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CSO/RP/1825/1700

Letter from William Kemmis, crown solicitor, Kildare Street, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, conveying a draft order for guidance of the police constabulary in dealing with individuals involved in rioting at fairs. Provides direction as to the police response to the threat of disturbance at fairs in counties Tipperary and Limerick [for the information of Thomas Philip Vokes, police magistrate, County Limerick, and Edward Wilson, chief police magistrate of County Tipperary]. Remarks the draft has the approval of John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office, the Attorney General [William Conyngham Plunket] and the Solicitor General [Henry Joy], 22 December 1825. Returns letter from Richard Willcocks, inspector general of police, Cork, County Cork, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, suggesting a strategy for dealing with faction violence at the fairs of Tipperary and Limerick. Stresses the police magistrate need be well informed about the likelihood of riot erupting at local fairs and should be prepared for the deployment of a magistrate and suitable force of police. Were such disturbances at fairs overlooked, he warns, lawlessness would prevail together with ‘a strong desire for the possession of arms’, 30 September 1825. Also returns letter from Wilson to Goulburn offering observations on the control of local party violence. Remarks of late the principle gangs engaged in such hostility have removed themselves from the scene of the fair and now congregate ‘in remote fields to carry on their sanguinary warfare’. He undertakes to do everything in his power to suppress such manifestations of insubordination, 3 October 1825.

30 Sep 1825-22 Dec 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1712

Letter from Henry Watson, mayor, Limerick, County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking clarification on dealing with a local case of forgery and asking if the charge is bailable. With response on back from John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office, stressing the accused person is entitled to bail. Encloses copy affidavit of William Worrall, Francis Street, Limerick, in which he accuses William Smyth, an attorney of the Tholsel Court and Edward Bernard, an insurance agent, of conspiring to defraud the fair creditors of Charles George Cotterill, a bankrupt merchant of the city of Limerick. Explains in detail the basis upon which his charges are founded and reproduces a letter allegedly forged by Smyth to further his criminal aims. Statement issued and sworn in the presence of Watson.

24 Dec 1825-28 Dec 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1789

Petition of Rowland Ayres, Ralph Prestidge [also spelt Prestage] and William Erratt, Park, near Arklow, County Wicklow, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting relief over a demand for payment of additional rent on their holdings on the townland of Park. They state their lands were originally granted by John Proby, 2nd Earl of Carysfort, to John Hughes, 60 years earlier, and at that time was estimated to contain 74¾ acres. However, they continue, a more recent evaluation has put the area of ground in question at just 59 acres, and they have settled other taxes and tithe based on the latter calculation. With response on back from John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office, stressing the Lord Lieutenant has no authority to intervene in the case made mention of.

c10 Jan 1826-12 Jan 1826

1826

CSO/RP/SC/1825/15

Letter from the Attorney General [William Conyngham Plunket], Dublin Castle, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, indicating that he and the Solicitor General [Henry Joy] have given their consideration to the ‘Shercock affair’ [County Cavan]. He considers it expedient that a prompt investigation be made of the matter ‘with a view to the immediate dismissal of Captain [?Adams] & his Lieutenant’. In the case at issue, he remarks, it would not be prudent to withdraw arms from the yeomanry [while off duty]. Also incomplete note [in the hand of John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office], stressing he has written to the brigade major [of Shercock] to request a full enquiry of the matter. Furthermore, he has asked the brigade major to make contact with Reverend [F] Fitzpatrick [curate of parish of Shercock] and Mr Buxton.

[2] Jun 1825-4 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/19

Letter from P Aiken, magistrate, Ballymena, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, referring to the case of Mathew Irwin, an individual ‘who has committed various acts of Swindling’. Encloses a warrant for transmission of Irwin to the gaol of Carrickfergus, County Antrim [not present]. With note inscribed on back from John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office, insisting the matter is not for the consideration of government, but rather it must be settled ‘in the ordinary course’.

22 Jun 1825-30 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/178

Letter from John Willoughby Cole, 2nd earl of Enniskillen, [Florence Court, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, referring to an enclosed statement from Francis Leonard [not present] relative to a case of outrage and seeking the advise of government on how to proceed. With note inscribed on back from John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary’s Office, stating since the offence committed involved both felony and treason it should be brought before the courts.

26 Dec 1825-30 Dec 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1826/273

Legal opinion of John Sealy Townsend as to what are the duties of a governor of a county, stating that the office is now a sinecure, the only duty being the balloting for the militia which is a ‘mere occasional matter of routine’. Also blank copy of the Lord Lieutenant’s warrant appointing a governor.

17 Mar 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/2632

Letter from Charles William Flint, Irish Office, London, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, transmitting a letter appointing John Sealy Townsend to the office of Master of the High Court of Chancery in Ireland, a position which became vacant following the death of Thomas Ball.

29 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1831/3599

Copy letter from Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, Irish Office, London, [England], to Thomas Spring Rice, Treasury Chambers, [London], transmitting a memorial of John Sealy Townsend, master, [Court of] Chancery, addressed to the Lords of the Treasury, seeking the continuation of an allowance paid him out of the civil list [not present]; remarking that the allowance has been recommended to be discontinued by a Select Committee [of the House of Commons].

10 Dec 1831

1831

CSO/RP/1832/1534

Memorial of Thomas Holland, peace officer of the Head Office of Police, [Dublin], to Sir William Gosset, [Under Secretary], seeking a position in the Carriage Department following the dismissal of Mr Pemberton; stating that he has been recommended for the post by Henry Martley and John Sealy Townsend; noting that he previously was recommended for the position of chief constable by Francis Blackburn, Attorney General and the Earl of Munster. Also letter from Holland, 10 Camden Street, Dublin, to Mrs D Damer, soliciting the position of chief constable following the unfortunate death of Mr Gibbons.

18 Dec 1831-13 Apr 1832

1832