esz (2) FIRST AND SECOND REPORTS SELECT COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE INTO THE AMOUNT OF ADVANCES COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC WORKS IN IRELAND. Ortlercd^ by The House of Coini “ THE SOCIETY FOE THE IMPROVEMENT OF IRELAND,” THE EIGHT HON. THE LOED MAYOE OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN DUBLIN: HODGES AND SMITH, GRAFTON-STREET. 184fi. HEIi MOST GKACIOUS MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA, NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND, TO THE IRISH PEOPLE, ®I|is llcpcirt “THE SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF IRELAND," FORMED IN FEBRUARY, IMC, AS THE GREAT CHARTER OF IRISH EIGHTS. PUBLIC MEETING THE MUSIC HALL, DUBLIN, THE 18th FEBEUARY, 1846. Important Meeting at the Music Hall, Lower Abbey- street, piu’suant to a requisition published in the public Press, for the purpose of petitioning Parlia¬ ment for an immediate grant of three millions of money, for the piu-pose of employing the Msh people in useful works, railways, mines, the deep sea fisheries, reclamation of waste lands, bogs, &c., and for pro¬ moting all species of national improvement at this momentous crisis of impending famine and transition, from the measures now under discussion in the Com¬ mons’ House of Parliament, as proposed by Sir Robert Peel and the Ministry, and petitioning both Houses of Parliament for an annual advance of two millions and a-half for the above pui-poses, in pimsuaiice of the recommendation of a Report on Public Works in L’eland, made in June, 1835, by a committee appointed in the month of February in that year; and after a ( 4 ) miuutc and searching inquiry by tlie committee ap¬ pointed, of all witnesses and other evidence produced before them, and which Committee consisted of most of the members of the present Ministry, and the then opposition, headed by Lord John Russell, and includ¬ ing Mr. O’Connell, Mr. Wyse, and otlier leading Irish members, and which Report was unanimously adopted by the House in the month of June, 1835, never since acted on, and equally neglected by all parties. The meeting assembled about two o’clock in the Music Hall, Lower Abbey-sta’eet, which is admirably adapted for a public assembly. The boxes w'ere filled with fashionable ladies, accompanied by the members of their respective families. About two o’clock the building began to fill, and the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin anived, and was received with loud and general cheering, to which his lordship responded by bowing, and putting his hand upon his breast. His Lordship was seated in an elevated chau’, upon a large platform commanding a view of the entire meeting, which became extremely numerous about half-past two o’clock, and continued so till the close, which was after five o’clock. On the right hand of the Chairman, The LORD MAYOR, was Thomas Bermingham, Esq., of Caramana, in the county of Galway, J. P., who had been mainly instru- mental in procuiing tlie assembly of the meeting, and wlio for many years past is well known to have deyoted himseK to the promotion of Irish industry, in all its branches, so far as he was capable of inducing the successive administrations since 1835 to look to or consider the wants of the Ii'isli people, and the des¬ titute situation of her labouring population; near Mr. Bermingham were situated some of the leading bank¬ ers, merchants, and traders of the city of Dublin, as also many gentlemen of large landed estates, from various parts of Ireland, amongst rvhom was observed John M‘Donnell, Esq., of Merrion-square, director of the Bank of Ireland; Kobert Eimdell Guinness, Esq.; John Classon, Esq.; Charles Kennedy, Esq.; Francis Comyn Woodstock, county Galway, Esq.; Colonel Charles Fitzgerald; Thomas J. Quinton, Esq., Do Vesci Terrace ; John Keyuolds. Esq.; John Wisdom, Esq.; Pierce Nagle, Esq., J.P., of Annakissey, Done- rail ; -Carew, Esq., county Westmeath ; Thomas Dixon, of Abeline, Newtown Park ; D. Stack, Esq.; D. F. Brady, Esq., M.D., &c. On the left of the Chair sat James Dwyer, Q. C., who had only recently recovered from a severe illness, as-was afterwards stated to the meeting, and who was stated also to have taken an active part in aiding Mr. Bermingham to bring under the consideration of a public meeting, the all-important subject of the Keport of February, 1835 ; also Sir James Murray; -William Keogh, Esq., Bairister-at-Law ; Andrew ( 6 ) Geraghty, Esq., Merrion-square ; William Jitstin O’Driscoll, Esq., of Lower Fitzwilliam-street, Bams- ter-at-Law; David Daly, Esq, of same street. Solici¬ tor to the Congregated Trades and Guilds of Dublin ; D. P. Brady, Esq., M.D., North Prederick-street; Daniel Stack, Esq., Barrister-at-Law; Townsend M'Dermott, Esq., Barrister-at-Law; - Mackay, Esq., of Leeson-street, Barrister-at-Law; William Finlay Cusack, Esq., of Lower Camden-street; Mat¬ thew Adair Phillips,’ Esq., of Lincoln’s Inn ; John Julien, Esq. of Lower Mount-street; - Baggot, E^q, Lower FitzwiUiam-street; and many others