Guide to the Papers of William Smith O'Brien (as filmed by the AJCP)
M1980 - M2003
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2019
Online Items
Correspondence, 17 June 1830 (File MS 426)
The selectively filmed material includes letters from Woronzow Greig and E.J. Stanley, and in part concerned with politics and in particular the poor laws. (items 1-139)...
Correspondence, 1 March 1832 - 25 January 1833 (File MS 427)
The selectively filmed material includes letters from T. Spring Rice, D. Villiers Stuart, and Lord Howick, mainly on politica. (items 140-290)...
Correspondence, 1835 - 1836 (File MS 428)
Includes letters from Charles Hamilton and Lord Melbourne, mainly on politics. (items 291-427)...
Correspondence, 2 May 1836 - 8 December 1838 (File MS 429)
The selectively filmed material includes letters from Andrew Jackson, Edward O'Connell, Francis Gore and William Hutt, mainly on politics. (items 428-569)...
Correspondence, 11 June 1839 - 17 March 1840 (File MS 430)
The selectively filmed material includes letters from William Griffin, Daniel O'Connell, Caleb Powell and Thomas Drummond, mainly on politics. (items 570-719)...
Correspondence, 10 May 1840 - 29 June 1842 (File MS 431)
The selectively filmed material includes letters from R. Bourke, Caleb Powell, and Woronzow Greig, mainly on politics and organisation of emigration. (items 720-879)...
Correspondence, 1843 (File MS 432)
Includes letters from Thomas Davis (many undated), Samuel Ferguson, R. Bourke and Caleb Powell, mainly on politics. (items 880-1047)
Correspondence, 1843 - 1844 (File MS 433)
Includes letters from Woronzow Greig, John O'Connell, J.L. Fitzgerald, Daniel O'Connell, Thomas MacNevin, and Thomas Wyse, mainly on politics, including the Repeal Movement. (items 1048-1194)
Correspondence, 1844 - 1845 (File MS 434)
Includes letters from Thomas Wyse, Daniel O'Connell, Charles Gavan Duffy, Maurice O'Connell, William Monsell, and John Dillon, mainly on politics, including the Repeal Movement. (items 1195-1349)
Correspondence, 1845 - 1846 (File MS 435)
Includes letters from Thomas Davis, Maurice O'Connell, T.M. Ray, John J.F. Fitzgerald, and Sir Colman O'Loughlen, largely on politics, including the Repeal Movement. (items 1350-1490)
Correspondence, 1846 (File MS 436)
Includes letters from R.R. Madden, John O'Connell, T.M. Ray, John Mitchell, John O'Donovan, and John MacHale, mainly on Repeal. (items 1491-1641)
Correspondence, 1846 - 1847 (File MS 437)
Includes letters from John MacHale, Daniel O'Connell, S.E. Spring Rice, and S.H. Bindon, mainly concerning the Repeal Movement. (items 1642-1787)
Correspondence, 1847 (File MS 438)
Includes letters from John Mitchell, J.E. Pigot, R. O'Gorman, and Thomas D'Arcy McGee, mainly on politics in general and the Young Ireland Movement in particular. (items 1788-1936)
Correspondence, 1847 (File MS 439)
Includes letters from T. O'B. Costelloe, T. D'Arcy McGee, J. Mitchell, J.E. Pigot, T. Meagher, and R. O'Gorman, and mainly relating to the Young Ireland Movement. (items 1937-2082)
Correspondence, 1847 (File MS 440)
Includes letters from J.B. Dillon, R. Bourke, W. Griffin, John O'Connell, D. Pigot, J. Gray, T.F. Meagher, largely on the Young Ireland Movement. (items 2083-2227)
Correspondence, 1847 - 1848 (File MS 441)
Includes letters (many undated) from C. Gavan Duffy, Richard O'Gorman, Thomas macNevin, and John Dillon, mainly concerning the Young Ireland Movement. (items 2228-2371)
Correspondence, 26 October 1848 - 9 December 1848 (File MS 442)
Includes letters from J.E. Pigot, T. D'Arcy Magee, T.M. Halpin, and Colman I'Loughlen, relating largely to the Young Ireland Movement and to O'Brien's trial. (items 2372-2522)...
