The life and times of Daniel O'Connell

Contents

I

PRELIMINARY SKETCH OF IRISH HISTORY. Relations of Ireland to England the Source of Irish Misery— Independence Necessary to Ireland's Happiness — Aims of O'Connell's Life — How far he Succeeded — Where he Failed, and Why— Exaggeratioii of his Theory of Moral Force— Ireland's Capabilities— Rdpid Survey of Irish History down to the Year 1775, . . . - . ^ . . • 1^

Chapter I

. — Family— Scenery of Ireland in general, and of Kerry in particular, . 35-46 CHAPTER II.

The Penal Laws— First slight Relaxations of this horrid Code — Curious Anecdotes and Illustrations of Life during the days of the Penal Laws— Geoghegan of London's odd Recantation — Kedagh MacGeoghegan and his Horse — Case of Father Sheehy — Curran's first signal Success at the Bar — Captain St. Leger and the old Priest — O'Connell's Anecdotes of strange conversions to Protestantism— His amusing stories of Father O'Grady — The Priest's narrow escape from the fangs of British Law — A Kerry Brigand in Flanders— The Orangemen and Jack of the Roads— O'Leary'a Catholic and Protestant Son —Catholic Petition— Berkeley's Querist, ..... 46-73

Chapter III

Childhood of O'ConneU — Paul Jones off the Coast of Kerry — O'Connell masters the Alphabet quickly — His Fear of Disgrace— Captain Cook's Voyage Bound the World — Nomadic Grentry — Early Anticipations of G-reatness — O'Connell's Uncle Maurice, Sumamed Hunting-Cap — His Love of Old Ballads — Encounter with a Mad BuU — Active Habits — The Crelaghs and the Kerry "Colonels " — His Father Attacked by a Band of Robbers — Private Theatricals—His Early Religious Training — Protestant Visitors and Holy Water —His Uncle Maurice's Cofi^— MacCarthy More and the Priest — The American War, 73-82

Chapter IV

Brief Sketch of the Irish Volunteer Movement and the Revolution of 1782 — ^The Reform Convention — ^Flood and G rattan — Further Relaxations of the Penal Laws— Reflections of England's Concessions in 1782— O'Connell's Opinion of Grattan — His Opinion on the Question of " Simple Repeal," , . . 82-100

Chapter V

Youth and Early Manhood of O'Connell— O'ConneU at Louvain, St. Omer's, and Douay— In Danger during the French Revolution — Anecdote of J ohn and Henry Sheares and the Execution of Louis XVI. — O'Connell and the Crowns of France and Belgium— Dan and the Banker— Jeffreys of Blarney Castle — Further Relaxations of the Penal Laws — Catholics Admitted to the Bar— O'Connell a Law-Student in London — Anecdotes of George IV., Mrs. Fitz- Jierbert, and Charles James Fox — O'Connell sees George III. in Danger — Slow Travelling of the Last Century — Pitt and Fox as Orators — ^Drinking Habits of the Last Century resisted by O'Connell — Cousin Kane, an Odd Character — O'Connell in the Yeomanry — He attends a Political Meeting in '97— Sees Lord Edward Fitzgerald— O'ConneU gets a Fever from Sleeping in Wet Clothes, and is near Dying — Sallies Forth on His First Circuit — O'ConneU, Harry Deane Grady, and the Soldiers— Robbers— Anecdote of Grady— Journey with H. D. Grady— Passing the Kilworth Mountains — Sudden Death oi a Cousin of O'Connell's — Inns when O'Connell was a Young Man— He Travels with J ohn Philpot Curran— Arthur O'Connor— Humorous Bar Anecdotes — Robber Incident — Death of Brennan the Robber — O'Connel thinks of Writing a Novel— O'ConneU's Courtship and Marriage — Anecdote of Collins— Autobiographical Anecdote — O'ConneU a Zealous Advocate of Mary Queen of Scots— Lalor of KiUamey and the Farm of Lisnababie — Old Roads— Inn at Milstreet — Cow of Feeling— "Dark Oblivion of a Brow"— Corrupt Judges, . » . i . 100-121

