[ Thomas Henry Burke, Irish civil servant killed in the Phoenix Park Murders. ] Autograph Signature ('T H Burke') on part of an 'Authority to discharge'.

Piece of paper, approximately 15 x 21 cm, torn from the second and concluding leaf of a bifolium. Aged and worn, with repair to a closed tear. Burke's signature is at the foot, preceded by writing in another hand, thus: 'Hugh Mc. Mahon respectively. | I am, | Sir, | Your Obedient Servant, | J H Burke'. On the reverse, in ink: 'Chief Secretary Office D.C | Authority to discharge John & Hugh McMahon | also | Edward, Patrick & Bernard Mc.Swine | on entering into Bail self £2. with two Sureties £5 each.' Beneath this, at foot: 'Recd. & Ansd. | Discharged'. Also on the reverse, in pencil: 'McMahon | Thos Doherty | Road Court | Castleford | McSwine | Johnston Mc.Creery | Grocer | Road | Kellygordon | Discharged 20 March | 1875'. Note: Phoenix Park: "Thomas Burke was the Invincibles' intended target because he had been working for the British establishment as head of the Civil Service for many years and was associated with the British coercion policy during the Land War, 1879–82. Irish nationalists referred to Burke as the "Castle rat"."