THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER [1823-1867], Young Irelander and revolutionary, 'Meagher of the Sword'. An important collection of ten autograph signed letters, with another incomplete and unsigned, to...

THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER [1823-1867], Young Irelander and revolutionary, 'Meagher of the Sword'. An important collection of ten autograph signed letters, with another incomplete and unsigned, to his Waterford colleague and friend T.W. Condon, circa 1847-1853, as follows: a) AL to 'My dear Friend [Condon], 4 pp (single folded sheet), in Meagher's hand, lacks continuation and signature, from Reform Club, Dawson Street, Tuesday (probably January 1847), numbered '1' in a later hand. 'You have seen by the Papers that we are now at work, and that out of the strife and suspicion and despair of the last few months has sprung up a fine Body, full of health and intellect and heroism, to do the business of Regeneration. The ''Irish Confederation'' has pitched its camp, and we shall neither strike our colours nor our tents until the English Channel divides two free nations ..', and declaring his intention to address the 'fine fellows' of Condon's [Repeal] Reading Room with a view to recruiting them, because 'they are Independent Men - men who make use of God's noblest gift - a Mind - and scorn to let others think for them ..' b) ALS to 'My dear Friend', from Nation office, Thursday, 3 pp (single folded sheet), numbered '2' in a later hand, somewhat scuffed, minor tears, no loss. 'I felt great pleasure in laying your letter before the Council of the Confederation .. the suggestions you conveyed .. will receive their most attentive consideration .. In a few days, the cards of the Confederates will be issued .. I shall be proud in proposing the admission of your excellent friends.' c) ALS to 'My dear Friend', from 4 Mary Villa, Upper Leeson St., Dublin, 8 pp (two folded sheets), no date, numbered 7 in a later hand, had the proud pleasure of proposing the Waterford Confederates at our meeting on Wednesday, impossible to have the names published as they amount to 3,000, refers to a [disparaging] article in a Waterford paper: 'The idea of that paper preaching patriotism! My God, think of a hangman sermonizing about the sympathies and duties of humanity. The idea of that paper proclaiming nationality! Good heavens, think of a cannibal of Kaffir-land patronizing the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and sending his subscription of a human thigh-bone to the Relief Committee of Skibereen ..', and so on in typically florid fashion. d) ALS to 'My dear Friend', from Colonnade Hotel. Haymarket, London, Jan. 25th' [probably 1847], 8 pp (two folded sheets), numbered '3' in a later hand. ' .. I have altered my intention of addressing the Repealers of Waterford - I mentioned it yesterday to Mr. Smith O'Brien, and he most strongly urged .. the propriety of having the Repealers in Waterford .. to act spontaneously, without our giving the slightest reason to justify a charge .. that we induced persons to join us .. The first battle in which our Flag will fly, will be that of Galway - we intend to fight the Whig official then ..' e) ALS to 'My dear Friend', from Reform Club, Wednesday [1847], 5 pp [two folded sheets, apologising for a delay in acknowledging subscriptions through pressure of work due to the Galway election. 'I go down with Mr. Mitchel tomorrow morning to the battle-field - May God give us success ..' f) ALS to 'My dear Condon', from Gilbert's Royal Hotel, Westland Row, Thursday evening, postmarked Feb. 10 / 11 1848, 2 pp with cognate address leaf, postmarked, trace of seal. 'Whatever is the consequence, and whoever be the champion, Costelloe must be fought.' g) ALS to 'My dear Friend', 2 pp (single folded sheet, part of blank rear leaf torn away), dated Friday morning (no year, probably circa April1848), referring to an article 'in tomorrow's Nation ? headed ''The Red above the Green'' from my rebellious pen ..'. This may refer to Meagher's visit to the French revolutionary government, March 1848, as an emissary from the Irish Confederation, from which he returned with a Tricolour flag in the Irish colours (apparently the first appearance of a Tricolour in an Irish context). h) ALS to 'My dear Condon', from Council Rooms, 9 D'Olier St. [Dublin], April 20th 1848, 4 pp (single folded sheet), saying he plans to come to Waterford with Smith O'Brien, say about Thursday or Friday next. 'In the meantime, without an hour's delay, get up a splendid procession - banners, band &c. &c. to meet us at the steamer. Get out placards at once .. something in this way - [proposed text apparently in another hand, or perhaps in Meagher's disguised hand]: 'Repeal!!! Repeal!!! Irish Independence!!! The prosecuted patriots!!!! ..' [remainder in Meagher's usual hand again] .. Don't forget the Irish Tricolour, the Green, White and Orange - Get up a combined committee for a meeting - procure the Town Hall for a night meeting &c - set to work at once ..' i) ALS to 'My dear Condon', from Richmond Bridewell, Dec. 10th 1848, 4 pp (single folded sheet), worn and soiled, written while under sentence of death (later commuted) after the failure of the 'rising' of July 1848, denying any suggestion that his friendship with Condon is at an end, and promising to support him in seeking a position (apparently with a Council). 'As to the old cause - I am not the least depressed about it - Not the least. My belief in its triumph, one day or another, is as deep and passionate as ever .. Failures in a Revolutionary Movement are not mortal wounds - a Nation can afford a terrible loss of blood, and still survive, and strengthen as it survives. Besides, the strength of the country has not been broken - has not as yet been tested even ?' j) ALS to 'My dear Condon', from Madison, Indiana, May 13th [18]53, 4 pp (single folded sheet, tearing at fold, fragile), thanks him for his efforts on behalf of Mrs. Meagher (who remained in Ireland), and complains at length about 'bigotry' among 'these ultra-Catholics of America', who apparently objected to Meagher's support for 'the noblest institutions of the Republic - namely, the Public Schools', criticising [Thomas D'Arcy] McGee, whom he calls a 'rascal', McGee's papers, etc. etc., a typically combative letter. k) ALS to 'My dear Condon', marked Private, from Madison, Indiana, May 14th [18]53, 6 pp (double and single sheet), again attacking McGee and urging Condon to hold a meeting in Waterford to repudiate him (McGee), 'since I see that the 'Nation' is becoming a mere McGee paper, a mere transcript of the 'Boston Pilot' .. Fancy the 'Nation' all this while suffering me to be abused like a pick-pocket, and never uttering a syllable in my behalf! That was not the way I served Duffy and others who were placed under a ban, for a time, through the suspicions .. of our country-men ..', and continuing at length to defend his record and character, against charges presumably made in McGee's papers. An important and interesting correspondence, showing both Meagher's eloquence and courage, and his tendency at times to rhetoric and exaggeration. Born in 1823, in a well-to-do Catholic family in Waterford, where T.W. Condon was among his childhood friends, Meagher went to Dublin to study law, and became active in the Repeal movement and the more radical Young Ireland group. A speech in which he referred repeatedly to the cleansing effect of 'the sword', led to the name by which he was later known, although in truth he was more effective as a speaker than a soldier. He did not take part in the skirmish at Ballintubber in July 1848, though he was sentenced to death afterwards. The sentence was commuted and he was transported to Australia, escaping to the United States in 1852. He was active in Irish-American politics, fought on the Union side in the Civil War, and became Commander of the 69th (Irish) Brigade. Afterwards he was appointed Secretary for the territory of Montana (not yet a State), and in 1867 he apparently fell overboard from a steamer on the Missouri and drowned, still aged only 44. This is a comprehensive collection, which gives a valuable insight into Meagher's views and character over a period of years before and after his imprisonment and exile. Condition varies, but is generally good at least. As a collection, w.a.f.

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