A

£y CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VL

Theobald Wolfe Tone and the "United Irishmen "—Peep-o'-Day Boys and Defenders—Orange Atrocities— Tone in Bantry Bay— Injustice and Tyranny of Lord Camden's Government— Secession of Grattan and his Friends from the House of Commons— O'Connell's Comments on this Step— Military Violence and Orange Outrage— " United Irishmen's" Plan of Organisation — The Texel Expedition— "Free Quarters" — Arrests at Bond's House— Death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald — The Informers, Secret and Open — Rebellion of *98— Horrors : Floggings, Butcheries, and Executions — John P. Curran Defends the "United Irishmen "—Landing of the French— Death of Wolfe Tone and Others— The Union —Clare and Castlereagh— Daniel O'Comjell's First Appearance cn the Political Stage as an Orator — His Anti-Union Speech — Henry Grattnn's Sudden Re-appearance in Parliament — His Fierce Invective against Corry — Duel between Grattan and Corry — Grattan's Anti- Union Speeches— The Union Carried by Corruption and Military Intimidation— Insurrection of 1803 — O'Connell a Yeoman — Robert Emmett'a Speech in the Dock— His Execution— The Fate of Thomas Russell— O'Connel's Opinion of Emmett's Attempt— Severe Measures of Repression after 1803— Evil Results of the Union, &c., . . . . . . 125-216

CHAPTER VIL

Daniel O'Connell's Recollections and Anecdotes of the Rebellion of '98 and the Union— A Model Trimmer : Changing Sides Four Times in One Day— Noble ( onduct of Tim Driscoll— O'Connell's Account of Taafe in '98— O'Connell's Anecdote of O'Connor, the Rebel Schoolmaster— " The Liberator" relates several other Interesting Anecdotes of '98 — Lord Clare on the point of being Assassinated in '98 by Baron Power ; Double Suicide— Bush and Caesar Colclough — Rewards for Pro-Union Votes— O'ConneU's Reminiscences of Unix>n Judges — Judge Daly — Dan's Strange and Amusing Anecdotes of Lord Norbury— A Whimsical Charge from the Bench: the Celebrated Case of Guthrie versus Sterne— Norbiiry's Epigram on " Two Strange " and " Little Alick "— Norbury's Racket Court— Dan's Queer Story of Norburj^'s Funeral— Time and Eternity— Hung Beef— Firing at a Wig— O'Connell's Boldness in Court—" Hope from the Past," . . . . . 216-226

CHAPTER VIIL

Pictures, Anecdotes, and Incidents of O'Connell's Career at the Bar — O'Coimell Travelling on Circuit— O'Connell in his Study — O'ConneU in the Courts— His Reminiscences of Chief -Baron O'Grady, Lord Guillamore— An Amusing Reproof — Baron Foster's Resemblance to a Stuffed Owl — O'Grady and the Cow-stealer's Witness— O'Grady in the Theatre in Limerick— " Checkley be d — d ! " — Jerry Keller and Judge Mayne —O'Connell's Anecdotes of Jen^ Keller, Norcott, and Parsons, the Attorney-hater — Strange Career of Norcott ; he becomes a Mussulman — J udge Foster and Denis Halligan — The '* Liberator's" Story of One of his Clients who wished to shew his Gratitude in an Odd Fashion — A Place in Glasnevin — A Pious and Grateful Highway man — O'Connell's Life Valuable to his Clients— Curious Instance of O'Connel's Professional Penetration and Quickness : A Tale of a Fly — Illustrations of O'ConneU's Rapidity of Conception and Promptitude of Action, . , 227 -237

CHAPTER IX.

