IRISHMEN IN AMERICA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 221, 18 September 1930, Page 24

IRISHMEN IN AMERICA.

PROMINENT IN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE.

"The dominant forces in fathering the American, revolt were English and Dutch colonists; other races were a negligible quantity." Charles Lawrin, in the "Star," September 4. By the I wa3 prompted to write the following: The important arid'heroic paTt taken by Ireland at home and in the American colonies in the great achievement of American Independence is, strange to say, almost entirely omitt,ed from American histories. No country has contributed more to the success of American greatness than Ireland. It is freely admitted that Spain, France, Great Britain, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Poland, Italy and other Europe?*! countries have, at various times, contributed their quotas. - But abundant early records prove that the Irish race has been, even in colonial days, and afterwards, one of the most important factors in the birth and growth of the American Republic. With the exception of the early Spanish, French, English and Dutch explorers, the Irish were among the first to establish large colonies in every one of the original thirteen colonies. .Benjamin Franklin, as diplomatic agent for the United Colonies, visited Ireland in. 1769 and 1771. His object was to enlist the active co-operation of the Irish Parliament and people with the colonies in their intended fight for freedom. Ho was cordially welcomed by the Irish Parliament and people. Throughout tho revolution Ireland aided the colonies with large supplies of provisions, powder and warlike stores for . Washington's army. Lord George Germain, Lord Cornwallis, Major-General Grey, MajorGeneral" Anderson and others, before a Parliamentary inquiry in the British House, of Commons, said: "One half of the rebel army was Irish, and only onefourth natives of America, and the other fourth English and Scotch." No soldiers in the revolutionary war can compare with tho Pennsylvania Line, known as the "Line of Ireland," "who served everywhere and surrendered nowhere," Colonel Proctor's Irish Artillery, Stephen Moylan's dragoons, Colonel John Allan's "Irish volunteers," termed the "Irish Line of Virginia," or Marion's "South Caroline Brigade." On the sea Commodore Jack Barry, termed the father of the American Navy, struck hard and often. Sidney Geo. Fisher, in his "Tru<: History of the American Revolution," page 234, writing of the English colonists, said: "Even up to one hundred thousand of them left with Sir Guy Carleton, when he evacuated New York." Governor Thomas Hutchinson, in his "Diary and Letters," March 2, 1776, page 256, states: "The refugees from America, scared from their ruined homes, had taken flight across the Atlantic." General Washington, impressed with the valour of his Irish troops, issued an order for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and appointed General Sullivan "Brigadier of the; Day." Pitt, in "the House of Commons, in 1775, declared: "Ireland they haVe to a man." Nine of the signers of the. Declaration of Independence were native-born Irishmen or of Irish descent. General Lee, writing to Ed. Pendleton, Congress member, said: "I do not believe that many of the native Virginians will offer themselves; the Irish, I am persuaded, will enlist in crowds." ■ George Washington Park Curtis, the adopted son of Washington, wrote: "The aid wo received from the Irish in the struggle for independence was essential to our ultimate success. In the War of Independence Ireland furnished one hundred men for every single man furnished by any other nation. Let America bear eternal gratitude to Irishmen." M. J. SHEAHAN.