Correspondence, 1850 - November 1852 (File MS 444)
Mostly dating from 1850, between O'Brien and T.F. Meagher (Ros[illeg] J. Mitchel (Bothwell), J. Martin (Bothwell), K. O'Doherty (Outland), P. O'Dono[illeg] (Hobart), C. Gavan Duffy, T.B. McManus (Launceston), Bishop W.R. Nixon, W. Carter (Hobart), H. Dowling (Launceston), the Assistant Comptroller of Convicts, and O'Brien's family in Ireland. The subjects include O'Brien's attempt to escape from Pt. Arthur, his ticket-of-leave, purchase of clothes, books, health, requests to reside in Hobart, the future of Australia and Irish affairs. (items 2671-2818)
Correspondence, June 1852 - 20 July 1857 (File MS 445)
Including letters from R. O'Gorman, T.F. Meagher, K. O'Doherty, J. Martin, P. Smyth, C. Gavan Duffy, E. McCarthy and others, concerning the escape of J. Mitchel from Tasmania Irish affairs, books, Duffy's attempts to persuade Lord Palmerston to pardon the Young Irelanders, the granting of O'Brien's conditional pardon, and his return to Europe. (items 2819-2980)...
Correspondence, 10 September 1857 - 1 August 1859 (File MS 446)
Includes letters from Charles Gavan Duffy, John O'Donovan and A.M. Sullivan, partly on politics. (items 2981-3130)...
Correspondence, 6 January 1850 - 15 July 1860 (File MS 447)
Includes letters from J.E. Pigot and A.M. Sullivan, partly on politics. (items 3131-3279)...
Correspondence, July 1864 - 22 September 1864 (File MS 448)
Miscellaneous correspondence of William Smith O'Brien and members of his family, mainly concerning family affairs. (items 3280-3397)...
Journal, 1830 - 20 March 1853 (File MS 449)
Journal of William Smith O'Brien, with miscellaneous, undated correspondence...
Abstracts, notes and memoranda, 1839 - 1848 (File MS 452)
Abstracts of Parliamentary Papers, by William Smith O'Brien, 1839; miscellaneous notes on books read by him in 1839, and his memoranda, written in 1848, on various Bills of different dates.
Original verse and verse translations, c.19th century (File MS 453)
By William Smith O'Brien, with a number of ballads by other authors; and extracts from the works of Jeremy Taylor, Lod Chatham, and Lord Bolingbroke.
Commonplace-book, 1839 - 1847 (File MS 454)
Commonplace-book of William Smith O'Brien, undated; and notes of his movements, 1839-1847.
Commonplace-book, 1836 - 1839 (File MS 455)
Commonplace-book, 1836-1839; notes on politics, undated.
Notes and fragmentary journals, c. 1856-1860. (File MS 457)
Notes on Irish manuscripts, author unidentified, with a few short pieces of Irish prose and verse; fragmentary journals of William Smith O'Brien, 1856, 1859, 1860.
Commonplace-books (File MS 458-459)
Formerly belonging to William Smith O'Brien, but not compiled by him, containing miscellaneous verse.
Miscellaneous verse (File MS 460-461)
Transcribed by William Smith O'Brien, with some original compositions.
Poems, 1849 (File MS 465)
Poems by 'Eva' (Mary Anne O'Doherty) of The Nation, presented to William Smith O'Brien; apparently autograph.
Miscellaneous verse, 1854 (File MS 466)
In Greek, German and English, transcribed by John Martin and presented to William Smith O'Brien.
Accounts, March 1861 - November 1861 (File MS 467)
Income and expenditure, debits and credits, of the trustees of William Smith O'Brien.
Journal, July 1849 - October 1849 (File MS 3923)
Journal written by O'Brien for his wife during part of his voyage from Ireland to Australia as a prisoner on the Swift, July-Oct 1849...
Letters, 1849 - 1854 (File MS 8653)
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to his wife, Lucy O'Brien, 1836-1860 and some undated...
Letters, c.1838-1859 (File MS 8654)
Letter from Lucy C. O'Brien to her husband, William Smith O'Brien, many being undated.
Letters, 10 September 1849 - 4 September 1850 (File MS 8655 (2))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 1819 - 1863 (File MS 8655 (3))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family.
Letters, 6 December 1849 - 14 August 1853 (File MS 8655 (4))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 20 December 1849 - 1 January 1850 (File MS 8655 (5))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 1 January 1850 - 8 February 1850 (File MS 8655 (7))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 1850 (File MS 8655 (8))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family, together with a few letters from Lord John Russell to Sir Lucius O'Brien with regard to the case of William Smith O'Brien...
Letters, 1852 - 1853 (File MS 8655 (9))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 1850 (File MS 8655 (10))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family, together with a few letters from Lord John Russell to Sir Lucius O'Brien with regard to the case of William Smith O'Brien...