Lady Morgan's Sketch of O'Connell— More of O'Connell's Bar Anecdotes and othei Reminiscences — Value of an Ugly Nose — A Lesson in Cow-stealing — Unpremeditated Oratory — O'Connell on the Scotch and English Jury-Systema and Capital Punishment, &c. — Queer Anecdote of Sir Jonah Barrington; tiie Pawnbroker Outwitted — Escape of a Robber— An Orangeman who always liked to have O'Connell as his Counsel — Odd Story of a Physician — Anecdotes of Judges Boyd and Lefroy ; O'Connell saves the Life of a Client — He Defies Baron M'Cleland — A Judge Sternly Reproved — Anecdotes about Judge Day and Bully Egan— O'Connell Humbugs Judge Day — His Opinion on the Subject of Judges' Wigs — Dan Overhauls a Client's Accounts to the Great Advantage of the Latter — He Receives a Challenge from an Angry Litigant— A High-Sheriff's Providential Thickness of SkuU— O'Connel Sitting for his Portrait— Kerry Dexterity ; a Smart Newsboy— Blake'a Duel— Breach of Promise Case ; Miss Fitzgerald versus Parson Hawkesworth — Grose the Antiquary— Duke O'Neill's Will — A Witty Epigram of Hussey Burgh on the Ladies of the Stratford Family ; Aristocratic Female Shoplifters— Further Instances of O'Connell's Legal Acuteness— Cases of Mr.

CONTENTS.

Justice Johnson and Mr. Justice Fox — Manners and Customs in Ireland at

the End of the Eighteenth and Commencement of the Nineteenth Century — The Irish Character — " King " Bagenal — Election Duels — " Tiger" Heche — Wild Conviviality — Catholic Lords — Officers of the " Irish Brigade " — Prodigality and Corruption — Titled Tricksters — One Coffin for a Company — Military Patronage — A True Gentleman — Dr. Beaumont on our Aristocracy — Dan and Biddy Moriarty — A Combative Attorney, . . . 238-

CHAPTER X.

State of the Catholic Cause at the Commencement of O'Connell's Political Career — Pitt's Return to Office — His Power Weakened — His Ealseness to Ireland and the Catholics — The Castle uses its Influence vpith Lord Pingal to keep back the Catholic Petition— Coronation of Napoleon — The Pope's Allocution — The Catholics Calumniated— Continued Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act — Duplicity of the Viceroy, Lord Hardwicke — Pitt's Perfidy ; He Refuses to Present the Catholic Petition— It is Presented by Mr. Fox and Lord Grenville— First Appearance of Henry Grattan in the English House of Commons — His splendid Speech for Catholic Emancipation — Triumph of Bigotry ; the Petition Rejected by Both Houses — Castlereagh Defeated at the Downshire Election— Decline of Pitt's Power; his Death— "The Ministry of AU the Talents "—Great Hopes of the Catholics— Fox's Condemnation of the Union— Bar Address to Curran — Release of Irish Stateprisoners— Address of the Catholics to the New Viceroy, the Duke of Bedford—His Viceroyalty Disappoints their Expectations — Jealousies and Divisions in the Catholic Councils ; the Case of Mr. Ryan— O'Connell's Amusing Story of Peter Bodkin Hussey and the Catholic Banker — Generous Eloquence of Daniel O'Connell in the Catholic Committee — Death of Charles James Fox — Continuance of Orange Licence — The Case of Mr. Wilson — Extortions of the Tithe System — "The Threshers"— Irish Ecclesiastical Students Invited to France ; Consequent Increase of the Maynooth Grant by the British Government— " Catholic Officers' Bill" — The King Arbitrarily Dismisses the Ministry— The "No-Popery " Administration comes into Office — Irish Members on the Effects of the Union and the Pledges of British Ministers — The Catholic Petition withheld on the Motion of John Keogh — O'Connell Supports him in a warm, and even filial Speech — Departure of the Duke of Bedford from Ireland— Folly of the Dublin Populace, . . 269-

CHAPTER XL

The " No-Popery" Ministry shew their teeth— Jack Giffard, the "Dog in Office "— Grattan's Invective against Giffard— Insurrection and Arras Acts— Noble Conduct of Richard Brinsley Sheridan — The Bishop of Quimper's Pastoral — Furious Intolerance— The " Shanavests" and " Car avats"— Liberal Protestants—Divisions of the Catholic Committee ; O'Connell's Views Prevail — Catholic Petition — Dr. Duigenan made a Privy-Councillor— The Catholic Leaders— Lords Fingal, French, Trimleston, etc.— O'Connell— John Keogh — Denis Scully — Counsellor Clinche and Dr. Dromgoole — Nicholas Purcell O'Gorman— O'Connell's Amusing Anecdotes about him — An Amusing Anecdote told by the late Father Kenyon — O'Connell on Jack Lawless — Lord Fingal, Dr. Milner, Grattan, and the Veto— Great Agitation on the Question of the Veto— Secret Understanding in 1799 between Pitt, Castlereagh, and the Bishops— Declaration of the Bishops against the Veto — A Friar's Explanation of the Meaning of the Veto — Sir Arthur Wellesley " Doing the Dirty Work" as Irish Secretary — O'Connell's Opinion of Wellington — Edmund Burke on the Relations of the Catholic Clergy to the English Government— Parliament Refuses the Smallest Concession to the Catholics —O'Connell becomes more and more Famous and Powerful, . . . 281-

