolver, which looked like a make, scar on left kers shaved off, proportionate new one, and it shone in the light. The other men cheek, near to the ear.' once did the same. All the pistols were quite dunng at " The country was scoured in all directions bright. At this moment the rumble of the van was twelve to fifteen the night, and before eleven o'clock heard, and the leader stepped into the middle of the different places in the arrests had been reported from road, raised his revolver, and fired. As abcfve-stated, of Kelly and neighborhood. The last that was seen while some of the assistants kept back the constables were seen by Dacey was near Clayton Bridge. They and the crowd, others surrounded the van and began they then some brickmakers to go into a cottage, to break a way into it. A woman was among the came out their hands being in handcuffs. When they first to get out. Afterwards a tall man with a dark overtook Allen he were"free. When the constables moustache (Dacey) came out, and then followed a been severely stoned was already in custody, and had short, thick-set man (Kelly). Both of the men looked about the head and body." as if they were still handcuffed. Nearly all the as- the Times, " that the pri- « It is ascertained," says sailants crowded round, and whilst some of them hur- its way from the court in son van was preceded, on ried across the unenclosed fields, others remained gaol, by a cab contammg the afternoon toward the behind and fired more shots. The firing seemed quite joined those who had several of the assailants, who at random, as if there was now no wish to wound, but the railway arch, previously been seen loitering about only to keep the police at bay. command." A writer and who appeared to take the " the The excitement which followed the report of this gives it as the " one opinion" of to the Irishnmn battle was indescribable. In reply to the Mayors " most daring, well-planned, terrified town. that the telegram, the Home Office offered a reward of £300 England has been and resolute plot that ever startled the recapture of Kelly and Dacey. The Manches- gathered that for accomplished by the thirty men who ter Corporation also offered a reward of £200 for the at Hyde Eoad." day under the railway bridge capture of those who took part in the rescue. An- nexed is the official description of the two principal

445 FEXIAK nEIlOES ANB ILVnTYRS. 444 DARIKG ESCAt'ES. October serenade on the mght of lie reception and tlie Companion of Colo- Hotel, New York. CAPTAtN TiMOTHY Dacey, the Metropolitan _ ^ 31st, at pnsoner was bom in the escape of another nel Kelly in tlie Manchester rescue, On the same night the opinion on the Clonakilty, County Cork. lie came to this concentrate public town of from iail helped to of ^.e/enians. Ca^^ country at an early age, and settled in the city and Ltennination of 5:,^ state out of the war, of Nenagk The Lawrence, Mass. On the brealdnc; Laurence O'Bneii is a native gal- is eiôneous. He he enlisted in the Massachusetts 'Ninth, fought he was in the police force trZt the year promoted to the to America about lantly through the campaigns, was emigrated with his family lieutenant, and was seriously wounded at subsequently entered the o-rade of a 1859. He Lap refused to leave hia and was promoted^-^^^^'Cto a the battle of the Wilderness, but which he won distinction, and threw into he command until the fight was over. Among all the He became a Fenian, rai"cy activ- the cause of Irish na- intelligence and great noble spirits that embarked in ^î^ "-^^'^ B otLl-o^ accompanied there wtre none early in 1867, tionality during the last few years, went to Ireland ftv He Clonmel Dacey. He went to Ire- through Fethard, than the unpretending ^\ 1 Thomas F Bourke nobler February Lawrence Circle, of o.' the ^Sth land September 2d, 1865, from the ""^r^^r:^^^^^^^^^^^^^ He was discharged which he was a member, reported at Skibbereen, vicSty of the latter place. iu the soon at^^ days after the seizure proof, but rearrested Tvas arrested on suspicon a few wlnTof sufficient for Act. He r^ was kept in jail for two Corpî. Suspension of the Irish People, and u,X the iZaV^ remained in Clonakilty for Lord weeks. On his release he mtedt jail, on a ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ordered to Dublin. a couple of months, when he was He remained there until April, 1866, and had a very nar- " confronted with morning of the suspen- , Corydou was row escape from arrest on the thehe intormcinfonier y previou. ^^^^ of Osborne Act getting out the back guiic „,„,e the Hahem Corpm ; wlio nau "J sion of the Drisoner— n'T-JrlpnBnen front. Captain Captain Laurence O as the authorities entered the identified him as way, !:and with Fe- England, and located of his comiection Dacey was next ordered to Ind gave further evidence Here he had another narrow escape- in Livei-pool. nianism. itVas with ISIajor Greig, ecu^ ^ ^|^-,^,|, having actually had an interview O'Brien was conCnjd ma tlie famous res- who clme to search the house. After Captain Dacey was sent cue by the Manchester men, large opening, pro- where he arrived on the night of Sunday, solitary window, a to America, ted by one and by the iron, set transversely, October 27lh. He was heartily welcomed tSwUh double bJs of pub- Brotherhood, and was the recipient of a splendid

