Francis Plowden (1749-1829)

Life
[Francis Peter Plowden]; b. Shropshire, ed. Saint-Omer; ord. S.J.; Master of College at Bruges, 1771-73; returned to secular life on suppression of Jesuits by papacy in 1773, being only a novice; ed. Middle Bar; practised as conveyancer; bar, 1796; became an eminent legal and political writer prosecuting the cause of Catholic Emancipation; wrote on tithes and the British constitution, and publishing pamphlets in opposition to Pitt’s government of Ireland after the Union;
 
issued of An Historical Review of the State of Ireland, from the Invasion [...] to Its Union with Great Britain (1803); attacked by Sir Richard Musgrave in Strictures (1804), and shortly issued enlarged edition of same as The History of Ireland (1809) followed by The History of Ireland from its Union with Great Britain in January 1801 to October 1810 (1810); fled to France to avoid libel charges, 1813; appt. Prof. in Scots College, Paris; d. Paris.

 

Works
An Historical Review of the State of Ireland [aka Plowden’s Historical Review of the State of Ireland]
  • An Historical Review of the State of Ireland, from the Invasion of that Country by Henry II, to Its Union with Great Britain on the First of January 1801, 2 vols. [in 3] (London: Printed by C. Roworth for T. Egerton 1803), ill. [front. port.];
  • Do. [another edn.] (London: Sold by Mr. Rooker & Messrs. Longman, Hurst, Rees, & Orme [... &c.] 1809);
  • Do. [another edn.], 3 vols. (Dublin [s.n.] 1810).
  • and Do. [another edn., with an appendix to Vols. 1 & 2], 3 vols. (Dublin: printed and sold by John Boyce [...] 1811), 8°.
  • Do. [reprint edn.], 2 vols. in 1 (London: sold by T. Egerton [... et al.] 1812), i.e. Vol. I: xxxi, 479pp.; Vol. II: xvi, 623pp. [21cm.].
  • Do. [another edn.], 5 vols. (Philadelphia: printed and published by William F. M’Laughlin, 1805-06).
  • Do. [another edn], 2 vols. in 1 (London: Andrews 1831), i.e., Vol. I: xxiv, 336pp.; Vol. II: xii, 443pp.; 19cm.].
  • Do. [facs. rep. of 1811 edn.], 3 vols. (London: Thoemmes [2000]) [€285.70].

Note: Plowden’s Historical Review of the State of Ireland, from the invasion of that country under Henry II. to its Union with Great Britain on the 1st of January, 2 vols. [London: F. and C. Rivington 1803-1804), [Vols. 1 & II resp. 1,003 & 1,480pp.]; extracted from British Critic, Vol. 32 (Nov.-Dec. 1803), and Vol. 33 (Jan.-March 1804), in 5 pts. [pp.[462]-483, 648-663; 18-36, 180-194, 291-304), 21 cm.
Other works relating to Ireland
  • An Historical Letter from Francis Plowden, Esq. to Sir Richard Musgrave in reply to his strictures on “An Historical Review of the State of Ireland” (London: London : V. Dowling, 1805), 113pp., and Do. (Dublin: re-printed for the author, by H. Fitzpatrick 1805), 99pp., 8°.
  • An Historical Disquisition concerning the rise, progress, nature and effects of the orange societies in Ireland : intended as an introduction to a work in hand, to be entitled the History of Ireland, from its union with Great Britain on the 1st January 1801 to the Year 1810 (Dublin: R. Coyne [for] the author 1810), 144pp. [20cm.].

See also Sir Richard Musgrave, Strictures upon An Historical Review of the state of Ireland, by Francis Plowden, Esq., or, A Justification of the Conduct of the English Governments in that Country, from the Reign of Henry the Second to the union of Great-Britain and Ireland (London: Printed for F. C. and J. Rivington 1804), 233, [1]pp.

