James Ormond, New York, informant to Viscount Canterbury, Mildenhall

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Document ID 9410220
Date 07-08-1842
Document Type Letters (Emigrants)
Archive Public Record Office, Northern Ireland
Citation James Ormond, New York, informant to Viscount Canterbury, Mildenhall; PRONI T3069/; CMSIED 9410220
20794
My Lord,                       New York, August 7th 1842
             By the last arrival from Europe, I perceive
that Mr. Steele intends to visit the United States, ostensibly on the
invitation of the Young Mens Repeal Committee of the City of New York,
but in reality to purchase or negotiate for arms and ammunition for
the Repealers in Ireland. - Your lordship may rest assured that if
Steel comes here, he comes for some efficient purpose, and not the
idle one of making a few speeches. - Mooney's mission has been effective
 - he has been precursor to Steel.- My informant, who is a Repealer here,
states, The Irish, in future, will not be compelled  to fight with pikes
as formerly for they can obtain all the munitions of war requisite from France
and the U.[United?] States. - He also states, that it was intended to lull
the government into a false security, by applying (apparently) the
funds of the Repealers, to the support of Irish manufactures
but actually to be applied to the arming of the people; and
also, that the whole country was regimented, although they
have never met in a body, not even as companies, so as
to prevent alarm, nor will they until the general rising takes place.
How far all this is worthy of credence, you are as competent to judge
as I am - all that I know is, that my informant believes what
he has told me to be strictly true.
   That vessels may take in a cargo of Cannon from Westpoint
Foundry; on the Hudson river; of Small Arms from Springfield,
Conneiticut river; or from Harpers Ferry, Virginia,
or Ammunition from New York, without the knowledge
of this government, is certain.- The small ports on so extensive a
coast, are so numerous, that no hope can be enertained of obtaining any
knowledge of the loading or sailing of such vessels, for it may be
taken as granted, that if any are sent from this Country, for such purposes,
that it will be done with the utmost secrecy, - In such case therefore
your only dependence can be on the watchfulness of your own
Cruisers, and if their vigilance should be evaded, on your internal
Police.
       It has occurred to me that your lordship is unwilling to notice
any of my communications, however useful, on account of my having
formerly advocated Catholic Emancipation.- I thought at that
period, like many men wiser than myself, that the Catholics
only sought equality of rights, whereas I am now convinced
that they seek both religious and political ascendancy, as well
as an entire overthrow of the Government and a restoration
of all the forfeited property, all of which I heartily
repudiate at the present time. - No men in Tullamore
knew my principles better than Christ. [Christopher?] Wood, and Edwd. [Edward?]
Warren, of Parsonstown, I refer your lordship to them
if you should think it necessary


                          I remain your lordship's
                            Most obedient Servant.
                                         James Ormond,
                                         155 Nott street

P.S. I request your lordship's attention to the article
in the Newspaper I send you about Steel, and especially
to that part of the paragraph interlined, "when the hour comes,"
the question here arises, do the Repealers think the hour has come,
or nearly so, and Steele is sent to accelerate it.

[Addressed]         The Viscount Canterbury
                          Barton Place
                            Mildenhall