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44, Parnell Square, DUBLIN 27th. July, 1916. The Rt. Hon. H.H. Asquith M.P.
Prime Minister. Sir, In continuation of our letters of the 21, 24, 25, & 26th,
inst
enclosing forms of petitiion signed by
15 Bishops & Archbishops
26 M. Ps. & 119 others
we now enclose in addition
2 Bishops - M.Ps. & 32 others
Total 17 Bishops &
Archbishops 26 M.Ps. & 151 others You may see that only men of character and position
and learning have been asked to sign. A popular agitation or
appeal as been studiously avoided in the present state of Ireland. These signatures
have been hurriedly collected in the
last few days; others are coming in daily, and will be sent later,
It was not thought proper to begin a petition until the legal case was decided. We have the honour to be,
Your obedient servants,
Hon. Secretaries .
Committee:-
The Lord ffrench
The Lord Ashbourne
Rt. Rev. Mons. Ryan P.P.
Rev. Matthew Maguire P.P.
Dr. Hyde LL.D. Professor Nat. University
Col Maurice Moore C.B.
Lorcan Sherlock Esq. Late Lord Mayor Dublin
F.J. Allen Esq
Mrs Hutton Writer
Mrs. O'Nolan
Miss O'Farrelly M.A Professor Nat. University
Miss Young Queen's Co.
This is a covering letter from the Casement Relief Petition sent to Herbert Henry
Asquith (1852-1928), British prime minister, from the Casement Relief Petition Committee.
They are sending 46 signatures to be included with the petitions they have already
sent by the same post. But, because these people are not 'people of note' they are
to be understood as a different category. Sir Roger Casement (1864-1916) had been
arrested at Banna Strand, County Kerry on the eve of the Easter Rising. Though Casement
had not been intimately involved in the planning of the Easter Rising and had travelled
to Ireland from Germany to try and prevent it taking place, believing it should not
happen without sufficient German support, he had been sentenced to sentenced to death
for treason. The names of the relief committee, who were campaigning for a reprieve,
are listed in full.