 

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Titles in British Copyright and University Libraries attributed to Francis Plowden (1749-1829).
  • The case of the Earl of Newburgh And Lord Viscount Kinnaird, by James Bartholomew Radcliffe, Earl of Newburgh [actually by Plowden] (MDCCLXXXIII. [1783])
  • The case stated by Francis Plowden, Esq. Conveyancer, of the Middle Temple. Occasioned by the Act of Parliament lately passed for the relief of the English Roman Catholics (M,DCC,XCI. [1791])
  • The Case stated, ... occasioned by the Act of Parliament lately passed for the relief of the English Roman Catholics. [q.d.].
  • Church and state being an enquiry into the origin nature and extent of ecclesiastical and civil authority, with reference to the British constitution (1795).
  • The Constitution of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Civil and Ecclesiastical, etc. (1802), and Do. [facs. rep.] (1995).
  • Crim. Con. Biography: or celebrated trials in the Ecclesiastical and Civil Courts for adultery and other crimes connected with incontinency, from the period of Henry the Eighth to the present time. [by Francis Plowden, Esq., of Doctors’ Commons, pseud]. (q.d.)
  • A disquisition concerning the law of alienage and naturalization, according to the statutes in force between the 10th of June 1818, and the 25th of March 1819 offered to the onsideration of the new Parliament ... illustrated in an elaborate opinion of counsel written upon the claim of Prince Giustiniani to the Earldom of Newburgh (1818).
  • The English liberty of the press exemplified in some practices of the Hucksters in the Journal Mart, during the month of December, 1824, 1825.
  • A friendly and constitutional address to the people of Great Britain, 1794.
  • An historical disquisition concerning the rise, progress, nature and effects of the Orange societies in Ireland intended as an introduction to a work in hand, to be entitled The history of Ireland, from ... 1801, to ... 1810 (1810).
  • An Historical Letter from F. Plowden, Esq., to Sir R. Musgrave [in reply to his strictures on An Historical Review of the State of Ireland (1805).
  • An Historical Letter to the Rev. C. O’Connor, D.D., heretofore styling himself Columbanus, upon his five addresses or letters to his countrymen (1812) [rep. Nabu Press 2011].
  • An historical letter to Sir John Cox Hippesley ... occasioned by his letters to the Earl of Fingal, on the subject of the Catholic claims, etc (1814.
  • An Historical Review of the state of Ireland from the invasion of that country under Henry II. to its union with Great Britain 1st January 1801. In two volumes (1803); Do., in five volumes (1805-1806, 1809, 1812, 1831) [facs. rep. 2001].
  • The History of Ireland from its Union with Great Britain in ... 1801 to ... 1810; In three volumes ... 1811. facs. rep., [rep. in three volumes, 1996; 2001].
  • Human subordination being an elementary disquisition concerning the civil and spiritual power and authority, to which the Creator requires the submission of every human being: illustrated by references to some most extraordinary, and not generally known occurrences, during the last fifty years, within the British dominions, in the management and agitation of the still-pending question, commonly termed Catholic emancipation by Francis Plowden (1824.
  • Impartial thoughts upon the beneficial consequences of inrolling all deeds, wills, and codicils affecting lands, throughout England and Wales. By Francis Plowden, Esq. conveyancer [by Plowden, Francis (Francis Peter)]. M.DCC.LXXXIX. [1789].
  • An investigation of the native rights of British subjects. M,DCC,LXXXIV [1784].
  • Jura Anglorum The rights of Englishmen. By Francis Plowden, Esq. Conveyancer, of the Middle Temple, M.DCC.XCII. [1792]
  • The King V. Graham. Mr. F. Plowden’s refutation of the charge of having improvidently and maliciously advised the prosecution. [q.d.]
  • A Letter to Francis Plowden ... On his work, entitled Jura Anglorum. By a Roman Catholic clergyman [i.e. R. Plowden].
