Letter
Collection object
2002.0150
H. 23.0 W. 19.0
Letter, ms, William Smith O'Brien, answer to an address passed at a public meeting of the citizens of New York held at the Broadway Tabernacle 15 Dec 1854. Dated Brussels, 1855. 8pp, 7 written. Titled as above at beginning. Long desired opportunity of offering acknowledgement to American people for interest shown over last six years in his fate and that of other Irish prisoners exiled in 1848. Address adopted under presidentcy of chief magistrate of New York gives that opportunity. Sympathy evinced by citizens of US contributed to cheer and sustain him during severest trial and present comparative felicity greatly enhanced by it. Convinced that this sentiment shared by fellow exiles. Not surprising that nation which won its liberty and prosperity by successful resistance to misgovernment should regard with favour efforts of a kindred people to escape by similar means from system of misrule more oppressive than that which gave rise to American Revolution. But while success is generally greeted with homage, it is seldom that justice is done to acts or motives of those who fail, more especially of those who fail without the glory of a struggle. Citizens of US have not founded their judgement of O'Brien & co upon events, but have estimated it by the occasion and the motives which prompted it. For this generous appreciation offers his and exiles unfeigned gratitude. Rejoiced to perceive that meeting at which address was passed was attended by Native Americans as well as Irish refugees. There is no point connected with the recent emigration from Ireland to America respecting which he has felt so much solicitude as the maintenance of harmony between the native citizens and those of his fellow countrymen who have adopted the United States as their home. Trusts that Irish will never forget that when they fled in myriads from their own country to escape famine, ejectment, misgovernment and proscription, they found in the United States a land of refuge and were received with a fraternal welcome. Trusts that therefore they will not only evince loyalty to government of US, that they will not only endeavour to deserve the title of useful and orderly citizens, but that they will even avoid every proceeding which can awaken ubfounded jealousies or unworthy prejudices. On the other hand, the Americans should not forget that in their early struggles for national independence, Irishmen bore a prominent part, that some of their most illustrious fellow citizens have owed their extraction to Irish parentage, that by Irish labour their forests have been cleared, their towns built, their lands cultivated, their mines worked, their ships constructed and that if ever the American Union should need for its defence, or even for its aggrandisement, the aid of bold hearts and of strong arms it will find in the Irish population that hereditary valour for which they have ever been distinguished. Would trespass beyond appropriate limits of this answer if he gave utterance to all that he could wish to say. Shall therefore only add the expression of his heartfelt desire that the great republic of the west may become in each succeeding year more and more deserving of the admiration of mankind, and that its population may enjoy more and more both the happiness of social life and the blessings of national prosperity. Ends: I have the honour to be / Your very faithful servant / William Smith O'Brien / Bruxelles. 1855. Four sheets, the last two still joined at the l. edge with glue from the binding of the letter pad. The front of each sheet is embossed in the top l. corner with a circle around a flying dove, lettering above the dove. Watermark, horizontal lines only.
William Smith O'Brien (associated with)