Letters, 20 March 1850 - 24 January 1852 (File MS 8655 (11))
Letters from William Smith O'Brien to members of the family...
Letters, 1849 - 1864 (File MS 8657)
Letters to William Smith O'Brien, including letters from John Blake Dillon, John Martin and E.M. Caulfield, dealing, mainly with political questions and from G. Dowling, asking him to lecture before the Shamrock Catholic Young Men's Society...
Journal, 9 July 1849 - 29 October 1849 (File MS 8659)
Journal written by O'Brien for his wife covering his voyage on the Swift and his arrival in Tasmania, 9 July-29 Oct. 1849. (40pp., pp. 8-17 missing)
Letters, c.1850-1855. (File MS 8660)
Letters from Charles Gaven Duffy to John Grey in regard to the memorial by members of Parliament for the unconditional release of William Smith O'Brien. With a list of the signatories...
Collection of Addresses, 1833 - 1859 (File MS 8666)
A collection of addresses and a list of presentations to William Smith O'Brien from sources at home and abroad, together with a copy of the Reply from the Dock by Thomas Francis Meagher...
Letters, c.1831-1861 (File MS 22341)
Letters to William Smith O'Brien from various correspondents, including several undated and some fragments. Correspondents include Lord Carberry, Anne Martineau and Grace O'Brien (sister of William Smith O'Brien). Also, drafts of letter from William Smith O'Brien to (Marie E.O. de MacMahon, Duc de Magenta?), undated, inviting to recipient to visit Ireland. c.27 items.
Letters, c.1832 (File MS 22342)
Letters from William Smith O'Brien, including one to his mother and two to his father, 1832. Also two letters to O'Brien, undated. (6 items.)
Papers, 1836 - 1862 (File MS 22343)
Papers concerning a dispute re ownership of the Cahermoyle estate, with associated press cuttings. (5 items.)
Draft letters, c.1845 (File MS 22344)
Draft of letter from William Smith O'Brien in reply to an invitation to attend a Repeal dinner in Sligo (c.1845?). Also, draft of letter from sale declining invitation to attend banquet in Thurles on 20 (-?) in support of The O'Donoghue's candidacy for Tipperary, undated.
Draft letter, c.1845 (File MS 22345)
Draft of letter from William Smith O'Brien (to T.M. Ray, secretary, Repeal Association?) expressing support for the proposed Queen's Colleges.
Correspondence, 15 June 1861 - 12 July 1861 (File MS 22346)
Correspondence of, or relating to, William Smith O'Brien and a dispute re ownership of the Cahermoyle estate. (15 items.)
Correspondence, 12 July 1861 - 31 October 1861 (File MS 22347)
Correspondence of, or relating to, William Smith O'Brien and a dispute re ownership of the Cahermoyle estate. (31 items.)
Correspondence, November 1861 - December 1861 (File MS 22348)
Correspondence of, or relating to, William Smith O'Brien and a dispute re ownership of the Cahermoyle estate. (25 items.)
Correspondence, January 1861 - June 1862 (File MS 22349)
Correspondence of, or relating to, William Smith O'Brien and a dispute re ownership of the Cahermoyle estate. (25 items including 1 undated.)
Notes, c. 1833 - 1841 (File MS 22350)
Notes by William Smith O'Brien re proposal to make Falkland Islands into a penal colony, c. 1841; also, notes by William Smith O'Brien entitled 'Materials for a history of the last five years', c.1833...
'Thoughts on the causes of discontent in Ireland', n.d. (File MS 22351)
In hand of William Smith O'Brien, marked 'Private', undated, (c. 1840?).
Drafts, etc. of addresses on various topics, c. 1843 (File MS 22352)
Including one by William Smith O'Brien and other Irish MPs to the people of Great Britain re Irish grievances, 3 Aug. 1843, and printed memorial of Limerick Corporation to Sir R. Peel expressing support for proposed setting up of one of the Queen's Colleges in Limerick, c. 1846.
Fragment of draft letter, c. 1846-7 (File MS 22354)
In hand of William Smith O'Brien, concerning his change of attitude to violence as a political means, etc. Also, fragments of two letters, including one signed (?W. Griffin) concerning the tactics to be employed by the Irish Confederation against the Repeal Association, 1847, and copies of resolutions concerning the threatened Young Ireland secession from the Repeat Association, c. 1846. (4 items.)
