2O60937

Wolfe Tone.

BULMER HOB SON

MARTIN LESTER, LTD.

OAWSON STREET, ::

DUBLIN.

/O SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE NETT.

THE
LETTERS OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

"Unhappy is the man and the
nation, whose destiny depends on
the will of another.

TONE.

THE LETTERS OF
WOLFE TONE.

EDITED BY
BULMER HOBSON.

MARTIN LESTER, LTD.,
44 DAWSON STREET, DUBLIN.

PRINTED BY THE ATHLONE PRINTING WORKS
COMPANY, LIMITED, ATHL,ON E.

INTRODUCTION.

THE autobiographical writings of \\olfeToneand John
Mitchel's Jail Journal may well rank as the two
best books produced under the influence of the national
idea in modern Ireland. To which should be ascribed
first place will depend upon the critic's individual
taste.

The Jail Journal was written not merely to while
away the tedium of imprisonment, but as an exposition
of Mitchel's opinions, and was published as soon as
opportunity offered, while, on the other hand, Tone
' wrote his Journal for his wife and a small circle of
intimate friends, and there is no evidence to show
that he ever contemplated their publication to a wider
circle. It is to this fact that much of the charm of
his autobiography is due, for few men could have
written so intimately of every private concern for
the public, and certainly Tone was not of their number.
If he ever had any idea of ultimate publication he
could only have regarded his Journals as a quarry
from which a future biographer might select his
materials, and not as a work to be published with

20GO937

INTRODUCTION

the few excisions which his son made in preparing
them for the printer. It is extremely fortunate
that this should be so, for it would have been a very
different and a very inferior book were it written
in the stilted and formal phrasing that passed current
in the publications of the end of the eighteenth century.
Of the autobiography itself, though much has been
preserved, a great deal has unfortunately been lost.
In October, 1796, Tone's wife and children were in
America and preparing to join him in France. They
left the Journals of 1791-2-3-4 and 5, together with
the manuscripts of his pamphlets and newspaper
articles and the materials for a Political History of
Ireland which he had collected, in the care of Dr.
Reynolds of Philadelphia. Reynolds was a United
Irishman who had, like Tone, been involved in the
conspiracy of the Rev. William Jackson in Ireland
in 1794, and had gone to America when Jackson was
arrested. When Tone also went to America in the
following year, Reynolds was settled in Philadelphia,
and when he left his family and set off on his great
mission to France, Dr. Reynolds acted as the trusted
friend and adviser of Mrs. Tone. In one of her letters
to Thomas Russell (October 9th, 1796), Mrs. Tone
speaks in the highest terms of the kindness and
attention she had received from Reynolds, but
unfortunately he did not, after they had gone to

INTRODUCTION.

Europe, take any care of Tone's papers, and when
his son returned to claim them many years after-
wards, a great part had been lost irrevocably. A
few fragments only of the earlier Journals could be
found, those of 1793-4 and 5 were gone, as well as
most of the other papers entrusted to the careless
hands of Reynolds.

The loss is very great for it was during those missing
years that the seed was sown which was harvested
in blood in 1798; it was in those years that the Society
of United Irishmen grew from being the debating
ground of a few ardent spirits to the closely knit
organisation that absorbed all the virile forces on
the national side in Ireland, and Tone, better than
any other, could have revealed to us the hidden
workings of those fruitful, eventful years had his
Journals not had been lost. The letters, now published
for the first time, will not make good this loss; only
three of them, indeed, belong to the early period,
but though they shed little new light upon the
political happenings of the time, they are full of
the gaiety that made lone beloved by his contem-
poraries, and they will be welcomed by all who have
come to know and to love the man who has portrayed
himself so wonderfully in the autobiography.

In the following pages no attempt will be made
to write a new biography of Tone — for that the reader

INTRODUCTION.

must be referred to his own — and biographical details
will be only given so far as they are necessary
to make the references in the letters clear.
As it would be impossible to write any substitute
for the autobiography, I shall seek to do no more
than to supplement it with the letters that I have
been fortunate enough to find scattered among several
collections of old papers, and it is merely as a supple-
ment to Tone's own great book that I offer them
to the reader.

I have included in this volume the letters published
in the first edition of the autobiography (Washington,
1826), together with several not hitherto published
and it is possible that others may yet come to light.

If any readers can assist in tracing other published
or unpublished letters of Tone's, their co-operation
will be very warmly welcomed by the editor.

B.H.

THE
LETTERS OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

1. IX IRELAND.

Wolfe Tone's entry into Irish politics may be said
to date definitely from the publication of his first
pamphlet, " A Review of the Last Session of Parlia-
ment," in 1790. He was at that time, twenty-seven
years of age. The pamphlet was a defence of the
Whig Club which had been started by Lord Charlemont,
Henry Grattan, and George Ponsonby, and which
was at the moment, the object of attack by every
hired scribe that the Government of the day could
enlist in the service. The object of the Club was to press
for a reform in the Irish Parliament, but its members
were not the men to push reform very far. Like the
Liberals of our own time, their precepts were models
of enlightenment and justice — while their actions
were weak, vacillating or often flagrantly dishonest.
Tone, when he wrote in their defence, was not unaware
of their weakness: —

Though I was very far from entirely approving
the system of the Whig Club, and much less their
principles and motives, yet, seeing them at the

THE LETT KRS OF

time the best constituted political bod}' which the
country afforded, and agreeing with most of their
positions, though my own private opinions went
infinitely farther, I thought I could \7enture on their
defence without violating my own consistency.
This support of the Whig Club went no further
rthan his pamphlet. His was a mind, not to be satisfied
with a superficial view ; he sought the root causes cf
the trouble in Ireland, and he quickly found them.

A closer examination into the situation of my
native country had very considerably extended
my views, and as I was sincerely and honestly at-
tached to her interests, I soon found reason not to
regret that the Whigs had not thought me an object
worthy of their cultivation. I made speedily
what was to me a great discovery, though I might
have found it in Swift and Molyneux, that the
influence of England was the radical vice of our
Government, and consequently, that Ireland would
never be either free, prosperous, or happy, until
she was independent, and that independence was
unattainable whilst the connection with England
existed.

Having formed his theory, Tone devoted the rest
of his life to the attempt to put it into practice, and
in this, he was greatly assisted and encouraged by
a friendship which he formed at this period (1790)

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

with Thomas Russell. They met by chance one
day in the Gallery of the House of Commons, and
entered into a discussion on the politics of the day.
Russell was a supporter of the Whigs, while Tone
had outgrown that creed, and was full of his rapidly
forming plans for a union of all classes in Ireland
to break the connection with England. The acquain-
tance so casually formed ripened quickly into friendship,
and from that time on, they worked in the closest
associations, Russell coming completely to share
Tone's political views. Several of the letters, to be
quoted in the succeeding pages, were written to
Russell, and the originals are to be found among
Russell's papers, in the library of Trinity College,
Dublin.

In the year following that in which the friendship
of Tone and Russell commenced, the latter left Dublin
and went to Belfast to join his regiment. He had
just been appointed. an Ensign in the 6-4th Regiment
of Foot, then quartered in that town, a position
which he only held for a few months. In Belfast,
he found that the opinions which he and Tone had
shared in Dublin were already stirring amongst the
most enlightened of the merchants there.

At that period, the politics of Belfast, and particu-
larly of the Volunteer movement, were principally
controlled by a secret committee consisting of Samuel

io THE LETTERS OF

Neilson, Thomas MacCabe, William vSinclair, \\ illiam
and Robert Simms, and a few others.

These men were the most far-seeing and statesman-
like of their contemporaries, and with them Russell
entered into the closest association and intimacy,
and it was through him that Tone also was brought
into touch with them. Out of that alliance, the
Society of United Irishmen shortly afterwards came.

Tone's connection with the Catholic Committee
was also indirectly brought about by the stay of
his friend, Russell, in Belfast. The most enlightened
of the Protestant community in that town were
strongly in favour of the abolition of the Penal I^aws
against the Catholics, but there was a considerable
section still opposed to the admission of Irish Catholics
to the most elementary rights of citizenship. At a
meeting of the Belfast Volunteers, a declaration
respecting the Catholic claims was proposed, but met
with so much opposition that it had to be withdrawn.
This declaration had been written by Tone at Russell's
request, and its rejection forced him to consider anew
the relations existing between the various sections
of the Irish people. He thus records the result of his
reflections in one of the most striking passages in
all his writings: —

Russell wrote me an account of all this, and it

immediately set me thinking more seriously than

THEQBALD WOLFE TONE. n

I had yet done upon the state of Ireland. I soon
formed my theory, and on that theory I have
unvaryingly acted ever since.

To subvert the tyranny of our execrable Govern-
ment, to break the connection with England,
the never-failing source of all our political evils,
and to assert the independence of my country—
these were my objects. To unite the whole people
of Ireland, to abolish the memory of all past dissen -
sions, and to substitute the common name of
Irishman in place of the denominations of Protestant,
Catholic, and Dissenter — these were my means.
As a step towards bringing the Dissenters and
Catholics together he published in September, 1791,
a pamphlet entitled " An Argument on behalf of the
Catholics of Ireland," the object of which was to
convince the Dissenters that they and the Catholics
" had but one common interest and one common
enemy; that the depression and slavery of Ireland
was produced and perpetuated by the divisions
existing between them." This pamphlet met with
much success, and both the Catholics and the Belfast
Dissenters printed and circulated large editions.
It had the important result of introducing Tone to
the Catholic Committee, to none of the members of
which he was known when the pamphlet was written,
and shortlv afterwards he became their secretary

12 THE LKTTKRS OF

and agent. His arguments were no less successful
with the Belfast people, and the first or Green Company
of the Belfast Volunteers elected him an honorary
member, and he was invited to visit the north to
assist at the birth of the Society of United Irishmen.
Tone went to Belfast in October, 1791, accompanied
by Thomas Russell, who had, in the meantime, left
the Army and returned to Lublin. The Society of
United Irishmen was successfully launched, and its
declaration, written by Tone, was to form for the
next few years the rallying ground of all that was
best in Irish political life. Only one letter written
to Mrs. Tone during this visit has been preserved.
It was published in Tone's Life, edited by his son
in 1826.

BELFAST, October 20, 1791.
My Dearest Life and Soul,

I wrote a few posts since, just to let you know
that I was alive and well. I did not tell you any
news as I Journalise everything, and promise
myself great pleasure from reading my papers over
with you. I have christened Russell by the name
of P.P., Clerk of this Parish, and he makes a very
conspicuous figure in my memoirs. If you do not
know who P.P. was, the joke will be lost on you.
I find the people here extremely civil; I have dined
out every day since I came here, and have now more

TKKOBALD WOLFE TONE. 13

engagements than I can possibly fulfil. I did hope
to get away on Sunday, but I fear I shall not be
able to move before Thursday. You cannot
conceive how much this short absence has endeared
you to me. You think it is better for us to be
always together, but I am sure from my own experi-
ence you are wrong; for I cannot leave you now,
though but for one week, that I do not feel my
heart cling to you and to our dear little ones.
I have no more to say but to desire my love to all
of you, and am dearest love, ever yours. If you
have not written before this you need not write; I
wish, however, I had one letter from you.

— T. W. TONE.

P.S. — Dear Matty: As to anything your wise
husband may have said of me, I neither desire to
know, nor do I care. It is sufficient, generally,
" / had a friend." I am at present, composing a
pretty moral treatise on temperance, and will
dedicate it to myself as I don't know who is likely
to profit so much by it. Pray, give my love to
your virgin daughter and infant progeny. " God
bless everybody." Yours, till death. — P.P.

P.S. — P.P. has been scribbling his bit of nonsense.
He is a great fool, and I have much trouble to
manage him. I assure you that you will be much
amused by his exploits in my Journal, which is a

14 . THE BETTERS OF

thousand times wittier than Swift's, as in Justice
it ought; for it is written for the amusement of one
a thousand times more amiable than Stella. 1
conclude in the words of my friend P.P. God bless
everybody.

P.S.- P.P. calls me " his friend Mr. John Mutton,"
but God knows the heart. He is writing a Journal,
but mine is worth fifty of it.

After a stay of three weeks in Belfast, " which
I look back upon as perhaps the pleasantest in my
life," Tone, accompanied by Russell, returned to
Dublin, determined to found a club of the United
Irishmen in the capital. This they shortly accom-
plished, and the United Irishmen of Dublin, with
the Hon. Simon Butler as Chairman, and James
Napper Tandy as Secretary, adopted the declaration
of the Belfast Society and opened a correspondence
with them. The Society, both in Dublin and Belfast,
spread with great rapidity, and in its membership
Catholics and Protestants came together in a new
and firm union. Throughout Ulster the movement
quickly extended its sway, and in Connacht great
progress was made. The other two provinces accepted
it more, slowly, but its influence in healing the old
dissensions and feuds that had separated Irishmen
into hostile factions was felt throughout the whole
of Ireland.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 15

A letter from Tone to his wife, written at the end of
1791, gives a glowing description of the enthusiasm
evoked by the new movement. Mrs. Tone was
staying, probably at Prosperous, in Co. Kildare,
and her husband was in Dublin when it was written.
Dear Love,

I have nothing more to say than that affairs
are going on here swimmingly. We have got up
a club of United Irishmen in Dublin, similar to
that in Belfast, who have adopted our resolutions,
with a short preface. We have pretty well secured
all Connaught, and are righting out the other two
provinces. It is wonderful with what zeal, spirit,
activity, and secrecy all things are conducted.
I have dined with divers Papists, and in particular
with Lord Dunsany, who lately reformed, but is
still a good Catholic in his heart. He begged the
honour of my acquaintance, and I shall call on
him to-morrow. My book* is running like wildfire.
The Castle has got hold of the story, but very
imperfectly. All they know is that the disorder
broke out in Belfast and was carried there by one
Toole or Toomey, or some such name, a lawyer.
I suppose they will endeavour to find out this
Mr. Toole or Toomey, or whatever his name is.

George Ponsonby is, on a sudden, grown vastly
*An argument on behalf of the Catholics of Ireland (1791;

i(> THE LETTERS OF

civil and attentive .... and so much for
politics. I learn and I am sorry that you have
got a return of the pain in your head. Willy* is
growing too strong for you, and therefore, I beg
you may wean him immediately. He is old enough
now and you must not injure your own health for
that little monkey, especially when you know how
precious your health is to me.

My stay in town is of such infinite consequence
that I am sure you would not wish me to quit
whilst things are in their present train. If you
can get Maryf down I shall be very happy; I leave
it to you as I am with my head, hands, and heart
.so full of business that I have hardly time to sub-
scribe myself.— Yours. T.W.T. J
During the year 1792, Tone was taken up almost
entirely with his work as secretary of the Catholic
Committee, and he exercised no small influence upon
the fortunes of that body. His appointment coincided
with the ending of a disastrous period, when deserted
by thek erstwhile leaders and openly flouted by
every creature of the Government,the political fortunes
of the Irish Catholics were at a very low ebb. To
the improvement that followed, Tone materially
contributed and there can be no doubt that had the

* Their eldest son, born 1790.

t Tone's only sister.

J This letter was published in Tone's Life, by hs son

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

Catholic leaders been more swayed by his advice
than they were the illusory concessions which they
won in the following year, would have been both
more extensive and of greater practical value. He
still, however, found time to do much towards recon-
ciling the feuds between Protestant and Catholic
so deliberately fomented by the faction which con-
trolled the Government of Ireland. The leading
members of the Catholic Committee and* many of the
Dissenters of Belfast joined in this work, and their
success in promoting a union amongst Irishmen
quickly alarmed a Government whose power was
based so largely upon the maintenance of disunion.
On this work, Tone repeatedly travelled to many
parts of Ireland and had the satisfaction of seeing
the Society of United Irishmen rapidly become a
potent factor in Irish affairs.

While immersed in politics the numberless friendships
which he had formed were never suffered to lapse,
and few men so absorbed in public life found time
for so complete an enjoyment of social events, and the
company of his wife and children. In the few letters
to his friend Russell which have been preserved there
is less of politics than of gaiety * and affection. Among
the Russell papers* are two letters, the first of which
was written partly by Mrs. Tone and partly by her
* Papers of Thomas Russell. Library of T.C., I).

i8 THE LETTERS OF

husband, and addressed to Russell's sister, which
show well the depth of affection existing between
the two men.

(In Mrs. Tone's writing): —

Thursday, September.
My Dear Miss Russell,

I received your kind letter and Tom's note,
which I would have answered immediately only I
expected to go to see my William every Sunday
since and I wished to give you some account ot
our darling boy as I know it would be interesting
to you. Tone has constantly disappointed me,
and though he has promised to come with me next
Sunday certainly, I shall wait no longer.

Will you excuse me if I write you a ladylike
letter and tell you that I am to dine to-day at
Mr. Dixon's at Kilmainham with a horrible large
company. I have been invited frequently and
always sent an apology, but to-day it was impossible.
I never saw one of the family, and I am frightened
out of my wits. I am to be as fine as a jay.

I spent the other evening with Mrs. Poitier,
and, indeed, my spirits were quite sunk at being
in the house where I spent so many pleasant days
with you and your dear father, I could not raise
them the whole evening. I believe I recollected
particularly every day that we spent together

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 19

since I know you, and Tom's coming down to
Irishtown and eating a herring with us after shearing
he would not come. We have no such friends now.

Will you return him my sincere thanks for his
charming note. Tell him that I have put it up with
" volumes which I prize above my Dukedom "
and that (as my Maria says) I am always striving
to be good in hopes that I may one day deserve
the kind things he says to me. If all men knew
how to treat women as Tom does, we would be much
better than we are.

(The letter is here continued in Wolfe Tone's
writing): —

Mrs. Tone has been writing some of her stuff
and I must finish it, she says, while she is dressing.
Will you tell Tom from me that he owes me a letter,
and this makes two. My last was a long one,
though there was nothing in it! I see by the papers
that Colonel Knox is got safe as far as London ;
he arrived in the Essex.

I wish to God we had Ambrose and Nancy (you
see I have got her name), over and I think we
should make out a pleasant set. As for you, Mr.
Tom, it is very hard that you will not answer a
body's letter when they write to you. How did
you like Kudex*? I sent one to Jack by the same

* Probably refers to a newspaper article written by Tone and
siimed Kudex.

20 THE LETTERS OF

post that I last wrote to you, but he had some
good breeding and answered my letter in one con-
taining many civil things, etc., etc.

I am going to dine at your friend, Dixon's. I
would rather than all the money in my pocket,
which amounts to no less a sum than i8s. 5d.
sterling, that I had you and Jack* to dine with
me to-day. Mrs. Tone has said, and God knows
how truly, that " we have no such friends as you
now." You will see in a Northern Star-f soon a
short view of the Constitution of America done
by me. It is only an abridgment from one of
two books. Give my love sincerely to your father
and believe me sincerely yours, BUREAU DE Puzv.J
September 5th, 1792.

I wore my Belfast regimentals last Sunday—-
Every soldier I met saluted me and all the Sentries
carried their arms, etc., etc. I do assure you I
was fool enough to be excessively pleased — -much
more than you would think I could be with such
a trifle. I subjoin some lines from that sublime
genius, O'Keeffe, very applicable to the present
subject and proper to be kept in all families : —
As I pass the Sentry box,
Soldiers rest their bright firelocks,

>; Ru ssell's brothers.

-1'The Organ of the Northern United Irishmen;published in Belfast

J Tone used many nicknames

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 21

Each about his musquet knocks,

Rattle-dum, slap, to me.

I am sure the fellows took me for the Dutch
Bronswig or Marshall Saxe, or Frederic the Second,
or Major Read, or some such great commander.
Direct to me at the College, I am leaving my lodgings*

Dear Tom,

I have just received yours, and should be much
more shocked than I am, but that I have been
acquainted with your heavy loss this some time
back in a manner which I am now to inform you of.
The day that you left my cabin on your way to
town, a letter came for you (which I now enclose)
with the seal broken. You will see that the direction
is remarkably like Digge's handwriting, at least,
I thought so. Under those circumstances, and being
curious to know his fate, I did not consider it any
breach of confidence in me, the letter being in fact,
open, to look at the contents, which I was equally
disappointed and distressed at finding to be the
news of your brother's death. When I recovered
the first shock I was, for some time, at a loss whether
I should communicate the letter to you or keep it
back, arid at last consulting with Matty, whose
concern was equal to my own, we resolved to withhold
* This incident is recorded in his Journal tor ist September, 'g^.

THE LET1ERS OF

it for some time. We knew you were about going
to Belfast and we both thought so severe a blow
coming upon you at a time when your situation
was so unsettled, otherwise* might be too much
for your resolution, or, indeed, for that of an)' man.
We also thought that ill -tidings would come at all
times soon enough, and, therefore, on the whole,
we resolved to lay by the letter for some little
time. As you are informed from another quarter, I
now enclose it to you, and I hope you will in justice
to our motive forgive our keeping it back so long.
We have saved you some weeks additional distress.

With regard to consolation, as I would not receive
it under your circumstances, I shall not pretend
to offer it. Time alone will remove your grief,
and it is some comfort that it will, however slowly,
certainly remove it. A more solid comfort you may
draw from the reflection that your sister has still
a friend willing, and I trust in God, able to assist her.
I can assure you I feel deeply on her account, but
a great part of my uneasiness is removed by the
receipt of your letter.

To come to ordinary business, I sent your trunk

by the Mail Coach on Monday week, so I hope

you have it before this. I directed it to you in

Belfast, so if it has not reached you, I suppose it

* Russell -was in financial difficulties.