CHAPTER XIL

Orange Murders and Massacres— Fight between the King's County Militia and the Orange Yeomanry— The " No-Popery" Government Connive at the Orange Atrocities— Insurrection Acts— Assemblage of Orange Delegates in 1808— Disingenuousness of the Leading Orangemen— O'Connell on the Orangemen — Government Partiality— Double-dealing and Hypocrisy of the Duke of Richmond— His Tour through Munster — He Offends the Bandon Orange Legion by his Mock Conciliation of Catholics— Viceregal Smooth Talk and Catholic GulHbility— Religious Persecution of Catholics in the Army — O'Connell speaks against Tithes in his Native County — Reorganisation of the Catholic Committee in 1809— O'Connell's Foresight— Tho Veto Question vi OONTENTS.

Agitated Again— The Catholio Petition Rejected by Parliament— Chief- Baron Woulfe— His Elaborate Oration on the Veto Demolished by O'Connell ; O'Connell's Humorous Application of an Old Fable— Repeal Motion in the Protestant Corporation of Dublin in 1810— The Catholics Join in the Demand for Repeal— Great Meeting in the Exchange— O'Connell's Powerful Speech in Favour of Repeal— John Keogh Retires from the Leadership of the Cathohc Body, and Daniel O'Connell Succeeds him— New Programme— O'Connell on his own Frequent Repetitions— Hopeless Insanity of George the Third— The Prince of Wales becomes Prince-Regent— Great Hopes of Emancipation— Bitter Disappointment of the Catholics ; the Regent Breaks his Pledges— Lady Hertford's Evil Influence— WeUesley Pole's Circular —State Prosecution of Dr. Sheridan— Spirited Conduct of the Catholic Committee—Meeting in Fishamble Street Theatre, .... 294-

CHAPTER XIIL

Aggregate Meeting at Fishamble Street Theatre— Percy Bysshe Shelley Declares for Catholic Emancipation and Repeal of the Union — Suppression of the Catholic Committee — It is succeeded by the Catholic Board— Powerful Speech of O'ConneU; his Onslaught on Sir Charles Saxton and WeUesley Pole — Dissensions between the Aristocratic and Popular Sections of the Catholic Movement— Lord Ffrench and the Edinburgh Review Assail the Cathohc Lawyers— Edmund Burke on the Appointment of Irish Cathohc Bishops by the Crown — O'Connell rouses the Irish Catholics from the Torpor of Serfdom ; his Daring Denunciations of Tyranny— His Indulgence in Personalities — Bill for Exchanging the English and Irish Militias; O'Connell Denounces it; an Address of Thanks is sent to him from Dingle — Splendid Speech of Grattan in Favour of Cathohc Emancipation— O'Connell's Generous Admiration of Grattan — Lively Scene in the House of Commons ; Colonel Hutchinson Brands the Act of Union ; the House is Turned into a Bear-Garden — Assassination of the Prime Minister, Mr. Perceval; O'Connell's Speech on this Event — The Liverpool Ministry — Peel Chief Secretary for Ireland — Peel on O'Connell — O'Connell's Style of Eloquence, 308-

CHAPTER XrV.

American, Irish, English, Scotch, and French Opinions of O'Connell's Eloquence, 320-

CHAPTER XV.