Avhose names we could not collect; but the platform was densely crowded; the body of the house and passages were filled (but not inconveniently) with weU-dressed artisans, and many others apparently of the wofb'ng classes, who appeared to take the deepest interest in the business of the day, and were most orderly in their demeanour, though receiving with the loudest applause and great cheering, the Lord Mayor, Mr. Bermingham, and the several speakers, as they addressed them, and the meeting, from the platform. The business of the day commenced about ten minutes after two, by Thomas Dixon, Esq, of Abeline, moving, seconded by James Dwyer, Esq, Q. C. That the Eight Hon. the Lord Mayor of the city of Dublin be requested to take the Chair, and preside at the present meeting ; and that Daniel Stack, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, and Daniel F. Brady, Esq, M. D., of 5 - 4 / ( 7 ) North Frederick-street, be requested to act as Secre¬ taries to this meeting, and as Honorary Secretaries to the Committee and Society for the Improvement of Ireland, to be hereafter named. This resolution was put from the chair, and passed unanimously. Proposed by Thomas Bermingham, Esq.; seconded by John M'Donnell, Esq. Eesolvkd,— That although we ajrprove of the po¬ licy of Sir Eobert Peel, and the present Ministry, in their general principles of free trade, and striking the shackles from commerce, yet, as Ireland may suffer from losing the advantage of supplying com and pro¬ visions to the sister country, we feel that Ireland is now entitled to an ample equivalent, and more parti¬ cularly, as twenty millions were voted to the slave owners of Jamaica, for the emancipation of eight hun¬ dred thousand negroes; and that we feel we are en¬ titled in right, in policy, and in justice, to call for the fulfilment of the recommendation of a Eeport of the House of Commons on Public Works in Ireland, in February, 1835, made by a Committee (of which most of the present hlinistry were members), of two millions and a-half annually, in aid of the industry of of Ireland, her railways, her fisheries, her mines, and all species of national industry. This resolution having been put from the Chair, passed imanimously. Moved by James Dwyer, Esq., Q.C., seconded ( 8 ) by Townseud M‘Dermott, Esq., and’ passed unani- iflously, amidst gi’eat cbeeriiig. Eesolted,— That the Avarm and heartfelt thanks of this meeting, and of the Irish people, are due, and hereby given, to our valued fellow-countryman, Tho¬ mas Bermingham, Esq., J.P., of Caramana, for his persevering and disinterested exertions, for a series of twenty years, to forAvard the industry and enteiimize of Ireland, and to raise up and sustain her suffering and laborious people; and more especially for calHng this present meeting, to obtain for Ireland her pros¬ trate enterprize, her suffering, but destitute population, their rights, food, and remunerative employment, and, more particularly, the fulfilment of the Eeport of 1835. Proposed by Daniel Stack, Esq., A.B., T.C. D., Barrister-at-LaAV; seconded by Eobert E. Guinness, Esq., Director of tire London and Dublin Bank; and passed unanimously, amidst loud and general cheering. The petition having been read. . Eesolved,— That the petition as now read be adopted as the petition of this meeting, and of those bankers, merchants, landoAvners, and all others who have or Avho shall sign the same; and that oiu’ emi¬ nent fellow-countryman, the Member for Waterford, Thomas Wyse, Esq,, be requested to present the same to the House of Commons on an early day, and impressively to call on the House to consider the contents thereof, and to have same printed; and that a Coinmittee of the House be moved for to considei* said Report, and to carry out its objects for the benefits of the Irish people, so as to obtain speedUy for the labouring classes employment at this awful period of apprehended famine ; so that the national industry be stimulated, and our railways saved from ruin, by salutary and timely advances from the State, as recommended by the Report of 1835 ; and the Duke of Leinster, or, in his absenee, the Right Hon. Lord Baron ClonciU’ry, be requested to present it in the most effective manner to the House of Lords, and to call the serious and immediate attention of their Lordships to this all important subject, and to the Report of 1835, so strangely neglected up to the present time by all parties. Proposed by William Justin O’Driscoll, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, Lower Fitzwilliain-street; seconded by Charles Kennedy, Esq.; and passed unanimously. Resolved,— That the Members for the City and County of Dublin, and all the Members for Ireland, wlio feel for our interest, be requested to support the prayer of that petition, and to obtain from the Parliament and the Ministers, prompt and ample measures of relief and protection for the Irish people. Proposed by David Daly, Esq. ; seconded by John Classon, Esq. Resolved unanimously, —That viewing the de¬ pressed state of trade and