1HBOBALD WOLFE 1OXE.

is h'ing at the Inn. I also made diligent search
as you desired for Digges' note, which, however,
I was not able to find. I believe I wrote you word
so, but you do not seem to have got my letter;
those, I believe, were your only commissions to me.

In return, I will beg of you to speak to my friend,
McCracken about Arthur.* He is so intolerably
idle that we can get no good of him, and besides seems
bent on the sea, and my theory is that it is foolish
to struggle against a propensity of that kind. I
cannot find he is in any way vicious but he mitches
perpetually from school and runs away to the
Co. Kildare, &c.| So I think it best to let him have
his fling; perhaps a voyage or two may cool him.
He is a fine, smart boy, just turned of twelve, and
stout enough. Read this to McCracken and let
me know his answer as soon as you can.

Adieu, dear Tom, I will only add to this by
suggesting that assiduous employment is, I believe,
the most effectual remedy for grief. Write by
return of post, and let us know how you are. You
have not in any of your letters said one word of
yourself, which is unkind. Matty sends her love
most heartily to you, and I am, dear Tom, yours
very sincerely, T. W. TONE.
Harch I2th, 1794.

*Tones youngest brother.
t Matthew Tone was living at Prosperous, Co. Kildare.

24 THE LETTERS OF

Affairs in Ireland marched fast in the latter years
of the eighteenth century. The French Revolution,
following the American War of Independence stirred
the people from the lethargy that had oppressed them
ever since the disastrous conclusion of the Williamite
war. The Penal Laws, submitted to with a patience
strangely tragic and terrible were, towards the end
of the century and under the new influences stirring
throughout Europe, no longer easily to be borne.
The Volunteer movement of 1782 and the liberation
of Ireland from English law-making had seemed
to promise a new era of liberty to a people crushed
under a system of serfdom that can hardly be paralleled
in modern history. But the fair promises of 1782
were unmatched by any performances that could
bring relief to the Irish People. The Volunteers
after a brief though glorious period of activity were
by their poltroon leaders allowed, where they were
not encouraged, to lapse into a nominal and ineffective
existence. The Irish Parliament which had been
liberated by the enthusiasm and courage of the people
was controlled by a small class of landlords who
were as selfish as they were blind to their own and
their country's interests. They had by the help
of the people secured a great measure of political
autonomy and only by the strength of the people
could they hope to retain it from the jealous and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 25

grasping caste that was the Government of
England.

As arrogant as they were blind, they kicked away
the ladder on which they had mounted to the seat
of Government they spurned their natural support
and wanting it came in a few years tumbling down,
involving the whole of Ireland in the ruin that their
narrow folly had brought upon them.

Tone described the Revolution of 1782 by which
the Irish Parliament had won a nominal autonomy
in the following terms:—

I have said that we have no National Government.
Before the year 1782 it was not pretended that
we had. I assert that the Revolution of 1782
was the most bungling, imperfect business that ever
threw ridicule on a lofty epithet by assuming it
unworthily; it is not pleasant to any Irishman to
make such a confession, but it cannot be helped
if the truth will have it so; it is much better we
should know and feel our real state than delude
ourselves or be gulled by our enemies with praises
which we do not deserve or imaginary blessings
which we do not enjoy.

I leave it to the admirers, of that era to vent flowing

. declamations on its theoretical advantages, and

its visionary glories ; it is a fine subject, and

peculiarly flattering to my countrymen. Be mine

26 THK LETTERS OF

the unpleasing task to strip of its plumage and
its tinsel and shew the naked figure.

The Revolution of 1782 was a revolution which
enabled Irishmen to sell, at a much higher price,
their honour, their integrity, and the interests of
their country ; it was a Revolution which, while
at one stroke it doubled the value of every borough -
monger in the Kingdom, left three-fourths of our
countrymen slaves as it found them, and the
Government of Ireland in the base and wicked and
contemptible hands, who had s'pent their lives in
degrading and plundering her. Who of the veteran
enemies of the country lost his place or his pension ?
Who was called forth to station or office from the
ranks of the opposition ? Not one. The power
remained in the hands of our enemies, again, to be
exerted for our ruin, with this difference : that,
formerly, we had our distresses, our injuries, and
our insults gratis, at the hands of England ; but
now we pay very dearly to receive the same with
aggravation through the hands of Irishmen, an
administration consisting numerically of the indivi-
duals who had opposed the extension of your
commerce in 1779, and the amelioration of your
constitution in 1782. You find, or you are utterly
senseless, that you have no weight whatsoever ;
that administration despise and laugh at you,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 27

and that while you remain in your present state

of apathy and ignorance, they will continue to

insult and to condemn you.

This criticism of the Irish Parliament was written in
1791, and was amply justified. Tone saw that a
sweeping reform of its constitution was first necessary
and for this he laboured both in the Society of United
Irishmen and in the Catholic Committee until the
futility of expecting any reform from that thoroughly
corrupted bod}- became apparent, he then laboured
to overturn it and to establish an independent Irish
Republic.

Tone's mentral progress during this period and his
final acceptance of the uselessness of expecting
either honesty or good policy. from the corrupt gang
who called themselves the Government of Ireland
at this period is best portrayed in his autobiography
and to that immortal book my readers are referred.
It were futile to attempt an account of what he
himself has written so incomparably well. It is
sufficient here to brief ly record events and to trace
his actions so far as is necessary to the understanding
of the few letters which have survived.

The history, too, of his worV for and with the Catholic
Committee, of his endeavours to strengthen the
Catholic demand for the abolition of the infamous
Penal Code and to stiffen the attitude of some of the

28 THK LETTERS OF

Catholic leaders in their dealings with the Government
must also be passed over. These efforts ended in
partial success and partial failure. For the success
he was largely responsible, while for the failure he was
in no wise to blame. Seen now in the calm perspective
of history it is undoubted that where their action
coincided with Tone's advice they won ; where it
differed from it they lost; and after -events have amply
proved him more far-seeing and more statesmanlike
than any of his much— vanted contemporaries.

The progress of the revolution in France was
watched with breathless interest by the most ardent
spirits in Ireland who saw in the French victories
the promise of a new freedom for all oppressed people,,.
This view was fully shared by Tone. In his Journal,
under the date of October nth, 1792, he refers to
the campaign of Dumourier against the arm}- of the
Duke of Brunswick. A report had been circulated
that Dumourier had been defeated. When the
story turned out to be untrue, Tone comments: —
" Huzza ! If the French had been beaten it was
all over with us."

Holding such views, it is not to be wondered at
that he was ready when opportunity offered to seek
aid for Ireland from the new republic that was success-
fully confronting the hoary tyrannies of Europe.
Hopeless of reform at home, it was natural that many

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 29

Irishmen should look abroad for any sign of deliverance.

The French Government at this time began to give
some attention to Ireland as a possible vantage
ground from which they could strike at England.
In 1794, they sent the Rev. William Jackson — who
had for some years been resident in Paris to report
upon the conditions prevailing in the country. Tone
was introduced to Jackson by Leonard MacNally,
and these three had several conversations relative
to the state of Ireland, and to the desirability of
seeking for French help to establish Irish Independence.
Jackson had drawn up a memorandum on the state
of England, and Tone was asked to write a similar
statement on the conditions in Ireland — presumably
for the information of the Committee of Public Safety
in Paris. This paper he gave to MacNally

The indiscrete Jackson had as his travelling com-
panion, a spy employed by Pttt, and Leonard MacNally
though unsuspected during his lifetime has since
been found to have engaged in the same sinister
service. In consequence, Jackson was arrested
(April, 1794). Hamilton Rowan who had also been
in communication with him fled to France — but
Tone determined to stand his ground and await
developments. He went to a friend who was in the con-
fidence of the Government, and frankly told him of his
situation. To this friend he summed up his position in

30 THE LETTERS OF

the following terms : — " What I had done I had done,
and if necessary, I must pay the penalty; but as my
ruin might not be an object to the Government,
I was ready if I were allowed, and could at all accom-
plish it to go to America." The Government were
not anxious to press the case against him, and accor-
dingly, after Jackson's trial he prepared to emigrate
with his family to the United States.

In making this compromise with the Government,
Tone recognised that the Jackson affair had definitely
terminated his usefulness to the cause of Ireland
at home, inasmuch as it was within the power of
Government to effectually prevent by a long imprison-
ment his further participation in Irish politics— but
he entered into no engagements which would prevent
him taking any course he might choose to adopt
in the new world, and he felt perfectly tree to re-enter
on his scheme of securing foreign aid for Ireland
the moment he landed in America. Not only was
this the case, but before leaving Ireland he sought
and received the approbation of the United Irish
Leaders, as well as the principal members of the
Catholic Committee for a renewal of the attempt
to open negotiations with the revolutionary government
in France. It was agreed that having once arrived
in America he should wait on the French Ambassador
in that country and endeavour to obtain from him a

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 31

recommendation to his Government in Paris. If
this could be accomplished, Tone was determined
to proceed to France and personally endeavour to
enlist the active assistance of the French Republic
in an attempt to establish an independent Republic
in Ireland.

Before leaving Ireland he visited Belfast and from
that port he sailed. In his autobiography, he recounts
the great send-off that his friends in that city accorded
him. In Belfast, too, he conferred with the leading
United Irishmen — and they joined with those of
Dublin in urging him so soon as it might be possible
to proceed to France and lay the case of Ireland
before the French Government.

I will close this chapter with a letter — 'the original
of which is among Dr. Madden' s papers in the I/ibrary
of Trinity College. It was written on the last day
that Tone spent in Ireland prior to setting out on his
mission, and was addressed to John Russell.

June 1 3th, 1795.

Dear Jack,

I write this from Belfast on my way to America.
I have been fighting my way here a long time, and
at last finding all further contest on my part
unprofitable, and indeed, impossible, I yield to what
I cannot any longer oppose. Under this emigration
I find complete support in the testimony of my own

32 THE LETTERS OF

conscience, the spirit of my family and the kindness
and affection of my friends, especially those of this
town, who, you who have known them, will well
believe, have acted in a manner the most spirited
and honourable — indeed, I am overpowered with
their kindness.

I cannot leave Ireland without bidding you
farewell. Be assured, dear John, I have the sincerest
regard for you. As the women write, I shall make
my part the shorter — remember me most affec-
tionately to Hu Bell, whose kindness to me I
feel sensibly — give my love to James Nicholson
and to Harman Jones,* they are right good lads,
and I hope they will not forget me. Write to me
under cover to Tom — we go on board this evening.
Adieu dear, John, God bless you. — T. W. TONE.
My Dear, Dear John,

I have not time to say more than God Almighty
bless you — this is my last (day) in Ireland, farewell
for ever. While I have life I shall remember you
with affection. Adieu, remember your sincere
friend. — MATILDA TONE.
My Dear John,

I am this moment going on board, but I could
not think of a letter going to you without sending
3rou a last adieu. Be assured I shall remember
* A cousin of the Rnssells.

1HEOBALD WOLFE 1ONE. 33

you for ever, and I expect you will not forget me.
God bless you, and may everyone feel as warmly
towards you as I do.

Your Sincerely affectionate,

MARY TONE.*

Mary Tone accompanied her brother .to America.

34 THE LETTERS OF

II. IN AMERICA.

Tone, accompanied by his wife, his children, and
his sister, sailed from Belfast on the I3th June, 1795,
and landed at Wilmington on the ist August. A
few days later, they reached Philadelphia where
they found Dr. Reynolds and Hamilton Rowan —
who had also left Ireland owing to their connection
with Jackson, already established. Iheir last meeting
had been in Newgate Prison, in Dublin. Immediately
on arriving at Philadelphia, Tone wrote to his friend,
Thomas Russell, describing their voyage and his
first impressions of America.*

Philadelphia, August 7th, 1795.
My Dear Tom,

As the post for Europe closes this evening,
I have only time to inform you that we are all
arrived safe and well, after a passage of seven
weeks, in which the only adventure which occurred
worth relating, was that we were boarded about
the middle of the sixth week by three British
frigates who pressed, with circumstances of great
*From the Riissel! Papers, T.C D.

THEOBALD WOLFE a ONE. 35

insolence, and barbarity, fifty of our people, therein
including all the hands save one, so that if we,
fortunately, had not had moderate weather, it would
have been next to a miracle if we had ever got in.
You will judge how this circumstance went down
with me, especially when I tell you that I was
very near having the honour myself to serve the
King, when I least dreamt of it, and I dare say
if the scoundrels had known my name, I should
certainly have been detained. So much for this
just and necessary war. My stay here has been
so short (two days), that you can judge that I can
have no news of any kind for you ; I have not
even called on Smith to present my bills for accept-
ance, but shall to-morrow.

The country is beautiful, but it is like a beautiful
scene in a theatre, the effect at a proper distance
is admirable, but it will not bear a minute inspec-
tion, the features are large, the weeds rank, the
grasses coarse, but distance blinds all that and
renders the whole a singular certainly, and, in my
mind, a beautiful landscape. I am obliged to
speak of the face of the country for as yet I know
so little of the people that it would not be candid
to speak what I am inclined to think of them.
However, to my friends, I whisper that I believe
them not to be amiable, they seem selfish and

THE LETTERS OF

interested, and they do fleece us Emigres at a most
unmerciful rate. All this, however, is a secret
between us. What I am competent to say with
certainty is, that the public mind is in a prodigious
ferment here, regarding the treaty with England
which is universally condemned, with the exception
of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, which
you who know that state and the spirit of commerce
will not wonder at. Two-thirds of the Senate
are necessary to sanction a treaty and the number
on the division were twenty to ten, exactly the
number required — what the President will do is
not known, but I suppose he will sanction the
treaty, in which case he will outlive his hard and
well-earned popularity, a circumstance which I,
for one, will most heartily regret ; at the same
time, God forbid any sense of past services should
overbear truth and justice. He will live too long for
the mischiefs attendant on which I refer you to
Juvenal's loth satire — or rather to Johnson's
translation thereof — I have now done with American
Politics.

The time is so very short, that I cannot write
to my friends in Belfast. We, therefore, beg you
will go to Simms, William and Robert, to Neilson,
to McDonnell,* to Sinclair, and to everyone to whom
we are obliged, which is, indeed, everyone we know

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 37

in Belfast, and assure them that we do entertain, and
ever shall, the warmest sense of their kindness
and the sincerest affection for them personally.
If the shortness of the time would .at all admit it,
we would write to everybody, but the cruel Post
Office closes this evening : in a week or ten days
we shall know more of our own prospects and
situation and then we will write in detail, till then,
my dear Tom, God Almighty bless you. The
girls add a P.S.

Yours most truly,
Show this letter to everyone. T. \V. TONE.

My Dearest Tom,

I cannot let this letter go without telling you
that I am well and happy, by which you may
guess that all those on whom my life and soul
depend are so also. I shall not attempt to mention
what I felt at parting you, for no language can express
it — -write to your sister for me, and remember me to
all my dear friends at Belfast ; tell them that I
consider my seeing them as the happiest circumstance
of my life. I will write to them the first opportunity.
Adieu, my dearest Tom, give my love to John
when you write, and believe me to be, ever your
affectionate friend,

MATILDA TONE.

38 THE LETTERS OF

Once in America, Tone lost no time in calling on
the French Ambassador, Citizen Adet. He was well
received, and, at Adet' s request, he wrote a memorial
on the state of Ireland for the French Government.
He offered also to proceed to France, but this Adet
did not encourage — promising however, to transmit
the memorial and to back it with his strongest recom-
mendation, which he did. With this, Tone had perforce
to be satisfied. He was very greatly disappointed,
but Adet was firmly set against his going to France
and without the Ambassador's recommendation it
seemed useless and unwise to proceed. There was
nothing to do but to wait for the unlikely chance of
his memorial, which had been forwarded, inducing
the French Government to turn its attention seriously
to Ireland.

In this situation, Tone felt that having done all
that he could he must face the prospect of becoming
for the rest of his life, a settler in America.

I had now, he wrote, discharged my conscience
as to my duty to my country ; and it was with
the sincerest and deepest contristation of mind
that I saw this, my last effort, likely to be of so
little effect. It was barely possible, but I did not
much expect that the French Government might
take notice of my memorial, and if they did not
there was an end of all my hopes. I now began

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

to endeavour to bend my mind to my situation,
but to no purpose. I moved my family first to
\Yestchester, and then to Downingstown, both
in the State of Pennsylvania, about thirty miles
from Philadelphia, and I began to look about for
a small plantation, such as might suit the shattered
state of my finances, on which the enormous expense
of living in Philadelphia, three times as dear as at
Paris, or even London, was beginning to make
a sensible inroad.

Having come to this decision, Tone searched the
country for a small plantation, and began to reconcile
himself to the idea of spending the remainder of his
life in America. He found a farm of 180 acres near
Princeton, and this he settled to buy, and in consequence
he moved his family to Princeton and took a small
house for the winter.

From Princeton he wrote to Russell a long and
interesting letter which has fortunately been preserved. *
Princeton, New Jersey,

October 25th, 1795.
Dear Tom,

I begin to accomodate myself to my situation,
to forget that we are three thousand miles asunder,
and sit down to write to 3rou as if I were still at
Chateau Bono. Short reckonings make long friends,

* The Russell Papers.

THE LETTERS OF

and as I desire we may be so, I bring my epistolatory
account up to this date by telling you that I have
written you on the loth August, the 2Oth vSeptember,
and the 8th inst., and that I purpose writing about
once a month, trusting to the mercy of the seas
and the more inexorable post office for my letters
reaching you. I have had one letter from you,
which I answered the day I got it ; I also wrote
my friend Simms at the same time. Your letters
were very nearly three months in coming, being
dated the nth of July. I desire that you may
write once a month by the post and as many bye
letters as you can find safe hands to carry, and I
shall do the like in return.

I am here at an Inn, and have been so, alone,
these three days setting sign and seal to the deeds
relating to my farm. It is a beautiful spot, and,
I believe, very healthy. The buildings are mean,
and I purpose, therefore, erecting for myself a
mansion in the course of the ensuing year, and,
in the meantime, shall do tolerably. The soil is
light and sandy and never has been properly culti-
vated, but I hope to show the Jersey men a pattern.
They are miserable farmers, by all that I can see.
I have ninety (English) acres cleared, and I intend
to bring fifty of them into English cultivation
which is as much as 3 shall be able to manage

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 41

properly, and far more profitable than thrice the
extent scattered as it is here. I remember once
hearing a Down squire, Pottinger, say a smart
.* was the best improver, and truly I
begin to think so. But I meditate . . . .*
things — when I am once fixed — to wit, by next
spring, I shall try by writing in the papers to form
a farmers' club in this county with a small annual
subscription to be laid out in purchasing an agricul-
tural library, importing seeds, etc., from Europe
for experiments, introducing articles from other
states of the union and trying them here, perhaps
giving small honorary premiums. I likewise, if I
succeed so far, will try at least to introduce Fairs
and Markets on the Irish system, of which there
is no trace here, to my great surprise, for in a
country thinly peopled as this is comparatively
with Europe, such institutions as these periodical
meetings when men can supply their mutual wants
seem to me more particularly necessary. I have
mentioned this to two or three people, and they all
agree it would be a good thing, but nobody will
stir in it. If, however, I get my club established
next summer and that we go on for one year I hope
to accomplish my scheme of the fairs and markets
by which I shall have discharged my debt of gratitude
* Manuscript ille.gible

42 THE LETTERS OF

. to the United States for the asylum they have
afforded me.

I daresay you are amused at the idea of my
being the father of a farming club after assisting
in framing societies of so very different a nature,
but I see no better way of being useful here. Inde-
pendent of the practical excellence of the American
Government which leaves little ground for discontent,
I have determined not to interfere in any degree,
directly or indirectly, with their politics. I carry
this so far that I shall never assume the rights of
citizenship here, let my stay in the country be long
or short, were it even to last for my life quod Dens
avertat. I am an inflexible Irishman and I will
never by any act of mine divest myself of that name.
Secluded, however, as I am from my own dear
country, and, of course, unable to serve her as I
wish, I will amuse myself and lighten, if I can, the
woes of separation by doing, or, at least, attempting
the little good that may be in my power.

I often think of an argument which you and I
have held in which I now feel experimentally that
I was right and you were wrong, which indeed,
candour obliges me to allow has always been the
case when we differed. You held that all countries
were alike to a well-regulated mind. I do not wish
you so ill as to desire you to be convinced of the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 43

contrary by such an experiment as I am now
making, but if it ever should be your lot, I believe
you will feel the irresistible affection by which
a man is drawn to his native soil and how flat and
uninteresting the politics and parties of other
countries appear. I would always except France,
but even there the principle I speak of prevails,
for she is contending for the liberty of every man's
country.

Out of Ireland I never shall be happy, but I have
no doubt but I shall be perfectly easy ; yet well as I
love her, I hope you do not think I would return to
her in her present state — -I would exist in no country
permissu superii. If Ireland is ever free though I
am fourscore, I will return but not otherwise.

