Isaac Butt Letters
TitleIsaac Butt Letters
ReferenceIE 627/U4a
Date
1874 - 1877
Production date 1874 - 1877
Scope and ContentLetters by Isaac Butt, four directed to 'My Dear Mr Byrne' [possibly James Byrne, see 'Archival History']. These letters mainly concern the 'land question'. The other letter, undated, is directed to a possible nationalist candidate for the Mallow constituency. The letters document Butt's role in preparing bills and gathering support for land reform. They also hint at divisions within nationalist politics, and at his health difficulties.
U4a/1 Letter from Butt, London to Byrne, 4 Dec 1874, regarding the securing of Ulster and South of Ireland support for a bill on the land question. Butt explains that the last communication he received from Ulster was amendments to Butt's bill of last year sent by Mr McElvry, secretary of the Antrim Clubs. He adds 'I think it would be a great misfortune if the North and South were separated on the question', and expresses the view that 'a bill to ensure the Ulster custom and virtually extend it to the rest of Ireland would I think command a great deal of support', although he stresses the necessity of 'security of tenure to the tenant'. He privately confides that, owing to mental exhaustion, 'the management of the question must be in other hands than mine'. Marked private. 6pp
U4a/2 Letter from Butt, Dublin, to Byrne, 24 Dec 1875, thanking him for his draft bill and suggestion about demesne lands. He expresses surprise at Byrne's views on the latter. He states that he is sending a letter to the papers 'urging the formation of a general defence committee' to collect information on notices to quit and demands for increased rent. Butt family crest and motto 'Possunt quia posse videntur' at head of letter. 2pp
U4a/3 Letter from Butt, 41 North Great George's Street, Dublin, to Byrne, 25 Nov 1877, assuring him that his evidence and that of Messrs O'Flaherty and Riordan will be of 'the utmost value' in the forthcoming trial, which 'will be I think the most important issue for the tenants' cause that has arisen'. He gives his views on how the case may be prosecuted. He also refers to his recent well-known ill health. 3pp
U4a/4 Letter from Butt to Byrne, 'Tuesday evening' [undated], stating that there is a difficulty about his attending the parliamentary committee meeting on 6 August, as he thinks the session [of parliament] will have ended by then. He intends to move a resolution 'reviewing the issue of business during the session'. He is critical of the committee, asserting 'anything more unfair than the attempt made by some of them to throw on me the blame of the delay occasioned entirely by themselves I could not well conceive'. He asks if Byrne has read the report of his views on the motion for a commission in the press. On House of Commons Library paper. 3pp
U4a/5 Letter from Butt, Dublin, to 'My Dear Sir', 8 Nov [no year given], beginning 'I would look on your return for Mallow as a great matter for the interests of the Irish tenantry'. He admits that he is unacquainted with the constituency, and that he was consulted on behalf of another potential candidate 'on national principles'. He offers his aid 'if you see your way to standing'. Marked private. 2pp
U4a/1 Letter from Butt, London to Byrne, 4 Dec 1874, regarding the securing of Ulster and South of Ireland support for a bill on the land question. Butt explains that the last communication he received from Ulster was amendments to Butt's bill of last year sent by Mr McElvry, secretary of the Antrim Clubs. He adds 'I think it would be a great misfortune if the North and South were separated on the question', and expresses the view that 'a bill to ensure the Ulster custom and virtually extend it to the rest of Ireland would I think command a great deal of support', although he stresses the necessity of 'security of tenure to the tenant'. He privately confides that, owing to mental exhaustion, 'the management of the question must be in other hands than mine'. Marked private. 6pp
U4a/2 Letter from Butt, Dublin, to Byrne, 24 Dec 1875, thanking him for his draft bill and suggestion about demesne lands. He expresses surprise at Byrne's views on the latter. He states that he is sending a letter to the papers 'urging the formation of a general defence committee' to collect information on notices to quit and demands for increased rent. Butt family crest and motto 'Possunt quia posse videntur' at head of letter. 2pp
U4a/3 Letter from Butt, 41 North Great George's Street, Dublin, to Byrne, 25 Nov 1877, assuring him that his evidence and that of Messrs O'Flaherty and Riordan will be of 'the utmost value' in the forthcoming trial, which 'will be I think the most important issue for the tenants' cause that has arisen'. He gives his views on how the case may be prosecuted. He also refers to his recent well-known ill health. 3pp
U4a/4 Letter from Butt to Byrne, 'Tuesday evening' [undated], stating that there is a difficulty about his attending the parliamentary committee meeting on 6 August, as he thinks the session [of parliament] will have ended by then. He intends to move a resolution 'reviewing the issue of business during the session'. He is critical of the committee, asserting 'anything more unfair than the attempt made by some of them to throw on me the blame of the delay occasioned entirely by themselves I could not well conceive'. He asks if Byrne has read the report of his views on the motion for a commission in the press. On House of Commons Library paper. 3pp
U4a/5 Letter from Butt, Dublin, to 'My Dear Sir', 8 Nov [no year given], beginning 'I would look on your return for Mallow as a great matter for the interests of the Irish tenantry'. He admits that he is unacquainted with the constituency, and that he was consulted on behalf of another potential candidate 'on national principles'. He offers his aid 'if you see your way to standing'. Marked private. 2pp
Extent5 items
LanguageEnglish
AccessHard copies: Accessible to Readers by appointment. Access restrictions apply to some collections. Digital object/copy: see Download Media and/or Digital Reference
RightsLicensing information available on request by email to archivist@corkcity.ie Copyright Cork City and County Archives, Cork City Council, unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.
Levelfonds
Object categoryPersonal and family papers