commerce hi this countiy, and the consequent privations of the artisans and la- ( 10 ) bouring classes therein, a matter of much moment to the community, taking into consideration the proba¬ bility, or perhaps certainty, of an approaching famine, we emphatically call upon, all pubhc boards, in the ac¬ ceptance of whatever tenders may be presented to them by the various persons anxious to contact for works, to have the principle embodied in all their arguments, that the legitimate and skilled Irish tradesman of ability and knowledge in the various branches of trade shall be preferred; that in all instances, whether for skilled or unskilled labour, the recognition of the principle of “ a fair day’s wages for a fair day’s work” be insisted on. ' Moved by Thomas Dixon, Esq., of Abeline, New¬ town Park, seconded by John Eeynolds, Esq., and adopted unanimously. • Resolved,— That the warm thanks of this meeting, and of the Irish people, are- due and hereby given to the late Secretary for Ireland, Sir Thomas Fremantle, for his evident anxiety and earnest wish, whilst here and in England, to promote the industry of Ireland, and. for his prompt, cordial, and effective exertions during the present session to promote measures in¬ tended for her good; and that although we deem £50,000 to buiiding fishing piers, as proposed by him in Parliament, a very inadequate relief to Ireland and her suffering population at the present critical junctiue of her affairs (and if intended at aU to be proposed at such a period of experiment, transition, and change) an insulting mockery of the Irish people. Yet we feel convinced that Sir Thomas Fremantle did all in his power; and we trust that the new Secretary for Ire¬ land, Lord Lincoln, will emulate his example; and that this resolution he transmitted to each of the Eight Hon. Gentlemen, by the Committee and Society, to be forwarded together with a copy of the Eeport of 1835. Proposed by E. E. Guinness, Esq., seconded by Colonel Charles Fitzgerald, and adopted unani¬ mously amidst general cheering. Eesolved, —That the Eeport of February, 1835, made to the House in the month of Jime, in that year, on Public Works in Ireland, be printed in the most approved form, at the expense of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, and be paid for out of the funds thereof, and that same be published imderthe di¬ rection of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, and be sold and circulated at the most moderate rate so as to be accessible to all classes, and that same be disseminated throughout this countrj', England, and Scotland; and that a copy thereof, together -with oiu- resolutions and petition, be presented by a deputa¬ tion from the Society for the Improvement of Heland, headed by oiu- esteemed Chairman, the Eight Hon. the. Lord Majmr, to His Excellency the Lord Lieute¬ nant, in the most respectful and effective manner; and that the said deputation do call His Excellency’s mi¬ nute attention to the contents and import of said Ee¬ port, as we feel convinced of the deep s}Tnpathy of His Excellency for the people of this coimtry, and of his ( 12 ) great anxiety to promote the interests and industry thereofand resolved tliat His Excellency be respecb fully requested to call the prompt attention of the M- nistry to' the subject, and impress upon Sm Robert Peel, Sir James Graham, and their colleagues, the actual ne¬ cessity of prompt measures of relief, by advance and loan in the manner and in the proportions recom¬ mended in the Report of 1835. Proposed by James Dwyer, Esq., Q.C. '; seconded hy Sir James Murray, Merrion-square, and adopted unanimously, with loud applause: Resolved,— That a copy of the said Report, Reso¬ lutions, and Petition, be Hkewise presented by a depu¬ tation from the Society for the Improvement of Ireland (including the mover and seconder), in the most re¬ spectful manner, to that able, upright, and impailial Judge, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Sir Edward Sugden. Moved by William Justin O’Driscoll, Esq.; se¬ conded by John Classon, Esq. ; Resolved,— That the following residentNoblemen, Members of Parliament, and Gentlemen, as now read [the list having been read], who shall pay three gui¬ neas annually,, shall be and form a Society, to be called “ The Society for the Improvement of Ireland,” irre¬ spective of politics or party; and that it be a funda¬ mental rule of that Society that neither politics nor party be introduced into its constitution or discussion, in any shape whatever; that the said Society be con- ( 13 ) fined to the purpose of forwarding Irish industry and enterprize, and tlie employment of our hardy, labor rious, and suffering population in every shape ; and pressing upon the Ministry, or any Jlinistry, till ob¬ tained, the fulfilment of the pledges held out and made by the Eeport of 1835, and some adequate equi¬ valent for the loss of her manufactui’e and commerce. ' Proposed by Thomas J. Quinton, Esq.; seconded by-Carew, J. P., of Co. Westmeath; Eesolved,— That the said Society do not