Lot 35 email save

1797. Arrest of Lord Edward Fitzgerald

Sign In to see what this sold for

1797. Arrest of Lord Edward Fitzgerald - A Unique Exhibit from his trial. letterpress with manuscript annotation 13 by 8cm., 5 by 3in. A memorial Card to the United Irishman William Orr, "who was offer'd up at Carrickfergus, on Saturday, the 14th of Oct. 1797, an awful Sacrifice to Irish Freedom on the Altar of British Tyranny…. Let his fate nerve the martial arm to wreak the wrong of ERIN, and assert her undoubted Claims - let ORR be the watch-word to LIBERTY!" Inscribed "O. Carleton" and numbered 26; inscribed to rear, "No. 18. Proved found in Lord Edward Fitzgerald's Apartment in Leinster House by Mr. Carleton. [signed] Isaac Corry." This card was listed and used as an exhibit at Lord Edward Fitzgerald's trial to establish his complicity with the United Irishmen. R.R. Madden's History of the United Irishmen identifies Oliver Carleton as a paid British secret agent. Isaac Corry was M.P. for Newry 1776-1800, Chancellor of the Irish Exchequer and a leading Pro-Union campaigner, who fought a duel with Henry Grattan. An important and exceptionally rare collectible associated with one of the most charismatic Irish revolutionaries. William Orr (1766-1797), a Presbyterian from Ferranshane, Co. Antrim was first an Irish Volunteer and then a member of the United Irishmen In 1797 he was charged with administering the United Irish oath to a soldier. The charge was contrived but despite a strong defence which proved his innocence he was hanged in Castlefergus and became the first United Irishman martyr. and for many years after the rallying cry of the United Irishmen was: "Remember Orr.".

View Whyte's next auction.

Similar lots up for auction