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The Tramore Resolutions

The resolutions of a meeting at Tramore, dated 26th February 1816 were  published in the Waterford Mirror:
At a numerous and respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Tramore, convened by Public Notice.
The Reverend JOHN COOKE, in the Chair.
The following ADDRESS to the surviving Officers of the 59th Regiment, wrecked in the Seahorse Transport, being read; -
ADDRESS
TO THE
OFFICERS of the 59th REGIMENT
SURVIVING THE WRECK OF THE SEAHORSE AT TRAMORE.
GENTLEMEN,
We beg to present to you our sincere expression of sorrow and sympathy, for the loss which the gallant 59th Regiment, yourselves and the Empire have recently sustained. The nature of the catastrophe yet fills us with the heaviest grief, for we were forced to behold from our shores unutterable distress, which no exertion of ours could remedy, and a Transport, with His Majesty’s Officers and soldiers going to pieces, in a situation that no boat could reach. We trust, however, that your sorrow may be soothed by the hand of time, and that Heaven, whose will it has been to permit this calamity, may strengthen your minds and those of the relatives of the departed Heroes, to bear it with calm resignation.
Signed for the meeting,
JOHN COOKE, Chairman.
Tramore Feb 23, 1816.
RESOLVED, - That the foregoing address be forwarded by the hands of the Reverend Mr Cooke, and of the Reverend Mr Phelan, P. P., to Lieutenants Cowper, MacPhearson, and Hartford, and Ensign Seward, the four surviving Officers of the part of the 59th Regiment, lately wrecked, and also to the relatives of the departed and lamented Officers.
RESOLVED, - That those that were active at the late wreck, disclaim being influenced by hope of money, in saving the lives of His Majesty’s Officers and Soldiers, and were actuated alone by feelings of Religion and Humanity.
RESOLVED, - That we lately beheld with the deepest anguish, numerous dead bodies of the Privates of His majesty’s 59th Regiment, being part of the Army of the immortal Wellington, buried in the sand and cliffs, without coffins or other covering.
RESOLVED, - That we also saw with sorrow the manner in which the dead bodies of Officers and Privates were kept in a couch-house and stores, before being placed in the earth.
RESOLVED, - That having witnessed great irregularities during the late shipwreck, we trust the legislature may in its wisdom devise some provisions of a salutary nature, to regulate shipwrecks in Ireland in future, and in particular, in the case of Transports with His Majesty’s Troops on board.
RESOLVED, - That some measures be taken to place stones on or enclose the spot in a secure manner where the Soldiers of the 59th Regiment have been placed in unconsecrated ground.
RESOLVED, - That it would be highly expedient, that His Majesty’s Government should take into consideration the necessity of a Life-Boat in this Bay.
RESOLVED, - That the Reverend Mr Phelan P.P., in taking early measures for the restitution of property and in soothing the feelings of the sufferers, and for a long course of benevolence and piety, deserves our warmest Thanks.
RESOLVED, - That the thanks of this meeting be given to all the Gentlemen of Tramore, and its vicinity. And to every spirited individual who exerted himself in preserving or comfort the late sufferers.
RESOLVED, - That the thanks of this meeting be given to John Bernard Trotter, Esq, for his care and attention in regard to the dead of the 59th Regiment, and his exertions on behalf of the people of this town.
RESOLVED, - That a copy of a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to His Majesty’s Government – His Royal Highness the Duke of York-  and His Grace the Duke of Wellington, and to the Colonel of the 59th Regiment.
JOHN COOKE, Chairman

The Reverend Cooke having left the Chair, and Mr Trotter having taken it,
RESOLVED, - That the Thanks of this meeting be given to the Reverend Mr Cooke, for his proper conduct in the Chair, and also,
RESOLVED, - That the excellent conduct of the Rev. Mr Cooke, in this parish now, and at all times, is entitled to our highest praise; being ever ready to attend his duty when summoned, and recently, often preforming service over uncovered bodies, at the risk of life and health.
JOHN BERNARD TROTTER[5]

        The answer of the Surviving officers of the 59th Regiment to the address of the Inhabitants of Tramore was published the following week:
Sir,
      We have been favoured by an address from a meeting of the inhabitants of Tramore, at which you were Chairman, condoling with us on our suffering sand the lamented loss of our companions in the late wreck of the Seahorse Transport on the 30th of January last.
We beg leave to return our grateful acknowledgements for the kind feelings advanced towards us and sincere thanks for your good wishes.
               We are,
                         Sir,
                         With great respect,
                          Your obedient servants,
                          J Cowper, Lieut. 59th Regt.
                          A MacPherson, Lieut. 59th Regt.
                          H Hartford, Lieut. 59th Regt.
                          W Seward, Ensign, 59th Regt.
The Rev. John Cooke, Chairman, &c. &c. &c




The answer of the Surviving officers of the 59th Regiment to the address of the Inhabitants of Tramore was published the following week:

Sir,

We have been favoured by an address from a meeting of the inhabitants of Tramore, at which you were Chairman, condoling with us on our suffering sand the lamented loss of our companions in the late wreck of the Seahorse Transport on the 30th of January last.

We beg leave to return our grateful acknowledgements for the kind feelings advanced towards us and sincere thanks for your good wishes.

We are,

Sir,

With great respect,

Your obedient servants,

J Cowper, Lieut. 59th Regt.

A MacPherson, Lieut. 59th Regt.

H Hartford, Lieut. 59th Regt.

W Seward, Ensign, 59th Regt.

The Rev. John Cooke, Chairman, &c. &c. &c[1]



A note appeared in the Waterford Mirror, the details of which weren't published, but it is doubtful if the newspaper would have had the temerity to publish it, if it wasn't authenticated: ‘His Grace the Duke of Wellington has, from Paris acknowledged the receipt of the Tramore Resolutions. His Grace’s urbanity and kindness always do him honour, and he doubtless, felt the respect paid to part of his gallant army’.[2]








[1] Waterford Mirror, 4 March, 1816.



[2] Waterford Mirror, 30 March 1816.

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