exceed 250 (with power, however, to the Society, by a vote of two-thirds thereof, to add to their numbers); and that the Society do meet at least weekly, and do have at their option days open to the subscribers of one guinea per annum, for general discussion, subject to the strict control of the Chair, as to the fundamental clauses and regulations of the Society; and that the Society do meet at least twice in public, to report to the mem¬ bers, the Irish people, and to extern members (paying one guinea per annrun) the proceedings of the Society, and the progress of Irish enterprize and industry; that extern members be allowed to attend the General Meetings, to join in the discussions, and to vote upon subjects of general interest; that the said Society be em¬ powered to make by-laws for their own government. The proposed members of the Society were then read, composed of fourteen resident noblemen, twen¬ ty-seven Members of Parliament, and 160 bankers, merchants, traders, landowners, and others interested ( 14 ) in the welfare of Ireland ; each to pay a sum of tliree guineas for ;the purposes of the Society. The reading of the list elicited great cheering. Moved by Sir James Murray; seconded by Adam Pliillips, Esqv Barrister: EESOtVBt),— That the said Society be empowered to. elect Treasurers and Officers from amongst their body, and- that there' be . Presidents and Vice-Presi¬ dents, to be regulated by the by-laws; and that the Presidents: and Vice-Presidents now read be requested to act. for the next two years, and be apprised by the Honoraiy Secretary thereof. Passed unanimously. Moved by David Daly, Esq.; seconded by -r— Roe, Esq., Resol'Ved,— That there be three Treasurers ap¬ pointed for the custody :of the present funds sub¬ scribed and to be subscribed, until three other Trea¬ surers (if any change be deemed expedient) be chosen by the Society when fully organized ; and that the present Treasurers be authorized to defray, out of all funds to come to their, hands, all expenses atten¬ dant upon the present meeting, including the Eesor lutions and objects thereof; and that the future and amiual funds of the Society be lodged, in the names of the Treasui’ers to be chosen, in the Bank of 'Irc- land and in the National Bank of Ireland, to the credit of the Society, and for the objects thereof, and in any other banks throughout Ireland the said Society may ( 15 ) name (if any); and that Ave recommend all landed proprietors and others Avho feel for L’elahd, to come promptly forward and join said Society, so as to make it so comprehensive as to he irresistible by its purity of action and unity of purpose. Proposed by D. F. Brady, Esq., M.D., seconded by ToAvnsend M'Dermott, Esq., Barrister-at-LaAV, and resolved unanimously amidst much applause ; That the marked thanks of this meeting are hereby tendered to oiu talented felloAv-citizen, James Dwyer, Esq., Q.C., to Avhose untiring energy and patriotic ex¬ ertion the public are in a great measure indebted for tliis first and successful effort to unite, in cordial co¬ operation, all classes of our countrymen ; and that the value^ of these exertions on the part of Mr. DAvyer must be increased tenfold in public estimation and gratitude, when it is remembered that he has dcAmted the first moment of his convalescence, after a severe and painful illness, to the organization of this impor¬ tant meeting to forward the industry of Ireland, and to promote union amongst a people hitherto unhap¬ pily divided by sect and party, but this day, we trust, united in “ one arch of peace.” Proposed by Daniel Stack, seconded by T. M'Der^ mott. Esq.: Eesolved,— That a deputation be likeAAuse sent, at the expense of the Society; toAvait on Sir Eobert Peel and the Mnistry, and to impress on them to comply Avith the Eeport of 1835 in all its bearings. ( 16 ) Proposed by Sir James Murray,;, seconded by Pierce Nagle, , of-Doneraile, Esq,, J. P.,‘ and adopted unanimously.: • Resolved, —That the wai’m thanks of this meet¬ ing and of the Irish people are.due, mhd are hereby given, to Monckton Jlilnes, -Esq., Member for Somer¬ setshire an enlightened English-Meinbef, who, on the occasion of a recent debate on loans and advances to Ireland, generously, and yrith true policy, advocated the claims of her people for ample and bberal mea¬ sures of pecuniaiy aid-at the present calamitous crisis ; and we hail with pleasure-the generous sym¬ pathy of an' English Member for the wants and suffer¬ ings of the Irish people ; and we deeply lament that it should be but a solitary instance exhibited on that occasion •;-and that the Secretaries and Committee be directed to transmit tlfis resolution to Monckton Milnes, Esq., in a-suitable manner. Proposed by David Daly, Jun., Esq., and Resolved .dnanimodsey;— That we, confidently re¬ lying on'the zeal,'energy,-and ability of oiu’ eminent fellow-countryman, Daniel O’Connell; M.P., earnestly request his invaluable co-operation in forwarding the objects of thfe meeting,- and iinpressing on parliament the necessity of adopting