Miscellaneous verses, 25 December 1848 (File MS 22355)
Verses by William Smith O'Brien, including one addressed to his sister from Clonmel gaol. (5 items.)
Copies of two Royal Pardons, 26 June 1854 - 16 December 1856 (File MS 22356)
Copy of conditional pardon granted to O'Brien by Sir William Denison, 26 June 1854...
Song and verses, c. 1856? (File MS 22357)
Song entitled 'The praise of William Smith O'Brien Esq MP'. Air: Earn go Brach or The Royal Blackbird, by Garrett (?O'Cox). Also, verses entitled 'On Smith O'Brien's return to Ireland', anon.
Draft letter, c. 1856 (File MS 22358)
From William Smith O'Brien to D.H. Hayes, secretary of the committee appointed to arrange the celebration of the festival of St. Patrick in Dublin, declining invitation to attend the banquet and outlining his views in current Irish politics. A note says this letter was written by O'Brien 'after his return from exile' (ie. c. 1856).
Extracts from religious census, 1861 - 1864 (File MS 22359)
Extracts in William Smith O'Brien's hand from the religious census of 1861 published in Freeman's Journal, 22 Feb 1864...
Draft letter, n.d. (File MS 22360)
Draft of (public letter?) from William Smith O'Brien to (-?) O'Donnel concerning the claim of (-?) Malcolmson to a monopoly of fishing on a portion of the river Shannon near Limerick, Ireland.
Mock articles of impeachment, n.d. (File MS 22361)
Setting forth reasons why William Smith O'Brien is disqualified from membership of the Oxford and Cambridge Club.
Draft letter, n.d. (File MS 22362)
In the hand of William Smith O'Brien re plan for making Portland, Oregon, a point of arrival and departure for steam communication with the West of Ireland.
Miscellaneous extracts, c. 1780-1855 (File MS 22363)
In William Smith O'Brien's hand from published historical works, political speeches, etc. Also, notes re poor laws, Irish expenditure, dock rates in Liverpool, London and Dublin and the ordnance surveys in Britain and Ireland.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, returns, c. 1800 - 1850 (File MS 22364)
Mainly in hand of W. S. O'Brien. Topics covered include agriculture and government.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, returns, etc., c. 1800-1850 (File MS 22365)
Mainly in hand of William Smith O'Brien re acts for construction of roads and bridges in ireland, poor relief, county taxation, public works, etc.
Miscellaneous documents, c. 1800-1850 (File MS 22366)
Relating mainly to Limerick and Clare, including petition of the physicians and surgeons of Limerick re proposed Medical Charities Bill, draft of address by William Smith O'Brien to his tenants, returns re the port of Limerick, accounts, etc. of Grand Canal Company on Shannon, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, draft letters, etc., c. 1810-1845. (File MS 22367)
Mainly in hand of William Smith O'Brien re tithes, poor law, export of Irish Corn, Grand Juries, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, etc., c. 1810 - 1850 (File MS 22368)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand re poor laws, the Corn Law, the currency, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, resolutions, extracts, drafts, etc, c. 1820 - 1850 (File MS 22369)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand.
Miscellaneous documents, c. 1820 - 1846 (File MS 22370)
Mainly relating to Limerick and Clare, including statistics of emigration from the port of Limerick, abstract of returns re unions of Rathkeale and Kilmallock, list of subscriptions to county Limerick hospitals, schools, etc., mainly c. 1820 - 1846.
Miscellaneous items, c. 1820 - 1840 (File MS 22371)
Relating mainly to counties Limerick and Clare, including statistics of exports, tolls and customs of the town of Ennis, emigration, proposals for improvement of Fergus river with accompanying sketch map dated 1832, plan for repair of stables at Cahermoyle, etc., mainly c. 1820 - 1840.
Miscellaneous works, c. 1820 - 1864 (File MS 22372)
Some in William Smith O'Brien's hand re tithes, poor relief, public works, emigration, Galway emigration petition of 1827, excise duties, etc., mainly c. 1820 - 1864
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, etc., c. 1820 - 1875 (File MS 22373)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand re Grand Juries, the Irish poor, lunatic asylums, sale of food and drugs, etc. mainly c. 1820 - 1875.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, etc., c. 1820 - 1840 (File MS 22374)
Some in William Smith O'Brien's hand re emigration, colonies, trade, etc. mmainly of non-Irish interest, c. 1820 - 1840...
