My dear Johnston

I am greatly obliged to you for the copy you have sent me of your book on civil was in Ulster. I am glad to have a book on the subject by a man so sane and so well-informed as yourself. At the same time I must confess to a little disappointment. Had the question been less urgent, you might have had more time to recast your sentences some of which strike me as clumsy. Moreover I fear that the tone is not sufficiently conciliatory to induce those at present inclined to civil war to adopt more peaceful methods.

Still, if you desire a political career, I should think the pamphlet well calculated to bring you success with the Nationalist party, and if, in spite of my fears, it should have the pacificatory effect that you desire, I shall be very glad. "Rebellion was the sin of witchcraft".

Give my kind regards to your mother when you write to her.

Yours very sincerely

JK Fotheringham

The condescending tone suggests that this could have been JJ's tutor when he was in Oxford; he must have received an early courtesy copy from JJ.

From JAR Munro, 131 Banbury Road, Oxford, 23 November 1913;

Dear Johnston

Thank you for your Civil War in Ulster, which I have read with much interest and applause. The irony of the situation is that Home Rule should be the focus of the political battle, and both parties acting as if they had an enthusiastic country behind them, whereas the public cares not a twopenny damn about the whole question. You have shown up the Tory plot and the Provisional Government - let somebody now show up the Liberal plot and coercion!

I hope your colleagues in TCD are not tearing you to pieces!

Yours sincerely

JAR Munro

Dear Sir

I did not hear of your "Civil War in Ulster" until Saturday last, and I then bought a copy of it. I am reading it with much appreciation, and it occurs to me that a report of mine to the Lord Lieutenant in 1917 may interest you, as in our publications we both have some opinions in common, though the questions dealt with are widely different.

As a fellow-graduate approaching the close of my career, it gives me much pleasure to see among the Fellows one who has the courage, ability and (of course I would add) wisdom to draw the conclusions that are so clearly demonstrated by you.

I hope you will accept this copy of my report, and I trust that you may find time to read the historical part of it at least.

Yours very truly

Wm L Micks

The name looks like Uicles but I think my interpretation is the most probable. JJ kept several 'blue books', some of which are viceregal reports, relating to the office of public works, and the poor law, dating around 1907, but I can find none with this authorship. Unfinished business.

"I duly received the reviews this week and except in regard to that in the Derry Unionist paper I was very much disappointed in them, not so much at what they said as what they did not say, and the manner in which they missed nearly all the point of the whole thing. However those people in this country to whom I have showed copies have praised the book very highly, I console myself with the reflection that it is over the head of the average newspaper writer. It is very disappointing that people who possess so much influence should be so stupid, but I suppose this is the way of the world.

"You seem to have struck some rather tender points in the unionist armour, to judge from the article in the Mid-Ulster Mail. The writer unconsciously gives a beautiful illustration of the want of patriotism of the present policy, and of the fact that the whole object is to manufacture martyrs, I have lent the papers to the wife of the Joint Magistrate, who belongs to Dublin, but if a second edition comes out, I would strongly advise you to introduce, either ion the body of the book or in the form of a preface, beginning at the part about what Bismark would do - as the writer has criticised your arithmetic you might retaliate by criticising his spelling of Bismark - and going on to the part about shooting down loyal Ulstermen whose only crime is their loyalty.

"I enclose an extract from an Indian paper.... which would go to show the effect they are producing in the country. I fear they are beyond the reach of argument, but nevertheless if it is impossible to batter into their heads any sense of proportion, much the same object will be served if a right view of their attitude can be battered into the heads of the British electors.

"On the way out I read Rome and Reform by JL Kingston Oliphant. It is deadly dull, and I do not recommend that you read any of it, except the chapters dealing with Ireland, England, and the general summary, and possibly the last page or two dealing with Sweden. Had I read it before the book was printed, I should have been able to make the following points:

1. It appears that Baptists were burnt in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and Unitarians as late as 1612, which would go to show that Rome has no monopoly of intolerance or cruelty.

2. There is a paragraph that I forget, but most probably in the general chapter, to the effect that persecution was much more virulent in Spain than in Italy, and showing that at some periods Rome was about the safest place a person of unorthodox views could find himself. The inference is that persecution is more a question of national character than of religious belief.

3. In the chapter in Ireland it appears that nobody there was ever put to death for his religion, and that the utmost persecution that took place was that during the Civil War, Protestant worship was for some time prohibited in the Irish camp.

4. In the chapter on Sweden it appears that religious toleration was only introduced the other day.

"Should the book be revised, I think these points are well worth working in. I can also suggest an improvement in the wording of the part about the people of the town who live by taking in each others' washing. This financial exploit will be eclipsed by that of the Provisional Government if it succeeds in maintaining a public service out of the income tax of their own salaries...."