prompt, ample, and remedial measures,- for the-purpose of relieving the distress of Ireliindj -Stimijatihg-her' industry,rarid calling for ai ful¬ filment of-the Report-ofFebruary; 1835, and of the Re- commendation of tliat report, of which he was a mem¬ ber, and emphatically demanding “ JUSTICE FOR IRELAND.” (Signed) John Keshan, Lord Mayor, Chairman. It was then moved by James Dwyer, Esq., Q. C., se¬ conded by Thomas Bermingham, Esq.; That the Eight Honourable the Lord Mayor do leave the Chak, and that Eobert Eundel Guinness, Esq., do take the same. Mr. Guinness having done so: Thomas Bermingham, Esq. (seconded by the una¬ nimous plaudits and cheering of the entire meeting, waving of hats, &c.) moved a vote of thanks to the Lord Mayor for his promptitude in taking the Chair; and the whole meeting, including the ladies in the boxes, rose, as if by common consent, to respond to the warm eulogy of Mi’. Bermingham, at which his Lordship appeared deeply affected, and made his acknowledgment in suitable terms to the meeting. (Signed) E. E. Guinness, Chairman. D. F. Brady, 1 ^ D. Stack, / Three hearty cheers were then given for her Ma¬ jesty Queen Victoria and the union of the Irish people, and the meeting separated in great harmony after five o’clock. PARLIAMENTARY REPORTS AND PROCEEDINGS, ■FEBRUARY, 1835. Mariis, 17° die Mariii, 1835. OrefeW, That.a Select Committee be appointed to .inquire, into tlie amount of advances made by tbe Commissioners of Publie "Works in Ireland, tbe regulations under ■whicb they were made, the purposes to which they haye been applied, and the amount of repay¬ ments; to consider, also, the various Reports made by Committees and Commissioners on the subject of reclaiming Waste Lands in 'Ireland, and to'srhat extent the suggestions which they contain have been complied ■with. And a Committee is appointed, of— Mr. Lynch. - ■ Mr. Anthony Lefroy. Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer." Mr. James Grattan. ; Sir Henry Hardinge. ■ ■ ■ Mr. Robert Clive; ; Mr. Spring Rice. Lord Viscount Clements. Sir Henry Parnell. Sir Charles Coote. Sir Thomas Fremantle. Mr. Lowther Chapman. Mr. O’Connell. Colonel Bruen. Sir Richard Musgra-ve. Mr. Thomas Gladstone. Mr. Wyse. Earl of Kerry. Mr. Morgan J. O’Connell. Sir Robert Bateson. Colonel ConoUy. Mr. Bodkin. Colonel Perceval. Mr. Blake. Mr. Feargus O’Connor. Mr. Christopher Fitzsimon. Mr. William Smith O’Brien. Lord Viscount Castlereagh. Mr. James Loch. Mr. William Roche. Mr. Poulett Sorope. Mr. Sheil. O’Conor Don. Ordered, That the said Committee have power to send for per¬ sons, papers, and records. Ordered, That five be the Quorum of the Committee. B 2 ( 20 ) Jovis, 19° die Mmiii, 1835. Ordered, That Mr. Mullins he added to the Committee. • Veneris, 27° die Ifartii, 1835. Ordered, That Sir Charles Lemon,- Mr. Nicholl, Mr. Robert Palmer, Mr. Cuuuning Bruce, Mr. Jephsob, Mr. Cornelius O’Brien, and Mr. French, be added to the Committee. Lunw, 13° die Aprilis, 1835. Ordered, That Mr. Feargus O’Connor and Colonel Perceval be discharged from further attendance on the Committee. Ordered, That Sir William Bfabazon and Mr. Dominick BroTOe be added-to the Committee. Martis, 19° die Maii, 1835. / Ordered, That Lord Viscount Morpeth, Lord Viscount Acheson, Major Maonamara, Mr. Edward Buthven, Mr. Thomas Martin, Mr. Benjamin Smith, and Mr. Bellew, be added to the Committee. Joms, 4° die Junii, 1835. Ordered, That Mr. Barron and Mr. David Roche be added to the Venem, 26° die Junii, 1835. Ordered, That the Committee have power, to report from time to time, together with the minutes of evidence taken before them. FIRST REPORT. 1835. The Select Committee appointed to inq^uire into tlie Amount of Advances made by tbe Commissionees OF Public Works in Ireland, the Eegulations under which they were made, the purposes to which they have been applied, and the Amount of the Repay- ' MENTS ; to consider also the various Reports, made by Committees and Commissioners on the subject of re¬ claiming Waste Lands in Ireland, and to what extent the suggestions which they contain have been complied with;—and to report from time to time to The House, together with the Minutes of the Evidence taken before them:— Have proceeded in the inquiries di¬ rected to be made, and have agreed to the following, being their First Report : The advantages derivable to Ireland and the United Kingdom from Public Works, having been heretofore mrks in Ire- frequently investigated for the information of the House, and His Majesty’s Government, your Committee have been materially aided by the results of those investiga¬ tions, and have limited their inquiries through indivi¬ dual witnesses, as much as possible, to such persons acquainted with Ksh affaiis as they have found in Lon¬ don for other purposes, thereby restricting the expenses ( 22 ) attendant 'on summoning witnesses fi'om L-eland. They have also been considerably assisted by the annual re¬ ports made by the Commissioners of the Board of Public Works in Ireland. CONSTITUTION AND DUTIES OF THE BOAED. Constitution of The Irish Board of Public Works was constituted in ofTotiia^rks. 1831, by the Act 1 & 2 Will. IV. c. 33, and has been charged by the provisions thereof with the execution of the following objects: 1st. The management of a fund of £500,000, placed at its disposal, under the sanction of His Majesty’s Treasury for loans in aid of public works, and indivi¬ dual outlay, for the purposes mentioned in the Act. 2nd. The management of a fund of £50,000, for grants in aid of the formation of roads and bridges, and small piers and harbours along the sea-coast. . 