Facsimile of a draft United Irishmen proclamation by [John?] Sheares / by Henry Sheares.
Saved in:
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| Language: | English |
| Published: |
[c.1798]
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| Collection: | Later additions |
| Item Description: | Pasted in at the end of G4.2.29. "Irishmen - Your country is free and you are about to be avenged. That vile Government which has so long and so cruelly oppressed you, is no more. Some of it’s most atrocious monsters have already paid the forfeit of their lives, and the rest are in our hands. The National flag, the sacred Green, is at this moment flying over the ruins of Despotism, and that Capital, which a few hours past witnessed the debauchery plots and crimes of your Tyrants is now the citadel of triumphant and [perfect] patriotism. Stride then, United Sons of Ireland: Arise like a great and powerful people, determined to live free or die. Arm yourselves by every means in your power, and rush like lions on your foes. Consider that for every enemy you disarm you arm a friend and thus become doubly powerful. In the cause of Liberty inaction is cowardice, and the coward shall forfeit the property he has not the courage to protect. Let his arms be seized and transferred to those gallant spirits who want and will use them. Yes Irishmen, we swear by that eternal Justice in whose cause you fight, that the brave patriot who survives the present glorious struggle and the family of him who had fallen or shall fall hereafter in it, shall receive from the hands of a grateful nation an ample recompense out of the property, which the crimes of our enemies have forfeited into it’s hands, and his name shall be inscribed on the great National record of Irish revolution as a glorious example to all posterity but we likewise swear to punish robbery with death and infamy. We also swear that we will never sheathe the sword until every being in the Country is restored to those equal rights, which the God of Nature has given to all men; - until an order of things shall be established, in which no superiority shall be acknowledged among the citizens of Erin but that of virtue and talent. As for those degenerate Wretches who turn their swords against their Native Country, the National vengeance awaits them let them find no quarter unless they shall prove their repentance by speedily exchanging their former woes may be buried and Rouse all the energies of your souls call forth all the merit and abilities which a vicious Government consigned to obscurity, and under the conduct of your chosen leaders, march with a steady step to victory. Heed not the glare of a hired Soldiery or aristocratic yeomanry, they cannot stand the vigorous shock of freemen. Their trappings and their arms will soon be yours, and the detested Governments of England, to which we vow eternal hatred, shall learn that the treasures it exhausts on its accoutered slaves for the purpose of butchering Irishmen, shall but further enable us to turn their swords on its devoted head. [Many of the Military feel the love of Liberty glow within their breasts, and have already [to] joined the National Standard receive with open arms such as shall glow so glorious an example they can tender signal service to the cause of freedom and shall be rewarded according to their deserts. But for the wretch who turns his sword against his native country, let the national vengeance be visited on him; let him find no quarter. Two other crimes demand] Attack them in every direction by day and by night. Avail yourselves of the natural advantages of your country which are innumerable and with which you are better acquainted than they. Where you cannot oppose them in full force, constantly harass their rear and their flanks, cut off their provisions and magazines and prevent them as much as possible from uniting their forces. Let whatever moments you cannot devote to fighting for your country be passed in learning how to fight for it or preparing the means of war: for War, War alone must occupy every mind and every hand in Ireland: until it’s long oppressed soil be purged of all it’s enemies. Vengeance, Irishmen, vengeance on your Oppressors - remember what thousands of your dearest friends have perished by their merciless orders. Remember their burnings, their rackings, their torturings, their military massacres and their legal murder. Remember Orr." |
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| Bound With: | With a transcript of it by William Moore, Assistant Librarian, June 1921, titled: "Copy of an autographed letter by [John?] Sheares, undated, pasted in at the end of the report from the Committee of Secrecy (1798), etc., -given to the Library by James Crofton, of the Treasury, A.D., 1798. letter unsigned". |