I see by the papers that the Defenders are becoming
more formidable. I have the greatest compassion
for them for I know the extremity of their misery
and I do most sincerely deplore the rashness which
drives them to sacrifice their unfortunate lives
on the bayonets of the military. If they have
leaders, as the papers say, surely every effort should
be made by them to prevent such mad and unprofi-
table destruction. I see likewise that even in my
own county Kildare which was so remarkable for
peace and good order, the spirit of insurrection has
intruded, some persons have been arraigned for

THE LETTERS OF

high treason in swearing to join the French, and
William Johnson was assigned as one of their
counsel. Pray, let me know in your answer the
result of this trial for I look on the culprits as fellow-
sufferers. If the Government will hang every
Irishman holding the same sentiment I think
His Majesty's Attorney-General will have full
employment. I see likewise a serious insurrection
in Dublin amongst the soldiery, but I do not think
it formidable, or at least very formidable, for it
seems to involve no political principle but to turn
on points purely military. At the same time,
a bad government must tremble at everything.
If once the army fluctuates they are gone.

Now that I mention Irish affairs let me have the
papers as often as you have an opportunity; I did
not get the North Star you sent last for they were
interrupted by Rabb and Reynolds which vexed
me. However, I got sight of the one by chance
in which mention was made of my departure, for
which I feel most sincerely obliged. It was a
bold exertion of friendship towards one in my
situation. I should be curious to know whether
the Dublin Journal took any notice of the paragraph.
Let me likewise have magazines and any fugitive
pieces worth sending — but all this I believe I
mentioned in my last.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 45

To return to my own affairs — -I shall be for
some time in pecuniary difficulties but I have
latterly been so much involved in more serious
ones that I disregard them — -I shall extricate
myself, partly like an Irish gentleman, by selling
my goods, and partly I must trust to that good
Providence that has so miraculously on more than
one occasion, as you know, interfered to preserve
me. One thing is in my favour, I never was in
better health or spirits. My regret for the loss of
my country is so mixed with opposite passions,
with indignation, and with hope, as little to affect
me. I do not know but circumstanced as I am
rather serves me by keeping my mind from stagnating.
I have, therefore, resolved to keep a steady eye on
Europe, but in the meantime to embark in a farming
system as if I were to continue here for ever. My
great want is a friend, and the extent of that want
I leave to }Tour feelings. Of my wife, I need not
speak to you who know her so well and love her so
much ; yet, much as I delight in her, I feel a most
painful chasm in the loss of your society and
almost wish at times that something were to happen
that would drive you after me. If that were to be
the case emigration would to me lose almost all its
pains, and you would have infinite advantages
in my being before you, which I sincerely
feel the want of.

46 THE LETTERS OF

When I consider the peculiar circumstances in
which Ireland is placed at this moment, I am
almost- satisfied that one party or the other will
speedily be forced to emigrate, arid it is a great
instance of the goodness of Providence that there
is such a country as this open to receive them.
I refer you to my last for my thoughts on emigration
as applied to your case, and I beg you will consider
them very seriously.

In my first letter, I wrote in terms of strong
dislike which I very sincerely feel to many points
in the American character. I believe, however,
I guarded it by observing I was b\\t just arrived,
and that I spoke of the people of Philadelphia.
They are the most disgusting race, eaten up with
all the vice of commerce and that vilest of all pride,
the pride of the purse. In the country parts of
Pennyslvania the farmers are extremely ignorant
and boorish, particularly the Germans and their
descendants, who abound. There is something
too in the Quaker manners extremely unfavourable
to anything like polished society, but of all the
people I have met here the Irish are incontestably
the most offensive. If you meet a confirmed
blackguard you may be sure he is Irish. You
will, of course, observe I speak of the lower orders.
They are as boorish and ignorant as the Germans,

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 47

as uncivil and uncouth as the Quakers, and as they
have ten times more animal spirits than both they
are much more actively troublesome. After all,
I do. not wonder at, nor am I angry with them.
They are corrupted by their own execrable Govern-
ment at home and when they land here and find
themselves treated like human creatures, fed and
clothed, and paid for their labour, no longer flying
from the sight of any fellow who is able to purchase
• a velvet collar to his coat, I do not wonder if the
heads of the unfortunate devils are turned with
such an unexpected change in their fortunes, and if
their newgotten liberty breaks out, as it too often
does, into pettiness and insolence. For all this
it is, perhaps, scarcely fair to blame them — -the
fact is certain.

In Jersey, the manners of the people are extremely
different ; they seem lively and disengaged in
comparison, and that, among others, was one reason
which determined me to settle in this State.

But if the manners of the Penns)7lvanians be
unpleasant, their Government is the best under
heaven, and their country thrives accordingly.
You can have no idea from anything you have
ever seen or read,- or fancied of the affluence and
ease in which they universally live, and as to the
want of civility, they do not feel it. What do you

48 THE LETTERS OF

think of their Government having paid off the
whole of the debt incurred in the acquisition of
their Independence and having at this moment, a
million and a half dollars in advance in the National
Bank, from which they draw six per cent. ? Governor
Mifflen (the General), told me that in a very short
time the State would be able to pay all their expenses
by the interest of the money which they were daily
lodging in the bank without drawing a dollar from
the people. What do you say to a State not
mortgaging its revenues to an irretrievable extent,
but growing rich and living like a wealthy individual
on their money in the funds ? Then go and look
at Ireland borrowing two millions in one year —
and for what ? I have not temper to go on. These
are the things that make men Republicans. These
are the things for which the lives of thousands and
of tens of thousands are on a cheap purchase,
and this will be yet, with God's help, the system
of Ireland and of Europe.

Governor Mifflen has promised me a statement
of the affairs of Pennsylvania, which, if I obtain
it, I will transmit to you. If they be as he asserts,
and I doubt not they are, it will be a curious docu-
ment, and one sufficient, I should suppose to
imprint on the mind of every good subject an
adequate horror of the miseries of Republican

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

Governments, and a rational attachment to the
blessings of monarchy. How sincerely an English-
man must despise such pimping economy in the
expenditure of the public money.

•*"" Take notice, Pennsylvania in her constitu-
tion approaches the nearest to the doctrine of
universal suffrage and perfect equality.

I have done, for the present, with politics. To
come to business, have you, a^ I desired in my last,
by just or unjust means got together any money
for me? If }'ou have, I beg you will buy in Belfast,
if you can, but if not, in Dublin 20 Ibs. of Lucerne
seed, 30 Ibs. of sainfoin, 5 Ibs. of common furze
seed, and two or three quarts of the Haw stones
which grow on the white or Hawthorn. Take care
that the seeds be fresh and do you get them packed
up carefully in the sheet lead which comes round
the tea. Robert Getty I daresay will supply you,
and have the whole enclosed in a small deal box,
pitched in all the seams and watertight ; that
McCracken will do for you. If you have money
to allow it, I also wish you would send me in the
same package, the transactions of the Bath Society
and the Linnaen which McDonnell gave me, and
I forgot to bring away from his house. I also
wish exceedingly for Miller's Gardener's Dictionary,
two volumes, quarto, but for this, I tear you have

50 ' THE LETTERS OF

not cash, nor, perhaps have you any. I do not
know whether they keep the furze seed for sale,
but if not, it will be a pretty innocent amusement
for you to go in person and gather it off the bushes
for me, and if I can do anything here in return,
command me. Let me see how you will execute
all this like a man of business and direct the box

to Mr (the original letter is torn,

and the address is missing).

This is a plaguey long letter and tolerably mis-
cellaneous, but what can a man do at an Inn
without books or company ? When I get into my
farm you shall have letters of a less gigantic stature
— I will now conclude. My wife, sister, and children
are all well. Matty will write to you the moment
we are settled. I enclose for your perusal, and
yours only, a piece of secret history ; burn it
when you have read it. Remember me most
affectionately to all my friends in Belfast. Take
special care of yourself, dear Tom, and believe me
to be ever most truly yours,

WILLIAM PENN.

Tone's project of becoming an American farmer
was not to be fulfilled. While he was waiting
for the lawyer to draw the deeds and complete the
purchase of the farm he had selected, letters came
from John Keogh, Russell, and William and Robert

THEOBALD WOLFE TONK. 51

Simras, all telling him that the State of the public
mind in Ireland was advancing to Republicanism
with great rapidity, and urging him at all cost to go
to France and ask aid for an Irish revolution. Nothing
loth, he determined to set out for Philadelphia at once
and again ask Adet to recommend him to the French
Government. His wife, whose courage never failed
in any crisis of their fortunes, urged him not to let any
consideration of herself or their children stand in the
way. A more noble, unselfish, or heroic woman is
not to be found in history.

Tone hastened to Philadelphia where he was
surprised to find that Adet was as willing to facilitate
him now as he had previously been reluctant.
He gave him a letter of recommendation to his
Government, and offered him pecuniary assistance
for his journey. Tone gladly accepted the letter and
declined the money and with as little delay as possible
prepared to sail to France. He sailed from New York
on New Year's Day, 1796, and landed at Havre de
Grace a month later.

Mrs. Tone remained in America until the October
.following, when she sailed to France to join her
husband. A letter which she wrote to Russell before
setting out cannot be omitted here. It is apparent
from the context that the practice of opening letters
in transit was as. common in those days as in our

52 1HE LE11ERS OF

own — and it was written to pass the eye of any officer
of the English Government into whose hands it might
fall. It was not signed.

October gth, 1796.
My Dear Tom,

We set off to-morrow for the back countries,
and I cannot begin my journey without bidding
you farewell. We are all in the highest health and
spirits, and every precaution is taken to make
our journey easy and pleasant. I fired at you
some time since by Cork, and my heart has smote
me for it ever since. " My dear " says I, " this
is a poor wretch" — " but yet I have a little against
thee." Why did you write as if I was a Fit ? You
will judge better than I can express the delight
I feel at the prospect of joining my husband, it
has no alloy but the sad news we got yesterday
of the total defeat of the Austrians in Italy and the
deplorable state to which the poor Emperor and
the German Princes are reduced ; there is nothing
so horribly afflicts us as the misfortunes of princes.
" A begging prince what beggar pities not," as the
sublime bard hath it. Oh, for Fortunatus Hat that I
might look on you all before I set off. I could see
Sam Neilson and his sweet little wife and children.
Do you know I dreamed the other night I was

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 53

gone home and in North Street on my way to
R. Simms — when I awoke myself crying in an
extasy — "I'm in Ireland, I'm in Ireland, I'm in
Belfast," and I cried in good earnest to find I was
not. Oh, this dreadful Buonaparte, there is no
knowing what he may not do.

I hinted to you in my last that your friend
"yes, yes, and no, no" gave us much pain. I
want the Doctor to write to you about him, but he
does not like to do it, he says he hopes there is no
danger of him ; to be sure the Doctor knows best,
but I'm not satisfied.

Never can I find words to express my gratitude
to Dr. Reynolds for his kindness and animated
attention to us since we came here ; he is one of my
first favourites. I never knew a man possessed of
better principles or finer feelings

Remember me with sincere affection to all my
dear friends, particularly Jane, but don't forget
my* . . . . Never fear, a day will certainly
come when everyone may do right and be happy,
at present, they are incompatible. I will write a
few lines to Robert Simms. I hope you will get
this safe, but we don't know what to hope (or)
fear from these desperate French.

Ever yours.
* Letter illegible.

54 THE LETTERS OF

I hear from Arthur that in}' dear little sister is
married. I enclose you a note for her, it contains
just nothing. Arthur or his mother will send it
for you — it is an amulet. I hope her husband is
a sensible man, but I'm afraid he is too handsome.
Am yours.

What I mentioned to you of your friend is between
ourselves unless you hear from Reynolds.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 55

III. IX FRANCE.

Tone landed in France on the ist February, 1796.
He lost no time in presenting himself to Monroe,
the American Ambassador, and to Charles de la
Croix, the French Minister for Foreign Affairs.
He was extremely well received and was told that a
letter was actually on its way to America requesting
that he might come over immediately to confer with
the French Government on the subject of a French
expedition to Ireland. The French Government
was ready to send men and guns to Ireland — but
had little appreciation of the forces necessary for
success. Tone insisted that a small force was worse
than useless. He boldly asked for 20,000 men, and
when 2,000 were suggested he stated emphatically
that 5,000 was the least that could effect anything —
but that if ably led and well equipped they might
have a bare chance of pulling through.

He further insisted that with 5,000 men the landing
must be near Belfast — but with 20,000 or even 15,000
they might land near the capital and be in full possession
of the Government of the Island within a few days.

M onroe, the American Minister, showed the greatest

56 THE LETTERS OF

~

interest in Tone's mission, and advised him to go in
person to Carnot — the ablest member of the French
Executive, and even authorised him to refer Carnot
to him for the authenticity of all that he had to sa}7
to the Minister. His first interview with Carnot
took place on 24th February and many others followed.
Then ensued a period when hope and disappointment
alternated daily. Promises made one hour would
be retracted or prove illusory the next, until Tone
was driven to record in his diary, " I have resolved
never to believe that the Expedition will be undertaken
till I see the troops on board, nor that it will succeed
until I have slept one night under canvas in Ireland."
De la Croix, the Foreign Minister handed him over
to Madgett, while Carnot asked him to communicate
with the Government through General Clarke, both
of these being Irishmen in the French service. They
both appeared to be acting quite independently, and
both made many promises which often proved illusory.
The French Directory, however, while taking much
of Tone's advice, gave him little definite information
as to their intentions until their preparations were
well advanced, and though Tone, thus kept in the
dark, complains much of their delays in his Journals,
he found after a few months that his attempt to
induce them to send an expedition to Ireland was
to be completely successful.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 57

The French Government assembled a considerable
army at Rennes, in Brittany, and appointed General
Lazare Hoche to the Chief Command. Hoche was
a soldier whose name was known throughout Europe,
and he undertook the command of the expedition
to free Ireland with the utmost enthusiasm. He
did everything possible to hasten- and to complete
the preparations for his departure and took a deeper
and more genuine interest in the cause of Ireland
than any other of the French leaders. Tone was
appointed Adjutant General in the French Army
and attached to Hoche' s staff.

To the French Expedition the English Fleet inter-
posed an almost insuperable obstacle. The long neglect
of their marine by the French Government, coupled
with the wiser naval policy of England, had resulted
in the complete domination of the ocean by the fleets
of the latter. They were supreme in every sea and
such an expedition as the French Government pro-
jected in 1796 could never hope to succeed by fighting
the enemy, but only by avoiding a contest, by slipping
past the English guard and landing in Ireland at
some moment when the opposing fleet was not ready
to intercept it.

Very fortunately for the French the English Fleet
in 1796 was commanded by an Admiral who preferred
the pleasanter part of wintering in port to keeping

58 THE LETTERS OF

up the blockade of Brest in full strength. Lord
Bridport with the greater part of the Channel fleet
was at Spithead when the French were ready to
sail from Brest, and when the French preparations
were finally completed they had the great good
fortune to find that the way was open.

Amid the anxieties and activities of his preparations
at Brest, Tone wrote a long letter to his wife in which
he gives many directions as to her conduct in case
anything should happen to him in the course of his
hazardous enterprise. This letter was published by
Tone's son in the first edition of the Autobiography,

Head Quarters.

At Brest, November soth, 1796.
My Dearest Love,

I wrote to you on the 26th of May last, desiring
you to remove, with all our family to France,
by the first opportunity, but the ship which carried
my letter was taken by the English, so I suppose
you never received it ; I wrote to you a second
time repeating my orders and giving you very
full directions for your conducting yourself in
case of my not being in- France at the time of your
arrival ; this letter I gave to the American Consul
at Paris, who promised to forward it by a safe hand,
on the 28th July last, so I am in hopes it reached

THEOBALD \\OLFE TONE. 59

you, and by calculating the dates, and allowing
for your lying in and recovery, I presume you are
by this on your passage to Havre, and I cannot
express the unspeakable anxiety I feel for your
safety, and that of our^ dear little babies, exposed
to all the inconveniences and perils of a winter
passage. I trust in God you will get safe and well,
and that by the time you will receive this we shall
have finished our business, in which case you and I
will devote the remainder of our lives to each other,
for I am truly weary of the perpetual separation
that we have lived in, I may almost say, from the
date of our marriage.

The Government here has at length seriously
taken up the affair of Ireland, and, in consequence,
shortly after my last letter to you, I received orders
to join General Hoche, who commands the expedition
in chief, at Rennes, where he was quartered. After
remaining at Rennes for near two months, we set off
for Brest, in order to proceed to our destination,
but great bodies move slow ; it is only to-day
that our preparations are completed, and the day
after to-morrow I expect to embark on board the
Indomptable, of 80 guns. Our force will be fifteen
ships of the line, and ten frigates, and I suppose,
for I do not exactly know, of at least 10,000 of the
best troops in France. If we arrive safe with that

60 THE LETTERS OF

force I have not the least doubt of success, especially
as Ireland is now wound up to the highest pitch
of discontent. I have the rank of Adjutant-General,
and I am immediately in General Hoche's family.
I offered to serve with .the Grenadiers, who will
form the advance guard of the army, as being the
post of danger and of honor, but the General refused
me very handsomely, saying, that it was necessary
for his arrangements that I should be immediately
about his person. You see by this that as a military
man I am infinitely better off than I had any
reason to expect. There is the very best spirit in
the troops, both officers and soldiers, and, in short,
nothing can prevent our success unless it is that
we should be totally defeated by the British fleet
in our passage. I have no doubt but they are
cruising to intercept us, and if we fall in with them
the engagement will be, perhaps, the most desperate
one that has ever been fought at sea between
the two powers, for our orders are to submit (I
mean the army on board), to the captains' orders
in everything, except to strike to the enemy ; of
course, we must fight to the last extremity, and I
have no doubt but we will do so ; and if we should
even be defeated, they will not take us all, and
in that case those who escape will, I hope, push
on for Ireland ; in short, now we are at sea, I

THEOBALD WOLFE 1OXE. 61

think we will not turn back without finishing our
business.

I would not write thus to terrify you, needlessly,
but long before you receive my letter the affair
will be over one way or the other ; I hope, happily
for us, in which case I once more promise you
never to quit you again for any temptation of fame,
honor, or interest. After all we have suffered, a
little tranquility is now surely due to us.

The circumstances under which I write compel
me to address you in the most serious style. On
the eve of such an expedition as I am about to
embark in, and with the prospect of such an action
before me as that in which it is likely we may be
engaged, I cannot conceal from you nor myself
that I have to expect the greatest danger and it
is possible in short that I may fall in the contest :
should that event happen, I hope you will have the
courage to support the loss as may become you,
as well for your own sake as that of our dear children.
I know by what I feel at this moment how severe
will be the trial, which in that case you will undergo,
but the evil will be then inevitable, and the duty
you owe to our darling babies must incite you to a
great exertion of firmness, which I know you
possess ; and, in short, whatever the effort may
cost you you must not sink under it. I need not

62 THE LETTERS OF

add any cold arguments on the folly of grieving
for what is not to be retrieved ; I entreat you as
you love me, for your own sake and for that of our.
little ones that you may collect all your courage,
and should the very worst happen, remember,
you will then be their only parent. I need not,
indeed, I cannot say more.

In case of anything happening to me, and that
the expedition should succeed, you will, of course,
remove by the first opportunity to Ireland. I do
not think so ill of my country or my friends as to
doubt that, in that case, provision will be made for
you and my children. In case of my death, and the
failure of the expedition, I confess I am at a loss
to advise you. However, not to be wanting to
yourself, you will address yourself by petition
to the French Executive Directory, and particularly
to Carnot, with whom I am acquainted, and with
whom I have done all my business since my arrival
in France, stating the circumstances and praying
relief ; you will also address yourself to General
Clarke, to whom you may write under cover to
Carnot, to Colonel Shee, who is my particular
friend, and embarked with me on this expedition,
and lastly, to General Hoche, who knows my
services and will, I am sure, in that case be of use
to you. God knows whether all this may produce

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 63

anything, for the Government here is, I know,
in the last distress for money ; however, you will
at least try. If that fails, as Matt* will, I trust
in God be with you, I leave it to your common
judgment and prudence to determine what may
be most advisable, whether to remain in France
or to return to America, in which latter case, as
the little you now have will be almost totally gone,
you must go to Carolina or Georgia, where alone
it will be possible for you to exist, and in that case
I commit you to the goodness of that Supreme Power
Who has so often, almost miraculously, preserved us,
entreating only of Matt, as he cherishes the memory
of a brother who very sincerely and affectionally
loved him, that he may not quit you for a moment
while he can be useful to you, but to act as a faithful
friend to you and a father to my darling babies.

I have now finished the most painful hour of my
life ; I have advised and prepared you for the
very worst event and be assured that the prospect
of our separation cannot be more terrible to you
than it is to me, but I hope we have, notwithstanding,
both of us, courage sufficient to contemplate it
with steadiness. Let us now turn the picture,
and see what the bright side of it offers to our view.

If we do not meet the English Fleet, or meeting
* Matthew, Tone's brother.