3rd. Inland navigation'. 4th. The fisheries of L-eland, formerly imder the superintendence of the late Directors General of In¬ land Navigation. 5th. Certain roads and bridges under the Act of the 6th Geo. rV. c. 101.. ^£5'Oo'*”*° Board consists of a Chairman and two Commis- sioners: the former and one of the latter have been mili¬ tary engineers, and the other a member of the late Board for auditing Army Accounts in Ireland; assisted by a secretaiy, an accountant, and an engineer, and a very mo¬ derate establisliment of clerks. This Board supeiTeded five Boards which had existed in Leland previously to 1831,—the Board of Works for Dublin, the Board of In¬ land Navigation, a Board for lending Money from the ( 23 ) Consolidated fund, the Commissioners of IGngstown Harbour, and the Co mmi ssioners of Hunmore Harbour; and one of these Boards, that for Inland Navigation, had previously transferred to it the duties of a Board for pro¬ moting the Irish Fisheries. The whole aimual expense of these Boards was nearly £10,000. The actual annual expense of the establishment of the present Board of Public Works is £5500. The following additional duties to those specified in the Act, have been committed to the present Board by His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, or by par¬ ticular Acts:— The charge of the public buildings in Dublin and the Phoenix Park. Dunmore Harbour. Kingstown Harbour LiinaticAsyliuns. With many others of extensive but more temporary nature. The charge of the Board’s establisliment, viz., £5500 per anniun, is defrayed out' of the profit obtained by in¬ terest payable on loans beyond the cost to Government. MANS. When a loan is sanctioned by the Board of Works and the Lords of the Treasury in pursuance of the Act, ad¬ vances are made on account of it; Exchequer bills to the amount being handed to the party, who receives the pre¬ mium, if any, arising on them. The Board is authorized to lend money, with the sanc¬ tion of the Treasury, to Grand Juries, Public bodies. ( 24 ) Companies, and Individuals; For.any of the following purposes : Roads and Bridges, Harbours, Piers, Docks, Canals and Railways. Mines and Quarries, Drainage and Improvement of Estates, ■* Buildings, or other description of Public Works. And by an Act of 1834, it was directed that the Board should advance £100,000 to the Commissioners appointed under the Act of 1833, for managing Church Temporali¬ ties in Ireland. The Act requires the loans made to grand juries to he on the security of presentments for levying the amount by half-yearly instalments of not less than £10 per cent, per anniun, of the sums lent, with an annual interest not exceeding £5 per cent. As to loans for And loans for public works are to be made on the se- PubUc Works, of “the rates, rents, tolls, profits, and receipts,” repayable in twenty-five years by instalments, commenc¬ ing immediately, or (if the Board of Works and Lords of the Treasury shall so determine) in five years after •the date of the first advance made on account of each loan, -with interest at a rate not less than £4 per cent, per annum, on the balance remaining due, payable annu¬ ally. It is required in all these cases, except as to public •bodies acting imder the authority of an Act of Parlia¬ ment, and where no dmdend or profit is payable thcre- , out to any person or persons, that “ the rates, rents, tolls, profits, and receipts,” on the security of which a loan ( 25 ) shall be made, shall be in amount at least double the in¬ terest required by the Boai-d on the sum proposed to bo advanced; or, -where no tolls are in existence, that a sum not less than one-third part of the estimated costs should be expended, subscribed, or be secured or deposited to the satisfaction of the Commissioners. find loans to individmls for dramage or other im- ta's to provement of estates (-which are limited to cases -where it shall be proved to the Board that the works, when com¬ pleted, will increase the value of the land at least £10 per cent, on the sum proposed to be expended), are re¬ quired to be repaid within tlirec years after the expi¬ ration of the period to be fixed by the Board of Works for the completion of the improvement, -with interest, payable half-yearly, of not less than £5 per cent, per annum. It is necessary that a contract, in all cases of borrowing for such improvements, with t-wo sureties, shall be entered into for the full and complete execution of the work -within a period to be fixed by the