To John Tyndall, Snr   Nov. 17th, 1843

11 Butler Street, Preston | Nov. 17th, 1843.

My dear Father

This Morning’s post brought me your letter together with the Dean’s¹ valuable testimonial. So you have been unsuccessful with the Colonel,² disapproval knocks on the head my contemplated interview with Sir Robert.³ The reception which the Memorial⁴ met annoys me not a little, the Colonel is sorry that so much talent should be misapplied. How has it been misapplied? Is it in the object sought or the means used towards its attainment? Was the former unworthy or the latter illegitimate? The statements contained in the Memorial are undeniable truths, the feelings recorded there are not of recent birth, they had an existence long prior to the order which called them openly forth. So the Colonel deems me the tool of some designing villain – some priest or papist in disguise – I feel assured that the Memorial per se has no connexion with this or that creed, but he may think that the object of my prompter was to injure me, to blast my reputation on account of my religion. On this point I can say that I had no prompter and therefore could not be a tool. My way was clear before me, my conduct was the result of an unwavering conviction induced by circumstances unknown to you – a conviction common to many honest, protestant hearts, and which remains to the present moment unimpaired. You tell me that my friends regret that I had anything to do in this matter. There are gentlemen in the County Carlow whose exertions to serve me shall ever be remembered with gratitude, and I am grieved to find that my conduct has not met with their approval. I feel assured however that were they acquainted with the circumstances which led to our proceedings my behaviour would furnish nothing calculated to injure me in their estimation. You write as if we were in open rebellion against our Superintendents.⁵ This is not the case. We have never relaxed our assiduity at our various duties; we have never set authority at defiance; we have always evinced the greatest respect and submission for those above us; our proceedings were carried on in our own time and in a quiet, orderly manner. Capt Tucker himself expressed his approbation of the straightforward way in which we acted. You may consider this inconsistent with his late conduct. A moment will explain it. He wishes the Ordnance Surveyor to be a mere machine, the murmur of discontent strikes harshly upon his ear, and he has struck us down lest the feeling we have evinced should become general and limit his power. The Survey however is diseased, and Capt Tucker’s present act is merely an application for a local symptom. It may arrest the progress of the malady, but as it does not remove the primary cause it will eventually prove ineffectual. Discontent will dwell on the Survey until Capt Tucker changes his system, or makes mere animal instinct supersede the rational faculties of those employed on it. You advise the men to submit, submission is vain. Their doom is sealed. However, the principle which guided them is too honest to be forsaken now. If similarly circumstanced they would act the same part over again. Many of them have already obtained situations, the emoluments⁶ of which will be double that of the situation they are about to leave. You tell me ‘to submit and return to my work if my crime be at all pardonable’⁷ – my crime! – have I then been guilty of a crime? And a crime the pardon of which is doubtful? Yes, you stung me there – do you believe that my conduct has been criminal? Nothing but the testimony of a good conscience could cheer me under this accusation. I have that testimony, and sooner than barter it to win the smile of a worthless man I would resign the drawing pen for the spade, and live on potatoes and salt. The result of what I have done may afford grounds for saying that my talent has been misapplied, but from no other premises can this conclusion be drawn. The motives which actuated me were worthy. The cause which I espoused was worthy and the course which I adopted was open, manly and respectful. We had no notion whatever to bring the matter before the House of Commons; to the Master General⁸ our first and last appeal was made.

I start for London on Monday or Tuesday. Not to see the Premier⁹ but to seek employment. The fare from this is two pounds. I will be enabled to go by means of a fund which we established among us six months ago. Were it not for this I’m not master of five shillings after spending five years on the Survey.

A letter of introduction from Mr Alexander to the Engineer to whom his brother is bound¹⁰ would be of the greatest service or even his address. Try and get this. Direct it here as usual. It will be forwarded to me. Despatch is necessary.

This day I saw an advertisement in the Mercury¹¹ stating that a Clerk was wanted to assist in receiving money and keeping books at the Treasury office Ph of Liverpool¹² – Salary £120 per annum. Testimonials as to the character will be required and security by one or sureties in the sum of £500. I have just posted a letter making application for the Clerkship. When I was in Kinsale¹³ you sent me word that the Dean would be my surety for this sum. Since that time my integrity has not been diminished. I would fain hope the same of the Dean’s kindness. Will he be my surety now if my services be accepted?

I would defer going to London until the result of my application would be known, but if I remain the fund will be divided so I wish to take advantage of this. I’ll receive your reply in London – direct to me here.

RI MS JT/1/TYP/10/3307-3308

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