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Letter taken from http://www.iol.ie/~fagann/1798/index.html

SOCIAL REVOLTS AND POLITICAL KITES AND CROWS

 

In their fight against tithes the Munster peasantry, in 1786, issued a remarkable document, which we here reprint as an illustration of the thought of the people of the provinces of that time. This document was copied into many papers at the time and was also reprinted in a pamphlet in October of that year.

LETTER ADDRESSED TO MUNSTER PEASANTRY

"To obviate the bad impression made by the calumnies of our enemies, we beg leave to submit to you our claim for the protection of a humane gentry and humbly solicit yours, if said claim shall appear to you founded in justice and good policy.

"In every age, country and religion the priesthood are allowed to have been artful, usurping, and tenacious of their ill-acquired prerogatives. Often have their jarring interests and opinions deluged with Christian blood this long devoted isle.

"Some 30 years ago our unhappy fathers – galled beyond human sufferance – like a captive lion vainly struggling in the toils, strove violently to snap their bonds asunder, but instead riveted them more tight. Exhausted by the bloody struggle, the poor of this province submitted to their oppressors, and fattened with their vitals each decimating leech.

"The luxurious parson drowned in the riot of his table the bitter groans of those wretches that his proctor fleeced, and the poor remnant of the doctor’s rapine was sure to be gleaned by the rapacious priest; but it was blasphemy to complain of him; Heaven, we thought, would wing its lightening to blast the wretch who grudged the Holy Father’s share. Thus plundered by either clergy, we had reason to wish for our simple Druids again.

"At last, however, it pleased pitying Heaven to dispel the murky cloud of bigotry that hovered over us so long. Liberality shot her cheering rays, and enlightened the peasant’s hovel as well as the splendid hall. O’Leary told us, plain as a friar could, that a God of universal love would not confine His salvation to one sect alone, and the subjects’ election was the best title to the crown.

"Thus improved in our religion and our politics . . . we resolve to evince on every occasion the change in our sentiments and hope to succeed in our sincerest attempts. We examined the double cause of our grievances, and debated long how to get them removed, until at length our resolves terminated in this general peaceful remonstrance.

"Humanity, justice and policy enforce our request. Whilst the tithe farmer enjoys the fruit of our labours, agriculture must decrease, and while the griping priest insists on more from the bridegroom than he is worth, population must be retarded.

"Let the legislature befriend us now, and we are theirs for ever. Our sincerity in the warmth of our attachment when once professed was never questioned, and we are bold to say no such imputation will ever fall on the Munster peasantry.

"At a very numerous and peaceable meeting of the delegates of the Munster peasantry, held on Thursday, the 1st day of July, 1786, the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, viz:

"Resolved – That we will continue to oppose our oppressors by the most justifiable means in our power, either until they are glutted with our blood or until humanity raises her angry voice in the councils of the nation to protect the toiling peasant and lighten his burden.

"Resolved – That the fickleness of the multitude makes it necessary for all and each of us to swear not to pay voluntarily priest or parson more than as follows:

"Potatoes, first crop, 6s per acre; do, second crop, 4s; wheat, 4s; barley, 4s; oats, 3s; meadowing, 2s 8d; marriage, 5s; baptism, 1s 6d; each family confession, 2s; Par Priests Sun Mass, 1s; any other, 1s; Extreme Unction, 1s.

"Signed by order
"WILLIAM O’DRISCOLL,
"General to the Munster Peasantry."