An important moment of Irish history – The Year of the French – is captured in a archive at Bonhams Fine Books and Manuscripts auction in London on June 26. Lot 17 comprises of papers kept by George Hewett, Adjutant-General of the British Army in Ireland 1791-99 and Commander-in-Chief of Ireland, 1813-16, prior to and during the French invasion of 1798. This is the campaign for Irish independence fought by Theobald Wolfe Tone. The archive includes a printed proclamation headed ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Union’ issued by General Jean Hardy beginning: “Irishmen!/You have not forgotten Bantry bay! you know the effects to assist you which France has already made: her affection for you, her desire to avenge your wrongs and assure your independence remain the same…” There are speeches by Bartholomew Teeling and Wolfe Tone’s speech from the dock. The archive is estimated at £10,000-15,000.
