Beschreibung:

Lot 1223/0217 Nathan (Sir Matthew), British Undersecretary in Dublin during the 1916 Rising. Autograph Note, 4pp foolscap (two sheets), on Athenaeum notepaper, signed initials, dated 26/10, probalby 1916 [headed ‘Note of Conversation’, concerning a discussion ‘on Tuesday last the 24th inst. after dining with Miss. J.R. Green’ (the historian Alice Stopford Green). ‘She said she had ascertained who was the author of the forged document which had been read at the City Council and hd done so much to stir up the rebellion, hand that my anger at it would be greater if I knew the name of the author. i did not ask that & she did not tell me..’ (this refersto the so-called ‘Castle Document’, published at Joseph Mary Plunkett’s instigation some days before the Easter Rising – see a copy of the original printing, elsewhere in the sale, Lot 1219). Also mentions Mrs. Green’s discussions with John (Eoin) Mc Neill about the events leading up to the Rising, and her views about Roger Casement’s intentions on this return to Ireland in a German submarine. ‘Mrs. Green.. said that Roger Casement had come to ireland to stop the Rising, being satisfied that the Gormans who sent him across in a valueless submarine had no intention todo more than embarrass England by the effect that they were sure would result from the severity with which any rising would be put down..’ A most interesting document. Nathan was widely blamed for not taking action to forestall the 1916 Rising, and resigned his position on 3 May. (1)