Michael Hart to Frederick Dawson, February 16, 1882
Mr. Hart to Mr. Dawson.
Sir: I received your letter of the 14th instant, together with my certificate and copy of letter for his excellency, and you want to know is there any special or peculiar hardship in my case. Well, I maintain that my conduct was always peaceable and in accordance with the laws of the country, and I think no greater hardship could be done to me than to ram me into prison without showing cause for same. Because a certain man in my neighborhood did not get as much rent-money as formerly, he satisfies himself by taking my liberty away and sending me to goal.
I think Mr. Lowell mistakes when he says I can’t be an Irishman and: American at the same time. I never pretended to be an American, and I am not ashamed to be born in Ireland. I do think the main cause of the majority of suspects is for taking part or being members of an association called the Land League, which was proclaimed illegal here some time ago, and I want Mr. Lowell distinctly to understand that I never became a member of that assiociation, neither did I ever contribute one penny towards it, and until it is proved in some shape or form that I at any time did do any act contrary to the law of the country I am living in, I will maintain that a greater injustice was never done to any man.
If Mr. Lowell thinks he has no right to intervene in my case he is at his own option to do so. As far as my humble opinion is, the charge laid against me in warrant is not a charge punishable by the law of his country. When the constitution was suspended here in Ireland, I was not surprised to get an order from Dublin Castle, for I knew perfectly well some of the landlord class in this country have a terrible hatred towards America, or any one who had ever been there, and I had no alternative but to sacrifice my expenditure and business, and clear out to America or be at their mercy, and I choose the latter rather than show cowardice, and am prepared to sacrifice my prospects and health in preference to my principles. I am, sir, your obedient servant,