29
800Years IrishPolitical, Literary&MilitaryHistory - 15thApril2014
77
DAVITT,Michael.
An important letter to Gilbert Redgrave, Esq., Secretary, Royal Com-
missiononTechnical Instruction,datedatMartelloCottage,Ballybrack,
October 23rd, 1883, inwhich he discusses theminutes of his evidence,
corrected, and requestingaproof: “The subject of FemaleEducationhas
recentlyassumedsuchprominence in Ireland that Ihaveaddedsomeob-
servations thereon”.Twopagesoctavo, folded.Withararephotographof
Davitt byWilliamLawrenceofDublin - standing, holdinghis hat inhis
left hand, circa1900. 11x18cm. Framed. (2)
€350 - 450
78
DAVITT,Michael.
An important letter to aMr.Walker, dated onArundel Hotel, London.
Embossed paper, Feb. 2. [18]93. In which he discusses his poor health
meetingwith hismedical consultant in London. On the political front:
“Ihavebeencompelledby the influenceof thewhole IrishParty to stand
forN.E.Cork.Therewill benocontest, Ibelieve ... Iamdoubtless foolish
in this consenting, against my own and judgement”. He also discuss-
es the financial position in the wake of his bankruptcy over theMeath
Electionpetition. Four pages octavo.
Michael Davitt had many times declined a seat in parliament, but he
now yielded to the urgencies andneeds of the anti-Parnellite party, and
in the endof 1891 contestedWaterfordCity againstMr. JohnRedmond,
the leader of the Parnellites after Parnell’s death. Defeated here, hewas
elected forNorthMeathat thegeneral electionof 1892, andwasprompt-
ly unseated on petition, owing to the use in his favour of clerical influ-
enceswhichhehaddonehisbest to stop. Thepriestswhose conduct had
led to the petitionmadeno attempt to save him from the consequences,
andDavitt becamebankrupt.
InOctober 1894Davitt applied for a certificate of discharge frombank-
ruptcy, but the applicationwas refused.Davitt hadbeen adjudgedbank-
rupt inMay, in consequence of not having satisfied a claim for costs in
connectionwith theNorthMeathelectionpetition,whichresulted inhis
beingunseated for that constituency. TheCourt ofAppeal annulled the
bankruptcyon the applicationofDavitt.
€350 - 450
79
[DAVITT,Michael]
Fine largemonochrome portrait ofMichael Davitt, founder of the
LandLeague. Framed. 42x55cm.
€500 - 600
Lot78
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