  • Lettre à un Ami de Province. (Seconde, troisième Lettre à un Ami de Province.) [By H. Jabineau: relative to the controversy caused by F. Plowden’s Traite du Sacrifice de Jésus Christ,” and the Dissertation sur le Saint Sacrifice de la Messe by B. F. Rivière called Pelvert] (1779).
  • Lettre d’un Théologien [J. P. Vion, called Dumont,] à l’occasion d’un écrit anonyme en forme de carton [by B. F. Rivière, called Pelvert,] contre le Traité du Sacrifice de Jésus Christ [by F. Plowden].
  • The Malecontent a letter from an Associator to Francis Plowden, Esq.... [by Associator]. 1794.
  • A Plain Statement of Facts, in answer to certain charges adduced by F. Plowden, Esq. in his History of Ireland against the Rev. P. Johnson, vicar of the parish of Derriaghy, and the Orangemen of that parish (1814)
  • A Postliminious Preface to the Historical review of the state of Ireland by Francis Plowden, Esq. containing a statement of the author’s communications with the Rt. Hon. Henry Addington, and some of his colleagues, upon the subject of that work; some strictures upon the falsities of the British Critic and other anonymous traducers of the Irish nation; and also some observations on Lord Redesdale’s letters to the Earl of Fingall. [2nd edn. (1804) .
  • The principles and law of tithing adapted to the instruction and convenience not only of gentlemen of the profession of the law, but of all persons interested in tithes, illustrated by references to the most leading and recent tithe cases, by Francis Plowden (1806.
  • Reasons for the late Earl of Newburgh [J. B. Radcliffe]’s application to parliament; with an appendix comprising the case of the present earl [A. J. Radcliffe]. [By F. Plowden]. MS. additions [by James Bartholomew Radcliffe, Earl of Newburgh].
  • Seasonable reflections, adapted to the approaching fast, and recommended to the attention of Christian people ... In an address from a minister to his parishioners. 1794.
  • A Second Historical Letter to Sir J. C. Hippisley ... upon his public conduct in the Catholic cause ... Occasioned by his animadversions upon the author in the House of Commons in ... ... Occasioned by his animadversions upon the author in the House of Commons in May and November 1814. [1814] 1815.
  • A short history of the British empire, from May 1792 to the close of the year 1793. author of The native rights of British subjects, Jura Anglorum, &c. [One line in Latin from Cicero] August 4, 1794; Do., as A short history of the British empire during the last twenty months ( 1794, 1795); Do., trans. as Histoire abrégée de l’empire britannique, depuis le mois de mai 1792, jusqu’à la fin de l’année 1794 par François Plowden ...; traduite par J. F. André. 1795.
  • Strictures upon an Historical Review of the State of Ireland, by F. Plowden, Esq. Or, a justification of the conduct of the English Governments in that Country, from the Reign of Henry the Second to the Union of Great Britain and Ireland. [By Sir Richard Musgrave.] 1804. Facs. rep. 2002.
  • A supplement to the investigation of the native rights of British subjects By Francis Plowden, Esqr. MDCCLXXXV. [1785].
  • Traité du sacrifice de Jésus Christ. [By F. Plowden.] 1778.
  • A Treatise upon the law of usury and annuities by Francis Plowden of the Middle Temple, Barrister at Law. MDCCXCVII. [1797]
Miscellaneous
  • Virginia: A Comic Opera, in three acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The music entirely new composed by Mrs. Francis Plowden. Opera 1 [1800]; Do. as, Virginia a comic opera, in three acts, as performed at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane op. 1 composed by Mrs Francis Plowden. [1802].
  • Songs, duets, trios, chorusses, &c. in Virginia, an opera, in three acts. Now performing at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The melodies composed by the authour of the dialogue, and harmonized by Doctor Arnold [by Plowden, Francis, Mrs.]. [1800?].
  • “Adieu to delight”: a favorite song sung by Master Phelps, at Vauxhall Gardens / composed by Mr. Hook. ... ; Written by Mrs. Plowden [1794]; and Do., as “Adieu to delight”: a favorite song sung by Mr. Braham; composed by J.G. Graeff; the words by Mrs. F. Powden (1801).

