Ireland -- History -- Rebellion of 1798; Women -- Ireland -- Biography
His body was lying under the green sod in Bodenstown Churchyard when his
last message to her was delivered. How did she ever bear to read the
lines he penned in his prison cell, when even now at this distance of
time, we who knew him not at all can hardly see them for our tears?
“Provost Prison—Dublin Barracks,
“_Le 20 Brumaire, an 7_ (10 Nov.’98).
“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
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 education. God Almighty bless
you all.
“Yours ever,
“T. W. TONE.”
“P.S.—I think you have found a friend in Wilson who will not
desert you.”
SECOND LETTER
“Dearest Love,—I write just one line to acquaint you that I have
received assurance 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
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 at this period as at any period of my life.
Cherish my memory; and especially preserve your health and
spirits for the sake of our dearest children.
“Yours ever affectionately.”
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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