64 THE LETTERS OF

them, if we force our way, and, in short, if I reach
Ireland in safety (that is to say, with rny ten
thousand French lovers at my back), there is not
a shadow of doubt of our success, and when the
country is once emancipated there will be, I think,
no situation that I will in reason demand which
will be refused me, and in that case you will see
whether or not the principal desire of my life be
not to make you happy ; indeed, my dearest love,
you are the mainspring of every action of my life
and every thought of my heart. Remember,
I am now in the high road to fortune, and, I hope, to
fame, for if we succeed, I think I may say, I have
earned some reputation, but I can also say that
neither fame nor fortune are an object with me
further than as they will enable me to manifest
my sense of your goodness and virtues. As I
shall arrive there with the rank of Adjutant-General
and with the favour of the Commander-in-Chief,
and I hope the good will of my countrymen, and
as an Irish Army will be, of course, directly formed,
I shall, I presume, not be offered a lower rank
than I now hold, and if I behave, as I hope I shall,
in a manner becoming a good officer, I have at least
as good a chance of promotion as another, so,
at last I shall be, as Miss Mary, to whom I beg my
compliments, used to say, in my etat militaire

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 6s

In that case I shall have at least a regiment, I shall
be able to settle Matt to our satisfaction, and I
think as the citizen Arthur has made a voyage
also in the cause, I will have a right to demand a
place for him also ; so Miss Mary will have a chance
to see three of her brothers in very gaudy green coats
with long sabres by their sides, and then I hope
she will be easy. I wear at present, a fine embroidered
scarlet cape and cuffs on my uniform and a laced
hat, which is only permitted to the General officers,
but I shall be happy on the first occasion (would
to God it were to-morrow), to change my blue coat
for one as green as a leek, which I think will be
more becoming. If I arrive in safety the other side,
the first thing I shall do will be to appoint Matt
my aide-de-camp, in his absence, and that will
set him going advantageously ; in short, I have
a thousand fine things in my head for you all if
Messieurs, the English, allow me to pass clear,
for as the poet hath it :

If we meet with a privateer, or a
lofty man of war,

We will not stay to wrangle, to

chatter nor to iar.

It is not our business to fight those gentlemen at
sea, if we can possibly avoid it, and you may be sure
we will do everything in our power, and I hope
yet we may get clear, in which case, as I have

66 THE LETTERS OF

already said ten times, you shall see what you shall
see.

I have now finished the best and the worst that
can happen us, but there remains a third way,
which is that it may happen that we should be
beaten back in spite of all our efforts and that I
should so return in safety to France. In that
case I think I shall be able to retain my pay as
Adjutant-General, which as things go here will
be a vast addition to our little fortune ; I will
then buy or hire a small farm within a few miles
of Paris and devote the remainder of my life to
making you happy and educating our children.

This last way, though not so bad as my first
supposition, is yet just now to me a very gloomy
prospect, for the reasons I am about to mention.

Since my arrival in France I have had no com-
munication whatsoever with Ireland, but I have
seen the English papers pretty regularly, by favour
of Madgett, who is in the Bureau of the Minister
for Foreign Affairs ; I had in consequence the
mortification to read in May last, that John Keogh
was arrested by order of Government with Sir
Edward Bellew (a great aristocrat), and several
others ; however, I watched the papers carefully
for some months after, and as I saw no further
mention of the business I am in very great hopes

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

that they were immediately released, and that

the affair blew over, but I have no certainty. Since

that time (indeed, within these few days), while

we were on our march to Brest, I found an English

paper wherein there was an article copied from the

Northern Star of September i6th, by which I saw

to my most unspeakable distress and anxiety that

Harry Haslett and two persons of the name of

Osborne and Shanaghan had been arrested that

day, at Belfast, on a charge of high Treason, and

that Sam Neilson and Russell had surrendered

themselves voluntarily. You will judge how I

felt this blow ! The instant I arrived I ran to

Hoche to communicate the news, and we agreed

immediately to despatch a proper person to Ireland

on board an American vessel, partly to obtain

intelligence, but principally to give notice to my '

friends through a channel which I pointed out, to

avail themselves of every chicane and artifice of the

law to put off their trials, in order to give us time,

if possible, to arrive to their relief. This person

left Brest on the yth of this month and I trust he

arrived safe, but in the meantime I am in the most

extreme anxiety and distress of mind. If we

reach Ireland, which we may now, as I hope, do

in ten days, supposing no unlucky accident, we

shall, I trust, be in time to extricate them, but if

68 THE LETTERS OF

unfortunately we should be too late for that, at
least we shall be in time to revenge them, and in
that case woe to their persecutors.

While I am on the subject of my friends I am to
acquaint you that our poor friend Major Sweetman
was, unfortunately, killed in a duel near London,
in January last. It was in the English papers
I saw this intelligence, and I do not think I was
ever more shocked in my life ; I did not recover
my spirits for a month after, and even yet I think
of his death with the utmost regret, in which I am
sure you will join me. Not to speak of my personal
regret for him I need not mention what a loss we
have of him at this moment when his courage,
talents, and patriotism would be of such essential
service. I am most sincerely sorry for him on
every account, public and private, and I did not
think I could have been so affected as I was by
his death.

To return to our own affairs. On your arrival
at Havre you will, of course, agreeably to my
former directions, have written to Madgett who
will forward you this, as I send it to him under
cover. My first design was that you should go
on to Paris, but on further recollection, living there
is so very expensive as well as travelling also,
that you had better fix yourselves until you hear

THEOBALD \VOLFE TONE. 69

from me at some of the villages within a few leagues
of Havre, where you will hire lodgings and make
your own kitchen, etc. There is a village called
Yvetot that I think would suit you. If anything
should happen to me you will have no business
on to Paris and in that case if your determination
be to settle in France you can fix yourself in some
little spot in that neighbourhood as well as anywhere
else and Matt must do his best for you all in my
place. If you should resolve to return to America
you will be near Havre from whence you will have
the most frequent opportunities ; and I confess,
under the circumstances I would recommend
Carolina and especially Georgia where land is very
cheap, before France, where you will labor, I fear,
under insurmountable difficulties from your ignorance
of the language, customs and manners. If, as I
hope and trust, I arrive safe in Ireland and we
succeed, as in that case I think we infallibly shall,
still, I wish you rather to be at Yvetot for example
than at Paris, for the sake of economy as well as a
thousand other reasons. If you do not arrive
soon, it is probable you may receive another letter
with this, for the very first thing I shall do after
our landing, will be, you may be sure, to write
to you, under cover as before to Mr. Madgett,
and I will also take care to remit you money for your

70 THE LETTERS OF

occasions, and the very first moment that my duty
will permit I will fly with the utmost eagerness
to embrace you all ; God only knows how I long
for that moment.

This letter is dreadfully unconnected, but the
fact is I write in a state of the utmost anxiety and
incertitude ; if I remained in France arid you were
with my babies on the ocean, it would be full
sufficient to keep me in continual uneasiness ;
or if you were here safe arrived and I was embarked,
though my anxiety would be infinitely lessened,
still I should have full sufficient to occupy me ;
but situated as we are I have both to encounter ;
uncertain of your fate and that of our children,
uncertain of my own in which you and they are
so deeply interested, I think it is hardly possible
to conceive a more painful and anxious situation ;
add to this that I am obliged to devour my uneasiness,
from the fear of appearing disheartened at the
moment of embarkation. Well, the uncertainty
of the affair at least will soon have an end. Ten
days I think now must settle it, and I am sure no
extremity, scarcely, can be so terrible as the state
of suspense in which I now find myself. If we
succeed in our enterprise, I never will again hazard
my happiness and yours, for any imaginable tempta-
tion of honour or interest ; if we fail, at least

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

it is in an honourable cause, and on just principles,
and in either case you shall not hear of my behaving
in a manner to cause you or my children to blush
for me.

I have this moment received orders to embark
in half an hour. I have, of course, time to add no
more. ' I recommend you all to the protection
of heaven. God Almighty forever bless and protect
you. Adieu, my dearest life and soul. Kiss my
darling babies for me ten thousand times, and love
me ever as I love you.

Once more adieu !

T. W. TONE.
Brest, December 2nd, 1796.

Hoche sailed from Brest on the I5th December,
1796. The wretched state ,of the French Navy had
hampered and delayed his projects, and the opposition
to his plans evinced by many of the naval officers
had given him endless trouble. " God keep me from
having anything to do with the navy" he wrote
after he had struggled ineffectually for several months
to get the ships ready to carry his soldiers to Ireland.
At last these difficulties were overcome, and the
ships got under way.

Never was a great expedition destined to
encounter extraordinary risks and to brave one of

72 THE LETTERS OF

the stormiest of seas more favoured than this
at the first was by the elements and by the mis-
management of its enemies. For nearly six weeks
before it sailed the winds prevailed from the East ;
and during the passage, in midwinter, fine weathei
with favourable winds lasted until the bulk of the
Fleet reached the Irish coast. Nor was an enemy's
vessel met to take advantage of the crowded and
inefficient condition of the French ships.

But this unequalled good fortune was more than
counterbalanced by the enfeebled state of the French
Navy. The decay of material, the want of seamen,
the disappearance of trained officers during the
Revolution, and the insubordination of those that
remained, all contributed to ruin the expedition.
When the ships left Brest, from the inexperience of
their officers they were unable to form, and proceeded
in disorder towards the dangerous Passage du Raz.
As night fell the Admiral altered the course. In the
confusion and growing darkness his order was not
understood. A few followed his order, the majority
kept on their course, and thus at the very moment
of starting, Hoche, who was on board the Admiral's
ship was separated from his command. Two days
after the start the French ships were divided into three
bodies, each of which was ignorant of the whereabouts
of the other, and after two days more, two of these

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 73

bodies united. This force comprised thirty-five out of
the forty-three ships of the expedition, but the
Fraternite with Hoche and the Admiral on board
was among the missing vessels. The weather at
times was foggy and it was discovered by a subsequent
examination of the logs, that had the fog which
covered the ocean on the 20th December lifted, the
Fraternite would have been within sight of the main
body, which under Admiral Bouvet was steering
for Mizen Head.

It is curious to record that Tone, as he paced the
deck of the Indomptable in an agony of apprehension
at Hoche' s disappearance, recorded in his Diary on
the i8th December : —

At nine this morning, a fog so thick that we

cannot see a ship's length before us ... we

may be for aught I know within a quarter of a mile

of our missing ships without knowing it.

On December 2ist, the main body sighted the

Irish coast and they shortly made the entrance of

Bantry Bay. The East wind which had hitherto

favoured the French ships was dead against their

entering the bay, which, from its entrance to its head

runs east-north-east. Within thirty miles of their

destination unfavourable winds put an end to their

progress. The weakness of the expedition in the

circumstances became painfully apparent. Crews,

74 THE LETTERS OF

composed mainly of landsmen with a very small
sprinkling of able seamen, impeded at every
turn by the soldiers who crowded the decks
were unable to beat against a head wind in a narrow
bay. Such conditions would have taxed the smartest
ship with the channel clear of other vessels, but to
a fleet manned and equipped as were the French,
compelled to give way continually as they crossed
each others paths, it proved impossible to reach
the head of the bay where shelter would have been
found and a landing effected.

On the night of December 2ist and all day of the
22nd, the wind blew with relentless fury, and at
nightfall, Admiral Bouvet anchored with fifteen ships
twelve miles from the head of the bay. The other
twenty ships were still outside. On the 23rd the
wind continued, and no progress was made, and the
twenty outside were blown to sea. On the 24th
it was decided to attempt a landing — but no progress
could be made, and during that night the wind rose
to a gale. Several ships dragged and some cables
parted. Soon after nightfall the cable of Bouvet' s
ship gave way and she began to drive upon Bear Island.
A second anchor failing to hold, the Admiral cut
his cables and put to sea, signalling the other vessels
to do likewise. Ten of the ships held on till the
27th, including the Indomitable with Tone on board.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 75

They had 4,oro soldiers aboard, but cannon, ammuni-
tion, and provisions were lacking, and this rendered
landing useless. The wind changing to south-west
and threatening a storm on the 2jth, they were
compelled to sail for Brest where they arrived on
the i^th January. Rear Admiral Bouvet had long
preceeded them, having arrived on the ist of the
month. By the fourteenth of January thirty-five
of the expedition, including the Fraternite with Hoche
on board had returned safe, though greatly battered
by the storms to French ports. Five had been
wrecked and six were captured by the English.
Bouvet was dismissed from the French navy by the
Directory for having too soon abandoned the enterprise.

The Fraternite never reached Bantry Bay at all.
On the 24th she was pursued by a ship which was
presumed to be an English ship of the line, and when
she had thrown off her pursuer the French frigate
again shaped her course for Bantry Bay. But the
gale which drove Bouvet from his anchorage prevented
her progress and on the 2Qth, meeting with some of
the ships from Bantry Bay, Hoche learned of the
dispersal of the fleet and in consequence returned
to Brest, arriving on I3th January.

The inability of the French fleet to make the last
thirty miles was the decisive factor in the failure of
the attempt. They succeeded completely in evading

76 THE LETTERS OF

the English fleet. The French ships reached Bantry
Bay on 2ist December. On the 23rd December
the English Admiral who was supposed to be
blockading Brest, discovered that they had sailed,
and did not know their destination. Not till the
3ist December was it known in London that the
French had appeared off the Irish coast, and at
that time the English Home Fleet had not put to
sea. Only the continued bad weather prevented
the landing. Had it occurred, Cork, only forty-five
miles distant, would inevitably have fallen. " \Ye
propose to make a race for Cork as though the devil
were in us" wrote Tone in his diary. In Cork, were
collected stores and supplies to the value of £1,500,000
including the provisions for feeding the English navy
during the next year. The absence of Hoche was
a disaster, but even this might have been remedied
by his subsequent junction with his soldiers, had
these succeeded in effecting a landing. The storms
alone prevented, in spite of the inefficient state of
the French navy, the success of an expedition which
might have altered the whole history of Europe.*
I must refer the reader to Tone's own account
of his feelings and sufferings during the tragic days

* In the foregoing narrative, I have followed the account
.s*iveu by Admiral Mahan in his Influence of Sea Power upon
'.he French Revolution and Empire, and I desire to acknowledge
my indebtedness to his book.- — Ed

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 77

in which all his hopes of success were shattered.
On his return to France he learned that his wife and
children had come from America and were in Ham-
burgh. Mrs. Tone's letter apprised him of her very
poor state of health and also of the engagement
of his sister Mary. To both of these he refers in a
letter written a few days after his return to France.

Paris, ijth January, 1797.
My Dearest Love,

I have this instant received your letter which I

have read with a mixture of pleasure and pain which

I cannot describe. Thank God you are safe thus

far, with our darling babies. I will not hear, I

will not believe that your health is not in the best

possible state ; at the same time I entreat you as

you value my life that you may take all possible

care of yourself ; for you know very well

if anything were to happen you I could

not survive you, and then what would become

of the little things ? But let me tell you first about

myself. I am only this morning arrived at Paris

from Brest, whence I was despatched by the

General commanding the Army* intended for

* Genera! Grouchy — -the second in command took over the

chief command when Hoche was separated from the expedition.

Grouchy has often been blamed for the failure to effect a landing.

He was eager to land but the ships were unable to make the

head of the bay. The Admiral was dismissed and Grouchy

exonerated. Tone did not blame Grouchy for their failure.

78 THE LETTERS OF

Ireland, in the absence of General Hoche, in order
to communicate with the Executive Directory.
I am at present Adjutant-General, and I can
live on my appointments and when the peace comes
we will rent a cabin and a garden and be as happy
as Emperors on my half pay ; at the same time
I am not without hopes that the Government may
do something better for me ; but for all this it is
indispensable that you be in rude health. Who
will milk the cows or make the butter if you are
not stout ? Indeed, my dearest love, I cannot
write with the least connection when there is a
question of your safety ; let me begin again.
The sixteenth of last month we sailed from
Brest with seventeen sail of the line, besides
frigates, etc., to the number in all of forty-three sail,
having on board 15,000 troops and 45,000 stand
of arms, with Artillery, etc. We were intended
for Ireland, but no unfortunate fleet was ever so
tossed by storm and tempest ; at length the
division, in which I embarked was forced to return
to Brest, the second of this month after lying
eight days in Bantry Bay near Cork without being
able to put a man ashore. We brought back about
5,000 men and as the General has not yet returned
we are in great hopes that he has effected a landing
with the other 10,000, in which case we shall retrieve

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 79

every thing. In the meantime I am here waiting
the orders of the Government. If the expedition be
renewed I shall, of course, return to Brest, if not,
I will await your arrival at Paris. This is a hasty
sketch of my affairs but I have a Journal for you
in eleven little volumes; I have only to add that
I am in the highest health and should be in as good
spirits if it were not for those two cruel lines where
you speak of yourself.

Let me now come to your affair, or rather
Mary's. I will give my opinion in one word by
saying that I leave everything to her own decision ;
I have no right, and if I had, I have no wish to put
the smallest constraint upon her inclination ;
I certainly feel a satisfaction at the prospect of
her being settled and I entreat her to receive my
most earnest and anxious wishes for her future
happiness. As far, therefore, as my consent may
be necessary, I give it in the fullest and freest
manner, and I write to Monsieur Giauque *
accordingly by the same post which brings you
this. When an affair of that kind is once deter-
mined upon, I do not see the use of delay, and,
therefore, I think they had better be married in
Hamburgh ; but I hope Monsieur Giauque will

* Monsieur Giauque — a young Swiss merchant, met Mary
Tone on the ship on which she returned to Kurope, and shortly
after, married her at Hamburg,

8o THE LETTERS OF

have the goodness to see you safe into France,
when the season is sufficiently advanced to admit
of your travelling ; for I will not hear of you
exposing yourself and our children in this dreadful
season. Indeed, at any rate, until my business
here is decided you had better remain at Hamburgh
or some village in the neighbourhood, according
as you find most agreeable to your health and
circumstances ; the expense will be much the
same as in France and you will not hazard your
safety. I shall soon know now whether our affair
will be prosecuted or not ; if it is I am of course,
compelled to take my share and must return to
my post, if it is not, I will go for you myself to
Hamburgh ; but in all events I positively desire
and enjoin you not to stir until the season will
admit of your travelling without injury to your
health and I hope the marriage of Monsieur Giauque
and Mary may render your stay, for a short period,
both convenient and agreeable.

To return to my own affairs ; you desire me to
write something comfortable and in consequence
I tell you in the first place that I doat upon you
and the babies ; and in the next place that my
pay and appointments amount to near eight
thousand livres a year, of which one-fourth is paid
in cash, and the remainder in paper ; so that I

THEOBALD WOLFE TOXE. 81

receive now about eight}" -four pounds sterling a year,
and when we come to be paid all in cash, as we
shall be some time or another, my pay will be
about three hundred and fifty pounds sterling
a year ; but supposing it to be no more than eighty-
four pounds sterling a year, I will rent a cottage and
a few acres of land within a few miles of Paris, in
order to be on the spot, and with our eighty-four
pounds a year, a couple of cows, a hog, and some
poultry, you will see whether we will not be happy.
That is the worst that can happen us ; but if our
expedition succeeds, of which as yet I know nothing,
but which a very few days must now decide, only
think what a change that will make in our affairs,
and even if anything should happen me, in that
event you and the babies will be the care of the nation,
so let me entreat of you not to give way to any
gloomy ideas. I look upon Mary's marriage,
supposing the young man to have a good character
and an amiable temper, which I trust he has from
your report, to be a very fortunate circumstance ;
for as to riches you and I well know by our experience
how independent happiness is of wealth.

When I tell you that, after tossing three weeks
on a stormy sea, I have passed the last seven days
in a carriage almost without sleep, you will not
wonder at the lack of connection in this letter,

82 THE LETTERS OF

but I am obliged to write in order to catch the
post. Your letter is dated generally Hamburgh,
but I put mine in a train that I hope it will reach
you. Henceforward, I will direct to you at the
Post Office, where you must send Monsieur Giauque
to look for my letters. I will write to you by the
next post but one, by which time I hope to have
some news one way or other for you. Direct your
answer to Le Citoyen Smith, Petite Rue St. Roch,
Poissoniere No. 7, a Paris.

Once more, keep up your spirits ; be sure that
if I am not ordered on the affair you wot of, I will
go myself and fetch you from Hamburgh and as
the weather will not admit of your stirring for a
short period there is no time lost. My sincere
love to Mary and the little onej. God Almighty
forever bless you, because I doat on you.

Yours ever, J. SMITH.

Let Monsieur Giauque give his address and
yours to the gentleman who will hand you this
in case I should find it necessary to write by the
same channel.

Petite Rue St. Roch,

Poissonniere, No. 7,
Paris, January I7th, 1797.

Dearest Love, •

I wrote to you on the isth inst., being the day

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 83

after my arrival at Paris, from Brest, whence I was
despatched by the General with letters to the
Directoire. My mind was so affected then (and
still is) by the apprehension of your illness, that
I scarcely know what I wrote to you and I do not
believe my present letter will be more connected.
To begin with what interests me most, your health,
I positively enjoin you not to attempt coming
to France until I give you further orders. I suppose
I need not say that my impatience to embrace
you and our dear little Ones is fully equal to that
which I know you feel to see me once more ; but
I cannot permit you to undertake a journey of
that nature in this dreadful season when there
are so few conveniences for travelling, when your
health is so delicate, and you have three children
whose constitution cannot possibly support the
fatigue and the cold. I desire you may immediately,
on the most economical system, take a lodging
for yourself and the babies, and make it out as
well as you can until the beginning of April. In
this Mons. Giauque, to whom I wrote in vile French
by the last post, will, of course, assist you. I presume
you will be accomodated equally well, and much
cheaper in some of the villages within a few leagues
of Hamburgh than in the city ; but you will decide
for yourself. My wish is, however, that you

should rather be in a villiage, if it were only for
the purity of the air, and the convenience of having
new milk, of which, I beg you, make the principal
part of your diet. The children, too, will be better.

By the beginning of April the stormy season
will be over and then I think your best method
will be to come on a Danish vessel or any other
neutral bottom to Harve de Grace. It will be
much cheaper, especially if you have any baggage,
much shorter, and what I think more of, will
fatigue you and the children infinitely less, than a
journey of a thousand miles by land. I speak
in this manner on the supposition that I should
be at that time on service ; of which as yet I know
nothing. If I am not, the moment I can quit the
army with honour, I will the same instant set off
for Hamburgh and bring yen with me to France.

