Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/1824/2121

Letter from James Corry, secretary, Linen Board, Kildare Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, referring to a proposal by Mr J Coulter for the establishment of a weekly textiles market in the city of Dublin, and enclosing copy of report of James Greer, Peter Besnard and William Marshall, inspectors general of the Linen Board, stating at a meeting attended by members of the Linen Hall [Capel Street] it was agreed that such an enterprise ‘may be productive of advantage’. A location in the hall was also identified to accommodate the proposed market.

15 Dec 1824-19 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2122

Letter from Hill W Rowan, governor, Richmond General Penitentiary, Grangegorman Lane, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting sanction for production of a plan and estimate with a view to the introduction of greater economy in the accommodation of convicts. Indicates the subject was raised earlier and his calculations are a saving of between 50 and 80% can be made ‘upon various branches of expenditure’ at the institution.

21 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2123

Letter from Major Alexander Taylor and Alderman Mark Bloxham, commissioners for paving, Paving House, Mary Street, Dublin, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, reporting on some general issues arising over past year. Refers to outstanding problem of obtaining credit for the sums of £1,946 15s and £1,080 9s 5½d expended in the public service from the commissioners of public accounts, and requests issue of a warrant for the release of these sums. Also draws attention to arrears of £9,000 due to them from the corporation of Dublin and encloses a map indicating improvements made over the past year plus a statement of works on footways and sewers in the city [none present], 4 January 1823. Also note from the commissioners for paving to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, seeking release from restrictions imposed upon them by the commissioners of public accounts, ‘from year to year’, 16 December 1824. Also query on whether it is lawful for the present Lord Lieutenant to sign a warrant sanctioning payment to the commissioners for paving, as promised in 1816 by Charles Whitworth, 1st baron Whitworth, [Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1813-1817]; with response beneath from John Sealy Townsend, King's Counsel and legal advisor to CSO, 8 January 1825. Also letter from Donough O'Brien, Office of Public Accounts, Dublin, secretary to commissioners of public accounts, to Goulburn, acknowledging receipt of warrant for payment of sums previously disallowed to the paving commissioners. Observes that as the accounts of the paving corporation up to 5 January 1824, were only passed by them on 9 December 1824, ‘they are for the present precluded from attending to His Excellency’s commands’, 17 January 1825.

4 Jan 1823-17 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1824/2124

Letter from Richard Griffiths, Mallow, County Cork, civil engineer overseeing public works schemes, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, relaying details of a disruption to the public works at Robertstown, County Limerick, caused by a workers' combination. Reports that two public works contractors employed by him, Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Barrett, came under attack by a party of armed men, who declared themselves opposed to payment ‘by task’ for work on the new road leading from the city of Limerick to Tarbert, County Kerry, via Askeaton. The attackers insisted ‘that every man should work by days hire at the rate of one shilling per day’. States that for the present the works are discontinued at Robertstown and remarks upon the difficulty in getting assistance from the local magistrates. Observes, however, his assistant Richard Buck, brought the matter before Mr Smith, chief constable of police at Rathkeale, who had 10 men appear before the petty sessions on 16 December. Concludes the object of the combination was to force employment by the day ‘according to their old principle to do as little work as possible’.

21 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2125

Letter from Richard Griffiths, Mallow, County Cork, civil engineer overseeing public works schemes, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, stressing superior value of proposed new line of road between Castleisland, County Kerry and Newmarket, County Cork. Points out in terms of length, utility and local economic benefit, the route he has in mind is a more viable option than that suggested in a letter by David Fitzgerald. Stresses the planned route ‘passes through the midst of the principle collieries’ in the district and ‘on the whole is by much the most important road through the mountains to the north of the river Blackwater’. Returns letter from David Fitzgerald, 16 Clarendon Street, Dublin, to Goulburn, proposing a ‘better’ alternative to the route planned by Griffiths for the road from Castleisland to Newmarket. Discusses advantages of building a road that passes the banks of the River Flesk, along a route he claims would be ‘the shortest and most central and most useful’.