The Famous "Witchery" Resolutions— Commotion and Fury caused by them — O'Connell denounces the Regent's Violation of his Pledges to the CathoUcs —His regret on account of Lord Moira's Weakness— Moira's Nobleness in '98; he disappoints the Expectations of the Cathohcs in 1812— O'Connell teUa the People to distrust the Ministry, to trust themselves alone — Apparent prospect of immediate Emancipation in 1812 — Favourable Votes in Parhament — O'Connell Enumerates the Opportunities of Freedom let slip — Castlereagh's " Hitches" — Absurd Arguments of the Opponents of Emanci-

Eation — Chevalier M'Carthy tries to get up a Vote of Confidence in the liverpool Ministry, but fails — ' ' Liberty Hall " — Sensational Anecdote of the Prince-Regent's Mistress, Lady Hertford — Gross Profligacy of the Regent's Court — The Regent's Name Hissed at a St. Patrick's-Day Banquet in London ; Sheridan Hissed for trying to Defend him — General Election of 1812— O'Connell's Legal Penetration — His powerful Speech on the Elections— Enthusiastic Popular Admiration of "the Man of the People " — O'Connell Praises the gallant Lord Coclu-ane and John Philpot Curran, and Inveighs bitterly against Lord Castlereagh and other Enemies of Ireland— The Ascendency Candidate at Newry — A few Recreant Catholics basely Vote against Curran — Admirable Speech of Curran— Lawless's Vote of Censure on those Members of the Cathohc Board who acted against Curran— Vote of Censure first can-ied, afterwards qualified by a Motion of Dr. Dromgoole— Pohtic Course of O'Connell — O'CoimeU's Speech Repudiating all Designs of Establishing Cathohc Ascendency, . . . 332-

CHAPTER XVI.

Plan of the Remainder of this Biography — O'Connell's memorable Defence of Magee, on a Charge for Libel— His terrible Invectives against Saurin, the Attorney-General— Hia Bold Defiance of the Judges — His Noble Appeal to

CONTENTS. vii

the Orange Jury; their Baseness and Servility — O'Connell threatens the Attorney-G-eneral in Court with Personal Chastisement — The Judges astounded at his daring — Magee meanly Disavows O'Connell — Magee's Sentence — Moral Triumph of O'Connell — Meetings in Approval of his Conduct— Notices of the Case of Hugh Fitzpatrick, and other Forensic Efforts of O'ConneU, 352-389

CHAPTER XVII.

ow Progress of the Cause of Emancipation— Napoleon's Approaching Downfall — England's Prosperity Ireland's Bane — Grattan's Bill and Canning's Clauses — Failure of the Bill — Its Repudiation by the Majority of the Irish Catholics — Vote of thanks to the Irish Prelates — The Aristocratic Section of the Irish Catholics Opposed to the Vote; Counsellor Bellew and his Brother Sir Edward— Corruption of the former— O'ConneU "Demolishes" his Antagonists — Misunderstanding between O'Connell and Lord Fingal on the Subject of the Regent's Pledge — O'Connell Ridicules Lord Kenyon — Enthusiastic Reception of Dr. Milner's Name at a Catholic Meeting in Dublin— The English Catholics generally in Favour of the Veto— O'Connell Champions the Cause of Caroline, Princess of Wales — His Noble Sentiments on the Subject of Repeal — He Lashes the Orangemen — Ludicrous Instance of English Calumny against Ireland — Profligacy of the Jury System- Address to Henry Grattan — O'Connell tries to get up a Movement for the Promotion of Irish Manufactures — Brings forward a Vote of Thanks to the Presbyterian Synod — His Spirit of Tolerance — Lord Whitworth Succeeds Richmond — Meetings and Dissensions in Cork— O'ConneU Chaired — English Insults to Dr. MUner — Death of Lieutenant O'ConneU — More of the Veto Question — Presentation of Plate Voted to O'Connell; Mr. Finlay's Address — O'Connell Creates a Sensation by going to a Bible Meeting — Baron Fletcher's Charge to the Grand-Jury of the County Wexford— Proposed AppHcation for Sympathy to the Spanish Cortes— O'ConneU' s Opinion of Maynooth — An American Privateer off Dublin— O'ConneU's Great Professional Success —The Parson and the Girl who Sold the Curious Eggs, . , . 389-411

CHAPTER XVIII.