;-^;^';;;'^^"l^rrinTiMiiff--"'-^^^-^''^^''^'-^'''""-^

DAEING ESCAPES. 447 446 FENIiN HEEOES AKD MAETTES. while working. This bar was cut off from the iron emTjeddcd with lead into lieavy blocks of stone, llie support of the metal stove-pipe, which the prisoner outer door is of wood, sheeted and cased with iron ; had found means to procure or remove from its place the inner, a heavy iron fastened out- gate, both well his celL at the end of the coi-ridor while passing to side with double locks and strong bolts and bars. There were found, in addition, some two or three Into this cell prisoner six o'clock the was locked at on iron ham- pieces of rod iron, finely pointed ; a rude "VTedncsday evening, 19th September; and at about mer, a knife, and a small coil of rope unopened. eleven the same night the governor of the jail, in tak- From one of the remaining window bars a thin rope, ing his accustomed round, visited the different cells doubled, hung loosely, reaching some eight feet down, with a turnkey, among others O'Brien's, and saw that from outside, the window itself being fully thuty feet the prisoners were in bed, and that all was right, and the walk below leading to the main entrance. By bi'ought the keys with him to his own room. At six lowered this means the prisoner is supposed to have o'clock the next morning, it was discovered that passage himself to a level with the iron gallery, or O'Brien's cell was untenanted. The prisoner had suc- been irom the press-room to "the drop," and, having in effecting his escape in the prison dress. ceeded A or, which is drawn across, if he had aa accomplice, search was at once made through the prison, and in- over to the pas- just possible, having swung himself formation was conveyed to the Royal Irish Constabu- the prison- sage gallery—in which one of the sheets of lary. were dispatched in different Mounted men ends double-stitched er's bed was found, with the directions into the country districts, while other together—he scaled the railing, crossed the roof of the parties were engaged in visiting suspected places parapet of gate-house barefooted, and got upon the tlirough town aU to no effect. Upon examining the — which it is be- the outside waU of the prison, from cell, it was found that the lower half of the heavy street, some eighteen or lieved lie descended into the iron grating of the window had been cut through in rope, which was also twenty feet, by means of another part with a file or some sharp instrument, the remain- embrasures. His found hanging from one of the der being forced by some means from its leaden window, tied boots were°on the walk under his cell sideblocks of socket, while one of the limestone had across his arm, together, as if they had been hung been broken in two, and the loosened part removed. a fine moonlight night, and bu"t had slipped off^ It was Tlie iron grating and broken masonry were found in effected is not fifty the place where the escape was cell, with the prisoner's hat, which was filled with the barracks. Two of yards from the Puchmond police pieces of cement and limestone ; also, a stout bar of outside the door on the constabulary had been on duty iron, skilfully sharpened at one end, and tied round night. their station up to one o'clock that with cloth to protect the hand, and to lesson the sound