Enclosed extract from the Behar-Bandhu:

"The Liberal Ministry means to transfer the government of Ireland to the Irish people instead of retaining the same in its own hands, but a section of the Irish people, viz the Ulster Unionists, are opposing the transfer, being instigated by the Unionists of England, whose support has given them so much strength that they threaten to use arms if necessary in opposing the Government. Of course they are a civilised people and next-door neighbours of England and under the control of one and the same Parliament. They can therefore do what they like, but their conduct creates astonishment in the Indians who are proverbially loyal. The Unionists are, however, setting a bad example to them, and therefore the British Government should not encourage their excesses, though it would do well to give Home Rule to Ireland."

Dear Mr Johnston

Thanks very much for your kind letter.

If I can at all afford it I mean to let Meta have the benefit of a (?) thro' Trinity. I am writing to Dr Goligher by this post asking for particulars, and am mentioning you in the letter.

I've no faith in civil war nor never had. It's all done for window-dressing purposes but it has impressed nobody - except the volunteers themselves.

I never can understand how an educated man like (Tom Bingham?) could so far lend himself to acting the fool as he has. If you saw him signing and forming a company in which there was Barry McLaughlin (who would live in a rabbit burrow if he heard an angry shot) and the old gardener McKee (who is too decrepit to move faster than a cow ready to calve) you'd laugh. Many a time I've had to go away to laugh at the ridiculous fiasco. Only for Lord ?Ramporley? and his clique there would be no Ulster question and believe me when riots break out as I dare say they will they will carefully preserve their neutrality -

The Government have the measure of this movement, and they have pursued a very wise course up to the present regarding it. I do trust they are not contemplating giving it a cheap advertisement. Everyone knows a change in the government of the country is bound to come and will do good when it does come, but then the persons on the lookout for loaves and fishes are afraid it won't just come in the shape that would suit them. I hope Trinity will speak out in no uncertain terms when the time for talking arrives.

Again thanking you and wishing you many more successes (I am glad to know you have got your MA )

I remain, yours sincerely, RN Barrington.

Note that this was just a couple of weeks before the transformation of the situation by the massive importation of guns from Germany via Larne.

Dear Johnston

This suggests school naming practice among fellow-pupils; Kilnaslee halt on the railway was the way JJ went to school from Tomagh.

Just a line or two - James was telling me that you have written a book and published it at your own expense upon or bearing the title Civil War in Ulster. Now least that I shouldn't get a copy (sic). I trust that you will mail me one as I am always glad to hear from you and pleased to read anything from your pen. I admire you Joe and hope that you may make a name for yourself in the literary world.

He quoted me some passages from your book. I am afraid you have hit us rather hard. Still you and I don't differ so very much. I believe we are engaged in a forlorn hope.

Still I have put my hand to the plough and I won't turn back, under no circumstances will I desert my comrades in arms.

Dear Joe I could tell you some wonderful things but I dare not, my lips are sealed for the present and the future; you know we are pledged but one thing I will tell you as I trust you. I attended a lecture by an expert in our laboratory on the use of powerful explosives knocking down houses bridges and such like, also the use of deadly poisons, their effects in water and such like, also enteric(?) germs in hermetically sealed bottles, their effects and such like, and I have got my rifle a Lee-Metford and a full magazine and a bucket of cartridges, of course I don't keep it in Kilnaslee, my number is on it.

Of course this information is private and confidential and for my sake I hope you will treat it as such. You are the only one I would tell it to as I want to know what you think of it.

James also told me you intended getting married allow me to congratulate you on the step you are taking and may your days of joy be many and your hours of sorrow few is the earnest wish of your friend Wm V Irwin.

By the way did you get my card? James gave me two shillings. I was afraid to ask him you know he is (terror?) very short. Do you think would Johnny or Willie or Harry give me anything? They wouldn't miss two shillings. You see I want all the names of my old school mates.

Hoping you are well, I am yours sincerely Wm C Irwin.

PS Don't forget the book!

It is hard to judge this extraordinary letter. Is it threat, extortion, begging, or just naive friendly? The writer must have been a neighbour who knew the whole family at Tomagh. But the reference to chemical and bacteriological warfare? Bluff, trying to have JJ on, or real? If real it opens a new dimension on the thinking of at least certain Carsonite elements. There is here an implied genocidal threat. The reference to engagement to my mother suggests may help to date it. The marriage took place on July 21 1914, just before their world trip. Word of the engagement could have got back to Dungannon prior to this. The Larne gun-running was in April 1914. I am inclined to think that the letter is post-Larne, a genuine indication of the confused state of mind of grassroots Ulster Volunteers, and a disturbing window into the thinking of those in leading positions. RJ March 2001.