Letter from John McLoughlin to Robert Chalmers, 18 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 John McLoughlin

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This is a letter from John McLoughlin (1864-1944) to Robert Chalmers (1858-1938), the under-secretary to Ireland. Robert Chalmers assumed the role in 1916 for a brief period following the resignation of Matthew Nathan (1862-1939), after accepting political failure during the 1916 Easter Rising. The letter concerns McLoughlin's son, Cornelius Fredrick McLoughlin (1897-1939), Irish volunteer who was interned following the Easter Rising. McLoughlin states that he son moved in with his aunt Minnie Heffernan (d. 1944), going on to state that he wishes for his son to be dealt with firmly. The letter then states that McLoughlin attempted to convince his son to join the British army but failed. The letter also discusses Cornelius' attempt to go to America. McLoughlin states that he does not know how his son came to know the 'evil company' of 'Sinn Fein', and that he has no sympathy for his son. In the closing lines McLoughlin states that people should be united due to the war, also requesting that his son does not find out about the letter.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/5611/8501/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/331 English John McLoughlin 1916-05-18 Maryville, Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland Robert Chalmers The Under Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland Male Easter Rising Ireland 1916

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 Maryville Tullow, Co. Carlow 18th May 1916 The Under Secretary Dublin Castle Sir, I have just heard that my son Cornelius F McLoughlin, who is aged 18 years and 10 months, has been arrested in connection with this Sinn Fein insurrection, at the residence of his aunt (Miss Minnie Heffernan) at Glenmore, Waterford where he resided for the past five months, and has been deported to some part of England. If this boy has by overt act or otherwise done anything to merit punishment I trust the authorities will deal with him in a firm manner. I spent a considerable sum of money in the bringing up and education of this boy, up to the summer examinations of last year, where he com- pleted his Intermediate course. As he was young, able, active, clever and physically fit, and in my opinion eminently suitable for His Majesty's forces, I did my utmost during the autumn of last year to induce him to join the O.T.C or other branch of the regular forces but failed. As he had no taste for soldiering and as he expressed a wish to go seek his fortune in America and join friends who are out there, and so I had no employment for him here. I con- sented to his wish. It was just then that the stampede of young men took place which caused the Government to prevent the departure of passengers unless provided with passports. He filed papers with the view of getting one, and as he saw there were some obstacles put in the way, he allowed the matter drop and changed his mind. As he was not willing to join the army or go to America and so I had no business for him, he went to his aunt's at Glenmore. While under my charge he never mixed with any evil companions, what evil company he met with since he left me I do not know. How or when he became connected with this Sein Finn business, if he has been so connected, I have no knowledge. I need hardly say I have no sympathy for him in his present miserable predicament, and that is my reason for saying that I trust he may be fittingly punished if there is any evidence of guilt brought home to him, as I do not believe in making heroes of young fellows by arrest and discharge without adequate punish- ment, which would be a lessen to them in the future. As I look upon this attempted insurrection as the greatest curse that could befall this unhappy land when everyone should be united in the midst of this awful war to combat and beat the enemy. I am compelled by a strong sense of duty to write this letter. I am a ex Sargeant of the R.I.C. and had the honour of serving my King and Country for 30 years. This is confidential and the contents are not to be shown or made known to the boy as it might cause him to have an ill feeling against me afterward. I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant, J McLoughlin The Under Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, Dublin, Ireland Letter from John McLoughlin to Robert Chalmers, 18 May 1916Letter from M.C. Macinerney to the Under Secretary of Ireland, 30 June 1916Letter from W.G. Wakley to Robert Chalmers, 19 July 1916Letter to W.G. Wakely, 21 July 1916 Maryville, Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland Letter from John McLoughlin to Robert Chalmers, 18 May 1916 John McLoughlin Letter from John McLoughlin to Robert Chalmers, 18 May 1916