DANIEL OCONNELL AND RICHARD MORE OFERRALL

An important correspondence including five original autograph signed letters from OConnell to OFerrall, 1839-41, all with good signatures,...

DANIEL OCONNELL AND RICHARD MORE OFERRALL

An important correspondence including five original autograph signed letters from OConnell to OFerrall, 1839-41, all with good signatures, contemporary copies of two from OFerrall to OConnell, several other related letters, and some recent scholarly commentary, as follows:

1.DANIEL O'CONNELL. Autograph signed letter to OFarrell [Richard More OFerrall], 1 pp, with cognate blank, from 16 Pall Mall, dated 7th May 1839, marked Confidential. I am so unhappy about the ministry - for the sake of wretched Ireland - that I can not resist asking you your personal and of course your candid opinion as to the Course they will take ... I do not know when I felt so uneasy and unhappy.

2.DANIEL OCONNELL. Autograph signed letter to [Richard] More OFerrall, 8 pp (two folded sheets), from Darrynane Abbey, dated 29 November 1839. I have a crow to pluck with you - and a monstrous large one - It is this - In the House of Commons one night about a fortnight before I left London, you were complaining of the apathy of the people of Ireland respecting the registry [i.e. registration to vote] - I told you that I had a plan to rouse them for registry but that it would require £2000 - of which I would undertake for the forthcoming of one thousand - you instantly said you would promise the second thousand .. OConnell explains in detail that he has placed more than £1000 at the disposal of the Loyal Registry Association, most of which has been spent, but suggests that OFerrall has not yet delivered on his undertaking. I therefore ask where is your share of the money. The machinery in Dublin is excellent, not one shilling is mis-spent, but we want your share of the funds, etc.

3.DANIEL OCONNELL. A short ALS to More OFarrell, 1 pp, cognate address page with seal, from 16 Pall Mall, 4th June 1841, introducing a Counsellor Welch of the County of Kilkenny. He will speak to you about Carlow Town - you may place complete confidence in him as a gentleman of the highest honour and integrity.

4.[DANIEL OCONNELL]. A short autograph note, 1 pp, with cognate blank, to OConnell, dated 5 June 41, signed initials (possibly GM), concerning a note which Pigot sent me. I have nothing to do with such matters, which should be arranged by the candidates. Mr Trench has no authority from any one here to act in any matter nor in any place.

5.[R. MORE OFERALL]. Copy of letter to OConnell, 11 June 41, 2 pp, presumably in OFerralls hand. I have stated my opinion more than once as to Mayo, it is entirely out of my influence and I had refused Lord Oranmore to meddle in it, etc.

6.DANIEL O'CONNELL. ALS to OFerrall, 12 June 1841, from Merrion Square, 3 pp. All looking well and in good spirits. I am told I shall certainly carry Carlow. Remember Laird is to give £200 to the indemnity fund. Remember also I must get a knighthood for Browne, he commands about 30 good votes in the county Dublin where they are wanted, etc., with further financial and other details.

7.DANIEL OCONNELL. ALS to OFerrall, 15th June 41, from Merrion Square, 4 pp, enclosing various letters. With respect to Carlow could there be a letter written to the Bishop Dr. Healy to say that there would not be any resentment entertained against those who at this election were repealers - a [note?] of this kind would be valuable. It should not appear to have any connection with me, etc, also mentioning other constituencies. As for Youghall, why ask a requisition - it seems dragging the constituency at the chariot wheel of authority - Indeed indeed it is not good taste. Especially as the politics and that species of religious feeling called in Ireland Biblicism on the part of young Curry lessen the influence of the Duke and create disgust when attachment might easily be produced ..

8.[R. MORE OFERRALL]. Copy of letter to OConnell,17 June 41, 3 pp. You will receive a letter by this post on the subject of Youghal and Carlow which will remove the impression you are asking for the requisition, [it] was well meant but it should have gone thro another channel than Curry. It was a Dublin blunder. The same person .. will write to the Bishop. You need not fear heavy resentment for those who exert themselves unless great imprudence or violence, which you would disapprove as anyone, rendered a condemnation absolutely necessary ..

9.[R. MORE OFERRALL]. Copy letter, unsigned, to P.J. Fitzpatrick, 29 Oct 1842, 2 pp, enclosing a £10 subscription to the OConnell compensation fund, in spite of a recent difference of opinion, etc.

10.P.V. FITZPATRICK. ALS to R. More OFerrall, Dublin, October 29 1842, 1 pp with cognate blank, acknowledging his subscription (see previous item).

11.A SMALL COLLECTION OF RECENT NOTES AND LETTERS, 1970s, from (Prof.) Maurice OConnell to Edward More OFerrall, with a letter from Dr Patrick Wallace of the National Museum describing the letters in question as important, a copy of a TLS from Dónal Ó Luanaigh of the National Library of Ireland, and other related letters and transcripts.

AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION, generally in excellent condition, casting considerable light on OConnells political and financial manoeuverings. After his triumph with Catholic Emancipation (1829), OConnell spent the rest of his career seeking to make progress towards Repeal of the Union on a peaceful basis. He died in 1847 without achieving that aim. Richard More OFerrall was a Liberal MP for Kildare and Longford, and a friend and collaborator of OConnell. He was a Lord of the Treasury 1835-39, Secretary to the Admiralty 1839-41, and ended his career as Governor of Malta. Original letters of significance from OConnell are now rare in private hands.

 

 

View more View less