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Commentary

Thomas Mooney, A History of Ireland [... &c.], 2 vols. (Boston: Donahoe 1853), Vol. 1: ‘Francis Plowden, an Englishman, wrote an honest, though abridged, history of Ireland, from its connection with England in 1172 to 1800; and a continuation of Irish history from 1801 to 1811. His latter work [125] is invaluable as proving, by documentary evidence, tbe atrocious villany of those who concocted, aided, and acted as agents of blood, in bringing about the fraudulent union. Mr. Plowden’s first work on Ireland was a volunteer publication, entitled a Review of Irish History. This work, for its extreme impartiality, was attacked by the Orange writers of the day. He then entered the field as a vigorous historian, searching the archives of Ireland for proof to sustain his general accusations against England, her ministers, and their bloodthirsty agents in Ireland, the notorious Orangemen. Mr. Plowden, I have heard, was prosecuted for libel by some of the persons whose deeds he brought to light, and under a government where the publication of truth is declared libel, he was found guilty, and sentenced to be fined and imprisoned; to escape which, he fled to France, where, I have heard, he died.’

William O’Connor Morris, Ireland 1798-1898 (London: A.D. Innes 1898): ‘Plowden’s History of Ireland is dull and diffuse, but gives some useful information on events [ix] from 1782 to 1800-1 [...] Plowden’s second work only goes down to 1810; it represents the ideas of a loyal Irish Catholic bitterly disappointed by Pitt.’ (p.ix-x.)

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Quotations
Swift: ‘Swift every supported the natural interests of Ireland against the Dissenters and the Whig party [...] and against the power of the British cabinet whose system it was to keep Ireland in a perpetual bondage and subserviency to the mere nod of the conqueror.’ (Hist. Review, I, p.258; cited in Robert Mahony, Jonathan Swift, The Irish Identity, 1995).

 

References
The History of Ireland, from the Invasion under Henry II to its Union with Great Britain, 2 vols. [Thoemmes Press, Reprint] (2001). Francis Plowden (1749–1829) came from a Recusant family in Shropshire and was educated at Saint-Omer. After some time in the Jesuit Order he became a conveyancer at Middle Temple before being called to the Bar in 1796. Thereafter he increasingly devoted his time to political and historical research, writing extensively on Church–State relations. His most famous work, An Historical Review of the State of Ireland, was published in 1803. Its harsh criticism of government policy and administration involved him in a series of skirmishes with Sir Richard Musgrave, historian [and author] of the Irish Rebellion of 1798. Unperturbed, Plowden issued the enlarged edition of the work under the title here and then proceeded to write the continuation below. Both works have proved an important resource for subsequent historians such as John Mitchel and seek to redress the anti-Catholic histories of Ireland then prevalent.

The History of Ireland, from its Union with Great Britain, in January 1801, to October 1810 [1811]: Contemporary Catholic account of the first ten turbulent years of the Union [...] takes Irish history from the Act of Union in 1801 through the next ten years of its volatile history and relationship with England. As a contemporary account saturated with documentary evidence by an astute Catholic political historian it is unsurprising that it too caused a scandal. Upon refusing to pay a libel charge, Plowden fled to France where he ended his days at the Scots College in Paris. Plowden’s History is an essential resource for understanding the making of Ireland.€ 280.00

Hyland Books (Cat. 224) lists An Historical Letter to [...] Rev. Charles O’Connor, heretofore styling himself Columbanus, upon his 5 Addresses, or Letters to His Countrymen (1812) [Bradshaw 4728], port, viii+xii, 367+126, vii+17pp.; errata leaf, with 1p. index replaced in photocopy.

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