WOLFE TONE AND THE IRISH GOVERNMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, 2 March 1877, Page 5

WOLFE TONE AND THE IRISH GOVERNMENT.

Wolfe Tone labored with all his energy at the great task undertaken by him and his associates. His action in the work very soon ! brought him under the suspicion of the Government, and he was compelled to exile himself to this country in order to avoid arrest. He arrived in Philadelphia on the 20th of May, 1795 ; but immediately on his arrival in this republic he recommenced the prosecu- : tion of his designs, and, being most anxious to effect an alliance ' with France, he presented to the French Ministry a memorial on the state of Ireland. His energy was indescribable. In January, 1796, we find him in Paris exerting diplomatic skill in the interest i of the Irish republic ; and on the 18th of the following month he is I engaged in discussing with Carnot, the great War Minister — the " organiser of victory," as he was called — he is engaged in discus- 1 sing with him a project intended to effect the freedom of Ireland, the downfall of England and the glory of France. And as the result of his negotiations, a French expedition was organised and sailed for the Irish coast. But, even in the hour of defeat, Wolfe Tone was not the man ] to abandon himself to the vice of despair. He well knew— what every successful man must know — that he who despairs of victory because he has once failed does not even deserve to succeed Animated by this principle, Tone renewed his exertions, and the Dutch republic — then in alliance with France — organised a second expedition for the invasion of Ireland. Wolfe Tone was on the flag ship, , even more joyous and hopeful than he had been on the first occasion, and as the ship heaved on the bosom of the waters his heart bounded with new life at the prospect of a redeemed and regene- ' rated country. But again, by that extraordinary fatality which ' has often transferred the chances of success of Ireland's enemies, ' the weather interposed an obstacle to the realisation of the design, and this second failure, no doubt, was a terrible blow to the hopes ' of the brave patriot. It seemed to him that never again would he ! see such a beam of hope for Ireland as that which shone upon him on these two occasions and was now extinguished forever. — American Paper. Messes Halliavkll and Co. are prepared to supply all descrip ' tions of coal ot the best quality, and ai moderate price.-.* Thcv have aho on hand a quantity of wed, so as (o suit the requirements of all purchasers.