Archives Highlights: Robert Emmet’s Final Speech, Broadside
In late July of 1803, Irish nationalist Robert Emmet led the United Irishmen in an unsuccessful revolt against British colonial rule. Two months later, on September 20 1803, Emmet was put to death for High Treason.
Receiving the customary punishment for such a crime, Emmet was hung, drawn and quartered. He was 25 years old.
Facing this horrific sentence, Emmet took the opportunity to give a final speech ‘from the dock’, in the courtroom where he faced trial.
AIHS’ copy of Robert Emmet’s final speech, published as a broadside in 1809.
This speech was recorded and shared with the public. However, according to Martin I. J. Griffin in a clipping from The Expositor (March 5, 1910), the first version released by the British Government was “entirely spurious,” with quotations altered for the benefit of the British audience.
In an effort to vindicate Emmet as an Irish nationalist hero, rather than a defeated rebel, the first accurate version of his final speech was published by The Aurora newspaper in Philadelphia, USA, in 1804. They urged readers to compare the first speech with the “correct” one.
In 1809, to further publicise Emmet’s word, The Aurora released a broadside version - a large folio sheet with a decorative heading. Broadsides were often used to spread information further and faster, published with the intention of being framed or posted in public areas.
Above the speech is an embellished cursive title, reading ‘Patriotic Speech of Robert Emmett as delivered at the Session House Dublin before Lord Newbury’ [sic] with a detailed engraving.
This image is an early example of American engraving.
In the centre, a memorial to Emmet states ‘Pro Patria Mortus Est’ - ‘he died for his country’. Left, the cowering figure of Hibernia (a personification of Ireland) holds a clairseach (celtic harp) with two lifeless figures lying behind her. Right, a personified Death prepares to stab a male figure, who holds him back with one hand.
More details, as described by The Aurora in 1809, follow:
“The figure of Fame is represented as descending to crown, with a wreath of never dying Laurel, THE URN OF ROBERT EMMET,
which is appropriately decorated and inscribed. On the left of the Pedestal is Lord Norbury [Chief Justice of Ireland, who presided at Emmet’s trial] vainly endeavoring to avert the stroke of death, and on the right is Hibernia, weeping over the miseries of Erin.
Under the engraving is printed the speech delivered by Mr. Emmet, just before the sentence of death was pronounced. It is one of the most animated displays of eloquence which ever fell from the lips of uninspired man, and is fraught with the holy fire of patriotism.
”
The Aurora’s decision to publish Emmet’s “correct” speech came at a time of political turmoil for Ireland, when many Irish newspapers remained silent, refusing to outwardly dispute the original publication provided by the British. The Aurora encouraged the memorialisation of Emmet’s final words, inspiring American support for the Irish struggle for independence.
Further analysis of the speech itself will follow in a later post.