Kerby A. Miller’s notes on British Home Office papers on Irish emigration and on Irish-American nationalism between 1848-1883 as held in the National Archives, Kew [reference number HO/435].
The papers discuss Irish migration, hardship and political activism from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1880s. During the Famine era, emigrants faced dangerous conditions: in December 1848, 72 Irish passengers died aboard the Londonderry after crew members forced them into steerage during a storm and nailed the hatches shut. Overcrowding, foul air, heat, panic and the ship’s violent movement caused the deaths.
The papers also discuss the growth of Irish nationalist secret societies in the United States and Canada during 1858–59. British officials believed these oath-bound clubs collected subscriptions, communicated with Ireland and Canada, and discussed sending money, arms and possibly volunteers to support Irish independence. Reports described dozens of lodges in New York, a central Grand Lodge, substantial claimed funds, and heightened activity around St Patrick’s Day. Yet officials repeatedly doubted that the groups had a workable military plan, attributing much of their activity to rhetoric, fundraising and leaders’ self-interest.
Also present are notes on recurring poverty in western Ireland in 1861 and 1867, including crop failures, hunger, illness and deaths on Clare Island and Inishturk.
Finally, the notes examine controversy over assisted Irish emigration to America in 1883–85. British authorities denied systematically exporting paupers, but cases of destitute workhouse migrants, forced departures, and return voyages fuelled American criticism and official investigations.