448 FENIAH HEROES Am> MAETTE8. DAEING ESCAPES. 449 of Captain The wildest conjectures grew out . of Fenianism was, witli the that it was impossible to clear Fe- O'Brien'a escape ; and, taken in connection nian vessels from any port in this country, either un- bold deed of the gallant men of Manchester, was well known to British agents or with the consent of the calculated to keep awake the fears and anxieties of the United States authorities. This, with the Government. correlative argument that it was impossible for any such vessel, " EEm'p HOPE." even though she had left these shores unspoken of an enemy, to pass the cordon of war ships with which Considerable attention has been directed to tlie so- England is supposed " well- to surround Ireland—especially called " Fenian Privateer and her cruise. The when Ireland is in danger of such invasion; those informed New York correspondent of the Irishman men, I say, were determined present. to deprive opponents to says all that may be said on the subject' at Fenianism of that argument at all hazards, and I After stating that, when the news of the March rising maintain that they have dune it effectually. They was flashed over tlie cable, a certain sum of* money did clear vessel a from a United States port ; they did placed in the hands of Colonel James Kelly, Di- was *pass "Kel- the cordon;' they did touch the Irish coast, and, rector of Military Affairs, F. B., he continues: in their devotion to the principle brig (he on which they had ly at once purchased a neat little fast-sailing embarked, some of them did actually land on Irish had not money enough for a steamer), aboard which soil in such a manner as to prove that' not thirty, but he placed 15,000 stand of arms, with ammunition thirty thousand^ could have effected a similar landing and accoutrements to inatch, in charge of thirty-five before one-tenth of that number pio- could be mustered to picked oflBcers, and started her off to Ireland—a oppose them even when your they called her) — Government was as neer and forlorn hope (' Erin's Hope ' ' thoroughly (?) prepared ' for such an emergency as •• Captain U. in command of the indomitable , they claimed to be last spring. The passengers' of dai-ing men had not much hope S. *Navy. These the ' Erin's Hope' not only visited Ireland, and slept even then of reacliing their destination in time to fur- iu Ireland, but re-embarked, ' passed ' they took the cordon f&r nish the insurrectionists with the weapons the time, returned across the ocean, sailed on risking their lives in fifth quiet- with them ; but they insisted ly and safe'y into this port, impor- unshipped their cargo and order to solve a question which was of vital stored it away into the Fenian armory in this city, tance for those who work for Ireland's redemption by disposed of theh- formed a vessel profitably for the Fenian force of arms, and the doubts upon which cause ; and, next day, set propagandists to work at their old avoca- serious obstacle in the way of Fenian tions, as if they opponents had only been absent on a pleasure here. The chief argument used by many trip to the Paris Exposition ! So much for the iia-

nEK0E3 AND SUHTTKB. DAEING ESCAPES. 451 450 FEMAN Colonel Warren wrote a statement of his case to -p».M„ or .ndiBg »,^»™;j:^.^;fi„rdwthe ^vay i the Hon. Fernando "Wood, who presented the matter Ameriean port to Ii-elaud 1 Hy news reached beretbat«.e in a very strong light to President Johnson. The n^entioned that ^vhen the two other President positively suppressed placed Mr. Wood's letter before the Cabi-

453 DAEING ESCAPES. MABTTE8. FENIAN HEE0E3 AND of pro- 452 between, and a difference brace a distinction conlmne to " citizen^' If the subjected,^ and sbaU native and an adopted ing to wliicli you are tectTon to, a your relie£" its mind made up '^ do°all in my power for Golemm'ent had spir- ^ ^''^.ttland Con- position which every his rights, its Mmister Colonel Nagle takes the tutes a citizen and mnst in- have shown some native or adopted, Britain would no doubt ited American citizen, sTin Great when the nationa senti- when he says ptmpt dignity and decision, dorse, by the wanton a^- for my character were outraged Adams nor Mr. West to petUion ^eTt and »I have not desired Mr. treatment of American citi- what I demand as a nglit. contemptuous T -.^n tn receive as a favor "esrand and moral injury done me. both native and adopted. TT\ om tuT Sm^l P^yBical zens so-caUed, before whici. all pe^onal grea involved, fhl^rot^«-?tC-tlonthere is anoiner h renutation and character of

pression and "^^ "^^ dear in <^P"f aepnveu^^^^,1 „fui ^U that man holds chance to roam , , . thev mav o that,t,., all.11 the fact be proclaimed, THE END. m^ II no redress! K so, let may act accordingly." interest shojra by ^Notwithstanding the apparent ot the the seeming good faith our goverment, and h^s Govermnent, Mh Mmister in telegraphing to the outraged pris- been done in behalf of no hL bas was inteUigence concerning them oners The latest dispatch of 2lBt October conveyed by . a cable would be tatinl that 'they ^^ou,M^;fXZ:. commence on the 25th, cou Snecial Commission, to addition "it is said that pLdwith the humiliating Government will provide for the ?he United States Warren." defence of Nagle and

what is the the people should know It is full time American Citizen, or if it has meaning, of tlie phrase it em- and having a meamng, does any meaning at all,

—— —

INDEX TO HISTORICAL INTRODUCTM.

