If there is any story which appropriately conveys and encapsulates the irrepressible spirit and outstanding qualities of the Irish Diaspora it is the following tale of the fate of the Young Irelanders and their rebellion of 1848. The nine men in question were John Mitchell, Morris Lyene, Pat Donahue, Thomas McGee, Charles Duffy, Thomas Meagher, Richard O'Gorman, Terrence McManus and Michael Ireland.
They were charged with treason for their part in the rebellion, an offence punishable by death. Pleading their case before magistrates Thomas Meagher was ultimately, true to his word
"My Lord, this is our first offence but not our last. If you will be easy with us this once, we promise, on our word as gentlemen, to try better next time -- sure we won't be fools, and get caught."
The presiding Judge sentenced the nine men to be hung, drawn and quartered. Subsequently Queen Victoria commuted the sentence to exile on account of widespread public and political pressures. The men were shipped to Australia and to the work camps on the inhospitable terrain of Van Diemen's Land, modern day Tasmania.
Prime Minister of Australia
Over a quarter of a century later in 1874, Queen Victoria learned that one Sir Charles Duffy, the elected Prime Minister of Australia, was in fact the very same man whom she had exiled twenty five years previously. Upon further examination of the records of the men convicted alongside Duffy, it was established that his was not the only startling biography.
Governor of Montana
Thomas Francis Meagher had become Governor of the State of Montana, United States of America. Patrick Donahue and Terrence McManus were both Brigadier Generals in the United States Army. Richard O'Gorman had become Governor General of Newfoundland.
Attorney General of Australia
Morris Lyene was now the Attorney General of Australia. Thomas D'Arcy McGee was a Member of Parliament, Montreal, Minister of Agriculture and President of Council Dominion of Canada.
Mayor of New York
John Mitchell had become an important New York Politician and was the Father of John P. Mitchell, Mayor of New York.
This remarkable story has become part of the United States Congressional Record in Washington, D.C. and is held as a fine example of the excellence of the Irish in exile and it is also a reminder of the importance of what is termed today as' personal history' and the fact that this can, in the fullness of time, become history itself.
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