transportation, for the new Penal Law was now in operation, but at any rate the ends for which I and my friends contended were placed full in the sunlight.
In a day or two O'Brien sent me the glad tidings that he withdrew his resignation, and he requested that the subjoined note might be published in the Nation:—
"Dublin, May 2, 1848."My dear Duffy,—I have read with extreme pleasure your letter which appeared in the last publication of the Nation, under the designation of 'The Creed of the Nation.'
"Without venturing to speak on behalf of other Confederates I think it right, under present circumstances, to state that I am fully prepared to hold myself responsible, both morally and legally, for the sentiments contained in that letter.—Believe me, yours very truly,
"William S. O'Brien."
Mitchel and Reilly retired from the Confederation in deference to O'Brien's feelings, and returned to it no more.[1]
The failure of the prosecution against O'Brien and Meagher, and Mitchel's postponement of his trial by a legal device, enraged the Government, and they arrested Mitchel on the 13th day of May, to answer an indictment for treason-felony under the new Act. I have written in elaborate detail the history of this State trial,[2] and a single extract and brief precis will suffice here:—
"Two successive victories begot extravagant hopes, and the bulk of the Confederates were confident that he could not be convicted. But this was counting without the sheriff's office, and forgetting the special prejudice which Mitchel's extreme opinions excited.
- ↑ During the brief existence of the United Irishman I had great reason to complain of Mitchel's conduct towards me. But controversy between us would have rent the Confederate party into fragments, and the consequences of the controversy with O'Connell were before my eyes. Dillon and Meagher besought me not to endanger the cause, and I was silent under exasperating provocation. In this personal narrative, however, it is essential to speak of these facts, but it will be more convenient to do so at the era when Mitchel returned from Tasmania and provoked a controversy and was able to defend himself.
- ↑ "Four Years of Irish History," bk. iii. chap. ii.
