Beschreibung:

Peace, Tranquility, & Prosperity of Ireland [Charlemont, Lord] A collection of 23 Autographed Letters signed and 2 Addresses from James Caulfield, First Earl of Charlemont to Thomas Prentice of Ennislare, Lieutenant in the First Armagh Company of Volunteers, covering a ten year period from February 1787 to August 1797. All written in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Volunteer Army in Ireland in a very neat forward-slanting hand. Quarto, mostly written on two sides, some folded. Professional paper repairs, with occasional miniscule loss. Bound in a large quarto album with each letter tipped in and mostly chronological order. Also included is a letter dated 1866 from Henry Prentice of Caledon detailing the contents (laid on front paste down); and a note by Sir Graham Balfour, dated 1922, (great grand nephew of Thomas Prentice), detailing provenance by descent. In excellent condition. A unique collection of the utmost historical importance, hitherto unknown. James Caulfield (1729 - 99), was born in Dublin, but the family estates were in the counties of Tyrone and Armagh. Due to his delicate disposition he was educated at home, where from an early age he exhibited those strong literary and artistic tastes that remained with him throughout his life. From 1746 to 1754 he went on the 'Grand Tour.' He formed a life-long friendship with the historian David Huane when visiting Turin. In France he visited the philosopher Montesquieu. In June 1754 he returned to Ireland, in this twenty-sixth year endowed with the most refined intellectual tastes and a greater love for his native land. A great liberal, he was on terms of intimacy with Burke, Johnson, Hume, Goldsmith, Beauelere, Reynolds and Hogarth. When France allied herself with the American States against Great Britain in 1778, an invasion of Ireland as feared, this gave rise to the volunteer movement, which was spontaneous and patriotic. In July 1780 Lord Charlemont was chosen Commander-in-Chief of the Volunteers, a position he held during the whole period of their embodiment. The famous resolutions passed at the Dungannon meeting of 15th February 1782, are said to have been drawn up at this house, and with his approval. These letters cover the most tumultuous period in the history of County Armagh. Prentice was a frequent correspondent over a ten year period and he kept the Earl informed of the state of the county. The 'Peep-of-Day Boys' association was already widespread in Ulster at the commencement of these letters. No one but members of the Established Church were enrolled in its ranks, and it avowed hostility towards the Presbyterian's and the Catholics. Its attacks, however, were wholly directed against the later. Catholics were prospering in the weaving, in the silk and poplin trades. This stirred up the animosity of the Protestant Ascendancy. The special pretext of the 'Peep-of-Boys' was to search for arms in the houses of their Catholic neighbours, which gave rise to a counter society, under the name of 'Defenders'. Charlemont's first letter to prentice is dated 12th February 1787 and in it he acknowledges with delight the proceedings of his company of Volunteers and his disappointment with the Lurgan Company whom he hoped ''had, pursuant to your invitation, joined with you in your Resolution, and had determined to pursue the same laudable line of conduct - such a Union would certainly be important, and I trust it will yet take place.'' In the second letter he refers to the disturbances in the county and refers to his address which ''if you and Campbell judge that it would be in any degree useful. I should wish to be copied, and given to the commanding officers of whatever new corps have been, or shall hereafter be, raised in our county.'' In the address be states: ''Whereas the County of Armagh tho' now, I trust well recovered from her late dangerous and shameful disorders, must however still be, (as in the case with all convalescent Bodies). In a situation delicate an