9 Dec 1824-20 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2126

Letter from Captain Daniel Corneille, John Armit, James Saurin and Henry R Paine, directors general of inland navigation, Inland Navigation Office, 11 Merrion Street, Dublin, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, delivering a review on the financial state of the Grand Canal Company of Ireland. Having examined company accounts up to 31 August 1824, they observe that expenditure has exceeded revenue for the period in question but higher than expected returns have been realised from the collieries and farm. Also comment on company debt, cost of canal repairs and ongoing maintenance expenses. For reasons of clarity, they conclude the company should furnish an account to government ‘showing the present state of the several Works on their extensive Navigation’, 12 November 1824. Returns original accounts of the Grand Canal Company for the 6 month period ending 31 August 1824. Displays a full breakdown of outgoings and income including the performance of Newtown Colliery, value of coal and culm stored at Ringsend docks, plus the income of Clonbrock farm. Also notes level of interest charges on loan; account sworn before Robert [J Carty] and attested by Edward Geoghegan, book keeper to Grand Canal Company. Also letter from Saurin, Paine and John Radcliff, Inland Navigation Office, to Wellesley, reflecting on accounts of the Grand Canal Company and declaring it ‘to be regular in statement and calculation’, 1 November 1826.

16 Oct 1824-1 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1824/2127

Letter from Hill W Rowan, governor, Richmond General Penitentiary, Grangegorman Lane, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting sanction for purchase of a horse and cart for use of the institution, and authority to employ a day labourer to assist in its use. Refers to the impediments experienced in operating the washing and gardening departments of the prison, and points out if such an indulgence were permitted it would save the cost of having to hire same. Also letter from Rowan to Goulburn reporting that the yearly expense of keeping a horse would be around £30 and that of a labourer around 10 shillings per week. Emphasises that such an arrangement would realise a ‘considerable saving’ to the penitentiary.

10 Dec 1824-31 Dec 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2128

Letter from Isaac Todhunter, rope manufacturer, 81 Sir John’s Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, calling attention to need for appropriate legislative and civil enforcement measures in response to the activities of trades combinations in the city. Remarks upon the pernicious means resorted to by the combined trades bodies and the deeply negative consequences for men such as himself, the ‘master manufacturer’. Deplores the violence, intimidation and murder, so frequently used by the combinations to enforce their agendas. Refers to a list of demands that he as a manufacturer was called upon to accept, and emphasises need for support of an armed force to check the activities of the strikers. Indicates hope for a strong bill to provide for the particular circumstances of Ireland and a measure of protection for those ‘industrious tradesmen’ and their families, who wish to offer their labour without reference to the trades bodies.

13 Nov 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2129

Copy of ‘Summary of List prepared for regulating the distribution of the 300 Copies of the Population Abstracts received from London’. Document shows 16 categories of public and government offices and was produced probably by William Shaw Mason, secretary of the Records Commission, Record Tower, Dublin Castle.

Nov 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/2130

Letter from Alexander Nimmo, civil engineer overseeing public works in the western district, Delphi Lodge, [Lord Sligo’s lodge], Leenane, Connemara, County Galway, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, offering observation on completion of a road from Killary Bay to Westport, County Mayo. Observes the road was improperly began, but carried on by him under the direction of the Fishery Board. A bridge leading to the sea, incomplete in 1822, has now been finished in a ‘substantial and handsome’ manner. In future, he adds, it will prove of great utility to the local fishing industry. Also remarks on completion of a pier, at the end of the road, part assisted by Lord Sligo [Howe Peter Browne] and of the development of a village of 20 dwelling at the harbour. Annotation in pencil at top from Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, remarks ‘This letter is to me unintelligible’ reflecting perhaps some question over the address from which it was written.

22 Dec 1824

1824