Daniel O’Connell and the ‘Woman Question’, to Lucretia Mott

A letter from Lucretia Mott to O’Connell, asking for his opinion on the question, and then extracts from his response. He indicates that he was at first against the admission of women, but then, on reflection, changed his mind.     “My mature consideration of the entire subject convinces me of the right of the female delegates to take their seats  in the Convention, and of the  injustice of excluding them …. I do not care to add, that I deem it also impolitic; because that exclusion being unjust, it ought not to have taken  place, even if it could else be politic …”   O’Connell then lists five reasons for his position, and concludes:   “I have consciousness that I have not done my duty in not sooner urging these considerations on the Convention.  My excuse is, that I was unavoidably absent during the discussion on this subject …  I have the honor to be,very  respectfully , Madam, Your obedient servant.  signed by O’Connell .  (Liberator September 4, 1840, pg 3)