Miscellaneous notes, draft resolutions, etc., 1827 - 1845 (File MS 22375)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand re fisheries, timber duties, constabulary, taxation, Scottish universities, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, etc., c. 1828 - 1833 (File MS 22376)
Re publish works, Grand Jury presentments, the eight-hour working day, trade and shipping, lunatic asylums, arms arcts, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, resolutions, draft memoranda, extracts from speeches, etc., c. 1828 - 1840 (File MS 22377)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand re poor laws, Catholic emancipation, budgetary and fiscal matters, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, c. 1828 - 1840 (File MS 22378)
Mainly in William Smith O'Brien's hand re tithes, customs and excise, trade, revenues, etc.
Marriage settlement, 19 February 1828 (File MS 22379)
Copy of marriage settlement of David Barry of Ballyfrawley, county Limerick, farmer, and Johanna Donnelly, otherwise Magner, of Cahermoyhill (Cahermoyle?), county Limerick.
Miscellaneous notes, memoranda, etc., c. 1829 - 1840 (File MS 22380)
Re. fiscal matters, taxation, poor laws, relief of distress, the union between Ireland and Britain, etc. Some in William Smith O'Brien's hand.
Letters and draft, 3 July 1829 - 1833 (File MS 22381)
Letters from various correspondents to William Smith O'Brien, mainly re local government, etc. of county Limerick, 1830-1833. Also, draft in William Smith O'Brien's hand of reply to press reports of 3 July 1829 re abortive dual between him and Tom Steele. (6 items.)
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, etc., c. 1830 - 1860 (File MS 22382)
Mainly of non-Irish interest, and in William Smith O'Brien's hand, re manufactures, the colonies, the press, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, memoranda, circulars, etc., c. 1830 - 1820 (File MS 22383)
Some printed re parliamentary bills. Also extracts in William Smith O'Brien's hand from various published works, notes re the French National Guard, etc. Mainly of non-Irish interest.
Miscellaneous notes, extracts, circulars, etc., c. 1830 - 1850 (File MS 22384)
Some in William Smith O'Brien's hand re Medical Charities (Ireland) Bill, Corn Laws, assessment of rateable valuation in Irish Counties, navy estimates, etc. (10 items.)
Miscellaneous notes, c. 1830 - 1847 (File MS 22385)
Including criticism, in William O'Brien's hand, of two prize essays on repeal of the Union, notes in O'Brien's hand on economics, railways, medical charities, public works, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, 1825 - 1865 (File MS 22386)
Re. dispensaries, poor relief, history of Greece, description or unidentified megalithic tomb., etc, in various hands, including that of William Smith O'Brien. Also, miscellaneous receipts etc., in O'Brien's name. (c. 16 items.)
Miscellaneous notes, resolutions, etc., c. 1830 - 1847 (File MS 22387)
Re. education, government of Canada, public works, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, etc., c. 1830 - 1847 (File MS 22388)
Re. the parliamentary francise, public work, shipping, sale of corn, poor laws, Irish charities, etc. Mainly c. 1830 - 1847.
Miscellaneous notes, c. 1830 - 1845 (File MS 22389)
Re. the Royal Dublin Society, Jamaica, British Guiana, Slave Trade Abolition Act, Medical Charities Bill, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, etc., c. 1830 - 1843 (File MS 22390)
Re. bill for the regulation of the Office of Sheriff in Ireland, 1838; government of Lower Canada, registration of firearms, Irish medical charities, Irish national debt, revenues, etc. Mainly c. 1830 - 1843.
Miscellaneous documents, c. 1830 - 1840 (File MS 22391)
Relating mainly to Limerick and Clare inclding sketch map, undated, of the Shannon navigation system, material re the Ennis canal, estimate of cost of proposed bridge and floating dock on Shannon at Limerick, navigation of Fergus river, etc. Mainly c. 1830 - 1840.
Miscellaneous notes, etc., c. 1830 - 1840 (File MS 22392)
Re. condition of the poor in Ireland, taxation, Irish linen exports, etc.
Miscellaneous notes, memoranda, extracts, etc., c. 1835 - 1845 (File MS 22393)
Many in William Smith O'Brien's hand, mainly poor laws, municipal taxes, and proposed bill for regulating admission of barristers in Ireland.
Miscellaneous notes, 1864 (File MS 22394)
In William Smith O'Brien's hand mainly regarding the electoral registration bill.
Miscellaneous notes, etc. (File MS 22395)
In hand of William Smith O'Brien including list of works on Irish history, extracts from parliamentary speeches re passing of Act of Union, etc.