Board, not exceeding seven years. With respect to all loans, the sccimties to the Board arc to have priority over existing securities, if four-fifths in value of the incumbrancers agree, but not other-wise. Securities are authorized to be taken in deposits or transfers of Bank or Government Stock, Exchequer Bills, or India Bonds, in lieu of the other securities specified in the Act, or as collateral thereto. And they are authorized to take personal security as a collateral security, and also to make loans, not excee^ng £1000 for one work, on personal seemity alone, provided the parties shall have previously expended, subscribed, secured, or deposited, a sum equal to one-half of the esti¬ mated cost of the proposed work; such loans to be re¬ payable -within five years fi'om the advance thereof, with ( 26 ) interest of not less than £5 per cent, per annum, payable half-yearly. The total of loans on personal securities only cannot exceed £50,000 at any one time. By the 18th section of the Act, it is provided, that all persons, public bodies, or companies (except grand juries), borrowing money under the Act, or becoming security for others, shaD, besides the secirrities in each case respectively directed to be taken, become bound to His Majesty, by ■writing, obligatory in such penal sum as shall be directed by the Commissioners; and by the 48th section, power is given to the company to sue proprietors or shareholders of unfinished works for money to complete the same, in case the expense exceeds the estimate. Loans approved The amount of loans approved by the Board of £497,m m ^orks, some of which'are not definitively sanctioned, is £2,821 2s., all £497,170 18s. The amount of the loans sanctioned is ” £351,770 18s. The amount of advances made on ac¬ count of such loans (being in Exchequer bills) is £195,250. And there is yet to be lent, supposing all the loans approved of shall be sanctioned, and of which there is little doubt, only £2,829 2s. This re¬ sidue is the sole amount for which the Boai'd of Works can at present entertain applications. . All the loans at present approved or sanctioned, ex¬ cept the loan of £100,000, have been agreed to on the terms and regulations specified in the Act. The loans .to grand juries have been made, in many cases, subject only to. interest at £4 per cent, per annmn, under the discretionary power vested by the Act in the Lords of .the Treasury and the Board; and the loan of £100,000 to the Commissioners of Chiuch Temporalities has been made according to the terms of the Act of 1834; a loan .entirely foreign to the purposes of the Act, and to the repayment of which, within a short period, your Com¬ mittee look with anxious solicitude. The following statement of the objects for which loans have been obtained has been laid before the Committee by the Chahman of the Board. OBJECTS. AMOUNTS. Roads. Bridges. Navigations. Harboiu-s and Quays. Railways. Quarries and Culm-pit. Mines (Machinery). Drainage. Court House. Hospital. Chapels (completing). Dublin Wide Streets. Ecclesiastical Commissioners . . £ s. d. 79,698 4 10 49,412 13 2 29,160 0 0 111,950 0 0 80,000 0 0 9500 0 0 2000 0 O - 2000 0 0 5000 0 0 2500 0 0 750 0 0 25,000 0 0 100,000 0 0, £497,170 18 0 Of these loans, the sum of £10,850 has been appro¬ priated to individuals, at the rate of £5 per cent, per annum; and of that sum, £350 has been appropriated on personal security only. The interest on all the loans has, in general, been re¬ gularly paid; and it has been stated in evidence before the Committee, by Colonel Burgoyne, the Chairman of the Board, that the seciu'ities taken for the pjincipaf, conformably to the terms of the Act, are such as to give hopes, as far as can be at present foreseen, of the repay¬ ment of the whole siun appropriated. There has been aheady received, on account of the ( 28 ) principal, the sum of £20,796 19s. lOrf., being, with two very trifling exceptions, all that has fallen due according to the terms of the loans. GBANTS. Grants for cer- In addition to the power of lending Exchequer bills tsnn puiposcs. amount of £500,000, the Board of Works and Lords of the Treasmy are empowered by the Act to make. grants in aid of the construction of roads and bridges, and of small harbours, piers, and quays, on the sea-epast, to the amount of £50,000, out of the Consoli¬ dated Fund. Prirato parties. yjjg requires the parties (excepting grand juries) who shall obtain such grants, to enter into the securities which shall be agreed upon, and pay a moiety of the es¬ timated expense of the works, either in instalments, or to the amount of the moiety, as the Board and Lords of the Treasury shall direct; and corporations, tenants in tail, and other persons having only particular or life interests, may mortgage their lands for raising such moiety, with priority over all charges and incumbrances. The Board is also authorized to receive applications froin grand juries for grants for roads and bridges; and the grand juries are authorized to raise their moiety of the contributions. But no