Drapier

Jonathan Swift and the Drapier’s Letters: A Fight for Irish Independence

Imagine a time when a single voice could ignite a nation, where words became weapons in the battle against oppression. This is the story of Jonathan Swift and his Drapier’s Letters, a series of seven pamphlets that shook Ireland to its core.

The Birth of a Patriot

Between 1724 and 1725, Jonathan Swift, under the pseudonym ‘The Drapier,’ penned a series of letters in response to William Wood’s grant of letters patent for copper coinage. These coins were inferior, threatening to debase Ireland’s economy and remove valuable silver and gold from circulation. Swift saw this as an attack on his beloved homeland and decided to fight back.

A Common Man’s Voice

Swift adopted the persona of a common Irishman, the ‘Drapier,’ to argue against Wood’s patent. In A Letter to the Shopkeepers (1724), he warned of the impending economic disaster, comparing his warnings to those of a Hebrew prophet or an evangelical preacher. His language was powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Gresham’s law at work: inferior coins driving out better ones.

The Economic Threat

Swift’s concerns were not just economic; he warned that tenant farmers would no longer pay their landlords, leading to poverty and decreased food supply. His imagery was so vivid that some critics saw it as over-the-top, while others recognized its grounded truth in the real threat facing Ireland.

The Letters Unfold

Letter One: A Warning from the Drapier

In his first letter, Swift laid out the economic and social dangers of Wood’s coinage. He compared it to a giant (Wood) wearing armor (his brass coins), while he was just a small merchant trying to protect his people. The people of Dublin even displayed a sign that read: ‘And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid; as the Lord liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground.’ This showed their support for Swift.

Letter Two: A Letter to Mr. Harding

The second letter attacked the Whig party and criticized the Privy Council’s report as part of Wood’s propaganda. Swift walked a careful line, not directly attacking Isaac Newton but criticizing the process behind his assay of Wood’s coin.

Public Sentiment and Unity

The letters sparked public outrage against Wood’s patent. A group of bankers agreed in writing that they would not accept the coin produced under Wood’s patent. Merchants and tradesmen followed suit, despite orders from Walpole. The Irish Lord Justices did nothing to stop this, and resolutions from the House of Lords and Conolly’s House of Commons were ineffective.

The Third Letter: A Call for Unity

Swift’s third letter was a call for unity among the nobility and gentry. He argued that political authority stems from the consent of the people, challenging the Declaratory Act. This letter openly incorporated Swift’s argument that political liberty is essential to Ireland.

The Final Letters

Letter Four: A Defense Against Accusations

In his fourth letter, Swift defended himself against British charges and accusations. He argued for Irish constitutional independence and loyalty only to the king, not England. The tone was clear that Wood’s allies were promoting an evil that would harm Ireland.

Letter Five: A Final Defense

The fifth letter was a final defense of Swift’s actions against Wood’s patent. It included pseudo-biographical information and used Biblical and classical allusions to reinforce his arguments.

A Letter to Lord Midleton

Letter Six: A Private Plea for Support

The sixth letter, written by Jonathan Swift to Lord Midleton, aimed to ensure Midleton’s opposition to Wood’s patent would not waver. It was a private plea from the dean of an Irish cathedral, asserting his status and intentions.

An Humble Address to Both Houses of Parliament

The final letter, An Humble Address to Both Houses of Parliament (1725), was completed before Wood’s patent was defeated. It challenged Ireland’s parliament to investigate how Wood originally attained the patent.

Publication and Legacy

John Harding published the first four letters, but he was arrested after his release. George Faulkner became Swift’s primary publisher in Ireland, and A Letter to the Lord Chancellor Middleton and An Humble Address were copied from manuscript copies provided by the author.

The Drapier’s Letters: A Heroic Stand

Despite criticism, the people of Ireland rallied behind Swift. He was hailed as a hero for his defiance of British authority. The Drapier’s Letters remain a testament to Swift’s commitment to Irish independence and unity. His actions were seen as heroic among the Irish citizenry, earning him the title ‘Hibernian patriot.’

These letters not only defended Ireland’s economic interests but also championed its political rights. They continue to be studied for their rhetorical power and historical significance.