Speech, IM—On tho English Act of Settlement. 14—Hepeal of, IB Chnrch in Ireland, 104— On *' Agrarian Outrages '* 43 Irish TranqnUity 104,105 American Agents in Ireland, Burke, Edmund, on the Feool tlieir number 71, 73 Code 10 American RcTolntion emboldens Byron, Lord, on the resnita of Irieh Catholics and Preebyte- "The Union" SO rians 23 O American Sympathy for Ireland. . 80

Amiens, Treaty of .32 Camden, Lord, proclaims Irelanf Arrests In 1885 03,66,69 under martial law K Bello, futile Attorney-General, Iribh,boaet of, 03 Campo attempt on. . . 81 "Autboritics," rufUanism of the, Canadian Party of th • F. B., 67— to '9 27 Heads off Stephens, 81— Dis- AutUorities, panic among G5, 66 tracts tlje Fenian element, 81 Futile offers of union with ... 91 Catholic Cavaliers, base treav- Banks, a mn on, in Cork 65 meut of, by the Stuarts 14 Banks, Hon. N. P., Introduces Churches bnmed by the Eeeolutions of Sympathy ^vitll authorities, 29 — Emancipation Ireland to House of Represent- not all that was needed, 36 — atives 92, 95,96 Davis on, 37 — Peafantry but- BoBwcU, reference to 30 chered, 31 — Rights, United Buonaparte, 31 —Views on Ire- Irishmen the advocates of... 86 land, 32 — Abuse of, in Eng- Catholics, English and Irish, 12 land 31,32 —Their animosities, 13 — Ex- Bourke, Thomas Francis 88 eluded from Parliament, 14— Brenan, Joseph 62 Humiliating position of, 23— Bright, John, M. P., on the Ha- Penal laws against, 10 — Wty beas Corpus Suspension, 73 they joined James II 14, 15 Places its responsibility on Charles U 19 evil legislation for Ireland, 73 Chester, Fenian demonstration Discusses the failure of Eng- on S3 lish legislation for Ireland, 74 Clinch, Rev. Father, fights tho Denounces the Ministers, 74 Enplisli at Vinegar Hill 28 Declares that the Irish should Coercion Bill 44 not be content, 75—Koebnck, Conflicts between the National- on, 76— Speech at Birmingham, ists and the authorities, in 1848, 93 — Contradicts the Queen's at Slate Quarries, Mnllinahone,

— — —A— —

457 456 kd:

of the Bahcat Corpus tho only from jail, 63—Lord Lieutenant's Eillonanlc, Bd'.lingsny, Abbey- f P. B CS,e» 'safety of, "72 description of, 70, 71—Pitiful feale, 48—At Portlaw Barracks, Derby, Earl of, on the Irlph lead- English legislation, celerity of, to alarm of the Government, 70, 72, Glenbower, Scaagh, 4t»—At Wa- ers In the Uouee of Lords, 46 sustain English interest, 78 73—John Bright on, 70, 72, 78— tcrford and Cashel 43, 50 Fenianisra On 78 For Ireland, Bright on, 73— Meetings held in America on the Congress, let Natioaal, of Fe- of to Irish j Devotion Irishmen poisonous medicine, 75 -Parlia- Suspension of the Habta* Cor- nian Brotherhood, at Cliicago. Liberty 58,54 ] ment, Ireland In 98 pus Act, 80— Arrival of Stephens B7—Declares allegiance to the Dickson, Rev. W. Steele, Adju- Extermination system of the in America, 1806, 81—O'Mahony Constitution and laws of the tant-General of UlPter 2S English Government. 43, 44 |' retires, 81 — Distracted by the TInited States, 67—P^spect for Difficulties of Irieh Nationalists F Canadian Party, 81—Stephens' Pins IX., 59—114, bale In Gin- • in America, 54 Famine a great ally of the Eng- promises and failure, b2—His

cinnatl, 60—Report of Mr. P. i Dillon, J. B., escape of, 48 lish, 42—Years, infamous con- Military Staff determine on s Coyne to, 61 -lUd, held In Phil- Views in Parliament on the duct of the Government during, 48 rising—Col. T. Kelly directs | J.

