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CSO/RP/SC/1825/421

Letter from Mr [F] Savage, [magistrate], 11 Fitzgibbon Street, Mountjoy Square, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, warning that firearms are in possession of some individuals of ‘very bad character’ in the district around [?Ballymadan, in County Dublin]. He requests instruction on how to act or whether a search for unlawful arms can be commenced.

5 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/422

Letter from Sir John Stewart [MP for county Tyrone], [postmarked Preston, England], to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, enclosing a letter from Lieutenant John Hamilton, chief constable of police, Lixnaw, Listowel, County Kerry, seeking a transfer to the police establishments of either County Down or Antrim. Complains his present station is ‘the most villainous perhaps in Europe’ being in a decrepit village with a distinct lack of educational or spiritual provision. His greatest objection is the absence of a ‘Protestant school’ in the vicinity for the education of his children, whom, he fears, are in danger of ‘imbibing the tenets of Roman Catholicks’. A further deficiency, he continues, is the want of a ‘place of worship of the established Church’, the nearest being about 4 miles distant.

11 Dec 1824-5 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/423

Letter from Robert Henry Southwell, magistrate, Castle Hamilton, Killashandra, County Cavan, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking the return of an anonymous letter that was earlier directed to Brigade Major Semple, [Cavan] yeomanry, Killashandra. Expresses his frustration at the consequences of that communication, since it raised the spectre of ‘alarming and unfounded Reports’ in the district over Christmas. Were the letter forwarded to them at Killashandra, he states, ‘it might possibly lead to a detection of the writer’ for whose discovery a reward of £10 is offered. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/164].

8 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/424

3 letters from Arthur French St George, Tyrone House, Oranmore, County Galway, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, pointing to the potential that exists for abuse under the present law with respect to the claims of certain 40s freeholders in Ireland. He outlines some apparent anomalies between past legislation and especially the 44th section of the 1st act of George IV and expresses a desire for an appropriate amendment to the law. Warns of the danger of persons making fraudulent claims to the franchise and seeks to ensure that the clerk of the peace is vigilant in securing proper certification at registration. Also draft reply from [Goulburn] acknowledging St George’s concern over the prospect of ‘unauthorised voting’ by those improperly claiming the benefits given the 40s freeholders. Amendments to the election law, however, he observes, ‘should be brought forward by others than members of the Government’.

27 Dec 1824-15 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/425

Letter from [Lancelot] Sandes, brigade major of yeomanry, Monaghan, County Monaghan, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the ‘perfect tranquillity’ of the district under his command.

25 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/426

Letter from [Captain] James Soden, magistrate, Mount Temple, Moate, County Westmeath, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, reporting on some instances of disquiet in the surrounding region. He states that Patrick Waters was convicted of having unlicensed arms at the court of Grange, and a gun was also confiscated from another person in the locality, which apparently came from a smith named Edward Burton; both weapons, he notes, are now lodged with the military stationed at Grange [66th regiment of foot]. States he is conscious of the existence of illegal night meetings, but admits is unable to discern their exact location. Indicates he was called upon to assist on the estate of Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston, at Cliffony [Cliffoney], County Sligo, in response to a display of violent opposition directed at the road surveyor at work there. With the aid of one police constable, he remarks, he went to the scene but was obliged to retire on account of the resistance shown; two agitators, however, were arrested, and they will be prosecuted at the next assizes of Sligo. The people in general, he laments, are ‘kept constantly in a ferment by the inflammatory discourses of their Priests’. John Henly [Henley], the [Roman Catholic] parish priest of that place, he states, announced from the altar his intention to ‘kindle a Blaze’ that would be seen by all in the district; Henly, he continues, is heavily engaged in the collection of the Catholic Rent. He emphasises the need for a substantial presence of constabulary in the district to curtail any illicit activities or meetings, through regular vigilance and night patrols.

27 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/427

Letter from Virgilius Stanton [Staunton], [police constable], Cavan, County Cavan, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting a situation in another constabulary district. Claims he is desirous of such a change on health grounds and his application has the approval of Captain Charles Kennett, chief constable and pay clerk of Cavan. [See also description CSO/RP/1824/1815].

27 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/428

Letter from Reverend Annesley Strean, magistrate and Church of Ireland clergyman, Glebe House, Athlone, County Westmeath, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on the confiscation of a gun from John Bannon of Cloonakilla [Cloonakille] in County Roscommon. Also memorial from Bannon, Athlone, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, complaining of the imposition of a fine of £10 for keeping a gun and seeking redress. Claims the weapon was ‘in a useless state’ and was only kept as a means of protection for his corn mill.

15 Jan 1825-4 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/429

Letter from Nathaniel Sneyd, MPs for County Cavan, 42 Sackville [O'Connell] Street, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, indicating he is indisposed due to a stomach complaint and requesting a copy of ‘orders of the day of the House of Commons’ for his information. More specifically, he asks to be informed on which day a particular debate will take place next week.

10 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/430

Letter from [L G Seymour], to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking to clear up a mistake over the personal name of a man earlier made reference to. In a communication from government, he states, the individual was referred to as ‘William’, but his real name is John Griffin [high constable of Belfast].

Feb 1825

1825