In my last I wrote you three words on the Fate
of the Expedition. What the further decision of
the Government here may be, I know not ; but,
at any rate I am almost sure I shall receive, within
three or four days, orders to return to Brest to
headquarters, and probably some time will elapse
after, before we know whether anything further
will be done or attempted in the business ; so that
you see by remaining as I desire at Hamburgh,
you lose nothing, for, if you were even in France

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 85

we could not for some time be together, and the
expense will be just the same. If I find the expedi-
tion will not take place I will apply immediately
for leave of absence and join you : so once more,
I positively desire you may not attempt to expose
yourself and the children to the perils and fatigues
of such a journey at this time of the year. Only
think if you were taken ill by the road. On your
allegiance do not stir until further orders, and count
upon my impatience, in the mean time being equal
to yours, which is saying enough.

With regard to your finances, all I have to say is,
that I desired Reynolds in my letter to get you specie
for your stock, and not to meddle with bills of
exchange, and I see he did not pay the least atten-
tion to my request, " for which his own gods damn
him." I do not well understand that part of your
letter where you speak of having a bill on London,
for |5oo which is not received. However, as Mons.
Giauque is, or is about to be, one of our family,
and as he is a man used to commercial affairs,
of which I know nothing, I presume he will do his
best to recover the money for you ; but if it should
be lost, let it go ! we shall be rich enough to make
ourselves peasants, and I will buy you a handsome
pair of sabots, and another for myself, and you will
see, with my half-pay, which is the worst that can

86 THE LETTERS OF

happen us, we shall be as happy as the day is long-
I will, the moment I am clear of the business in
which I am engaged, devote the remainder of my
life to making you happy, and educating our little
ones and I know you well enough to be convinced
that, when we are once together, all stations in life
are indifferent to you. If you are lucky enough
to recover your five hundred dollars, do not take
another bill of exchange ; but keep your money
by you until you hear again from me.

I am surprised you did not receive my last letter
addressed to you at Princeton, because I enclosed
it in one to Reynolds and Rowan jointly, which it
seems they received, which is a little extraordinary ;
however, as it happens, it is no great matter, for
it is little more than a duplicate of the one you
got by way of Havre.

I am heartily glad that Matt is safe and well.
If I had him here now I could make him a captain
and my aide-de-camp, for a words speaking to the
General, so that if he has any wish for a military
life, it is unlucky he did not come with you, as I
desired in my letter to you which miscarried, but
perhaps it is all for the better, and at any rate it is
now too late to write for him on that topic. If we
succeed, by and by I shall be able to provide for
him and all my friends who need my assistance, and
who, luckily, are not many.

THEOBALD WOLFE TCXE. 87

Our expedition is at present but suspended ;
it may be resumed, and if we once reach our destina-
tion I have no doubt of success, and in that case
I will reserve for Matt the very first company
of Grenadiers in the army ; so Mary will have two
brothers in that case, of the Etat militaire, instead
of one, and perhaps she may have three, for Arthur
(of whom I have not heard one word since he left
Philadelphia}* is now old enough to carry a pair
of colours.

The uncertainty in which I am with regard to
the expedition embarrasses me a good deal in writing
to you. If it goes on, I proceed, of course with
the army ; and in that case I have the warmest
expectations of success, which will set us at once
at our ease. If it is laid aside, that instant I will
set out to join you, and console yourself for the
delay by the reflection that for the reasons I have
already given you we lose no time, for at present
it is absolutely impossible that you should travel.

In my last, as well as in my letter to Mons. Giauque,
I gave my consent fully to his marriage with Mary.
I presume in consequence, they will make no delay.
If they should be married when you receive this
give them my warmest and sincerest wishes for

* Tone sent Arthur to Ireland at the end of 1795, to inform
his friends that he was going to France.

88 THE LETTERS OF

their happiness Mary knows how well I love her
and I hope and trust she has made a proper choice.
I rely upon the friendship of Mons. Giauque to
show you all possible assistance and attention
during your stay at Hamburgh.

Adieu, dearest love. I send this under cover
to a gentleman at Hamburgh, who will, I hope,
find you out. Write to me instantly and tell me
that you are well, and as happy as you can be while
we are separated. Kiss the babies for me ten
thousand times. If I am ordered off, as I expect,
1 will write again before I leave Paris. God
Almighty forever bless you, my dearest life and soul.
Yours ever, J. SMITH, Adj. -Gen.! ! ! !

I send you the names of several villages in the
neighbourhood of Hamburgh, viz:— Altona ;
(irihdel, hors de la porte de Damthon ; Limsbuttel,
hors de la porte d' Altona ; Ham, hors de la porte de
Steinthor ; Eppendorfe, hors de la porte de Damthon.
The address of the person who will (I hope) deliver
you this is Mons. Holterman, demeurant N even-
Wall, No. 123. If you remove, as I beg you may,
to some village in the neighbourhood, it will be
to him I shall direct my letters, so you will take
care to give him your address. In all this Mons.
Gianque will, of course, assist you. Adieu, once
more my dearest love. Do not attempt to, quit

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 89

Hamburgh till I desire you. I will not attempt to
express the admiration I feel for your courage,
but remember, courage and rashness are two
different things. For my sake and for the sake of
our dear babies, take care of your health. I am
in a state of anxiety on your account, which no
words can express ; I doat upon you, my life lies
in you, I could not survive you four and twenty
hours. If you do not wish to deprive our children
of both their parents do not attempt to stir until
I permit you. Count upon my love for you, and
our dear, dear babies. The tears gush into my
eyes, so that I can scarcely see what I write, and I
am not very subject to that weakness. I trust in
God it is only the fatigue of the journey from
Cuxhaven that has affected you. Dear, dear love,
take care of yourself and do not let your impatience
to see me induce you to expose your health. If
that will not do, I order you, as a General, not to
quit your post without my permission.

J.S.

nth February, 1797.
My Dearest Life and Soul,

Your letter of the 2bth of last month has taken a
mountain off my breast. I hope and trust you are
daily getting better, and that the terrible appre-
hensions which I have been under since the receipt

THE LETTERS OF

of your first will be belied by the event. You
do not know, you ugly thing, how much I love you.
I hope you are by this, settled somewhere near
Hamburgh where you may live at less expense
than you can in the city, and with more comfort ;
live with the greatest economy, unless where your
health is concerned, and in that case spare nothing.
In one word, take the greatest possible care of your-
self for ten thousand reasons, one of which is that
if anything were to happen to you I could not,
I think, live without you. When I have lately been
forced once or twice to contemplate that most
terrible of all events, you cannot imagine to yourself
what a dreary wilderness the world appeared to me,
and how helpless and desolate I seemed to myself.
But let us quit this dispiriting subject and turn
to another more encouraging

I gave you in my last a short sketch of our unlucky
expedition, for the failure of which we are, ultimately,
to blame the winds alone, for as to an enemy we
.saw none. In the event, the British took but one
frigate and two or three transports, so you see the
rhodomontades which you read in the English
papers were utterly false. I mentioned to you
that I had been sent by General Grouchy, with his
despatches to the the Directoire Executif, which you
are not to wonder at, for I am highly esteemed by

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 91

the said General ; inasmuch as, " the first day I
marched be/ore him, thinking of you, I missed the
step, and threw the whole line into confusion ; upon
which I determined to retrieve my credit and exerted
myself so much that at the end of the Review the General
thanked me for my behaviour" ; I hope you remember
that quotation, which is a choice one. I thought
at the time I wrote, that I should be ordered back
to Brest but General Hoche, who commanded our
expedition in chief has, it seems, taken a liking
to me, for this very blessed day he caused to be
signified to me that he thought of taking me, in his
family, to the Army of Sambre and Meuse, which
he is appointed to command, to which I replied,
as in duty bound, that I was at all times ready to
obey his orders ; so, I fancy, go I shall. I did not
calculate for a campaign on the Rhine, though I
was prepared for one on the Shannon ; however,
my honour is now engaged and, therefore (sings),

Were the whole army lost in smoke.
Were these the last words that I spoke.
I swear (and damn me if I joke),
I had rather be with you

If I go, as I believe I shall, you may be very sure
that I will take all care of myself that may be
consistent with my duty, and besides, as I shall
be in the General's family, and immediately attached
to his person, I shall be the less exposed ; and

92 THE LETTERS OF

finally, " dost think that Hawser Trunnion, who has
stood the fire of so many floating batteries, runs any
risk from the lousy pops of a landsman ?" I rely
upon your courage in this, as on every former occasion
in our lives ; our situation is to-da}- a thousand
times more desirable than when I left you in Prince-
ton ; between ourselves, I think I have not done
badly since my arrival in France ; and so you will
say when you read my memorandums. I came here,
knowing not a single soul, and scarcely a word of
the language ; I have had the good fortune, thus
far, to obtain the confidence of the Government,
so far as was necessary for our affair, and to secure
the good opinion of my superior officer, as appears
by the station I hold. It is not every stranger
who comes into France and is made Adjutant-
General "with two points on his shoulder" as
you say right enough ; but that is nothing I hope
to what is to come (sings) " Zounds, I will soon
be a Brigadier."

If I join the army of the Sambre and Meuse I
shall be nearer to you than I am here, and we can
correspond, so in that respect we lose nothing ;
and as my lot is cast in the army I must learn a
little of the business, because / am not at all without
very well founded expectation that we may have
occasion to display our military talents elsewhere ;

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 93

in the meantime, I am in the best school and under
one of the best masters in Europe. I cannot explain
myself further to you by letter ; remember the
motto of our arms, " never despair f" and I see as
little, and infinitely less reason to despair this day,
than I did six months after my arrival in France,
so (sings) " Madame you know my trade is war!"
I think this a very musical letter.

I have written by this post to Mons. Giauque,
with a postscript to Mary, on the supposition that
they are married. I most sincerely wish them
happy, yet, I cannot help thinking how oddly we
are dispersed at this moment ; no two of us together*
I am sure if there were five quarters in the globe,
one of us would be perched upon the fifth. M. Giauque
wrote to me about a claim he has on the French
Government. If I had stayed at Paris I should
have exerted myself to the utmost, though I cannot
say I should have succeeded, for we have here
infinitely more glory than cash ; however, I hope
I should, at least, have got an answer ; but now
as I go to the Army (probably], there is nobody
here whom I can trust with the application ; so I
have written to him to keep the papers, etc., till
my return, when I will do everything possible to

* His brother William was in India, Matthew in America
Mary in Hamburgh and Arthtir in Ireland

94 THE LETTERS OF

recover the money, or, at least, part of it. If I
should not, after all, be ordered to the banks of the
Rhine, I will immediately write him word, and in
that case I will lose no time to make the proper
application.

As to Arthur, I am sorry for the account you
give me of him. Without going into a history of
my reasons, I would advise you not to send for him,
until further advice. A few months hence will do
as well and in the meantime my advice is to let
him remain as he is. If I had him here, actually
with me, on the spot, I might be able, by-and-by,
to place him ; but we have not the time to wait,
and so, once again, let him for the present,
remain.

As to Russell, I have known of his situation
near three months. Judge of the distress I have
felt and feel on his account, and that of his fellow
sufferers. One of the greatest pleasures I had
proposed to myself, if our expedition had succeeded,
was to break their chains, and to make an example
of their oppressors. I could give any thing to see
the letter which you found in the papers. If you
can lay hands on it, or a copy of it, enclose it to me
in 3'our next ; make Giauque, or Mr. "Wilson search
for it. (Apropos, I have been at Madgett's about
Mr. Wilson's letters, but they are not yet arrived.)

THEOBALD WOLFE TOXK. 95

I am hammering at the possibility of writing a
line to one or two friends of mine by way of Ham-
burgh. Do -you know whether Giauque has a safe
correspondent in London ? Consult with him, as
to this, but with the most profound secrecy. If he
can be serviceable, it may have a beneficial effect
with regard to his claim here, for obvious reasons.
I hope and rely he is a man in whom I may confide,
especially in an affair which may materially serve
him, and can put him to no possible inconvenience.
Let me see how well you will arrange all this.

As I shall remain, at all events, for a few days
at Paris, I will write to you once or twice more
before my departure. I must take up the remainder
of this with a line to a young lady of my acquaintance,
who has done me the honor to begin a correspondence
with me.

Your ever-affectionate husband,

J.vS. Adjt. Gen. ! ! Huzza, huzza !
Dearest Baby,

You are a darling little thing for writing to me,
and I doat upon you, and when I read your pretty
letter, it brought the tears into my eyes, I was so
glad. I am delighted with the account you give me
of your brothers ; I think it is high time that
William should begin to cultivate his understanding,
and, therefore, I beg you may teach him his letters,

96 THE LET1ERS OF

if he does not know them already, that he may be
able to write to me by-and-by. I am not surprised
that Frank is a bully, and I suppose he and I wilt
have fifty battles when we meet. Has he got
into a jacket and trousers yet ? Tell your Mamma,
from me, " we do defer it most shamefully, Mr.
Shandy." I hope you take great care of your poor
Mamma, who, I am afraid, is not well ; but I
need not say that, for I am sure you do, because
you are a darling good child, and I love you more
than all the world. Kiss your Mamma, and your
two little brothers, for me, ten thousand times,
and love me, as you promise, as long as you live.
Your affectionate Fadof},

J. SMITH.

P.S. — Get paper like this to write upon, and fold
your letters square, like mine ; or, rather, let
M- Giauque do it for you. Let him also pay Mr.
Holterman the postage of • my letters to you.

Paris, March loth, 1707.
My Dearest Life and Soul,

I have this instant received your letter, and you
see with what eagerness I fly to answer it. You are,
however, to consider this but as the prologue to
another, which will follow it in four or five days.
I must again begin with what interests me more
than all other things on earth, your health. Let

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 97

me entreat you, light of my eyes and pulse of my
heart, to have all possible care of yourself. You
know well that I only exist in you well-being, and,
though I desire you to live and take care of our
babies, whatever becomes of me, I feel, at the same
moment, that I am giving counsel which I have
not firmness myself to follow. You know the
effect the imagination has on the constitution ;
only believe yourself better ; count upon my
ever-increasing admiration of your virtues, and
love for your person ; think how dear you are to
me — but that is too little ; think that you are
indispensable to my existence ; look at our little
children whom you have the unspeakable happiness
to see around you ; remember that my very soul

is wrapt up in you and them, and —but I need

add no more ; I know your love for me, and I know
your courage. We will both do what becomes us.
In reading the history of your complaints, I
have at least the melancholy consolation to see
that that horrible disorder which, of all others,
I most dreaded, makes no part of them.; thank
God, you have no cough ! If I were with you,
I am sure, what with my attentions about you,
and what with my prescriptions, (for I think,
in your case, I would become no mean physician),
I should soon have the unspeakable happiness

98 '1HE LE'LIERS OF

to see you as well as ever. Rely upon it, that I
will force the impossible to join you ; but, if I
cannot succeed (without a forfeiture of character,
which you would not desire, nor I submit to),
we must endeavour to accommodate ourselves
to a few months' additional separation, which,
after all, considering what we have so long and so
often experienced, we may well submit to. This
very day the Executive Directory has ratified the
nomination of. General Hoche, and I am, to all
intents and purposes, Adjutant General, destined
for the army of Sambre and Meuse. It is barely
. possible that I may be able to change, or, at least,
to postpone my joining the army for some time,
in which case, need I say, you may rely upon my
going to seek you ; if, however, I should not be
able to effectuate this point, I count once more
upon your courage to sustain a separation which
is nothing in comparison of what we have suffered
hitherto.

I purpose dedicating the next week to a negotia-
tion, in order to see if I can, honourably avoid
joining the army, which, after all, I may, by
possibility, be able to do, and, in that case, I will
" fly upon the wings of love in the Exeter -wagon,"
to join you and the little things whom I doat upon ;
if I fail, I ^fail, and in one case or the other, I will

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 99

write to you instantly, to let you know the result ;
but remember, dearest love and life, that, circum-
stanced a,s I am here, my duty supersedes, and
must supersede every other consideration.

I look over your letter (malgre certain passages
thereof) with delight. " jack thon'rt a—-, thou'rt
a—, thou'rt. a toper, let's have t'other quart." (I beg
you may sing that passage, or the beauty of the
quotation is lost). What do you think I would
give to crack a bottle with you and Mary to-night ?
By-the-by, you are two envious pusses : for,
in my last letter to her, there were divers quotations
well worth their weight in gold, of which neither
of you have the honesty to take notice, though I
laughed myself excessively at writing, as I have
no doubt you did at reading them ; but I see
green envy gnawed your souls ; between ourselves,
I grudge you the " ten pounds five shillings and
two pence," which I confess would fairly purchase
all the wit in my last letter. Well, God knows
the heart; (Sings) "When as I sat in Pabilon-
and a thousand vagrant posies ; Passion of my
heart, I have a greater 'mind to cry."

March nth.

This letter, which I began last night, is in the
style of all well-written novels, including, if I mistake

ioo THE LETTERS OF

not, Belmont Castle* where you always find two
or three different dates in the same epistle. If
you like it yourself, I can have not the least objection
to your visiting at the Minister's : for, I am sure,
in yom present circumstances, you ought not to
refuse yourself any relaxation that was proper,
and that, is both proper and respectable. I need
not, at the same time, observe to you 'the necessity
of your being extremely guarded in your conduct,
in all respects, for a thousand reasons ; but this is
unnecessary.

The more I think of it, the more I fear I shall
not be able to join you before this campaign is
finished. " Madam, you know my trade is war."
At the same time, it is not my intention to keep
you in press at Hamburgh, if you do not yourself
desire it. The beginning of May, if you find yourself
stout, you may come by sea, in a neutral bottom,
to Havre de Grace, as Mr. Giauque will fix for you,
and so on to Paris, or fix yourself for the summer
in some of the villages near the seaside, as you see
best ; but this we will settle hereafter. What
have you done with your bill on London ? I suppose
you know by this that the Bank of England has
stopped payment, and God knows what confusion

*A Novel written by Tone and two of his friends, was published
in Dublin.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 101

that may produce in the commercial world ; perhaps
we may lose all, which will be truly agreeable ;
let me know about this in your next. I have
written by a safe hand to America, to Reynolds
and Matt ; and 1 have left it to them to decide
whether the latter gentleman shall come on or not.
The dog ; if he were here now, I could make him
my aid-de camp for a word's speaking. Mr.
Wilson's letters never came to hand. Dear love,
I cannot express to you how weary I am of this
eternal separation, and how ] long once more to
see you and the babies. I would give a great deal
of honor now for a little domestic comfort ; but
what can I do ? You know my duty, and I need
say no more. You know I am now in the pay
of the Republic. (Sings/ " Here is a guinea and a
crown, beside the Lord knows what renown" and,
besides,— but what need I multiply reasons. I rely
always upon your courage, and you may be sure
on my part, I shall expose myself to no unnecessary
dangers ; the campaign, too, will probably be
pacific enough on our side, for it should seem the
great push will be made in Italy. I must finish
this with a line to the Bab. God bless you. I will
write again in a week, but do you in the meantime
answer this.

J. SMITH.

THE LETTERS OF

Dearest Baby,

I cannot express to you the pleasure I felt at
receiving a letter from Mamma, with a postscript
of your writing. , I am delighted that your boys
are well and good ; I desire you may not let William
forget his fadoff ; as for Sir Fantom, I can hardly
promise myself he will remember me. Take all
the care in the world of your darling Mamma, because
you know there is nobody in the world that either
you or I love half so much ; above all things,
do not let her catch cold. Have you any books
to divert yourself with ? How do you like Ham-
burgh ? Which would you rather be, there or in
Princeton ? Write to me as soon as you get this.
God bless you, my dearest baby.

J. SMITH.

Paris, March 25th, 1797.
Dealest Love,

I wrote to you, I think it was the I2th inst.,.
so to-day, according to all probability, you should
have my letter. I promised you to write again
before I left Paris, and you see I keep my word.
I received yesterday my order to join, and the
money for my expenses, and I was in hopes to
have set off to-day, but, unluckily, all the places
in the Diligence were taken, which, together with

THEOBALD WOLFE TONK. 10

some trifling preparations which I have still to
make, prevented me ; however, I have secured my
seat for the 2Qth, which makes only four days
difference, and I hope to be in Cologne by the third
of next month. From Cologne to Hamburgh
is not so far as from New York to Paris, and I give
you my word, most solemnly, that the instant I see
General Hoche I will demand permission to go and
see you, and I hardly think he will refuse me, for
reasons which I will explain to you when we meet,
which I hope and trust we may now expect about
the latter end of April, at farthest, viz. in a month
from this. Dearest love, you cannot conceive the
impatience I feel to join you and the little babies
once more— -an impatience which is multiplied a
thousand fold, by the anxiety which I feel, uncea-
singly, on account of your health ; 1 am more
unhappy on that score that I am able
to express. I hope you take great care of
yourself, and that you have advice, if it be necessary,
though, after all, I am sure I would be your best
physician. If I succeed in the arrangement I
meditate, with the General, I shall stay for, perhaps,
two, or it may be three months in Hamburgh,
and then I will bring you and the little things with
me into Prance, and we shall have a most delicious
journey through Holland, and the Low Countries,

104 ^H]3 LETTERS OF

;in the fine season ; but, in order to execute the
aforesaid journey, it is absolutely necessary that
you preserve your health, and keep up, especially,
your spirits. I have five hundred little things to
occupy me before I set off ; you must be contented
with a very short letter, which you need not answer,
for the reasons herein before set forth. " Oh,
1 have business would employ an age, and have not
half an hour to do it in." Adieu, dearest life and
soul, and light of my eyes : I shall have a budget
of news for you when we meet. Oh how I long
for that meeting !• — God Almighty forever bless
you and preserve you, for me and our darling babies !

