Drapier

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

Imagine a time when a common man stood up against powerful forces, using his pen as a weapon to fight for what he believed was right. This is exactly what Jonathan Swift did with his Drapier’s Letters. These seven pamphlets, written between 1724 and 1725, were a bold stand against the imposition of privately minted copper coinage in Ireland by William Wood.

Swift wrote under the pseudonym Drapier, representing Ireland as constitutionally and financially independent from Britain. He believed that the coinage plan was corrupt and aimed to exploit the Irish people. The letters were so effective that they inspired a nationwide boycott of the coins, forcing their patent to be withdrawn by 1725.

Swift’s arguments were multifaceted, blending economic analysis with theological and classical allusions. He portrayed Wood as the mastermind behind the coinage plan, claiming he bribed the Whig party and manipulated reports from the Privy Council. The Drapier argued that Wood’s halfpence would destroy Ireland’s economy and souls, causing poverty and food shortages.

Swift’s Strategic Approach

The first letter, A Letter to the Shopkeepers, analyzed the disadvantages of Wood’s coinage. Swift cleverly walked a fine line between openly indicting King George II and hinting at his relationship with Wood’s patent. He respected the king as leader but criticized Wood’s actions, ensuring that Wood appeared as the primary target.

The second letter, A Letter to Mr. Harding the Printer, responded to the British Privy Council’s testing of Wood’s coin and shifted focus from the Duchess of Kendal to the Whig party. Swift attacked the Privy Council’s report, claiming it was part of Wood’s propaganda and criticized Isaac Newton’s assay.

The Drapier’s Impact

A group of bankers agreed in writing not to accept Wood’s coin on 17 August 1724. Other merchants and tradesmen followed Walpole’s orders, but the Irish Lord Justices did not act. Walpole ordered the Commissioners of the Revenue in Ireland to enter the coin into the economy, but it was not distributed due to lack of action from the Irish authorities.

The third letter criticized England’s treatment of Ireland, particularly with regards to the patent process for Wood’s half-pence. The report defending Wood’s coin was published without Parliament’s authority, undermining its credibility. Swift claimed that Wood’s actions were a mockery of the Irish parliament and questioned whether the Irish people had any say in the matter.

Political Liberty and Constitutional Debate

The fourth letter, written on 13 October 1724, was a response to charges put forth by British supporters of Wood’s patent. Swift argued that political liberty in Ireland stemmed from the consent of its population, challenging the Declaratory Act which undermined Irish independence and judiciary authority.

Walpole and the Irish engaged in a constitutional debate over Poynings’ Law. Lord Carteret wrote an ‘unfortunate accident’ as a result of the arrest and bounty, denying involvement to avoid blame. Lord Midleton criticized those who provoked England into taking action against Ireland. Archbishop King called the letters “ludicrous and satyrically writ,” but publicly supported constitutional actions.

Support for Swift

The people of Ireland stood by Jonathan Swift despite criticism, supporting him with their backing. Critics argue that this support came from the appeal to common people in his letters. The fifth letter included pseudo-biographical information and was seen as a final defense against Wood’s patent.

The sixth letter, dated 26 October 1724, was a private letter from Swift to Alan Brodrick, Lord Midleton, ensuring he stayed true to opposition of Wood’s patent. The purpose was to bind the higher and lower classes together in support for Ireland’s cause. Swift wrote it as the dean of a great Irish cathedral, asserting his status to verify that the Drapier’s intentions must be good.

The final letter, An Humble Address to Both Houses of Parliament, was completed in June 1725 but remained unpublished for 10 years. It challenged Ireland’s parliament to investigate how Wood originally attained the patent, despite knowing it was the result of bribery.

Publication and Legacy

John Harding published the first four letters before he was arrested, and the fifth after his release. After Harding’s death, George Faulkner became Swift’s primary publisher in Ireland. The Drapier’s Letters were first collected and published in their entirety by Faulkner in 1735.

On 9 February 1733, Faulkner advertised his future publication of Swift’s collected works. However, this edition led to a lawsuit between Faulkner and Benjamin Motte over copyright rights. Although the Drapier’s Letters were not under copyright, the complete work was legally brought to a halt from being published in England by a ruling on 28 November 1735.

Swift’s actions in defending Ireland were deemed heroic among the Irish citizenry, earning him the title ‘Hibernian patriot.’ Some residents of Dublin placed banners and signs in the city to recognize Swift’s deeds. Images from the letters became themes in popular literature, with people gathering at Patrick’s Cathedral to pray and celebrate throughout the city.

While some critics argue that Swift spoke primarily for Irish Protestants rather than the entire nation, others believe his work contributed to a common Irish nationalism regardless of religious affiliation. Swift’s ability to speak for the whole populace is suggested by the wide consensus opposed to the coinage plan. He was able to rhetorically extend natural rights to all people of Ireland without regard to restriction.

So, what do you think? Did Jonathan Swift’s Drapier’s Letters truly represent a fight for Irish independence or were they more about protecting the interests of his fellow Protestants?