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CSO/RP/OR/1828/61

File of relating to the election of Daniel O’Connell in Ennis, County Clare mainly consisting of letters from government officials including the high sheriff, inspector generals, military commanders etc, addressed to William Gregory, Under Secretary or Thomas Taylor, Dublin Castle, providing eyewitness accounts of the scenes in Ennis and elsewhere. Includes printed handbills supporting O’Connell. Also letters from George W Drought, Limerick, stating that the priests are indefatigable and that Mr Vandeleur’s tenants are said to have voted against him; enclosing printed updates on the state of the polls; noting that Rice may not be returned for Limerick because he advised friends to vote for Fitzgerald; praying that the liberals will rally round the constitution to protect the protestants; giving an account of O’Connell’s arrival into Limerick. Also letters from James Molony, High Sheriff of Clare, Kiltanon, Tulla, [County Clare], requesting additional police or military from neighbouring districts to assist him in preserving the peace; accusing James Patrick O’Gorman Mahon and Thomas Steele, magistrates of being ‘violent agitators’ in favour of O’Connell; noting that the ‘moral influence of the Landlords is entirely subverted’ and that the priests have control over the electorate. Also letters from George Warburton, Ennis, providing an eyewitness account of the hustings and the arrival of ‘the Leader’ accompanied by immense crowds and Fitzgerald who was accompanied by all the gentry; expressing astonishment that such a large crowd could be so orderly and sober, being marshalled by their own ‘police’ and priests and observing that ‘the parties which arrive in bodies, march in as good order as drilled men’; noting that the poll is being continued to force an exhaustion of the voters least they might set up another candidate. Also letters from George Farquharson, providing daily eyewitness accounts of the proceedings of the election, polling and the speeches of the candidates; noting that he is employed to forward the interests of Mr Fitzgerald; expressing astonishment at the ‘cavalcades’ that poured into the town generally proceeded by a priest on horseback. Also copy of the report of Maj Gen Sir Charles Doyle, Clare Castle, reporting on the state of Ennis, observing that complete order has been maintained by O’Connell’s supporters who are systematically marshalled by individuals with powers similar to the constabulary or magistrates; noting that he convinced the sheriff not to proceed with a fatal plan to send out patrols in the evening amongst the masses of peasants in the town who remain sober and perfectly quiet if left to themselves. Also letter from John Willcocks, Cashel, [County Tipperary], noting that he travelled to Cashel with Maj Carter with police reinforcements and giving an account of a riot which ensued from efforts by the mayor of the town to prevent a celebration; fearing mischief as many individuals in the town will refuse to illuminate their windows in support of O’Connell’s victory. Also letters from W Miller, Clonmel, noting the deployment of additional constables to Cashel and Tipperary town. Also letter from Edward Kelly, Clara, seeking advice in the event of disruption against those who refuse to join in the illuminations in Clara. Also letter from James Tandy, Millbank, Naas, warning that the lower orders imagine that ‘they will shortly receive orders to turn out in defence of their Religion’ and adding that if such orders were given they would be obeyed. Also draft replies from William Gregory, Dublin Castle.

23 Jun 1828-14 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/62

Letter from Henry Croker, Brigade Major of Yeomanry, Mallow, [County Cork], to [Francis Leveson Gower], Chief Secretary, reporting on the celebrations in Mallow at Daniel O’Connell’s election victory. Noting that the houses were illuminated, bonfires were lit at which licentious and rebellious expressions were uttered and the town was decorated with green boughs. Warning that if O’Connell gave the word there could be an uprising and massacre of protestants.

9 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/63

Letter from Samson Carter, Cashel, [County Tipperary], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, enclosing a resolution [extant] of the magistrates assembled at Cashel arranging for a public investigation of the conduct of the police. Seeking legal opinion on the right of the magistrates to decline hearing a complainant’s case through the medium of a counsel or solicitor and warning that the case might be used to attack the mayor and corporation. Includes legal opinion of Richard W Green.

