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Thomas Reilly, Saratoga, New York, to John M. Kelly, Dublin, 19 June 1848 (postmarked in Liverpool, 19 July 1848)
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Collection Thomas Reilly Letters
Title Thomas Reilly, Saratoga, New York, to John M. Kelly, Dublin, 19 June 1848 (postmarked in Liverpool, 19 July 1848)
Description Reilly writes to his friend Kelly from Saratoga "where freedom's standard triumphed over the red flag of England", reminiscing over their past conversations and enquiring for political news from home. He laments over [John] Mitchell's conviction and transportation abroad to the colonies but hopes that rebellion will still break out in Ireland — "that will be the first signal for my return". Reilly states that "there is nothing interesting in the affairs of this country", while admitting it was not "a bad place" but one suitable for "the unfortunate Irish peasant who is starved at home but well fed here". He encourages the Irish peasantry to emigrate here even as their greater number will die from overwork and the climate. He concludes admonishing his brother as "a traitor" to him. In a postscript, he rebutts Kelly's apparent sceptisism towards the Irish Volunteers organising in America, saying their first company will sail in ten days and claiming "There is great enthusiasm in this land among the irish. There are good Irish patriots here, anxious for the moment to help rescue their native land from bondage".
Date 19/06/1848
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/42/5
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 13pp
Topic Thomas Reilly Letters
Geographic Saratoga (city) Springs,Saratoga (county),New York (state),United States,Dublin (city),Dublin (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen forties
Genre Transcript,Reproduction
Note Transcript text by Dr. Bruce D. Boling (collaborator of Professor Kerby Miller). Title and description by University of Galway.
Creator / Author Name Thomas Reilly