Chequered Fortunes of O'ConneU and the CathoHc Cause in 1813— Catholic Meetings throughout Ireland — Bitterness and Fury of the Government Press against O'ConneU — O'ConneU's dauntless and defiant Bearing in the teeth of adverse Circumstances — Ludicrous Anecdote of a Tailor — Presentation of a Splendid Silver Cup to O'ConneU by the Manufacturers of the Duljlin Liberties— FaUen Condition of the Liberties — The Ruin of the CathoUc Board commences with Aristocratic Secession — The Breach between Henry Grattan and O'ConneU grows wider — Government Reporters at Catholic Meetings— The " Knockloftiness " of the Earl of Donoughmore's Letter— O'Connell Routs a " Packed" Meeting of Seceders; Ludicrous Consternation of the Aristocrats at O'ConneU's Sudden Apparition among them — The Famous Rescript of Quarantotti — Dismay and Subsequent Indignation and High Spirit of the Catholics— Bold Attitude of O'ConneU and the Clergy and People — The Pope Disavows Quarantotti — Unpleasant Affair of Major Bryan — A Stage-struck Agitator— Strange Characters and Queer Duels — The Vote of Censure on Dr. Dromgoole — Lord Whitworth Suppresses the Catholic Board by Proclamation — Noble Conduct of John Philpot Curran, . . . . ... . . . 411-43

CHAPTER XIX.

The Catholic Cause Languishes for some Years after the Suppression of the Catholic Board — Final Overthrow of Napoleon— Meanness of England in her Hour of Triumph— Peel and his Peelers— He Creates the Class of Stipendiary Magistrates— FaU of the War Prices, and Agricultural Distress in Ireland — Peel's Cheap Ejectment Laws— He Resists Inquiry into the Condition of Ireland, and Renews Insurrection Acts — Ireland Scourged by Famine and Typhus Fever in 1817— Lord Sidmouth's "Six Acts"— Massacre of Peterloo, near Manchester— Orange Massacre of Shercock, in the County Cavan— Rapid Summary of several Catholic Meetings— The " CathoUc Divan "—Lord Fingal Refuses to take the Chair at an Aggregate Meeting in Clarendon Street Chapel— The CathoUc Association of 1815— Dr. Murray's Mission to Rome— EngUsh Intrigues in Rome— O'ConneU and Henry Grattan— Resolute Opposition of the Prelates, Clergy, and People viii CONTENTS.

of Ireland to the Veto— Poverty and Weakness of the Catholic Association —Divisions in the National Camp— Fatal Duel between O'Connell and D'Eaterre— Departure of Lord Whitworth from Ireland— Strange Affair between O'Connell and Secretary Peel — Duel between Lidwill and Sir Charles Saxton— Collision with the Vetoists— Efforts at Conciliation- Father Hayes's Letter from Piome — O'Connell Co-operates with "the Friends of lleff)rm in Parliament "—^neas McDonnell Fined and Imprisoned—The Rhemish Testament— Answer to the Irish Catholics from the Court of Rome— Dinner to Thomas Moore— Dinner to O'Connell at Tralee — Catholic Meetings — General D'Evereux — Death of Grattan — O'ConneU Supports Young Grattan at the Dublin Election, . . 431-454

CHAPTER XX.

The Kilmainham Court-House Meeting; Outrageous and Unconstitutional Proceedings of the Sheriff — O'Connell's Amusing Controversy with Richard Lalor Shiel — O'Connell Threatens to Join the English Radical Reformers- William Conyngham Plunket's Relief Bills — O'ConneU Opposes them— Rude Interruption of O'Connell at a Catholic Meeting — Advances from the Orange Corporation to the Catholics— Orange Breach of Faith — The Visit of King George the Fourth to Ireland; his Enthusiastic Reception by the People— The Visit turns out a Mockery and Delusion; Disappointment of Catholic Hopes — The Irish Avatar — Arrival of an Irish Viceroy, the Marquis Wellesley — His Conciliatory Demeanour — A Confused Meeting — Famine in the South and West of Ireland— Coercive Measures — Orange Display — Repeal of the Union— Suicide of Lord Londonderry (Castlereagh) —Bottle Riot— Public Indignation— Trial of the Handbridges and Graham — Colonel White's Election for the County Dublin; Great Popular Excitement—Law-cases— O'Connell visits France— An Unpleasant Night- Adventure, .......... 454-471

