The Sun.
London, England, 1839-03-11 00:00:00

IRELAND.

The Dublin Register publishes the following letter from
Mr. O'Connell:--

London, 7th March, 1839.
My dear Ray—l am exceedingly afflicted at being com-
pelled to forego for another fortnight my journey to Dublin ;
but the ninthly in the Tory camp threatening an opposition to
the Corporate Reform Bill, detains me here. The second
reading of the Bill comes on to-morrow, and in all proba-
bility the Committee on Monday, to continue daily, so as
to get the Bill through the Commons before Easter. It is
believed that the Bill will pass this year—but I wauld -not
advise the Irish people to put any faith in the British Par-
liament ; the enemies of Ireland are not confined to any
one party, Whigs, 'Furies, or Radicals—may, I really think
that those who have the strongest antipathies to Ireland, and
tr, the Irish people, are to he found amongst the Radical
R f xlm IS in the House of Commons. The Tories hate
us, as part of the principle of their party, but the Radicals
appear to me to have a species of individual acrimony to
our unfortunate country—and it should not be forgotten
that when the popular party in England usurped all the
powers of the State, they were the most virulently sanguinary
of the exterminators of the Irish people—the English
people having seized on all the authority of the State, de-
lighted in exterminating the Irish people. There mani-
festly is a portion of this spirit still alive, and not altogether
concealed, although it has the modesty, or rather the timi-
dity, to seek to disguise itself under various pretexts.
How powerfully is this spirit illustrated by the two re-
cent divisions. The first on my motion to equalise the
franchises of the Irish people with those of the English—a
motion of the clearest, plainest justice—a motion to render
the Repeal impossible, because unnecessary, at least as to
one most important point, a point which, if now conceded,
would give us the means of stopping all agitation for the
Repeal. 'lt was for the present insultingly rejected-1
venture to prophesy it will yet be offered, when it will be
too late.

I have now to announce that the Tories and Radicals
ha,c determined that we shall basic no railways in Ire-
land. Private speculation will - Lever give us rail-
roads ; at least whilst the emaciating Union continues,
it is impossible that railroads in Ireland should be
completed by private capital. The reason is obvious—
ihe Railway Report shows that the probable profit
of any railway in Ireland will net :exceed from four
to four and a half per cent. on the capital necessary
to b expended. Of course no private speculator will
advance money on the chance of such a return, especially
as private companies will have to lay out enormous sums in
purchasing the good will of landlords, and very large sums
in Parliamentary and law costs. In fact, it is quite mani-
fest that we are condemned, by Tory and Radical hostility,
to do without railroads, until an Act passes in College-
green for their creation. I presume the Government
scheme will be abandoned as hopeless.
Indeed I pity the Irishman who supposes that there is
any hope for his country, save in the Repeal.
My plan is this :
First—l will publish an appeal to the people of Ireland
in a " Hereditary Bondsmen" letter to the Pilot of
Monday. I will show them what little reliance they can
place in British statesmen.
Secondly—l request an adjournment for a fortnight of
the Precursor Society—that is, from Monday, the Ilth, to
Monday the 25th. On the ►atter day I will, please God,
attend, and remain in Dublin organising the popular party
for a fortnight, as the Easter recess will, as usual, continue
until after Low Sunday.
Thirdly—l Kill, in the first week, after the recess, bring
on the subject of an equalisation of the Parliamentary
franchises between England and Ireland, and again divide
the House upon that question.
Fourthly—l will try the same measure in substance,
but different in form, so as to meet Parliamentary usages,
in the month of May.
Fifthly—Being defeated in these attempts, I will then
submit to the Precursor Society the necessity of either
dissolving, or mAino• way for the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
fur the REPEAL of the UNION.

This last plan must be carefully digested in order to
make as many friends, and as few enemies as possible, I
mean, of course, in Ireland. But if I stand alone, I will
then commence the REPEAL AGITATION, and,never abandon
it, save in success, or in my grave.

It s my conscientious conviction, that I oae it as a duty
to Ireland, and to that God who will judge my actions and
my motives at his judgment seat, to struggle for the resto-
ration of the frisk Parliament, and to commence that
struggle the moment the present Session of Parliament
has passed away, without producing any substantial benefit
to our unhappy country.
In the meantime let us work as Precursors—augment
by all legitimate means the number of Precursors—call on
every COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, and PARISH to enrol themselves
as Precursors. Let the Irish people show no apathy—no

udifference. Send in as many PETITIONS as possible. In
,hurt, agitate during this Session fur measures of equaliza-
tion and identification. In future our agitation shall be
for the Repeal.
Believe me to be very truly yours,
DANIEL O'CONNELL.
T. M. Ray, Secretary, Precursor Society.