Description: Composed by Theobald Wolfe Tone. Printed proclamation headed 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Union' with subtitle 'The General, Commanding the French Army, to the People of Ireland', issued by General Jean Hardy, opening: '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 still the same. At length, after various attempts, you see Frenchmen among you...', with wood-cut vignette at head showing clasped hands beneath a liberty bonnet, above masonic dividers and eye at centre from which expand the sun's rays, 3 pages, octavo. Extremely rare - only one other example recorded, which is in the National Library of Ireland.
Note: This was probably found among Tone's papers when he was captured, used at his trial and then appropriated by General Hewett.Proclamation, signed 'Hardy', starting: 'LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY, UNION, The General [Hardy] Commanding the French Army to the People of Ireland.' Surmounted by masonic-inspired symbol, frequent in late 18th century iconography (namely Early American), but in France usually associated with the early years of the Revolution, i.e. atop the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. The eye of Providence (or Reason) is at the centre of a pyramid, surmounted by the clasped hands of union and a Phrygian bonnet symbolising freedom. The sunburst heralds the dawn of a new age of man. The text is a reworked version of proclamations prepared for the 1796 Bantry expedition, which Wolfe Tone had been asked to work on. From as early as February 1796, he had insisted during negotiations with the French that they publish a manifesto upon landing, disavowing any idea of conquest or interference with local customs. Hoche's fleet had sailed in 1796 with printing presses on board. Here, explaining their goal, albeit in laboured language, to help the people of Ireland defend liberty by fighting alongside them, the invasionary force duly swore 'the most inviolable respect' for property, laws, and 'all your religious opinions.' Hardy, representative of France, ends by proclaiming 'Union! Liberty! the Irish republic! as the common war cry. A broadsheet size proclamation (85 by 50cm, NLI LO 13/17) was seized when Humbert landed at Kilcummin strand in Mayo in August 1798, but pocket-size versions - easier to hide, carry and distribute - were also issued. The example held in National Museum of Ireland:NMI TEXT: 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, Union at top. Printed, no date, c. 1798 period.' NMI Identifier: HH:1997.17. Division: Decorative Arts & History - Art and Industrial Collection (Collins Barracks). ONLINE @ NMI Historical Collections onlineDr Sylvie Kleinman, March 2020.

Some very slight age staining, especially to first page, very small stain at foot of lower margin, but overall in remarkably fine, unpressed original condition for this rarity.