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CSO/RP/1823/2341

Letter from Simon Davis Crooke, Old town, Cork, County Cork, to Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, offering his observations on several matters relating to the state of Ireland: recommends that the potato crop in Ireland be exempt from tithe payments, and emphasises the benefits that would ensue. He also highlights the problem of the abuse of grand jury laws, in respect to the employment of people in public works schemes. Also refers to the financial difficulties of landed proprietors and middlemen, 'which is the inevitable ruin of the Tenant', and proposes the need for government loans to assist them. Also refers to the influence of Roman Catholic priests over their flocks

28 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2342

Letter from Sir Edward Smith Lees, General Post Office, Dublin, secretary to Irish Post Master General, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting an attempted robbery of the mail being conveyed by the post boy from Kildorrery to Mitchelstown, County Cork.

29 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2343

Letter from S Abbot Dwyer, Toomavara [Toomevara], near Nenagh, County Tipperary, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the activities of the disaffected, and alleging that they are led by 2 attorneys and a parish priest. Warns that, 'The Insurrection in the Country, is not a mere Servile war of the peasantry against tithes and taxes, but a deep laid and mysterious plot to overturn the government'. Also offers information on the whereabouts of stocks of pikes and arms. Refers to former information he gave to government, and seeks a reward for his efforts, 20 December 1823. With subsequent pencil annotation by Gregory stating that Dwyer 'is an Imposter'.

20 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2344

Letter from John G Gregory, 48 Exchequer Street, Dublin, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking an interview with Gregory, in order to explain his new invention - an instrument 'highly interesting to science, particularly Astronomy'. Mentions that he has already sent the plans to the Board of Admiralty and to Captain Parry.

24 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2345

Letter from John Charles Herries, Treasury Chambers, London, joint secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, 23 December 1823, enclosing a letter from Henry Hobhouse, in turn, forwarding a petition sent to King George IV from John Carter, [probably seeking favourable consideration in lieu of services in a regiment of Fencibles infantry], for the attention of the Irish government [neither the letter nor petition are present]. With subsequent annotation overleaf by Goulburn, concerning a response to Carter's application.

23 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2346

Petition of Mary Hill, Limerick city, and formerly of Killoghteen [Killaghteen], County Limerick, to Richard Wellesley, 1st marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, concerning her role as a crown witness in the prosecution of Denis Keliher and Martin Ward, convicted and sentenced to death in 1822. Also refers to information given by her husband respecting a plot to kill Godfrey Massy, a magistrate of County Limerick. States that their home was burned down and that they have been residing in the old jail in Limerick city for protection. Seeks continuation of payment of weekly allowance 'for their support for the remainder of their lives', 1 October 1823; petition certified by Godfrey Massy, 2 October 1823, and by Thomas Furlong, George Massy, and John Creagh, all magistrates of County Limerick. Also letter from Matthew Barrington, Dublin, crown solicitor for Munster circuit, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, responding, as requested, to Hill's application. Notes that the family 'are respectable people' and that their allowance should be continued, 3 December 1823. With subsequent pencil annotations by William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle.

1 Oct 1823-3 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2347

Petition of the resident officers of the Richmond lunatic asylum, Dublin, to Richard Wellesley, 1st marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, emphasising their increased duties as a result of the improvement and enlargement of the institution, and in particular, the increase in the number of patients. Also emphasises the physical and mental toll of working with the lunatic patients. They request an increase in their salaries, 14 October 1823; petition signed by Richard Grace, moral governor; Captain William Wainright, secretary; and Philippa Grace, matron and house keeper. With subsequent lengthy annotation by Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle. Also 2 letters from Wainright, to Goulburn, seeking an interview to discuss his entitlement to a salary increase, 20 October 1823, and requesting consideration to appointment to the vacant post of governor of the House of Industry [1823]. Also further letter from R Grace, Wainright, and P Grace, Richmond lunatic asylum, Dublin, to Goulburn, renewing their application, and offering a proposal for their additional remuneration, 13 December 1823; with subsequent annotation by Goulburn.

14 Oct 1823-13 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2348

Letter from Michael Fox, 91 Stephen's Green, Dublin, clerk of the peace for County Roscommon, to [Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary], Dublin Castle, querying an instruction received from the secretary of the county's grand jury, that clerks of the peace or their deputies must attend the special sessions to be held pursuant to the roads act 59 Geo III chapter 84. Notes that they will clash with the county's general quarter sessions, held in a different town, and questions whether the legislation even requires their attendance. Seeks clarification on the matter, 22 December 1823. With subsequent annotations by Goulburn, and by John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, 23 December 1823.

22 Dec 1823-23 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2349

Covering letter from Robert Robinson, Board of Works office, Dublin, secretary to the Board of Works, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, 26 December 1823, enclosing a letter from Robinson, to Goulburn, 26 December 1823, stating the estimated expenditure of the Board of Works for the year 1824, and offering an explanation of why the estimate approved of by parliament for the year 1823 was in fact exceeded by £9,589.16, accompanied by a breakdown of the overspend. These expenses include a new roof to the Treasury Chambers and offices, Dublin; and furniture and repairs at the vice-regal lodge in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

26 Dec 1823

1823

CSO/RP/1823/2350

File of papers relating to anonymous complaints made against conduct of officials in Irish law courts. Includes letter from anonymous writer styled 'W[illia]m S. an old Solicitor', Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, highlighting the state of the office of common pleas and the Court of Common Pleas, 'the abuses of which are unprecedented'. Claims the regular absenteeism of 3 employees, Messrs Thomas, Howard and Mackin, in receipt of substantial salaries, and thus leading to a delay in the court's public business, 19 December 1823; with subsequent annotation by Goulburn. Also letter from John Toler, Lord Norbury, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas, to Goulburn, responding, as requested, to the complaints made. Reports on his preliminary efforts to investigate the matter, and referring to the absence of Mr Thomas for several months due to ill-health; and stating that in the absence of Mr Howard, his duties have been carried out by Howard's son; and reporting that Mr Mackin has rarely been absent over the previous year. Also letter from 'A Well Wisher to the Constitution', Dublin, to Goulburn, referring to abuses amongst the officers and clerks of the Court of Common Pleas, which were uncovered by the commissioners inquiring into the fees charged by Irish courts of justice, appointed in 1814. Complains that the individuals in question, 'not only escaped prosecution, but are most liberally rewarded by unmerited and superfluous salaries'. The writer refers to various extracts from the reports of the commissioners of inquiry. Also complains of the absenteeism of many of the officers in receipt of salaries, highlighting in particular the 3 general clerks, one of whom, 'drives in his Gig about 12 O'Clock, takes off his Great Coat, puts on his spectacles, reads the papers, transacts his own private affairs…..his servant arrives at 2. 3. or 4 O'Clock, announces that the Horse or Gig is ready, the day's amusement in his office is then over - he is paid £500 a year by the public for this!!!'. Also complains that in the Court of King's Bench, the duties of each office are frequently entrusted to juniors and to 'drunken copying clerks who some time back set fire to the Building, by means of which a great portion of the Records of the Country were destroyed...', 23 February 1824. With subsequent annotation on reverse, by Goulburn. Also letter from Charles Kendal Bushe, 5 Ely Place, Dublin, Lord Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, 11 May 1824, enclosing, in response to the latter complaint, a letter from Robert Hamilton, prothonotary of the Court of King's Bench, to Bushe, addressing allegations made against the court office. States that they are 'unfounded in fact', and offers an explanation of the absence of general clerks through ill health. Emphasises that the public duties of the court's office have been 'carefully and efficiently discharged', 30 April 1824.

19 Dec 1823-11 May 1824

1824