Descriptive List - University College Cork Library

471 18 Dec 1789
3pp
Letter to George Ryan from J. Nash in [Gand], detailing news of George’s
brother Denis, currently a prisoner of war. He was unable to get George’s last
letter to Denis without its being opened explaining “I must wait for a
convenient opportunity”. By a special favour he was allowed to visit Denis
Mul Ryan and reports he is very unwell, feverish and unable to use his
wounded arm or hand. He is also uneasy at not having heard from George.
Nash encourages George to write often as his letters are his brother’s “only
comfort in his melancholy confinement”. Closes promising to keep in touch
and to pass on news of Mr. O’Shea and Col. Keating from Bruxelles.
472 23 Dec 1789
Letter to George Ryan from J. Nash in [Gand], detailing news of his brother
Denis. He was able to forward George’s last letter to his brother along with
one from Mr. Matthews, explaining Denis’s reply had to be read “by the
Committee therefore he could not mention his position to you as he would
have wished”. Adds the go between who smuggles letters out of the convent
often has no opportunity to do so for 5 or 6 days “and to make him do even
this we are forced to bribe him, in short you know not Sir the hardships the
Cruelties & injustices that reign now here! The poor officers will lose
everything they possess in the world, their Horses etc. etc. etc. & kept like
state prisoners Nay ! like Criminals, not being allowed to write or to see a
soul.” Declares that there is not a soul in the town of Gand “but who loves Mr
Mul Ryan”.
473 21 Dec 1790
Letter to George Ryan, Newtown, Limerick, from his brother Denis at Gant,
announcing his freedom and detailing recent events. The reception he received
at Bruxelles from General Bender & the Officers of the Corps in which he
serves “was the most flattering to me”. Now retired from active service, he
has requested his pension at the rank of Major and will hear the decision
within a few days. Things have been very difficult for him of late “no Pay,
Promises from Ireland without Execution, no Credit fixed for me to the value
of a Guinea altho I expect’d it might have been done since May last”. After
his release he found himself in a strange place with no money, close to
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2pp
2pp