CHAPTER XXL

O'Connell Communicates the Plan of a New Association to Shiel, at a Friend's

house in Wicklow— The Real Catholic Association Founded — Lord KiUeen — Union of all Sections of Catholics — The Priests become Active Workers in the Cause— Slow Progress of the New Movement at first— O'Connell a delightful Travelling Companion— O'Connell Establishes the " Catholic Rent" — Difficulties he has to Overcome; his Project sneered at; his tremendous Energy — His complete Triumph; friends and enemies surprised — The Popular Element Strong in the Catholic Movement for the first time — The Association a sort of National Government; the Midtiplicity of its Business; O'Connell has the Lion's Share— 1824 one of the most Glorious Years of his Life — Bold Opinions of Dr. Doyle — " The Sorbonne Manifesto" — The Dissenters not Unfriendly to the Catholics— Clever Literary Defenders of the Catholic Cause— Dulness of their Opponents— Insanity of Sir Harcourt Lees and the Orange Faction — Establishment of the Morning Register — Moore's Captain Rock — A Year's Work in the Association— O'Connell Denounces the Hostile Journals of England and Ireland—" The best-abused Man in the World" — O'Connell's Epistolary " Bores " — Aristocratic Adhesions — Death of "Old Hunting-Cap" — Aggregate Meeting — " The New Reformation " — O'Connell Aj-rested for a Speech on Bolivar — O'Connell and the Catholic Delegates in England — The Catholic Association Suppressed — The Duke of York's Speech on Peel's Emancipation Bill— "The Wings "—Stephen Coppinger — The Mahon Party — Cobbett and O'Connell — Affair with LejTie — Fourteen-days' Meetings — O'ConneU unconquerable; the New Association — O'ConneU's Amusing Difference with the Press— Elections; Defeat of the Beresfords, &c. — The Order of Liberators —Foreign Sympathisers— Death of Brie— Death of the Duke of York and Lord Liverpool — Dan and Remmy Sheehan — Burdett's BiU Defeated — Napoleon's Niece at a Catholic Meeting— Canning Minister; his Death; great Disappointment of the CathoUcs— Pope and Maguire— Anglesea Viceroy—Monster CathoUc Petition— WeUington Prime Minister — Military Appearance of the Peasantry — Repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, . 471-513

CHAPTER :^XII.

Preparations for the Clare Election— O'ConneU offers himself to the Electors as a Candidate for Parliamentary Honours— Sets out for Clare; his Triumphal Progress — Exciting Canvass in Clare — Steel, O'Gorman Mahon, Shiel,

CONTENTS. ix

Father Murphy, Father Tom Maguire, J ack Lawless, all Canvassing for O'Connell — Indignation of the Landlords — The Election — Sheriff Malony and O'Gorman Mahon — Sir Edward O'Brien's Tears — Speeches of the Two Candidates, Vesey Eitzgerald and O'Connell— Exciting Scenes — The Humours of an Irish Election Eorty-three years ago — " The First Man in the County" — A Bill of Indictment against a Priest's Physiognomy— Colonel Vandeleur Deserted by his Voters— " The Wolf is on the Walk " — Devotion of the Peasantry — Defeat of the Cabinet Minister and the Aristocracy — Generous FeeUng of O'Connell; Magnanimity of Vesey Fitzgerald — *'The Man of the People " the Member for Clare — He is Chaired in Ennis^ his Triumphal Progress to Dublin — Lawless at Ballibay — Revolutionary Measures Proposed in the Association — Aristocratic Meeting at the Kotunda in Favour of Emancipation — "Derry Dawson's" Speech — "Brunswick Clubs " — The Viceroy, Anglesea, Favourable to Emancipation — He is Recalled; Vast Crowds attend him to Kingstown — The Irish Soldiery in Favour of O'Connell — Emancipation brought Forward in Parliament by Wellington and Peel— The Association is Dissolved — Bigoted Opposition to the Relief Measure — The King Struggles against it — It Passes both Houses — George the Fourth reluctantly Signs the Bill-^— Its Provisions — Disfranchisement of the Forty-shiUing Freeholders — O'ConneU at the Bar of the Commons ; he is meanly Refused his Seat — His Enthusiastic Reception in Ireland — Irish Gratitude — Odd Squabbles — O'Connell is Re-elected for Clare— Reflections on the Great Catholic Victory, .... 513-531

CONCLUDING SUMMARY.

