“Heartily approving of the course you have taken in refusing to devote to the concerns of another people any of the time which your own constituents and countrymen feel to be of so much value to them, we, your brethren of the ’82 Club, take this occasion of recording our increased confidence in, and esteem for you, personally and politically, and our determination to sustain and stand by you in asserting the right of Ireland to the undistracted labours of our own representatives in Parliament.

“We, sir, like yourself, have long since ’abandoned for ever all hope of obtaining wise and beneficial legislation for Ireland from the Imperial Parliament’; nor would such legislation, even if attainable, satisfy our aspirations.  We are confederated together in the ’82 Club upon the plain ground that no body of men ought to have power to make laws binding this kingdom, save the Monarch, Lords, and Commons of Ireland.  From that principle we shall never depart, and with God’s help it shall soon find recognition by a parliament of our own.

“Upon the mode in which the House of Commons has thought fit to exercise the privilege it asserts in the present instance—­upon the personal discourtesy which has marked all the late proceedings in your regard, we shall make but one comment, that every insult to you is felt as an insult to us and to the people of Ireland.

“It would be idle and out of place to offer condolence to you, confined in an English prison for such an offence.  We congratulate you that you have made yourself the champion of your country’s rights, and submitted to ignominy for a cause which you and we know shall one day triumph.

    “(Signed)

    “COLMAN M. O’LOGHLEN, Vice-President, Chairman.

    “May 9th, 1846.”

    “BROTHERS OF THE ’82 CLUB.—­I receive this address with pride
    and satisfaction.

“I recognise in the ’82 Club a brotherhood of patriots, who have volunteered to take the foremost place in contending for the liberties of Ireland, and who may vie, in regard of ability, integrity and sincerity of purpose, with any political association, consisting of equal numbers, which has ever been united in voluntary confederation.

    “The unqualified approval accorded to my conduct by such a body
    justifies me in entertaining a sentiment of honourable pride,
    which I am not ashamed to avow.

    “Nor shall I attempt to disguise the satisfaction with which I
    receive this address.

“If you had approached me with language of condolence, I could scarcely have dissembled my grief and disappointment; but you have justly felt that such language would be unsuited to the occasion, and unworthy both of yourselves and of me.

“On the contrary, you congratulate me upon being subjected to reproach and indignity