adelphia, 66—Report of Mr. P. I stiite of Ireland 76 Fenian Brotherhood, Its origin, affairs, 82 -Chester, betrayed

to, New Constl- i J. Meehan 66— Dissenters, their position and 55—O'Mahony elected Chief of, by Corydon—Kerry, 82—Govern- tation, 66—Its resnlts, 68, 67— K3 Struggle for existence, 55 | views 65— ment statement on the latter, 8S IVth, held In New York, the Doheny, Michael, opinion of Da- Expansion of, 55—Its snstain- —The rising In March, '57, 84— representation of largest Fe- vis, 40— Escaped. 48— Taken ment of the Union, 56—Neces- Proclamation, 84 — Betrayal by taken place, Idans that bad 68 out of jail, but gives himself sity for reorganization, 56 Massey, 88—Suppression of the Old Constitution restored and — np 49,53,68 First National Congress held at March effort, 88—Noble conduct Presidency abolished, 68 the Dnffy, C. Gavan, opposes Mlt- Chicago, 57—Its objects and de- of the Irish Party In America to Indorsed by Military Conven- chel's policy • 46 clarations, 57, 58—Not a Secret keep alive the Organization, 89 Vth, held In tion, 68 — New Dwyer, Michael 84 Society, 57, 58—Respect for the — Fifth Congress, 89 — Public action ; York, 89—Its Mr. A. A. Pope and sympathy with Po- meeting in Union Square, 89 Execntive, 89— Oriffio elected land, 59—The government of Letter from Mayor Hoffman, 90 '82 and '98, 11—The Revolution Vlth, held In New York, 105— Organization, 69 the — O'Ma- — Efforts to effect union with the ' of, 21—Effects of, 21—Tone on, Twenty States and Territories hony resigns and is re-elected, Canadian Party, 91- The Irish 106 21—Concentrated power In the represented, —John Savage CO—Effect of the First Congress, cause in the United States Con- Chief Execntive aristocracy 2S elected 106 60—Growth of Circles, 60—Ef- gress, 92 Reorganization on Mr., favors Fe- — the States, Eldridge, Hon. the Congress of United fect of, on English Govern- foot, 105—John Savage elected nlanlsm in Congrees 98 Irish cause in, 94—Vote on.... 97 ment during the war, 61— Chief Executive at the 6th Con- Emancipation compared with Constitution Conolly, Mr, M. P 77 Changes in the of^ gress, 106 Address on accept- 87 — General Michael Repeal of the Organization Corcoran, 55, 60 61—Effect ing office 108 Emmet, Robert, 81—Interviews Eariy difficulty Corydon, an informer 82, 88 In England, 62— Fends between the old Irish and with Buonaparte and Talley- Council, Central, of P. B. enlarged of raising funds, 63—Its mys- Irish of English descent 18 rand, 81—His funds to make to ten 61 tery a terror to the authorities, '48, the New York Directory of. . . 6S war, 35—His principles and Liverpool, Coyne, Mr. Philip, report on Irish 64—Spreads to Man- Freeholders, forty shilling 87 energy, 85 -His late, 85—ThoB. affairs to 2d Congress 61 chester, Glasgow, 65—Constitu- C3- Cromwell, la—His confiscations 13 Addis 81 tion changed, and a President England, her danger In '98, 28— 38 Crowley, Peter O'Neill 88 and Cabinet created, 66—O'Ma- Grattan, his career, —Buried In What she lost In '98 29 honyelected President, 67—Dis- Westminster, 89. ZD in Ireland, 104— English Church memberment of, 67—Restora- Gray, Nicholas...^ * the Centre of on Irish Dav^i, Thomas, Falsehoods tranquility, tion of the old Constitution, 63 Gray, Philip G> Young Ireland, 39—On the Pe- 78—Dean Swift on, 79—Oovem- —Military Convention meet, 63 Gray, Sir John, does not want nal Laws, 18—Tributes to him, ment bewildered by the Fenian —O'Mahony reinstated as Head Fenian speeches in Parliament, 40—Advantage over Tone 41 mystery, 61—Government, Its Centre, 63—Continued excite- 77—The O'Donoghne replies to. 77 Demands made on the American hate of the United States check- ment in Ireland, 03— Stephens' Grey, Sir George, gives the his- Irish 64 ed by the F. B., 61—Interest in capture and remarkable escape tory of Fenlanism 69 Deniffe, Sir. Joeeph, Envoy of the Ireland, 12, 13—The Suspension

