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The History Sale 2015
www.adams.ie653
SEUMAS MACMANUS & MARGARET MARY PEARSE
An interesting and poignant typescript draft letter (two copies, one with manuscript corrections) from the writer Seumas MacManus to Margaret Mary Pearse
[T.D.], sister of Padraic Pearse and proprietor of St. Enda’s School, 2 pp, from Mountcharles, Co. Tirconaill, n.d., with Ms. Pearse’s manuscript reply on Dail paper,
dated 5.5.33.
MacManus’ letter explains that since coming home to Donegal a year ago to start a national literary weekly, he has suffered ‘a recurrence of brain-fag’ (evidently
what would be called now a nervous breakdown), which prevents him working, and also he has suffered ‘a great financial loss’ of his savings invested in U.S.A.
banks and stocks. Consequently he and his family are in difficulties; his wife has taken a job, his daughter may have to leave University and seek work.
‘You know that going to start his School, poor Padraic Pearse .. came to Martyn, Sweetman, Tomás O’Concannon and myself. The two former, with piles of
money, considered they couldn’t risk any in what they considered an “impracticable” scheme. Tomás gave him all he could afford, and I, with only a very little
savings .. gave him at once, and gladly, with right heart and goodwill -- all my little store at the time. And that when he felt he should get the present property,
some time later, he came to me again, and I again gladly gave him my little store of fresh savings ..
‘During ten or twelve years all the money I was earning in America -- all I had to spare, after economic living, and helping my family in Donegal -- every penny
went to Griffith’s projects, Padraic Pearse’s, the Gaelic League’s (as An Cló Cumann in which I put €300) and other Nationalising schemes. There were only a few
of us who had money, and it was necessary for those few to give.’
MacManus says that when he was previously in hospital and in great need, Mrs. Pearse [Margaret’s mother] gave him €100 from moneys collected for the School.
He did not make any further claim on her, ‘and it is only the unlucky combination of adverse circumstances .. that now causes me to intrude my moral claims on
your notice. I just want to suggest to you - as I would have suggested to your good mother, when she was making her will - that you reach out to me in the
same spirit which I so readily reached to poor Padraic .. It is for your good self to choose whether you will get the Government (as is right and proper) to make,
on the School [when] they take over, all payments that Padraic would (and that his spirit does) desire to be made -- that or whatever other arrangement it pleases
you to make. I put the matter simply before you. To your conscience, honor, and wise judgement I leave it.’
Ms. Pearse’s reply is on Dail Eireann notepaper. ‘I know & understand all about that old debt of honour. I share in the feelings of real gratitude felt by my brother
& mother -- God rest them -- & also in their desire to pay you if, & when, possible. There is no question of the Government taking over the school. It is mine &
mine only whilst I live. I may not be able to continue -- God alone knows that -- but I will either close or keep complete control. The Government may give me a
little help, but under present circumstances I cannot hope for it nor will I press it.’
Ms. Pearse asks MacManus to let her know how much the debt now is, and says she will do her utmost to pay him. ‘It will be slow, but I’ll do my best. I got the
school in heavy debt & have cleared off about half of it. Please God I’ll clear all.’
(2)
€400 - €600
Lot 653