O'Connell at Darrynane — ^Varieties— Parliamentary Career— Last Repeal Agitation—The Famine— O'ConneU's last lUness and Death— His Character, . 532-538

THE

LIFE OF DANIEL O'OONNELL.

I

PEELIMINAKY SKETCH OF lEISH HISTORY.

Itelations of Ireland to England the Source of Irish Misery — Independence Necessary to Ireland's Happiness— Aims of O'Conuell's Life— How far he Succeeded— Where he Failed, and W by- Exaggeration of his Theory of Moral Force — Ireland's Capabilities— Eapid Survey of Irish History down to the Year 1775.

Tt is now more than seven hundred years since the day on which English ■invaders first set foot upon the soil of Ireland. Ever since that fatal event Ireland has been more or less subject to the yoke of England, and more or less miserable. At times, indeed, she has been egarded, equally by friend and foe, as lie most unfortunate island of the sea, though, from the gifts lavished ahke on her soil and people by the bounteous hand of Nature, she might be reasonably expected to prove the most fortunate. And wretched her desthiy must ever remain while her connection with England '/■sts. There are many yfho ask. Why inst this be so? Dogs she not sh^re ■le benefits of the glorious and envied onstitution of Britain? Is she not represented in the British legislature ? Are not the Irish people, in short, now part and parcel of the great British nation — ^participators in all the blessuigs of British law and British justice? Most Englishmen, and Irishmen of the West-British stamp, would fain answer these queistions in the affirmative ; but the views of all such on *'the Irish question" are entirely fallacious. If, indeed, the Irish were really one people with the English — similar in race, feeling, character, traditions, and interests — the present connection with England would ensure their happiness. With or without members in the British legislature, Ireland would, in this case, see her interests cared for — would be virtually represented. The representatives of Shropshire and Sussex would be as solicitous about the honour and interests of Tyrone and Tipperary as about those of Durham and Dorset, or even their own. But the two nations — not being homogeneous; on the contrary, differing widely in race, feeling, character, traditions, and interests — are altogether incapable of amalgamation. The representation of the weaker in the united legislature must ever be a delusion and a sham. Even if Ireland had an equal number of representatives with England (and this she could not reasonably claim), England, being wealthier and more powerful, would have the advantage in various ways. But Ireland having, as a matter of course, only a small minority in the united legislature, it necessarily follows that, whenever a conflict of interests takes place betv/een the t^:o countries, her representatives must be STaniped and her interests must go to the vTr^U- This would be inevitable if Irish member^ of Parliament Avere all as incorruptible a^ Aristides. But it is hardly necessary to point out the facilities England possesses for corrupting Irish members of Parliament; and her desire to corrupt equals her ability.

Some, indeed, there are who argue that if a democratic republic Were proclaimed in the British Islands, it would no longer be necessary for the It-ish people to seek even the restoration of their separate legislature. The representatives of the English democracy wotild at length give tardy justice to Ireland. JSTo more thorough fallacy thto this was ever uttered. A democratic government and legislature may /be just and beneficent to their own pej£(ple, but to a subject nation, or to a population whoge interests differ from

2 THE LIFE OP DANIEL o'cOKNELL.

those of their own immediate countrymen, they are sure to be unjust and tyrannical. If the principle be true that men are Bc ldom or never just judges in their own case, a democracy or sovereign people •will always trample under foot whatever interests come in collision with its own. An odd individual may judge justly in his own cause — aggregates of men can hardly ever do so. Indeed, political philosophers have maintained that the rule of an absolute monarch may be more likely to render justice to a subject province than that of a democratic government. If the despot be a tyrant, he will at least tyrannize impartially over all lands under his sway. If, on the other hand, he should chance, like Trajan and a few others, to be a father of his people, the \lcssings of his paternal rule will shine on all his provinces alike ; for his interest and glory are augmented by the prosperity of every part of his empire.