BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 171
(( This spirit of false chivalry,” adds Barrington, (( which took such entire
possession of Hamilton Rowan’s understanding, was soon diverted into the
channels of political theory.” The (( wrongs of Ireland,” real and imaginary,
were not without their influence on a mind so susceptible of humane and
honourable impressions. In 1782 he had participated in the memorable but
short-lived triumph obtained for their country by the Volunteers, whom the
emergency of the times called into existence j and he saw with equal regret the
return of anarchy and disorganisation which so speedily followed that propitious
effort of national unanimity. The spirit of democracy, so fearfully awakened in
the Revolution of France, acted with talismanic effect upon the people of Ireland,
where the patriotic exertions and eloquence of a Grattan and a Curran were
expended in vain against the corruption of the Irish Parliament.
In Hamilton Rowan the promoters of the societies of (( United Irishmen,”
the first of which was held in Belfast in October 1791, found an influential and
enthusiastic coadjutor. The first sitting of the Dublin Society was held on the
9th November following; the Hon. Sirnon Butler in the chair, and James
Napper Tandy, secretary. Of this body Hamilton Rowan was an original
member; but it was not till 1792, at the meeting on the 23d November,
that we find him officially engaged in the proceedings. Dr. Drennan (whose
talents as a writer have been much admired) was elected chairman, and Mr.
Rowan, secretary.
The views of the “ United Irishmen ” were ostensibly the accomplishment
of political reformation-and probably nothing farther was at first contemplated ;
but it soon became evident that measures as well as principles were in progress,
which were likely to increase and streugthen in proportion as a redress of
grievances was denied or postponed. That national independence was an event,
among others, to which the United Irishmen looked forward, is strongly countenanced
by concurring circumstances-although it ought to be borne in mind
that the original political associations were entirely distinct from those subsequently
entered into, bearing similar designations. Early in 1792 a body of
volunteers were formed in Dublin, approximating in design to the National
Guards of France-the leaders of whom were Hamilton Rowan and Napper
Tandy. This body of armed citizens-who “wore clothing of a particular
uniform, with emblems of harps divested of the Royal Crown ”-had hitherto
met only in small divisions ; but a general meeting, to be held on Sunday the
7th September, was at length announced in a placard, to which was attached
the signature of Mathew Dowling. Alarmed at this procedure the Government
issued a counter proclamation the day previous, which proved so entirely
authoritative, that the only individuals who appeared on parade in uniform
were Rowan, Tandy, and Carey, printer to the Society.
Immediately following this, the ‘( United Irishmen ” met in consdtationan
energetic address to the Volunteers of Ireland, or rather the disorganised
remains of that once powerful body, was agreed ob-and the Guards of Dublin
were summoned to meet in a house in Cape Street, belonging to Pardon, a
172 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
fencing-master, upon the 16th December. The gallery of this room was set
apart for spectators, and the body of the apartment for those who were in
uniform, about two hundred of whom assembled. Hamilton Rowan and Napper
Tandy were conspicuous at the table-both read parts of the address, and were
busily engaged in circulating copies among the audience. The address-to
which the names of Dr. Drennan and Mr. Rowan were appended, as chairman
and secretary-was of a character too democratic to escape the notice of Government.
It began in the then obnoxious and revolutionary language of France :
--“Citizen soldiers! you first took up arms to protect your country from
foreign enemies, and from domestic disturbance. For the same purposes it
now becomes necessary t,hat you should resume them.” It then went on to
state the peculiar circumstances of the times-the existing grievances-enlarging
on the necessity for reform-the blessings of liberty-and concluded with
this appeal-“ The fifteenth of February approaches-a day ever memorable in
the annals of this country, as the birthday of new Ireland ; let parochial meetings
be held as soon as possible-let each parish return delegates-let the sense
of Ulster be again declared from Dungannon on a day auspicious to union,
peace, and freedom ; and the spirit of the north will again become the spirit of
the nation. * * Answer us by your actions! You have taken time for consideration
: fourteen long years are elapsed since the rise of your association :
and in 1782 did you imagine that in 1792 this nation would still remain
unrepresented ! How many nations in this interval have gotten the start of
Ireland P
Early in January 1793,a fewweeks after the publication of this address,Rowan
and Tandy were arrested-brought before Justice Downes,’ and liberated on
bail.’ Tandy made his escape, forfeiting his bond ; but Mr. Rowan boldly stood
his ground, and almost daily attended the King’s Bench. At length finding
“ no bills sent up to the grand jury against him, he moved the court by counsel,
that the recognisances entered into by him and his bail should be vacated.” This
step forced on the prosecution ; and after several postponements, the trial at last
took place on the 29th January 1794. Curran was counsel for Mr. Rowan,
and although he failed in procuring the acquittal of his client, made an admirable
defence. The speech delivered by this celebrated barrister on that occasion
has been often referred to as one of surpassing eloquence. Several passagesparticularly
those on Catholic emancipation and the liberty of the press-have
been often quoted, and must be familiar to almost every one. He described
his client as “a man of the most beloved personal character-of one of the
most respected families of our country-himself the only individual of that
family-I may almost say of that country.” The Attorney-General and
Prime-Sergeant replied to Mr. Curran, and the Lord Chief Justice (the Earl
How many of your countrymen sunk into the grave !”
1 Afterwards created Lord Downes, with remainder to his son-in-law, S i Ulysses Burgh, the
Dr. Drennan R-as also arrested and brought to trial, but acquitted, aa it could not be proven
subsequent Lord Downes.
that he waa accessory to the publication of the libel.