Your ever affectionate, J.S.
Dear Baby,

1 wrote you a few lines in my last, and I hope
you got them safe. Kiss your Mamma for me ten
thousand times, and the little Daffs ; the ugly
little things ! I know you hate them, and your
Fadoff. But what will you say one of these fine
mornings when I walk in and catch you all together ?
Do you know that I intend going to Hamburgh
very soon, and that I will bring you all with me to
Paris, and fix you delightfully ? Will you love me
then, you ugly thing ? I hope you nurse your
poor dear Mamma, for my sake, for I love her even
more than I love you, Miss Baby — I doat upon

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 105

you all, you little things. God Almighty bless
you, my darling child.

Your affectionate father,

J.S.

Do not say a word to mortal that you expect me in
Hamburgh, nor do not be unhappy if I am not
there to the hour 1 mention ; it may be a few days
later ; but your own good sense will suggest all
that. Once more adieu !

J.S.

Paris, 29th March, 1797.
Dearest Love,

I wrote to you on the 25th inst., informing you
of my speedy departure from Paris. I have settled
all my affairs here, and, to-day, at three o'clock,
I set off for Liege, whence I proceed directty to
Cologne ; I suppose I shall reach Cologne in eight
days, and from the moment of my arrival I shall
take my measures for joining you as speedily as
possible. I hardly think I shall be refused, and
you may be sure that nothing short of a peremptory
order to remain, shall keep me from you ; at the
same time, I do not disguise from you that
I make a very great sacrifice in acting thus, and such
as nothing, but the intolerable anxiety I feel for
your health, could induce me to submit to ; but,

io6 THE LETTERS OF

when that is at stake, I would sacrifice all the world
to you.

1 received your letter, with poor Tom's address,
two days ago ; it was a long time coming, for it
was dated the third inst. I beg you will return
my thanks to Mr. Wilson for the trouble he was
so kind as to take in transcribing Russell's letter.
The pacquet addressed to him never came to hand.

Monsieur Benard, the gentleman who delivered
me your last, and who is Giauque's correspondent
in Paris, spoke to me of his (Giauque's) claim on
the French Government, and told me that he was
in some negotiation with some person who had, or
pretended to have, influence here, and who was to
assist him in recovering the money. I did not
conceal my opinion from Monsieur Benard : for
I know that Paris swarms with adventurers, and
especially of that class who, like Mr. Lofty, pretend
to influence with persons whom they never saw ;
so that the Directory and Ministers have more than
once advertised the public, in the papers, to be on
their guard against all such. I wish, therefore,
Giauque, unless he has very good reason to be
satisfied he is at present in a safe and good track,
would suspend all further pursuit until 'my return
to Paris, especially as I expect to see him in person
in a month or six weeks ; perhaps I may be able

THEOBALD \VOLFlv TON}':.

to be of use to him, but, at all events, he will be
sure his affairs will be in the hands of a person on
whom he can rely. I wTrite to him by this oppor-
tunity to that effect.

Having written to you so very lately I have nothing
to add. Dearest love, keep up your spirits, and be
in good health, and let me find you getting daily
stronger and better. I love you and the little
things more than all the world, ten thousand times ;
kiss them all for me, and love me ever as I love you.

J.S.

Do not say a word to mortal of my visit to Hamburgh,
/or I shall keep a close incognito, and caution Giauque
and Mary to that effect. "Sarvice to Saul and the
kitten."

You ugly thing, I doat on you.
Baby,

Kiss your little boys for me a thousand times,
and take care of poor Mamma, because we both
love her so much. I expect to see you in. a month.
God bless you. J.vS.

Cologne, April i8th, 1797.
Dearest Life,

I have this moment obtained my leave of absence,
and the day after to-morrow I set out to join you.
I shall proceed through Holland, as far as the
frontiers of Germany ; but as George the Third

loS THE LET1ERS OF

, ,

by the grace of God, happens to be also Elector of
Hanover, I will not trust my person in his dominions ;
you will, therefore, on receipt of this, prepare to
set off to meet me at the place which I shall point
out to you in my next letter, but which I do not,
as yet, myself know. I rely on the friendship of
Giauque to escort you, and, if Mary can be of the
party, I need not say it will infinitely increase the
pleasure I shall feel at our meeting. It is absolutely
necessary I should see Giauque, for reasons which
I will explain to him, when I have the pleasure to
see him. I write to him by this post.

You will, of course, bring all your baggage,
and your money, if any you have. I am not very
rich, you may well conceive, but I learn that,
from the first Floreal, (viz. the day after to-morrow),
the army will be paid entirely in specie, and if so,
I shall be able to carry on the war tolerably.

" The cloak which I left behind me at Tarsus,
when thou comest, bring with thee ; and likewise
the books, but especially the parchments. In
plain English, take care to bring my papers.

Dear love, I cannot express the joy I feel at
the prospect of seeing you once again '. I have an
immensity of news for you, and all good news,
both public and private. I say nothing of your
health, because I will not suppose that you are not

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 109

well. I hope you have, before this, two letters
I wrote you before my departure from Paris. I
will write to you again, most probably from Amster-
dam. I have voyaged so much of late that I think
now I could go round the world in a hop, step, and
a jump ; and my voyages are not finished yet.
(Sings), " In Italy, Germany, France I have been."
I do not know so great a voyager except Master
Fantom, who had crossed the Atlantic twice before
he was three years old. Robinson Crusoe was a
fool to me. I am writing sad nonsense, but I am
so happy at the thoughts of seeing you that I cannot
help it. I have every reason in the world to be
pleased with my situation, and so you will say
when we meet, which I hope now will be in about
three weeks. Adieu, dearest life and soul ; I must
go now about my lawful occasions, and to prepare
for my journey. I embrace you with all my heart
and soul ; kiss the babies for me ten thousand
times. You1 shall have my next, with full directions,
four or five days after this. My love to Mary.
Your ever affectionate,

J. SMITH, Adjt. Genl, &c.
Dearest Baby,

I am just setting off to join you and Mamma,
and I hope to have you both in my arms in a fortnight
or three weeks. Love your boys for me, and let

no 'I HE LK11KRS OF

me see that you bring them and Mamma safe and
well to your affectionate Fa doff.

J.S.

Remember, it is you that have the charge of the
family on you.

Daffy Bab ! Daffy Bab ! — I suppose all my
words are out of date, and that you have got new
ones. But, no matter ; I will soon learn them.
Kiss your boys for me, my dearest baby. I doat
on you.

Amsterdam, April 25th, 1797.
Dear I,ove,

I trust you have received my letter from Cologne,
of the i8th inst. and that you have made yoxir
preparations to set out, without delay, to join me.
All things considered, I find I cannot prudently
advance beyond the Dutch territory, and, therefore,
I have written to Giauque, by this post, to conduct
you, by the shortest route, to Groninguen, which is
the town the nearest to you that I could fix upon.
You will ha e this letter, I trust, the 29th, and if so,
and nothing unforeseen happens to prevent you, you
may be, I learn, here at Groninguen in three days ;
but I allow one or two days for accidents, so I hope,
deducting all reasonable deduction, to see you
about the 3rd or 4th of next month, at which time
I shall be in waiting at Groninguen. I rather suspect

THEOBALD \YOI,FK TONE. in

I need not press you to lose no time, as I judge of
your impatience for our meeting by my own.

I hope to see you so soon that I will not write
you a long letter ; all I have to tell you is, that
everything is going on to my mind. Kiss my babies
for me ten thousand times, and make great haste,
but not more than good speed, to join me. I insist
upon your not over fatiguing yourself ; a day,
more or less, makes little or no difference, and may
materially affect your health.

Adieu, dearest love. God bless you. J.S.
I send this under cover to Mons. Holterman ;
that to Giauque I enclose to Victor Pretre. Re-
member to take leave of the French Minister.
Dear Baby,

" / have nothing to add."

Your affectionate Fadoff, J. SMITH.
My best respects to the young gentlemen, your
brothers.

Tone met his wife and children, accompanied
by his sister Mary and her husband at Groninguen,
in Holland, on Ma}* yth, and he gives a delightful
account of their meeting in his Journal. For a
fortnight they travelled through Holland and Belgium,
till his military duties called him away. Mrs. Tone
went on to Paris, and he returned to the Army of
Sambre and Meuse.

H2 1HE LETTERS OF

Armee de Sambre et Meuse.

Etat -Major General.
Au Quartier '-General a Friedberg, le 14 Prairial,

V an 5 de la Republique Francaise, une et indivisible.

Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite.

Dearest L,ove,

You see what a flourishing sheet of paper I
write to you on ; but the fact is, I have got no
other. I arrived here yesterday evening, safe and
sound, which is, in one word, all the news I have
to communicate to you. The General is out on a
tour, which may detain him five or six days, so I
have not seen him yet ; in the meantime, I have
got very good quarters, and, as we all live in one
family at the Etat Major, I am as well and as happy
as I can reasonably expect to be in your absence.
It is much more to the credit of the French than
it is to mine, that I have the good fortune to stand
perfectly well with all my comrades. You may
judge how a Frenchman in England would find
himself in similar circumstances ; but this observa-
tion I believe I made to you already.

Dear love, I look back on our last tour with the
greatest delight; I never was, I think, so happy,
and more happy I never can expect to be in future,
whatever change for the better may take place
(if any does take place), in our circumstances.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 113

It was delightful ; I recall, with pleasure, every
spot where we passed together ; I never will forget it.

But that is not what I sat down to write about.
How is 3^our health at present ? How are your
spirits ? Are you at Nanterre ? Have you seen
Madame Shee ? How do you like Mademoiselle ?
Are you fixed in lodgings to your mind ? Have
you heard from Mary ? Has Giauque got you your
money ? Have you bought your musical glasses ?
How are the babies ? Does Maria pick at her
guitar ? Is Will as good as ever ? Is Frank as
great a tyrant ?

"Are the groves and the vallies as fair ?
"Are the sheperds as gentle as ours ?"

I desire you may answer all these questions,
especially the two last, which I look upon as of the
most importance, and have, therefore, put into
verse, it being acknowledged that poetry is easier
and longer retained in the memory than prose.
I desire, I say, that you may answer them cate-
gorically, as also the following : —

Have you seen Madgett ? Have you seen Sullivan,
his nephew ? Have you seen anybody else, whom
I do, or do not know ? How did you stand the
journey in that plaguy Diligence ? Were the poor
little babies tired to death ? Were your compagnons

H4 THE LETTERS OF

de voyage civil ? Finally, how do you like France,
in general, and Paris in particular ?

I have now given you a reasonable litany of
questions, which I beg you may answer the day
you receive this. Madame Shee will tell you how
she forwards her letters, and do you adopt the
same plan.

For news, we have none here ; we presume the
peace will go on ; but, if it should not, you need
not be in the least uneasy on the score of my personal
safety : for we, of the Etat Major, being the
gentlemen of the quill, remain always in our bureaux
quietly, two or three days' march in the rear of the
army, not only out of reach, but out of hearing
of the cannon ; I beg, therefore, whether we have
war or peace, that you may not make yourself
unhappy by needless apprehensions.

I have done for the present ; it will be a long
fortnight before I receive your answer. Give the
babies, as usual, one hundred million of kisses for
me. I send this under cover to Madgett, who will
forward it. .

Adieu, dearest love. Odd bless.

Your slave and dog,

J.S.
Baby !

"Sincerely don't you pity us poor creatures in

THEOBAL1 ) WOLFE TONE.

affairs ? " I am sure I have cut you there, baby.
" Fie, what the ignorance is ! "

Your humble servant,

J.S.
Head Quarters at Friedberg,

25 Prairial, an 5.
Dearest Love,

I have this instant received your letter of no
date, from Nanterre, and I am above measure
rejoiced that you and our dear little babies are
arrived safe, and I hope, by this, well : for I cannot
allow you to be sick. I have now finished my
letter, which has, at least, the merit of brevity to
recommend it. What, in God's name, is T. doing
at Paris ? and especially why does he go by a name
so notorious ? I will whisper you that 'tis out of
pure vanity ; but let it go no farther. (Sings)
" Oh, 'tis thus we'll all stand by, the great Napper
Tandy."

Allons ! I am setting off this moment for Coblentz;
from Coblentz I go to Treves, and from Treves,
it may be, to Paris ; but that is not yet decided,
so do not say a word of it to mortal soul living.
All I can tell you is, that "/ shaved a great man's
butler to day." The General made me a present
yesterday of the handsomest horse in the whole
Etat Major, which has broke me : for I was, as in

n6 THE LETTERS OF

duty bound, obliged to buy a handsome saddle,
and furniture, &c. so (sings) " says this frog, I will
go ride," &c.

Adieu, dearest love ; write to me instantly,
and direct to me A V Adjt. Genl. Smith, a Treves,
poste restante. The ordonnance is bawling for me,
so I must break off here ; but I will finish this
letter (which I enclose, as before, to Madgett),
at Treves. In the meantime, I am your's and the
baby's most humble servant.

"If the tail had been stronger,
"My story had been longer."

Adieu, light of my eyes, and not a word, upon

your life, of my trip to Paris, which may not take

place.

My compliments a thousand times to Madame

and Mile. Shee. J. SMITH.

A few weeks after his return from the ill-fated
expedition to Bantry Bay, Tone was again eagerly
looking forward to the renewal of the enterprise.
Hoche expressed his readiness to press forward with
the project and the Executive Directory appeared
determined to again take up the cause of Ireland
as soon as opportunity offered. Hoche took over,
the command of the army of Sambre et Meuse, and
Tone, with the rank of Adjutant General was attached
to his staff, in order that he might be near him and keep

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 117

him in touch with Irish affairs. Hoche commissioned
Tone to inform his friends in Ireland that both the
French Government and himself individually, were
bent as much as ever on the emancipation of Ireland ;
that preparations were making for a second attempt
which would be concluded as speedily as the urgency
of affairs would admit and that it was a business
which the French Republic would never give up until
they succeeded. Heche's attitude was endorsed by
the French Directory who gave a solemn and definite
undertaking " that they would make no peace with
England wherein the interests of Ireland should
not be fully discussed agreeably to the wishes of the
people of that country."

Within a few months a formidable expedition
was fitted out in Holland under the command of
Admiral De Winter, and was ready to put to sea
by the middle of July. The English watching fleet
under Admiral Duncan was not superior, and every
omen seemed favourable. When all was ready for
departure a foul wind made it impossible to sail.
The exasperated Tone as he watched all his hopes
for Ireland again tremble in the balance, records his
feelings in his Journal.

" There never was, and never will be such an
expedition as ours, if it succeeds ; it is not merely
to determine which of two despots shall sit upon

ii8 THK LETTERS OF

a throne, or whether an island shall belong to

this or that state ; it is to change the destiny of

Europe, to emancipate one, perhaps three nations ;

to open the sea to the commerce of the world ;

to found a new empire ; to demolish an ancient

one ; to subvert a tyranny of six hundred years.

And all this hangs to-day, upon the wind. I cannot

express the anxiety I feel.

Week after week passed, and the wind still held
foul. The English Fleet was reinforced, and became
superior to the Dutch, and the provisions which the
latter had embarked for the expedition gradually
became exhausted. To meet the changed circum-
stances, the Dutch changed their plans, and projected
a descent first upon England, and then on Scotland.
But all these came to nothing. " It is most terrible,"
wrote Tone. " Twice within nine months has England
been saved by the wind. It seems as if the very
elements had conspired to perpetuate our slavery
and protect the insolence and oppression of our
tyrants. What can I do at this moment ? Nothing.

Tone returned from the Texel to F ranee, to
find Carnot fallen from power and Hoche dying.
Their successors were full of promises and good
intentions towards Ireland — but when Hoche died
all real hope of French help died with him. More
than any other Frenchman he grasped clearly the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 119

strategic importance of Ireland, and he was determined
by every means to effect the separation of Ireland
from England. His military talents and commanding
position in the counsels of the French Directory
gave to Tone his principal assurance of ultimate
success in his mission, and it is hardly too much to
say that the fate of Ireland at that period was linked
with that of this French General. All prospect of
effectual aid sank to the grave with Lazare Hoche.
The French Directory still promised help, and
after the peace with Austria it ordained the formation
of I' Armee d'Angleterre, appointing Buonaparte to
command it. Desaix was appointed to organise the
new army — Tone, never resting in his purpose went
to him, and was promised a commission; he interviewed
Barras, General Berthier, and Talleyrand, who gave
his word that the Directory would have all ready for
the invasion of Ireland, in April, 1798. He saw
Buonaparte constantly, and was received by the
great man with a cool politeness. He was fresh from
his great campaign in Italy, and though he gave no
sign as j'et, was already meditating other adventures
for the "Armee d'Angleterre" than "the invasion
of Ireland. Tone, however, had acquired such credit
with the French Government that the Foreign Minister
fearing that Pitt would send agents to France under
the guise of refugee Irishmen wrote to the Minister of

120 THE LETTERS OF

Police ordering that none of them be permitted to
remain unless they were vouched for by Tone, and
when an Irishman named McKenna applied to Buona-
parte to be employed as a secretary, though he was
recommended by Tallien, Buonaparte told him
to report himself to Tone who would report upon
his application.

The preparations of Buonaparte were made with an
extreme slowness, and it was not till the 24th March,
1798, that Tone got orders to proceed to the head-
quarters at Rouen. He was appointed Adjutant
General in the Armee d'Angleterre. Meanwhile,
events in Ireland had been moving rapidly. The
Government was steadily and by inconceivable
atrocities committed on the unhappy people, driving
them to take the desperate step of a hopeless insurrec-
tion. Their leaders were nearly all exiled or in prison.
As news of these happenings reached Paris, Tone
redoubled his efforts to hasten French aid
for Ireland, and once more he received a definite
pledge, this time from Merlin, the President of the
Directory, " that France never would grant a peace to
England on any terms short of the Independence of
Ireland." This assurance was repeated word for
word by Barras, a few days later, but still the scourge
fell mercilessly upon the bleeding back of Ireland,
and still the Armee d'Angleterre was slowly being

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 121

got ready at Rouen. Promises were made in plenty,
but of performance there was none. Buonaparte
had taken himself off to Toulon, whither he had been
preceeded by Desaix, and his purpose was still unknown.
The Armee d' Angleterre was left at Rouen, commanded
in his absence by General Kilmaine. The French
Navy was in a state of complete disorganisation,
the Minister of Marine had no money — the Arsenals
were empty — their naval stores were scattere'd over
several ports, and their collection at Brest was im-
possible, for the seas were swept by English ships of
war, and of the French ships of the line hardly any
were fit to put to sea.

Napoleon at Toulon had his eyes turned to Egypt
— the French Directory were no longer the masters
of their Generals, they had become the servants of
Buonaparte — the French Marine was incapable
of transporting an expedition of any size to Ireland;
and the Armee d' Angleterre was without orders,
Thus matters stood when the Insurrection of 1798
broke out in Ireland. A few days before, the French
Directory had informed General Kilmaine that they
had abandoned any idea of an attempt on Ireland.
Among the Generals, of the Armee d' Angleterre,
Kilmaine, an Irishman, and Grouchy alone showed
any zeal for the Irish Expedition. This was the
same Grouchy who was in command of the French

122 THE LETTERS OF

troops in Bantry Bay in 1796, and has ever since
been unjustly censured for his failure to land on that
occasion. The fault was not his — for the truth of
this surely, Tone, who watched his every action, is
a sufficient witness.

When news of the Irish insurrection reached France,
Tone was recalled to Paris by the Directory, and in
response to his urgent pleading they decided to send
what help could be hastily assembled in the hope of
enabling the Irish to sustain the struggle, until effective
reinforcements could be got ready. General Humbert
with a small force, was at Rochelle, and General
Hardy with another was prepared at Brest, but
before either was ready to sail, the insurrection in
Ireland was drowned in blood. Humbert was ready to
sail at the beginning of August. Three Irishmen,
Matthew Tone, Bartholomew 'feeling, and Sullivan*
accompanied him.

* The nephew of Madgett, to whom Tone so frequently
refers in his Diary. He succeeded in passing as a French
officer when Humbert surrendered at Ballinamuck and so
escaped the fate of his companions.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

KILLALA.

The Humbert Expedition sailed from Rochelle,
in August, 1798. They reached the coast of Connacht
without meeting with an enemy, and landed at Killala
on 22nd August. Killala was captured without
difficulty, and at Castlebar, Humbert routed General
Lake, who had vastly superior forces.

An incomplete copy of General Humbert's despatch
describing his landing is preserved in the manuscript
volumes of Reports of Courts Martial, in the Library
of Trinity College, Dublin, and gives a vivid account
of the first and successful part of his brief campaign.

.... A landing was ordered. General
Sarrazin disembarked first at the head of the
Grenadiers. I ordered him to march against
Killala. He took possession of it with the bayonet.
I appointed him General of Brigade on the field of
battle ; the enemy was completely routed, about
twenty saved themselves by flight across the
marshes, the rest were killed or taken : Almost
all the prisoners requested to serve with us; I

i24_ THE LETTERS OF

acquiesced with pleasure in this demand. The
landing was completely effected by ten o'clock
at night.

