From Martin Cuddy   Oct. 31st 1843

Oct. 31st 1843¹

Dear Dear Tyndall

With fond pleasure I heard from my friend Holmes that you were well – and wished to receive a letter from me. Now what put such a thought into your head. If you had any yearning towards me why not write me, as well as I you – I was thinking not to write you but when the light of days that’s past flash’d across my vacant mind and laid bare to my view the many boxing bouts we enjoyed together, this and this alone was enough to kindle a dying flame, and rouse my dormant faculties – in the fond hopes of receiving a few lines from Snooks.² – Well what do you think of late agitation I dare not say ours, true there was a few that would ‘brave the lion in its den’, but treason flourished around in all its appalling forms – slaves crouch’d beneath the tyrannizing and fiendish gaze of a beggarly Sapper,³ Now for Repeal⁴ – ‘I speak not of men’s creeds – they rest between Man and his maker – but of things allowed Averred and known – and daily, hourly seen.

‘The yoke that is upon us doubly bow’d

And the intent of a tyranny avow’d’⁵ –

Well Tyndall are you a repealer?⁶ I would say not, but perhaps I do you an injustice, by my supposition – I hope I do – ‘Tis my opinion that every Irishman should be one, ‘tis a fact that no sophistry can get over that our country is a land of slaves, by English oppression, are we not looked upon by bigbellied Bulls⁷ with every sort of contempt? But I sincerely hope that the grovelling sway of our taskmasters will soon be abolished, and forever crushed. Even now the voices of raised up millions is shouting Liberty Liberty. Away with the hydra headed monster that still would eat up our country’s remaining wealth, by striving to bring to punishment the <1 word excised>⁸ of the day.

I could say much upon the above subject – but I will defer it till I hear your judgement, I shall conclude this radical epistle with a few verses of mine own – mad brain’s concocting – and hoping they may meet the approbation of so very able a critic as Snooks – –

Oh! Erin,⁹ My Country awake from thy slumber

The trumpet of Liberty re-echoes the land

Shake off the vile shackles that does thee encumber

And crush’d thee for years, with a death dealing hand

Arise then brave Erin of freedom benighted

And hail the lov’d morning of liberty’s dawn

Remember the curse by which you are blighted

Arise – then and vanquish the Tiger and fawn

Men of Erin unite, round the common cause rally.

Let your voices go forth on the wings of the wind.

Let repeal be the word through mountain and valley.

And starvation to the demon that would us dare bind.

So long you have suffr’d by demon oppressors

And your country laid desolate by the fire and sword

But vengeance ere long will o’ertake the oppressor

For heaven and justice their aid will afford.

The Sun – Its brilliant beam on Tara¹⁰ is shedding

The spirits of our forefathers look smilingly on

And the music that once enlivened that dwelling

Will burst with fresh ardour when our freedom is won.

I have not taken any pains in the writing of the above – when you answer this I will send you other verses, but in a different strain. I would have written to Jim¹¹ long since – but me behaving so badly towards him I could not bring myself to do it – but I will write him yet – what could I do I know not it not being in my power to act otherwise. No doubt he deems me a villain, surely my finances are villainous – but my heart’s not. What about the fair ones you once were the delight of the ladies, are you not so yet – you shall have a love ditty in my next – I am almost devoured by the flame.

Farewell my dear Tyndall

Yours Cuddy.

N.B. Direct: | Richmond Place | Pendleton | Manchester

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