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CSO/RP/1825/231

Letter from William Hunt and William Piercy, joint high sheriffs, Sheriff’s Office, Limerick, County Limerick, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, drawing attention to the congested state of the city gaol and seeking issue of orders for removal of prisoners under sentence of transportation. Remarks that renovation works are in progress on the nearby old county jail and until such works are completed, secure accommodation cannot be afforded to prisoners or convicts. Complains that 88 prisoners are held, without adequate classification, in a prison with space for only 60 inmates.

17 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/232

Letter from Mrs George Vicars, Glebe House, Emo, [Queens County or County Laois], to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking further information on the government initiative to offer assisted emigration to people from the south of Ireland wishing to go to America. Claims to act on behalf of a local ‘industrious’ family of 7 persons, parishioners of Reverend Robert Vicars, who wish to depart from Ireland but find the cost of travel prohibitive.

13 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/233

File concerning construction of proposed fever hospital at Sligo Gaol, County Sligo. Includes letter from James Caldwell, architect and builder, [Sligo], to [?Major James Palmer, inspector generals of prisons] sending specifications and estimate for the hospital [not present]. Discusses the cost of various materials required for the building project and concludes he can make no further deductions from the estimate provided, 12 February 1825. Also includes copy letter from Francis Johnston, architect and inspector of civil buildings, Architect's Office, Dublin Castle, to Robert Robinson, assistant secretary, Board of Works, acknowledging receipt of letter, specifications and plan for fever hospital. Observes that the design for the infirmary is acceptable ‘except that it should contain two staircases to keep the male and female patients completely separated’, 12 March 1825.

12 Feb 1825-5 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/234

Memorandum concerning collection of the Roman Catholic rent at the chapel of Rathfarnham, County Dublin. It is observed on account of poor weather, the number in attendance was much reduced, with negative consequences for the rent collection. Notes that a proposal by the clerical assistant, to give over the entire of the Sunday offering to the cause, was rejected by the parish priest, Reverend [Nicholas] Kearns. States at a gathering afterwards in the parish school, it was resolved to take up any outstanding subscriptions to the rent, with all to be accounted for at a meeting of the Catholic Association planned for Wednesday next. Query on reverse annotated in pencil by Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, asking that the Solicitor General [Henry Joy] be consulted on the legality of the planned meeting of the association; with response from Joy stating the event in question is not contrary to law. Also printed copy of ‘An Act to amend certain Acts relating to unlawful Societies in Ireland’ [George IV].

9 Mar 1825-14 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/235

Letter from John Hurly Jr, clerk of the crown and peace, Tralee, County Kerry, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, stressing extent of official duties and requesting permission to appoint a deputy. Nominates Richard Huggard as a qualified person to fill the post of deputy, a ‘very competent’ individual in which he can place confidence.

28 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/236

Letter from William Beamish, chairman of the railway committee, Cork, County Cork, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking assistance with establishment of a railway between the cities of Cork and Limerick. Emphasises the value of such a transport infrastructure for local employment and the ‘prosperity of Agriculture, Manufactures and Commerce in the South of Ireland’. States the committee will make every exertion in promoting the venture and requests the assistance of the civil engineer in charge of public works [Richard Griffith] in making a survey and preparing an estimate for the proposed rail line. Anticipates, if the venture is deemed worthwhile, it will engender ‘liberal subscriptions to shares’ from the committee and public investors.

22 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/237

Letter from Major Samson Carter, Doneraile, County Cork, chief police magistrate of County Cork, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on his enquiry into the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Denis Keane [Kane], late sub constable of the peace preservation police. Observes that Keane left the force on 8 November 1824 ‘to avoid any Investigation for being drunk on duty’, he concludes. States that Keane wishes to have a full investigation of the matter before the magistrates of petty sessions at Mallow, County Cork, but that body are reluctant to act without orders from the Lord Lieutenant. Annotation on top in pencil by Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, granting authority to begin the investigation sought by Keane.

9 Mar 1825-15 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/238

Letter from Henry R Westenra, [MP for Monaghan], foreman of grand jury, Grand Jury Room, Monaghan, County Monaghan, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing letter [authorised by the grand jury of Monaghan] requesting copies of the parliamentary statutes for use of the magistrates at petty sessions.

10 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/239

File concerning application from David Nagle, County Cork, for a free passage to Canada in lieu of services to the crown. Includes letter from Nagle, Penitentiary House, Cork, County Cork, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting a sum of money be conveyed through Hayes St Ledger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile, in order that he might emigrate to Canada to start a new life. Offers congratulations over the recent parliamentary bill [Unlawful Societies [Ireland] Act, 1825] designed to block the progress of the Roman Catholic Association and the collection of the Catholic rent. Also reflects with sorrow on his own past life, a consequence of ‘extreme youth and inexperience’, 5 April 1825. Also includes letter from Nagle to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, expressing disappointment at his treatment in not being favoured with a free passage to Canada, despite a promise to that effect. Adds that evidence of the pivotal role he played as a government informer can be obtained from Viscount Doneraile, Colonel Sir Hugh Gough, Viscount Ennismore [Richard Hare], Sir John Lambert, Colonel A Hill and Captain Townsend of Glanmire, County Cork, 3 May 1825. Also includes letter from Robert Wilmot-Horton, Colonial Department, Downing Street, London, under secretary of state for war and the colonies, to Gregory, communicating that directions have been given to Peter Robinson, superintendent of emigration, to board Nagle on a ship soon to depart from Cork to Canada, carrying free settlers, 16 May 1825.

11 Oct 1824-16 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/240

Observations and remarks by an anonymous writer on William Cobbett’s ‘Book of the Roman Catholic Church’, an anti Roman Catholic publication [considered in view of Cobbett’s new ‘History of the Protestant Reformation’, a pro Roman Catholic production, which was endorsed by Daniel O'Connell for use by the Catholic Association]. Also printed copies of pamphlets 1,2, and 3, entitled ‘Cobbett’s Book of the Roman Catholic Church’ in Four Parts, being a Familiar Introduction to His History of the Protestant Reformation’ [A critique of Cobbett’s anti Protestant publication ‘History of the Protestant Reformation’].

Feb-Mar 1825

1825