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459 458 Homing Post, London, rcnjrka- letter.ln 8T zx Two days' debate, 45—Excltcfl LsloT, Fenton 62 ble Colonel Matthew 60 by the French Revoln;ion, 40 Land questions, wars growing out Murphy, Habeat Corpus Suspended, l&JS, chapel Addresses the French Repub- of them I* Morphy, Father John, his 4a—Snspension in 1SC5, 69—De- 34 the English 46 Prevents an onlbreak. Lawless, William burned, 26—FighU Parliament, 69 lic, bate on. In driven into Hill, 26—At the battle* 47— Leaders take to the hills, 47 L'Estrange, Colonel, . at Oulart Vote on, 78—Power for evil — 80 26 Vinegar Hill, —Not euDlcicntly organized to Newtownbarry of Knniscorlhy, Halpin.T.M *» St Bght « Long, Philip, a patriotic trades- Ac, 26—Hanged Harvest, waiting for the 47 35 Father Michael, a brave Exiles, in France, B3—Spread the man of Dublin Murphy, Hoclie, Prcncli Btiip-of-war, cap- 98 against the English, 26— Irish cause In America, B3— ••Loyalty of the Police" leader tured S5 65 of Aiklow. . S7 Mistaken idea of their resources 54 Luby, T. Clarke, arrested Killed at the battle HolTman, Hon. 3. T., Mayor of Dr. Johnson Irisk Felon, Btarted, 47- Seized.. ' 47 Lucas, Dr. Charles, New Torli—Letter to the great 18 newspaper, 40, 45— Irish Government, sitting on a on. Nation, the Fenian meeting 90 ' mine 65 JML Seized «: lIope.JameB S4 Irish straggle for. . U Irifh Legion, Officers of, go to Madden, Dr. R. K-, reference to, 23, SB Natiosalitt, llor^ford, an English Colonel, war in, 27—Duration and Ireland M Manufactories of Fenian arms.... 73 '98, civil Colonel O'Connor In baffled by ideas, Cost ol, 29—Prominence In Irish Irishmen with American Martial law an incentive to riot. . 27 Kerry 63 History, 11—Memories left by.. S» dread of \ "<* Massey, Godfrey, an Informer.,., 88 Horsman, Mr., M. P., on Bright. . 16 '98 '48, reference to 28 Irish Parliament, a ^ladow of the McCabe, Putnam 84 and Nobility in Emmet's rebellion... 88 I English : 21 Meagher, Gen. Thomas Francis, Indiana, the Banner State of Fe- Jrisk Ptople seized C5, 69 tribute to Davis, 40—Oppose* O the F. B, not E$ nianism...^. B6 Irish PBracrPLES and Enoush Mitchel's policy, 45—His voice Oath-bonnd, movements. In O'Brien, Smith, opinion of Davii, Insurrectionary IsTEBKST, 11—Continued 61 for war, 46—Prevents his own Kerry, 83 Opposes Mitchel's poUcy, 1865, at Chester, £2— Irish Republic, ordered by let rescue, 49—Captured and ban- 40— 66 CaBtletnartyr, 45—Captured and banished.... 43 —Drojheda, — Congress, 59 -Cheered In Eng- iBhed, 43—Appeals to the New C»- his agitation, 38.. , 66- BalUncollig, 87—Others land SO York Directory for funds for the O'Connell. compared with Grattan'a, passim, Iritk Trilmne Btarted, 47—Seized 47 Fenians, 63—Message of frater- reer, B8,61, 6S sa-Dles In Genoa, 39 — Hla LRB nity to the Fenian Congress... 60 self- promlBCB 83 Ireland, her qualifications for Meehan, Mr. P. J-, Envoy to Ire- 20—Her Insignl- O'Connor, Arthur SJ Buetainmeut, Jackson, Rev. W., his betrayal land, report of, to the 3d Con- John J., heads a ficance in the Empire, 21—King, death 25 O'Connor, Co! and gress :, 66 Commons of, 21^ r.sing in Kerry ...82,83 Lords and James II., 12—Distrust of his Military Convention indorses 4th excitement in, O'Donoghne, The, defends the Continued 6S— Irish adherents, IS—Bis vacilla- National Congress, 6S—Issue tranquil," 83—Forty character of Fenianism in Pai^ "Perfectly tion 15 an address 68 necesBary liament, 77 — On the Habeam.' thousand troops to JohnBon, Dr.. on Dr. Lncas' Stuart, on the Suspension Mill, J- 78' qnlct, 104—Rifled of its Leglslatlvo Cor/im Suspension keep it eille, 19—On a o{ Ibc Habeas Cirpus 76 J., arrested. . OS during the Famine ,, 43 30 0"Donovan (Eossa), grain '•Union" Jlitchel, John, tril>Dte to Davis, Rev. Edward, the loss Irlsh-Amerlcane seized and Johnston, General 26 40—His writings force, public O' Flaherty, 65 of M searched Journals, national, suppressed. . . 47 opinion. 42—Advocates reslBt- 63 Brigade, Officers of, go to O'Lcary, -Tohn, arrested Irish ancc to the Famine policy. 45— O'Gorman, Richard, escape of — 43 Ireland 64 Starts the VtitUd irishman 45 John, cfl'ort to rally Bustaln . . , . Mosca, fights the O'Mahony, Irish cause, efforta to 63 Keams, Father — Arrested, 47— Eanithed, .47 the Confederation founded, 40 English at Newtownbarry— the people, 48--Chief of Irish —His trill the time for action.. 50 26— Fenian Organization, 55— —The membcrs-as rcvolution- Wounded at Enniscorthy, Case of Ireland IS, 19 early Molyncaux, Con- Forced into action, 42 Hanged 27 RcaBons for calling Ist Ists, 41— Monseli, Mr., M. P. bis vigorous grcBS.BC-ResignsUcad Centre —Not a Secret Society, 42—Its Kelly. Colonel Thomas J., buc- Parliament on the Speech in -Elect- 42—Not equal to the cecds Stephens in directing af- ship and is re-elected, 00 Design, stale of Ireland, 50—Declares Congress, C2, 03 crisis, 44— Enrolled men in, 44 - fairs 88 ed again by 2d the Irish people all disloyal — 103 DiUvrenccs of opinion in, 45 Kerry, rising at 62

