tion,' are taking the manlier, more citizen-like, and, may Heaven grant! the more effectual course of proceeding. … And though you know, Duffy, that I am so unfortunate as to differ from you on many points of policy, and upon at least one serious matter of personal feeling, I am proud to acknowledge in you, after glorious Davis, the father of the Irish National party and the chief writer of the party. But for the Nation, which your generous boldness and your fixedness of purpose and your able pen have maintained for the last six years as our standard and rallying point of patriotism, every one of us Confederates—even Mitchel—would have remained in dull, hopeless obscurity."
In the eighth month of my imprisonment, when my funds were nearly exhausted by a protracted contest with the Treasury, and no more funds could come in—as the Post Office sent all letters addressed to the editor of the Nation to the Castle, and prohibited my trustees from holding communication with me on the business of my personal property[1]—Father Mathew became apprehensive that I might be sacrificed for want of money to prolong my defence. This gracious friend, who had refrained from all participation in politics, communicated with a few persons of influence, and established a committee to collect a fund for this purpose. I first heard of this proposal by an announcement in the Press of a meeting of the committee at the Shelbourne Hotel. I did not doubt that the action was wise and generous in the abstract—many prisoners before and since have received such aid without discredit—but the management of the Repeal Funds created such distaste and even disgust with the manipulation of public money, that I was resolved I should never be the object of any pecuniary tribute whatever. I wrote to Father Mathew beseeching him not to proceed; his success, I assured him, would humiliate me. Enemies were free, if they thought fit, to affirm that I was an unprofitable servant of Ireland, they
- ↑
"Dublin Castle, 25th September, 1848.
"Sir,—I am directed by the Lord Lieutenant to acknowledge the receipt of the letter of the trustees to the estate of Mr. Charles G. Duffy of the 20th instant, and to inform you that their request cannot be complied with.—I am, sir, your obedient servant,
"Thos. Redington."Mr. James M'Donnell, 16, William Street."
