One of only three known copies in private hands of Robert Emmet’s inspirational 1803 Proclamation comes up at Whyte’s Eclectic Collector sale on May 21 with an estimate of €50,000-€70,000. No other example has ever been offered for sale. Neither the National Museum nor the National Library possess a copy. Emmet’s request to read his proclamation in court was rejected but he did manage to include parts of it in his speech from the dock. It calls on the Irish to claim their independence and specifies that we war against no religious sect. The line “we will put no man to death in cold blood, the prisoners which first fall into our hands shall be treated with respect” predates the first Geneva Convention by 60 years. After the Rebellion he was found guilty of treason. Robert Emmet was hung, drawn and quartered at Thomas St. in Dublin, one of the last prisoners to be subjected to this barbaric form of execution.
