in this narrative, but to prove that my objections to the dissolution of the Confederation, and my feeling that it was a fatal step, are not of recent growth, or founded on ex-post facto opinions.  I feel bound to add, however, that I stood alone, or almost alone, as far as I have been able to hear.  I dismiss the subject now, anxious to claim no praise, and ready to submit to the blame that may attach to my course, such as it was.  I am only desirous, that in whatever memory of me my country may preserve, the truth alone should determine the public estimation of my conduct and character.

The League met, resolutions were adopted, and speeches made that meant nothing.  New men came together, looked each other in the face, and turned away as if at the heart of each there was something with which he could not trust the other.  There was a short, feeble and false flourish, and no more.  Those who augured so sanguinely for its action and effect were disappointed.  But they shamed openly to relinquish a project for sake of which they had made such sacrifices.  By degrees, however, they sought to rekindle the embers of that fire which with thoughtless hand they aided to extinguish.  The Government availing themselves of the inactivity that prevailed, and acting on the information they received, resolved to strike a second blow.  Charles Duffy was arrested for an article which the Castle Organ branded as shrinking and cowardly, and which evidently lacked the burning spirit of the time.  Immediately the clubs, which continued a precarious and unintelligible existence, came together and elected a directory of five from among their own members.  This directory consisted of Messrs. Dillon, Meagher, O’Gorman, Reilly, and M’Gee.  What their exact duty was does not sufficiently appear.  But I believe the fact to be that they never took counsel together.

Mr. Meagher and Mr. O’Gorman left town immediately.  About that time I was actively engaged in Tipperary.  On the same day and hour Mr. Meagher was arrested in Waterford and I in Cashel.  An attempt was made to rescue both of us, and by us both the effort was checked.  I knew nothing of what had occurred.  I had been acting since the formation of the League on my own judgment and responsibility.  Independent of the fact that the harvest was yet remote, and that we were tacitly pledged to await its coming, my experience for the previous month satisfied me that the people were far from being prepared; and I could not allow any personal considerations to influence the country at such a crisis.  Mr. Meagher was governed by similar motives.  It might have been better had we acted otherwise, but with our then convictions, the least risk on our own account would have been selfish and criminal; and rather than be guilty of it we yielded to our fate.  At the time each of us thought the charge against him was at least felony.  It turned out otherwise, and though the magistrates who arrested and committed us refused to entertain