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461 460 31-Repeal of, 30—Its mla tlve of the Irish Republic by Ist ried, 87-Bright on 7» —GoM to Ireland, 64. 6S—Labors Riot In Yorkshire, England, Irish • Congress, 59—Comes to Ameri- to Ireland, Square, public Fenian de- In America, 64—EetireB from Republic cheered at 80 ca In 1358, 03—Spends a couple Union at 60 Icaderthip 61 Riots, among the Boidiers, 80—At of years in France, 63—Returns monstration Union, the, defended by the Fe- OraDgcmcn of Ulster 78 Ballincollig 67 to Ireland, 04—Labors and snc- M Otto, M., French Envoy In Eng- Rising of March, '67, betrayed by ccss, 64—Reward offered for, 65 nians Journal. ...45,47 land, 34—ProlestB sgainet Eng- Mappcy—Suppression 68 — Arrest and escape, 08 — Ar- Vnittd /risAman, the forced to a lieh abnse of Bnonapartc 82 Roberts, Mr. W. R., and the "Sen- rives in New York, 1806, 81— United Irishmen rising, 27 — Great Oulart Hill, Enjlish defeated at. 26 ate Party," 07—Move on Canada 81 Headed off by tlie Canadian Par- premature chances of their succesi SS I» Robinson, Hon. Wm. K., speech ty. 81—Makes promises. 81—Hie United Irish Society pertsecnted Patriot Priests and Minlstere, 25 on Ireland in Congress 93 mission a failure 82 ** Roche, Father Philip, fights the 25 Into secrecy Noble devotion of 26 SIcvelly, Rev. Mr , hanged Patriots, Protc-tant 18 English at Tubbcmeering, 26 Sinifgllng nations, the right of Generalissimo, 2G—banged 27 An.cricans to aid them 57 I -Peard, Col. Robert, of Milford .... 66 Vessels searched by the anthorl- Penal Lawe, 16— on, 18—Ef- Roebuck, Mr., M. P., on the Irish 76 Btuarts, the, Irish policy of, 12— Da™ 8* ** tles fectg on the peasantry, 23— Vio- Ro8t»a," (see J. O'Donovan ) Restoration of, 14—An ungrate- I 14 Vote on the Irish resolution In lated the Treaty of Limerick.. 37 Royalists, what they received af- ful race United SUtes Congreaa W "Phoenix" Society 03 ter the war of '93 29 Swift's Drapier Lrttcri, 18, 19—. Pile, Hon. Mr., in the Irish de- Rossell, Thomas, In' Pnrio, 3S— On falsification of Irish afljairi. . 79 bate In United States Congress 95 General-in-Chief of Ulster SI T Walpole, Colonel, killed at Tul>- Pins rx., resolution of respect for 69 Talleyrand, 31—Views on Ireland 39 bemeering * Poland, Fenian sympathy with.. S Ibklamd, 69 The INSUREECTIOS IK Warwich, Rev. Mr., hanged 85 Porter, Rev. Wm., hanged 25 80 Sarsfield, rebukes James 11. 15 l^

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