12 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/64

Memorial signed by 29 inhabitants of Charleville, [County Cork], to Henry William Paget, Lord Lieutenant, submitting a complaint against Samuel Maxwell, magistrate, whom they claim used excessive force and intimidation against the inhabitants of the town during events to mark the election victory of Daniel O’Connell. Claiming that Maxwell possesses a naturally arbitrary temper and holds political and religious hostility towards the people. Observing that Maxwell publically dismissed advice offered to him by Daniel Clanchy, magistrate and Rev Crake, catholic priest of the parish and arrested Mr O’Callaghan who was making a peaceful address to the people. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/65

Letter from J Dillon Croker, Mallow, [County Cork], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, informing him that he overheard Dr Linehan, collector of ‘Catholic Rent’ in the town state that a soldier stated to him that ‘if there was a rebellion tomorrow not a Catholic soldier would fire on a rebel but ground his arms’. Also claiming that Linehan received a sum of money from the soldiers quartered in the town. Noting that he is the son of Brigade Major Croker and that he suffered thousands of pounds work of damage in arson attacks during the previous rebellion.

16 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/66

Letter from William Dobbin and [Rev J Conolly], magistrates, Borrisokane, [County Tipperary], probably to William Gregory, Under Secretary, forwarding copies of information relating to disturbances which were planned for the 12th of July and noting that they requested a division of the 75th Regiment to remain in the town as a precautionary measure. Also copy of letter from Henry Lonnon, police sergeant, Cloghjordan, [County Tipperary], to Burton P Lambert, Chief Constable, stating that the Benjamin Wilson, postmaster and sergeant of yeomanry has warned that the ‘friends of Mr O’Connell’ are intending to erect a bonfire and stage an illumination in the town. Also similar affidavit of Dr William Heise, Borrisokane, warning that certain individuals who do not intend to illuminate their windows have expressed their intention to shoot anyone attempting to break their glass.

10 Jul 1828-14 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/67

Letter from Charles Cox, Carrick on Shannon, [County Leitrim], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, noting that he and Capt George HC Peyton have granted bail to certain prisoners who were arrested at a disturbance at Ballinamore, provided that they were not in possession of arms when arrested. Seeking legal opinion. Includes legal opinion of Richard W Greene and Henry Joy, Attorney General.

18 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/68

Letter from Samson Carter, Cashel, [County Tipperary], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting on a disturbance at Cappawhite Fair between two family factions, during which Mr Purefoy, magistrate, ordered the police and military to fire on the rioters. Adding that John Sadler was waylaid and murdered at Anacarty. Observing that no disturbances had been anticipated because of a reconciliation which had been made between two factions known as the ‘three and four years old’. Requesting that Purefoy be given a commission of the peace for County Limerick.

31 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/69

Letter from Samson Carter, Cashel, [County Tipperary], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting on an investigation by magistrates into the alleged misconduct of the police in Cashel. Noting that a charge against a constable in the Peace Preservation Force for firing on a fleeing lad was upheld; that Willis and other constable in the Constabulary were adjudged to have been justified in firing on a mob; that Ward, senior constable, was reprimanded for language used against respectable inhabitants. Also letter from William Bayly Upton, Herald Office, Clonmel, to Henry William Paget, Lord Lieutenant, forwarding a copy of the ‘Clonmel Herald’, dated 9 July 1828 [extant], and complaining at the actions of Mr Carter, police magistrate, who refused to offer protection to those private individuals who refused to illuminate their windows

9 Jul 1828-22 Jul 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/70

Letters from Rev William Dunn, Sovereign of Charleville, Charleville, [County Cork], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting on events which were organised by the O’Connellites to celebrate their election victory. Mentioning bonfires at Newtown on the estate of Lord Plunkett, Shandrum and Charleville; the breaking of windows of Mr Webb, protestant saddler; support given to the O’Connellites by Mr O’Connell, apothecary and Mr Cahill, tanner. Commending the actions of Maj Samuel Maxwell, magistrate for counties Cork and Limerick and Mr Lumsden, Chief Constable despite the public opposition of fellow magistrates and the catholic priest.

22 Jul 1828-24 Jul 1828

1828