6 Fructidor (August 23rd). General Sarrazin
reconnoitred Ballina where he had a slight skirmish,
the cavalry of the enemy retreating two leagues.

7 Fructidor (August 24th). I marched with the
army against Ballina. General Sarrazin at the head
of the Grenadiers, and a battalion of the line over-
threw everything before them. Adjutant -General
Fontaine was charged to turn the enemy ; his
attack was very successful, and he made several
prisoners. I pursued the cavalry a long time
with the brave soldiers of the regiment of Chasseurs
on horseback.

8 Fructidor (August 25th). The French Army
were joined by Irishmen who were immediately
armed and clothed. About eight o'clock at night,
I marched to Rappa, and maintained that post
until two.

9 Fructidor (August 26th). The Army marched
to Ballina when it took possession, and set out from
that (at) three o'clock p.m. After a march of
fifteen hours, arrived on the 10 Fructidor at six
in the (morning), on the heights at the back of
Castlebar. I reconnoitred the position of the
enemy, which was very strong. I ordered General

THEOBALD WOLFE 1OXK. 125

vSarrazin to begin the attack. Some unskillful
skirmishes were quickly repulsed. The Chief of
Battalion Dufour attacked the left of the enemy
with a battalion which was obliged to fall back
exposed to the fire of more than two thousand men.
General Sarrazin flew to its assistance, and repulsed
the enemy. The English kept up for about half
an hour a terrible fire of musquetry; General Sarrazin
forebore answering it. Our fierce aspect discon-
certed the English General. When the whole army
arrived, I ordered a general attack. General
Sarrazin at the head of the Grenadiers overthrew
the right of the enemy, and took three pieces of
cannon. The Chief of Battalion Ardouin forced
their left into Castlebar. The enemy concentrated
in the town and supported by their artillery, kept
up a terrible fire. The Regiment of Chasseurs
charged in the High Street of Castlebar and drove
the enemy beyond the bridge. After several
very bloody charges of both cavalry and infantry,
led on by General Sarrazin and Adjutant-General
Fontaine, the enemy were driven out of all their
positions and pursued for two leagues. The enemy
lost i, 800 men, of whom 600 were either killed or
wounded, and 1,200 taken prisoners, besides ten
pieces of cannon, five stand of colours, 1,200 mus-
quets and almost all their baggage and stores.

126 THE LETTERS OF

The standard taken from the enemy's cavalry
has been given in charge to General Sarrazin, whom
I appointed General of Division, on the field of
battle. I also appointed during the action, Adjutant
General Fontaine, General of Brigade, the Chiefs
of Battalion Azemad, Ardouin, and Dufour, Chiefs

of Brigade I beg, Citizen Directors,

that you will confirm these appointments and
expedite the brevets with all possible despatch,
and (it) will produce the very best effects.

The officers and soldiers have all performed
wonders. We have to regret some excellent officers
and soldiers. I shall shortly send you further'
details. It is sufficient to inform you that the
army of the enemy, five or six thousand men strong
has been totally defeated.

Health and respect,

HUMBERT.

After his victory at Castlebar, Humbert issued a
proclamation, in which he decreed the formation of
the Government of Connaught. The members of
the Government were to reside in Castlebar. There
were to be twelve members, who were to be appointed
by Humbert — but John Moore, of Moore Hall, was
named President of Connacht, and was specially
charged with the duty of nominating his colleagues.
The Government was charged with organising the

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 127

military power of the province and providing subsis-
tence for the French and Irish armies.

Xo initial victory, however, could compensate
for the utter disparity of strength between Humbert
and the English Generals. The Viceroy Cornwallis
assembled an army of twenty thousand men, and
Humbert's little force was surrounded, and after
a brief struggle compelled to surrender at Ballinamuck,
in Co. Longford, on the 8th September. The French
were treated as prisoners of war — the Irish who had
joined them were slaughtered out of hand, only a
few of their leaders being taken prisoner. Among
these latter were Matthew tone and Batholomew
Teeling. They were hurried to Dublin— Court-
martialed, and hanged.

Among the Papers of Major Sirr*, is a long letter
from Matthew Tone, written to Wolfe Tone's wife
in Paris. It describes the dramatic landing of rfum-
bert at Killala.

Donegal Bay,

5 Fructidor (August 22nd),

6 o'clock, morning.

Dear Friends Gagin and Matty,

The day I embarked at Rochelle, I wrote to you,

in the letter, I gave you account of our Force,

but, as it might have miscarried, I shall repeat its
* Library of T.C.. D.

128 THE LETTERS OF

contents. We are nine hundred Infantry, and about
one hundred Chasseurs and Cannoniers, with
twenty or thirty officers a la suite. We have,
besides, three field pieces, six thousand stand of
arms, and a very adequate quantity of ammunition.
I should also mention a large quantity of helmets
and odd clothing of various colours which the
General found in the magazines at Rochelle. Pat
will look droll in a helmet without any corresponding
article of dress.

To come to our actual situation. Yesterday
morning we arrived at the mouth of the Bay after
a passage of thirteen days without seeing anything.
We stood up toward .Killybegs harbour with a
light breeze, and got within two hours' sail of our
landing place when the wind died away. This is
dammed unlucky, and has entirely deprived (us)
of the advantage of surprise. The wind springing
up contrary in the evening, we stood right across
the bay to the County Mayo, where Killala, I
believe, affords a place proper to debark. Night,
and the want of a pilot obliges us to anchor in the
middle of the bay. This morning, we are under
way again, endeavouring to get into Killala, the
wind not very good. I refer you to the map where
you will see that we are both in sight of Killybegs
and Killala Bays without the power of entering

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 129

either-Pause here, my friends, and pay a compliment
to my Patience, which suffers me to write in such
a situation — you cannot expect any coherency.

We are surrounded on all sides by very high
mountains. If there is any aristocrat within ten
leagues of us with his glass on the top of some hill
watching our motions and sending expresses in
every direction — these are pleasant speculations.
I hope the rogues won't have the wit to destroy
all the fishing boats round the bay for we are in
great need of some to help us to debark. We
have not as yet seen a single boat round the bay;
on dit that we shall be in Killala in a couple of
hours. Our Grenadiers will debark in their own
boats, and if there be any fishermen, the rascals
shall be made useful. I have no more to add; you
shall have a line from me written on the back of
my hat — I have seen a print of Buonaparte in that
attitude.

i o'clock in the afternoon.
My Dear Friends,

I ask pardon of the Gods for having repined;
we are clear in with Killala and have taken a little
brig, a thing absolutely necesssary as our Frigates
are too large to run close in. We have also some
fishing boats. The pilot, who is up* gives us the
* A United Irishman

130 THE LETTERS OF

best intelligence in the world. Scarcely any troops
to oppose us and Jemmy Plunk et is at the head
of the insurgents who are up in the County of
Roscommon ; we have also taken a Lieutenant
in the Prince of Wales' Regiment of Fencibles,
going from Sligo to Killala, to take the command,
or rather to join a company of Infants there, ditto
a gentleman of Sligo, with him, a yeoman. They,
I believe, are aristocrats. I offered to lay a guinea
that if we please, we will be masters of Sligo to-
morrow, without firing a shot at six. God bless
you. Postscript shall be dated from Killala ;
en attendant I apprize you that we hear nothing
of any other squadron having arrived. Burke
considers this letter as from himself.
Killala. 6 Fructidor.

Yesterday evening we landed, and drove sixty
yeomen and regulars like sheep before us, a few of
our Grenadiers only were landed and engaged. We
killed twenty and made a dozen prisoners. The
people will join us in myriads, they throw themselves
on their knees as we pass along and extend their
arms for our success; we will be masters of Connaught
in a few days. Erin go bragh.

M. TONE.

The high hopes with which this letter closes, con-
tinued for a short time, and then inevitable disaster

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 131

overtook the tiny French force, and the Irishmen
who accompanied it. Another letter, a copy of which
is among the papers left by Dr. .Madden*, was written
by Matthew Tone, after he had been captured, taken
to Dublin, and sentenced to be hanged. It was
written to the agent who conducted his defence,
before the Court Martial.

28th September, 1798.
Dear Sir,

As I know from experience that suspense is the
worst of all states, I hasten to relieve my friends
from it ; the business is determined on — to-morrow
is the day fixt.

I request that no friend may come near me — -
sorrow is contagious, and I would not willingly
betray any weakness on the occasion.

Accept a thousand thanks for the interest you
have taken in my affairs. Farewell.

MATTHEW TONE.

J^e was hanged on the following day.
* Library of T.C. D.

132 THE LETTERS OF

V. THE CLOSING SCENE.

The news of Humbert's victory at Castlebar reached
France and stirred the French Director}1- to fresh
efforts to send reinforcements to Ireland. In spite
of the incentive to haste supplied by Humbert's
despatch, the disorganisation of the French navy and
arsenals was such, that it was not until the i6th
September, that another small expedition was ready
to sail. One ship of the line — appropriately named
the Hoche, and eight frigates were got ready at Brest,
and General Hardy and 3,000 men were embarked.
Though he was hopeless of its success, and knew he
was going to his death, Tone determined to accompany
Hardy. Such was the chaotic indiscretion prevailing
in French Government circles, that a Paris newspaper
gave a detailed account of the whole armament, and
even mentioned that Tone would be on board .the
Hoche, before the expedition was ready to leave France.

Tone knew that these small expeditions were futile,
and he saw clearly that there was no further hope
of any attempt being made on a scale which would
give the smallest chance of success. He deliberately
made his choice, and having made it, played his
part to the end with calm heroism.

1HEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 133

Knowing what awaited him in Ireland, he determined
before he left France, t-hat in the last extremity he
would not submit to the indignity of a public
execution. He did not regard this as suicide, an act,
which in any other circumstances, he strongly repro-
bated— but simply as choosing the mode of his death.
His wife was the intimate sharer of every thought,
and when she parted from him— she to stay in
France and care for their children, and he to go calmly
resolute to his death in Ireland — they both knew that
they would not meet again. Her courage was equal
to his ; she made no effort to detain him.

Sailing on i6th September, the expe'dition escaped
the blockading English fleet — but next day, they
were seen by three British frigates. One of these
carried the news to Plymouth— the others followed
the French ships and sent word to Ireland of the
approaching danger. The French approached Lough
Swilly on the I2th October, to find three British
ships of the line and five frigates waiting to intercept
them. Bompart — the French commodore— ordered,
his frigates to retreat and prepared to fight a perfectly
hopeless battle with the Hoche. The French officers
entreated Tone to make his escape on a fast schooner
which accompanied the Hoche, and which sent a boat
alongside for last orders just before the fighting
commenced. He refused. The schooner reached

THE LETTERS OP

France in safety. The Hoche had lost some of her
most important spars in a gale and was crippled before
she met the enemy. Surrounded by five British ships,
Bompart maintained a desperate fight for six hours.
The masts and rigging of the Hoche were swept away
— her wounded filled the cock -pit, with five feet of
water in the hold, her rudder carried away and with
every gun silenced, she lay a helpless wreck.
Then Bompart surrendered. Tone commanded one
of the Batteries throughout the engagement and fought
with the utmost desperation.

The prisoners were marched to Letterkenny where
Tone was separated from the French who were treated
as prisoners of war, and was put in irons. He was
taken to Derry Prison and then to Dublin. From
Derry Prison he wrote to Lord Cavan who com-
manded in the district formally protesting against
his treatment, and demanding his right to be treated as
an officer in the French service and a prisoner of war.
Derry Prison,

12 Brumaire an 6,

(3rd November, 1798).
My Lord,

On my arrival here, Major Chester informed me
that his orders from your lordship, in consequence,
as I presume of the directions of Government, were
that I should be put in irons ; I take it for granted

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 135

those orders were issued in ignorance of the rank
I have the honour to hold in the Armies of the
French Republic ; I am, in consequence, to apprize
your lordship that I am breveted as Chef de Brigade
in the infantry, since the ist Messidor, An 4, that
I have been promoted to the rank of Adjutant
General, the 2nd Nivose An 6, and, finally, that
I have served as such, attached to General Hardy
since the 3rd Thermidor An 6, by virtue of the
orders of the Minister of War.

Major Chester, to whom I have shewed my
commission, can satisfy your lordship as to the
fact, and General Hardy will ascertain the authen-
ticity of the documents. Under these circumstances
I address myself to your lordship as a man of honour
and a soldier, and I do protest in the most precise
and strongest manner against the indignity intended
against the honour of the French Army in my person
and I claim the rights and privileges of a Prisoner
of War, agreeably to my rank and situation in an
army, not less to be respected in all points than
any other which exists in Europe.

From the situation your lordship holds under
your Government, I must presume you have
discretionary power to act according to circumstances
and I cannot for a moment doubt but what I have
now explained to your lordship will induce you

136 THE LETTERS OF

to give immediate orders that the honour of the
French nation and the French Army be respected
in my person, and, of course, I shall suffer no-
coercion other than in common with the rest of my
brave comrades, whom the fortune of war has, for
the moment, deprived of their liberty.
I am, my lord,

With great respect,
Your lordship's most obedient servant,

T. W. TONE.

dit Smith. Adjt. Gen.

No attention was paid to his demand by Lord
Cavan,and a further letter was sent to Lord Castlereagh,
enclosing a letter to the French Directory, which
he asked might be forwarded through the French
Commissary for the Exchange of Prisoners in London.
My lord,

I take the liberty of sending to your Lordship, a letter
for Citizen Moiu, Commissary for the exchange of
French Prisoners, enclosing one for the Minister of
Marine, and a short memorial to the Executive
Directory. As I send them open, your Lordship
will be apprized of my situation here, and I rely,
in consequence, that no measure will be adopted by
the Irish Government, as to me, until the decision
of the Directory be known. The honour of the
French nation is pledged to support me as a citizen

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

137

and an officer ; I trust, therefore, his Excellency,
the Lord Lieutenant, will be pleased to give the
necessary orders that I be treated as a Prisoner
of War, with such attention as is due to the rank
I have the honour to hold in the Armies of the
French Republic, in order to avoid the distress
and confusion which must otherwise arise at the
moment when so many thousand prisoners of both
nations are in expectation of a speedy exchange.
I mention this with the more confidence from the
generous manner in which our Government has
behaved towards such British officers of rank
as the fortune of war threw into our hands.
I have the honour to be,
Your lordship's most obedient, humble servant,

T. W. TONE,

Adjt. Gen.

Tone knew when he made these demands to be
treated as a Prisoner of War that there was no likeli-
hood of his protest being listened to by the English
Government. He was too formidable an opponent to
be allowed to live, now that he had fallen into their hands.
His fate was sealed when the Hoche surrendered in
Lough Swilly, and no consideration of clemency or
international usage had the smallest chance of being
allowed to weigh with the Irish Government. His
friends, and many men who differed from him pro-

138 THE LETTERS OF

foundly in political questions did their utmost to
prevent or delay his execution, but without avail.
Thomas Russell in prison, wrote to many of them
on the subject, and an answer to one of his letters
from Peter Burrowes has been preserved among
Russell's papers. Burrowes had been a member of
the Political Club which Tone initiated in Dublin,
in 1791, and, as a member of the Irish Parliament, he
fought bitterly against the Act of Union. In the
letter he disassociates himself from Tone's actions,
but it should be remembered that he wrote to Russell
in prison — and that, therefore, his letter would be
open to official scrutiny.
Dear Russell,

I shall not hesitate to give our friend every
assistance in my power. Much as I condemn his
later proceedings I cannot forget how estimable a
man he was, and how much he was my friend.
I must, however, fairly tell you that I think his case
totally hopeless, and that postponement until a
trial by Jury can be had is the utmost to be hoped.
In a letter to Lord Cornwallis he has announced
himself a French officer, and the nature of the
expedition in which he was engaged cannot be
doubted.

The nature of his departure from this country
will not furnish any legal advantages, and will

THEOBALD WOIvFE TONE. 139

raise the strongest prejudice against him. I under-
stand he has given directions that no person shall
be permitted to see him. Yet, I expect he will
send for me. It is the most . . .* service I ever
engaged in, but I shall not . . .* it, and if
I have anything consolatory (of which I despair), I
will put you in possession of it.

Yours truly,

P. BURRO WES.

Burro wes' opinion of the hopelessness -of Tone's
situation was quickly justified. He was tried by
.Court Martial on Saturday, loth November, and
sentenced to be hanged. After the Court Martial
had concluded its business, and knowing that he had
not now many hours to live, Tone wrote to the French
Directory, on behalf of his wife and children.

From the Provost's Prison, Dublin.
20th Brumaire, jth year of the Republic.

(loth November, 1798).

The Adjutant General, Theobald Wolfe Tone (called
Smith], to the Executive Directory of the French
Republic.
Citizen Directors,

The English Government having determined
not to respect my rights as a French citizen and
* MSS illegible.

140 THE LETTKRS OK

officer, and summoned me before a Court Martial,
I have been sentenced to death. In those circum-
stances, I request you to accept my thanks for the
confidence with which you have honoured me,
and which, in a moment like this, I venture to say
I well deserved. I have served the Republic
faithfully, and my death, as well as that of my
brother, a victim like myself, and condemned in
the same manner, about a month ago, will suffi-
ciently pjove it. I hope the circumstances in which
I stand, will warrant me, Citizen Directors, in
supplicating you to consider the fate of a virtuous
wife and three infant children, who had no other
support, and in losing me will be reduced to the
extreme of misery. I venture on such an occasion
to recall to your remembrance that I was expelled
from my own country, in consequence of my attempts
to serve the Republic ; that, on the invitation of
the French Government I came to France ; that
ever since I had the honour to enter the French
service, I have faithfully, and with the approbation
of all my Chiefs, performed my duty ; finally,
that I have sacrificed for the Republic, all that man
holds dearest— my wife, my children, my liberty,
my life. In these circumstances, I confidently
call on your justice and humanity in favor of my
family, assured that you will not abandon them.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 141

It is the greatest consolation which remains to me
in dying.

Health and respect,

T. W. TONE (called SMITH).
Adjutant General.

On the same date as the above quoted letter, he
wrote a last letter to his wife. It was very brief, for
such men cannot in such an hour lay bare their inmost
feelings in formal words, .but as evidence of his invin-
cible courage, and the restrained dignity of his character
it remains the poignant and beautiful memorial
of a man as truly great in thought as in deed.
Provost Prison,

Dublin Barracks,

Le 20 Brumaire, An 7,

(loth November, 1798).
Dearest Love,

The hour is at last come when we must part.
As no words can express what I feel for you and
our children, I shall not attempt it ; complaint of
any kind would be beneath your courage and
mine ; be assured I will die as I have lived and
that you will have no cause to blush for me.

I have written on your behalf to the French
Government, to the Minister of Marine, to General
Kilmaine and to Mr. Shee ; with the latter, I
wish you especially, to advise. In Ireland, I have

142 THE LETTERS OF

written to your brother Harry, and to those of my
friends who are about to go into exile, and who,
I am sure, will not abandon you.

Adieu, dearest love ; I find it impossible to
finish this letter. Give my love to Mary ; and
above all things, remember that you are now
the only parent of our dearest children, and
that the best proof you can give of your affection
for me, will be to preserve yourself for their educa-
tion. God Almighty bless you all.
Yours ever,

T. W. TONE.

P.S. — I think you have a friend in Wilson who
will not desert you.

He spent his last hours in endeavouring to insure
that his wife and children should not be friendless,
and though he had determined to see no one, he
wrote to many friends, and received from them
many assurances that his family should not lack
protection. He wrote a second letter to his wife,
the last that he penned, in the following terms : —
Dearest Love,

I write just one line to acquaint you that I have
received assurances from your brother Edward,
of his determination to render every assistance
and protection in his power ; for which I have
written to thank him most sincerely. Your sister

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 143

'

has likewise sent me assurances of the same nature,
and expressed a desire to see me, which I have
refused, having determined to speak to no one of
my friends, not even my father, from motives of
humanity to them and myself. It is a very great
consolation to me that your family are determined
to support you ; as to the manner of that assistance,
I leave it to their affection for you, and your own
excellent good sense, to settle what manner will
be most respectable for all parties.

Adieu, dearest love, Keep your courage as I
have kept mine ; my mind is as tranquil this
moment as at any period of my life. Cherish my
memory ; and especially preserve your health
and spirits for the sake of our dearest children.
Your ever affectionate,

T. WOLFE TONE.
nth November, 1798.

After having done all that he could to provide for
the future of those he loved best, Tone resolutely
faced the end. Under the window of his prison,
he could see and hear the scaffold being erected
on which he was in a few hours to be hanged, and he
declined the ignominy of the death that his enemies
had contrived for him. He had secreted a penknife
and that night, he inflicted a deep wound across his
neck. In the early hours of the next morning, he was

144 THE LETTERS OF

discovered by the sentry and a surgeon was called in.
He reported that as the prisoner had missed the
carotid artery, he might yet survive, but was in
extreme danger. Tone is reported to have murmured
in reply, " I am sorry I have been so bad an anatomist."

He remained for eight days, hovering between
life and death. On the morning of the igth November,
he overheard the surgeon whisper that if he attempted
to move or speak, he must expire at once. Making
a movement, Tone answered, " I can yet find words
to thank you, sir, it is the most welcome news you
could give me." He died immediately afterwards.

Among the collection of papers left by Major Sirr,
there are a few having reference to the last tragic episode
of Wolfe Tone's adventurous life. The first is a letter
from Castlereagh to General Craig, authorising him
to hand Tone's body over to his friends for burial.
It is countersigned by Lord Kilwarden, the Lord Chief
Justice.

