Tag Archives: United Irishmen

How Mathew Carey Cleverly Avoided Accusation

In December 1799, John Ward Fenno, Junior, editor of the leading Federalist newspaper, Gazette of the United States, published an editorial claiming the United Irishmen in the United States were plotting a rebellion.  He identified the suspected leaders of the organization:  … Continue reading

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How William Duane Eluded Authorities (continued)

The Federalists soon set their sights on prosecuting William Duane as an alien.  As an Irishman, he denounced the Alien Act and circulated a petition against it, collecting signatures in Philadelphia.  As he tried to solicit signatures outside St. Mary’s … Continue reading

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How Benjamin Franklin’s Grandson was charged with Seditious Libel

  In May 1798, William Cobbett published an influential piece, “Detection of a Conspiracy formed by the United Irishmen, with the Evident Intention of Aiding the Tyrants of France in Subverting the Government of the United States”  reporting that the … Continue reading

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