Allowed, persuant to the Statute, of 22nd Year of
the Reign of King George III.

KILWARDEN.

Phoenix Park, 19.
My Dear Sir,

The Lord Lieutenant has referred your letter
in respect to the disposal of W. Tone's body to me.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 145

I see no objection to his body being given to his
friends, but on the express condition that no
assemblage of people shall be permitted, and that
it be interred in the most private manner.
I have the honour to be,
Dear Sir,

Your faithful servant,

CASTLEREAGH.
Lt.-Gen. Craig.

Before his death, Tone left directions as to the
disposal of his few effects.

I request Major Sandys may take the trouble
on the arrival of my trunk, to send it with the
contents to my Father, except £25, which he will
have the goodness to remit to Citizen Moiu
Commissary for the exchange of French Prisoners
in London. He will write to Citizen Moiu
to send the money by means of the Minister of Marine
to my wife, whose address I subjoin :

Madame Smith, Chez le Citoyen
Chevalier, Rue de Batailles,
No. 29 a Chaillot, Pris, Paris.

The remainder of the money in my trunk, amounting
to about the same sum, is for my Father.

T. \V. TONE. Adjt. Gen.
ist November, 1798.

146 THE LETTERS OF

Major Sandys handed the money, intended for Mrs.
Tone, together with a gold watch, to her brother,
Edward Witherington, who resided in Dublin, but,
with regard to the other moiety of Wolfe Tone's
effects, the immemorial tradition of Dublin Castle
proved too strong for him, in evidence of which we
find the following petition from Peter Tone to
the Lord Lieutenant : —

To his Excellency, Charles Marquis Cornwallis,
I/ord Lieutenant General, and General Governor
of Ireland.

The Petition of Peter Tone, of the city of Dublin,
Gentleman,

Humbly sheweth,

That your petitioner's unfortunate son, Theobald
Wolfe Tone, having entrusted to the care of William
Sandys, Esq., Prevote Major, a letter for your
petitioner and his wearing apparel and some cash,
the said Sandys delivered to your petitioner, the
said letter, cash, and some few trifling articles
of wearing apparel, not exceeding in value what
your petitioner was obliged to pay for the carriage
of the trunk containing them, but the principal
articles, and which are of considerable value, he
has detained and declines giving them to your
petitioner, on the ground of their being forfeited
property, though, if it could be supposed that in

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 147

so small a matter, a claim on behalf of the Crown
would be put in, such claim would not, as your
petitioner is advised be established, no forfeiture
having attached, because your petitioner's son
was not convicted of any offence, previous to his
death.

May it, therefore, please your Excellency, to
direct the said Sandys to give your petitioner an
authentic inventory of all his said son's effects,
and to deliver to your petitioner the part he retained
thereof. &c., &c.,

PETER TONE.

Apparently, the petition was not without its effect
in making Major Sandys disgorge as in the Sirr Papers,
there is a copy of an undated receipt :

Reed, from Major Sandys 116 Crowns and a trunk
of clothes, the property of T. W. Tone.

PETER TONE.

148 TI1K LKTTKKS OK

VI. MEMORIES,

News of the action at L/ough Swilly, and of the
capture, trial, and condemnation of Tone did not
reach Paris till the end of November. At first, it
was stated that his wound was slight, that there were
hopes of his recovery, and that the law courts had
stopped his execution by the military.

Matilda Tone was ill when the news arrived, but
she went at once to Talleyrand, the French I-'on i; n
Minister. Talleyrand introduced her to the I niuh
Directory and I/a Reveillierre I/ is I'rcsidcnl ,

assured her that Tone would be instantly claimed
as a French ollicci , ;md that Knglish officers in IMCIK h
prisons should be held as hostages for his safely.
The l'.:it.;iv;iin Republic also immediately took biiuibi
action, as Tone held the- same rank in the Dutch
service as in the French.

Mrs. Tone asked the French Government to give
her facilities to join her husband and nurse him in
prison ; she hoped that the intervention of the
1 n-nch Government would save his life, and that
she might be allowed to share his imprisonment.

THEOBALD WOLFK TOXK. i4Q

The French authorities readily gave her all the creden-
tials and means she wished, and she was on her way
to embark for Ireland when the news of his death
arrived, and put an end to all her hopes. It is
very probable that the efforts of Tone's friends in
Ireland to delay his execution, and the interference
of the French and Batavian Governments would have
saved his life, had he not forestalled both friend and
enemy by taking it himself.

The fate of Tone and of his family excited the
widest interest in Paris. When the news of his death
arrived, the Directory ordered a payment of 1,200
francs, and three months' pay from the War Depart-
ment to be made to Mrs. Tone, and requested her
to produce her titles to a regular pension. Brieux
and Talle>rrand each offered to adopt one of her sons,
and General Kilmaine offered to adopt them both.
The French Directory decreed that the sons of Wolfe
Tone be adopted by the French Republic,
educated at the national expense, in the Prytaneum.
Owing to changes in the Government, a regular
pension was not granted until 1802.

Mrs. Tone went to live near the college, where her
boys were educated. She was very poor and
lived very quietly. Early in 1800, she heard
from William Tone, who was still in India.

150 THE LETTERS OP

Camp, on the Gour River,

2nd January, 1800.
My Dear Matty,

" Your several letters, of the following dates,
have all come to my hand : the first, dated Paris,
ist May, being a miscellaneous epistle from the
whole family, I received in September, 1798 ; your
other two letters, of the dates of i6th December,
1798, and 2Oth January, 1799, I received in October
last. Some circumstances prevented me from replying
to them sooner ; however, I hope I have answered
them in essentials, having transmitted by the last
month's packet, a bill on the house of David Scott,
Jr., and Co., London, for the sum of £233 sterling
which I hope you will have received before this
reaches you. Mr. Scott was directed to send a
bill for the amount, according to your directions,
to Mr. Meyer, Hamburgh. And I trust that this
sum will relieve your present embarrassments,
until I can send a further supply. The dreadful
information, respecting my dearest Theobald, had
reached this country, long before your letter. It
is impossible and unnecessary to describe what I
suffer for this irreparable calamity. However, I
feel that unavailing grief or unmanly lamentation,
is not the part which is now left for me to act.
Whether I loved my brother, and esteemed him

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 151

as I ought, must now be proved by my actions,
and not by my professions. This most unfortunate
of all circumstances, has, in its event, imposed
new and weighty duties upon me, which I prepare
to discharge with the fullest sense of their import-
ance, and I hope the manner in which I shall act
in this new and delicate situation, will convince you,
and the world, that my love and gratitude to the
best of brothers and friends, has borne some
proportion to his unparalleled goodness to me on
every occasion. Many words are not necessary :
in short, I live but for you and the children ; and
I hope Almighty God will grant me life and means
to fulfil the duties of a father to them, and a friend
to you. And, rely on it, whilst I exist, my purse,
person, and credit, shall be strained for your con-
venience.

The important duties of the children's education
must be left entirely to you, and I have the consola-
tion to feel that they can be no where under so
proper an instructor. My part, in this business,
will be to furnish the money, and this shall not be
wanting. William is now old enough to be put to
a classical school, and, if it nas not been done
already, for God' s sake, defer it no longer. But I
need say no more. Your own sense and observation
will point out everything. Let us mutually labor

THE LETTERS OF

to make them accomplished, if we can't make
them rich : your present situation affords you an
opportunity of having them taught both French
and German, and the knowledge of these languages
may be of the first importance to them in life.
But, on this score, my mind is quite eas) , as I am
satisfied that nothing will be neglected on your
part. I am happy to hear that Will is likely to
resemble his father. He can never follow a more
noble example, and I pray to God that he may
resemble him in everything, but his misfortunes.
This letter goes by an overland despatch, and I
am restricted as to its weight. It is necessary,
therefore, to be as brief as possible. My father,
writes me word that Arthur wishes to come out to
me, and that he had advised him to enter at the
India House, for Bombay. But, if Arthur has
not already taken this mad step, by all means
prevent it. When I am able to send for him,
I will ; but, if he comes out in the Company's
service, I can do him no good ; and the best years
of his life will be spent in blackguard idleness. On
this head I will write further by the shipping.
In your answer, explain your situation to me
without reserve. Let me know what you can
live for, genteelly, and educate the boys, and I will
make my arrangements accordingly. In one word,

THEOBALD \\OLFK TONE. 153

inform me of everything in which I can be interested.
Let me know of Fanny,* of whom I have never
heard a word ; what Arthur is doing ; Mary' s
situation and prospects, and everything else that
occurs.

I answered all your letters of Paris, both by
ways of London and America. I know not if
you ever received my letters. I there gave a long
account of myself. At present, I can only say
that I have been a little tinfortunate of late. In
June was twelvemonth, I was attacked by a very
superior force, and obliged to abandon my position,
with all my baggage, in which I lost all I had,
being with difficulty able to bring off my corps,
with their guns and colours. Ill health afterwards
obliged me to go to the settlements, and I resigned
my command, and continued a year out of all
service, which drained me of every rupee. I am
now raising a regiment in the Mahratta service,
which I shall soon complete. My pay is liberal,
but my expenses necessarily great. I shall write
more fully by the next packet. Mention me to
the children, comfort them, and keep up your
own spirits, on their account. Tell my beloved
Maria that I have not forgotten her. In the

* A younger sister of bis. She died of consumption before
Wolfe Tone left Ireland.

154 THE LETTERS OF

course of this year, I shall send you fifty guineas,
to be laid out by her, under your directions, in finery.
We must not suffer her mind to be affected, and I
know, from experience, that nothing depresses
the spirits of a young person so much as a want
of little elegancies in dress. My love to Mary,
and family, and to her husband, to whom I hope
to be better known, and believe me, ever,

Your truly affectionate brother and friend,

WILLIAM HENRY TONE.

William Tone was killed in India shortly after
writing this letter, and his help so badly needed by
Theobald's family in Paris, was thus cut off.

During the five years which succeeded her husband' s
death, Mrs. Tone must have been repeatedly in
distress for money had it not been for Mr. Wilson
of Dullatur, in Scotland, who acted as her constant
friend and adviser. He managed her slender resources
and when these gave out, his own became the sole
support of her little family. This generous and
constant friendship was continued after he had left
France, as he left instructions with his bankers at
Paris,thatthey should supply all the needs of Mrs. Tone.
At length, after the rupture of the Treaty of Amiens,
Napoleon, who had hitherto been deaf to all appeals,
granted Mrs. Tone a pension of 1,200 livres for herself,
and 400 to each of her three children. But before

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 155

this relief came, Maria Tone had died of consumption
(1804), and in 1806, Frank, the youngest boy, also-
died. About the same time, a subscription, which
amounted to £787, was raised in Ireland, and thereafter,
Mrs. Tone and her only surviving son, William, were
relieved of most of their financial anxieties. William
Theobald Wolfe Tone entered the French service,
and he published an account of his soldiering, in an
appendix to his Father's life (Washington, 1826).
In the same volume, there is an account of some
of their affairs, written by Mrs. Tone.

Only one letter written during this period in France
by Mrs. Tone has been preserved. A copy of it is
to be found among the papers Dr. Madder* placed
in Trinity College.

To Mrs. Margaret Tone, c/o Peter Tone, at 10
Monk Place.

May nth, 1810.
My Dearest Mother,

I have got an opportunity of writing to you,
by a gentleman who promises to deliver my letter
into your own hands, and yesterday evening I
had just finished a long letter to you, and another
to Kitty, complaining woefully of not hearing from
you when I had the happiness of receiving both
your letters of the loth April, which rendered all
I had written useless.

156 THE LETTERS OF

My ever dear mother, it is a blessing to hear
from you, and to hear that you are tolerably well
and that you have peace and security, and are not
exposed to inconvenience. These negative comforts
are all that we can now aspire to, or that would
become us to wish for, and for me, I am still hardy
in mind and body to dispense even with them if
they were taken from me, but, indeed, if you wanted
them in the town where our Theobald was born
and died, I think I should, in my despair, take
counsel from Job's wife. And you cannot afford
to keep poor Matt's little girl by you to support
and to comfort your age.

No ! I will never see Ireland whilst I can find
a grave on any other part of the globe by land or
by water, but let me say something that will comfort
you. My William, the pleasure and joy of my
heart, is coming on in every respect as well as heart
can wish. He is not strong in health, but he is
safe ; he completed his igth year some days ago,
his growth is nearly finished, and his conduct
is so correct, that I have no fear for him. He has
gone through his studies with great honour, he will
finish them this summer, and thinks of taking a
course of law. Perhaps it is time to turn his
education to some account, but in this country
there is but one line, and if he must take that it
will be always time enough.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 157

The powerfully .... * when you see him,
present him with the grateful homage of my respect,
my esteem and my admiration. I cannot say
more on this — — .

Adieu, my beloved mother ; may God Almighty
bless and preserve you. William joins in every
tender wish. Whenever it is possible, I will send
him to get your blessing, and return to me with it.
I write to my beloved Kitty. .

Ever your own child,

JVL I/ONE.

William Tone remained in the French Army till
the fall of Napoleon, when he and his mother decided
to return to America. Their old friend, Mr. Wilson,
on learning their determination, came to France
and offered his hand and fortune to Mrs. Tone. They
were married on the igth August, 1816.

On her arrival in America, the Irish exiles there,
many of whom had been colleagues of Tone in Ireland,
greeted her with deep respect. Dr. Madden has
preserved the address of the Hibernian Provident
Society of New York, which was signed by Thomas
Addis Emmet and Dr. McNeven, and presented to
Mrs. Tone in October, 1817. It expressed the deepest
admiration for Tone and for the constancy and courage

* Dr. Madden believed that this referred to John Keogh.

158 THE LETTERS OF

of his devoted wife. Her reply, sent in the form

of a letter, was as follows • —
Gentlemen,

The sweetest consolation my heart can feel, I
received in the proof you now give me, that my
husband still lives in your affections and esteem,
though, in the course of nineteen disastrous years,
the numerous victims who have magnanimously
suffered for the liberty of Ireland, might well
confuse memory, and make selection difficult.
I am proud of belonging to a nation whose sons
preserve under every vicissitude of fortune, a
faithful attachment to their principles and from
whose firm and generous minds neither persecution,
exile, nor time can obliterate the remembrance of
those who have fallen, though uneffectually, in the
cause of our country. For your gifts to my son,
take his mother's thanks with his, while his mother
tremblingly hopes that fate may spare him to
prove himself not unworthy of his father or his
friends.

I have the honour to remain, with grateful
respect, gentlemen,

Your most obedient, servant

MATILDA TONE.
Mr. Wilson bought an estate at Georgetown, near

Washington, and settled there with his wife and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 159

William Tone entered the American Army. In 1825,
he married the daughter of William Sampson — his
father's friend and fellow- worker in the Society of
the United Irishmen. In 1826, he published the
Life of Wolfe Tone, and to that volume his mother
contributed an appendix on her interview with
Napoleon. Unfortunately it is too long to be quoted
here. In it are given many details of her life in
1' ranee, and her account of her interviews with the
great men of the French Government, is told with
a humour equal to Tone's.

William Tone died on the loth October, 1828.

The widow of Wolfe Tone survived the last of her
children by twenty-one years. She died in George-
town on the 1 8th March, 1849.

A few years before her death, Dr. Madden published
the Lives and Times of the United Irishmen. His
volumes drew a letter from Mrs. Wilson at Georgetown,
to the Editor of the New York Truth Teller. This last
letter, written in extreme old age, proved that to the
end the preoccupation of her life was to safeguard the
memory of the heroic husband whose trials she had
shared, and whose fate she had never ceased to mourn.

GEORGETOWN, D.C.,
October igth, 1842.

SIR,

Since the first establishment of your paper I

i6o THE LETTERS OF

have been a constant subscriber to it, and have at
present before me that of last Saturday, the I5th
instant, in which you pass so beautiful and so just
an eulogium on my ever-lamented friend, Dr.
William James Macneven. But all I have suffered
in the cause of Ireland gives me some right to appeal,
and to complain that in that article you have not
done justice to the memory of my husband, Theo-
bald Wolfe Tone. You say, ' it was only after
Theobald Wolfe Tone had been in France for some
time, and had obtained a promise of aid from
Napoleon and the French Directory, that these
societies being repulsed by government, etc., etc.,
resolved on revolution, and a total separation from
England.' This is all a mistake. In the year 1791
Tone wrote the pamphlet entitled, ' An Argument on
behalf of the Catholics of Ireland,' in which the
present political state of that country, and the
necessity of a parliamentary reform are considered.
At the time of writing it, he was not acquainted
with a single Catholic, but wrote on the general
merits of the case and unnatural state of the country,
and printed anonymous. But the Catholic leaders
called on the writer to make himself known, re-
published and circulated the work, and by a resolu-
tion of the general committee, John Keogh, of
Mount Jerome, and John Sweetman, were ordered

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. . 161

to wait on him, offering him the situation of agent
and assistant secretary to the general committee
of the Catholics of Ireland. I may say he was both
trusted and beloved by them, and he loved and
honoured them. His whole time and talents were
devoted to them and to their cause. He was con-
sulted by them, and advised them — he wrote all
their publications — he was the only Protestant
admitted at the Catholic Convention — he wrote
their petition to the King, and accompanied the
delegation that carried it to England, and on the
dissolution of the committee he was publicly thanked
by them. I have the vote engrossed on vellum and
framed, but his labours did not end here ; he
travelled with Keogh, or others, wherever they could
hope to make converts to the cause, and to form,
societies of United Irishmen, which name was in-
vented by him, when he proposed to drop the in-
vidious distinctions of Catholic, Dissenter, and
Protestant, and adopt that national denomination.
I have perceived lately that it is a sort of fashion
to throw the idea of separation from England solely
and entirely on Tone. This is not fair. It was his
belief that if a liberal emancipation of the Catholics
— a full and fair representation of all the people of
Ireland in an Irish parliament — 'When the immense
resources of the country could be developed and

1 62 THE LETTERS OF

honestly applied to the benefit of the country, a
separation would in a short time be the certain
consequence ; but he did not think of separation
till every other hope had failed, nor did he then
think of it alone.

Doctor Madden, in his United Irishmen, quotes
from Tone's life a letter addressed to him in this
country, dated September, 1795, concluding with
the words : ' Once more, dear Tone, remember and
execute your garden conversation,' which he con-
cludes to be from Emmet and Russell.

He is mistaken ; it was from John Keogh, of
Mount Jerome, and I have the original — a man
whom Tone knew to be cautious even to timidity,
and yet he wished for French aid, and promised in
the letter that his son Cornelius should join them
on landing. In another place, Dr. Madden quotes,
and I think at least carelessly, from the work, that
the United Irish Club, which Tone was so instru-
mental in establishing in Dublin, was scarcely
formed before he lost all influence in it, which the
doctor attributes to the violence of his measures.
If he had read or quoted a little further, the following
lines are : ' a circumstance which mortified me not
a little at first, and perhaps, had I retained more
weight in their Councils, I might have prevented,
as on some occasions I laboured unsuccessfully to

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE. 163

prevent, their running into indiscretions, which
gave their enemies too great advantages over them.'
There is nothing which the heart so much revolts at
as to point out even the errors of those who acted
nobly and sealed their principles with their blood ;
but it is the truth that Lord Edward Fitzgerald and
the Sheares who had just arrived from France, in
the heyday of the revolution, were acting revolution
before it was made, and joined by all young and
ardent spirits, spoke and acted with ruinous indiscre-
tion ; even Dr. Drennan was caught, and published
that frantic address of ' Citizen soldiers, to arms !
Citizens, your country is in danger.' Tone laboured
in vain to check this folly, but there was no deceit
in it ; it was honest generous enthusiasm and young
excitement. About this period, the summer of '95,
we left Ireland. Before our departure, Tone con-
sulted with the leaders of each party ; for the
Catholics, Keogh and McCormack — the conversa-
tion was held in Keogh' s garden at Mount Jerome.
He adds: 'They, both laid the most positive in-
junctions upon me to leave nothing unattempted
on my part to force my way to France, and lay
our situation before the government there.' We
went by Belfast, and there again consultations were
held with the leading men of the Dissenters and
Defenders ; all were of the same mind, and he adds,

1 64 THE LETTERS OF

' I now look upon myself as competent to speak
fully and with confidence, for the Catholics, for
the Dissenters, and for the Defenders of Ireland.'
We sailed in June, '95 — he received letters from
them all,urgently praying him to lose no time. I am
told that Dr. Madden was twice in New York in
search of documents for his history. I wonder he did
not apply to me. I never heard of him till I saw his
book advertised — perhaps he was ignorant of my
existence, for I live in complete retirement, and, to
. use Carolan's words : —

"Lonely and desolate I mourn the dead."
I am ashamed of this rambling and diffuse letter,
but, under the weight of seventy-three years and
a broken heart, I cannot make it better, else I would
write it over again — but the subject makes my heart
beat and my hand tremble, and I am sure I should
not mend it. I only hope you will find it legible,
and take the trouble to read it. Remember, I do
not write for publication.but simply for your own
information, if you again refer to the subject. I
should have mentioned that, on leaving Ireland,
Tone again received the farewell thanks of the
Catholics of Dublin, for sendees rendered to the
Catholic body, which no gratitude canover-rate,
no remuneration overpay ; it was moved by
Dr. Macneven.

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

I beg once more to apologise for the trouble I
give you, and remain, your admirer and constant
reader,

MATILDA TOXE WILSON.

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