power is given to grand juries, or to indivi¬ duals having only particular or life interest in lands, to raise or charge the moiety of contributions for small har- hours, piers, and quays. In all cases of grants for small liarhours, piers, and quays, they must be situate on the sea-coast. And in all cases it is required that seemity shall be given that the person or persons making application shall doliay such ( 29 ) further sum beyond the estimated expense as shall be ne¬ cessary to complete the road, bridge, quay, or pier, accord¬ ing to the specification; and grand juries are required to defi^ay the rvhole of such increased expenditure. Of the whole amount of grants authorized, the sum of £32,708 6s, 2d. has been appropriated to the follorving objects: Grants for Roads. £30,067 12 2 „ Bridge. 2,222 14 0 „ Piers and (4uay ... 418 0 0 £32,700 6 2 By an Act passed in the last session of Parliament, the Commissioners are directed to expend the sum of £7000 and upwards in the rebuilding of Portumna Bridge, on the Shannon, leaving at the disposal of the Board the sum of £10,000 or thereabouts only. Among the remedial measures proposed for the im- Advantages of provement of Ireland, none can create less difierence ^,5? advan^ra of opinion, or has been more universally mged by all to Ireland, parties and persons who have considered tho subject, than the propriety of encouraging the execution of pub¬ lic works; and your Committee fully coincide in the opinion, that there is every reason, in justice and policy, for extending in that country the public aid for such purpose, in a degree that does not admit of com¬ parison with the considerations that would be the guide for other parts of the United Kingdom. In advocating, however, on principle, a liberal sup¬ port to such objects, yoiu Committee are fully aware of the necessity for a due consideration of the available means and resources of the empire, which must restrict any positive national outlay within moderate bounds. Your Committee are of opinion, however, that by Advantage of ( 30 ) legislative’ regulation, aid, and encouragement, much good may be efiPected with a trifling gratuitous expense; by lending largely the support of the Government to the for¬ warding of loans for loorh of ascertainedpMic viility, and on good seeunty, and by making grants to a moderate extent, for the prosecution of other objects of improvement of na¬ tional importance, beyond the means of individuals or of local communities, and in which they have no very imme¬ diate interest. . The Act of 1 & 2 William IV., cap. 33, was drawn up with these views, and your Committee are happy to testify to the ability with which it was devised, as an improvement on every preceding system. By concentrating the operations of various Boards, aU more or less connected with public works, it gave the opportunity of regulating them with more economy and effect. Establishments were much reduced, wliile greater and more efficient means became generally available. The experiment has so far succeeded, and the funds are nearly exhausted. Your Committee strongly recom¬ mend an extension of the measure, with such modifica¬ tions as experience has pointed out to be desirable. In the course of the inquiry made by yom- Committee into the proceedings of the Board of Works, in applying the j(noney, placed at its . disposal for. loans and grants, various statements have been made of the great advan¬ tages arising from these aids, as well as of advantages obstructed , by the terms by which the Act limits the Board and the Treasury in making loans and grants; and many suggestions of means for extending those advantages and, removing those obstructions, with plans for the impovemeht of Ireland, by extending the powers and control of the. Board of Works, have also been made ( 31 ) to your Committee, some of which your Committee shall now proceed to place before the House, in the order of the respective objects of the Board’s constitution, to which they refer. In so doing, your Committee do not con¬ ceive they are transgressing the limits and objects of the inquiry directed by the House. AS TO THE EXPENSES OP THE BOARD. It appears by the evidence of Colonel Burgoyne Expcn-ws (652), that the expenses of the establishment of the Board of Public Works in Ireland are defrayed by the pro¬ fits on the loans; and as these expenses amoimt at present to upwards of £5000 a year (654), and may become greater, and as more than one-half of the duties per¬ formed by-the Board are not within the Act (655), it has been suggested that, under the circumstances of Ireland which have required the adoption of this system of relief, it would be reasonnble to recommend that the expenses of the Board shall not be charged on the loans: and as there is an annual appropriation of £5000 out of the Scotch revenue, by Act of Parliament, for public works in Scotland (48 and 82), wliich defrays the expenses of management in that country, and leaves a residue of £3000 in aid of the works (61), your Com¬ mittee agree in the propriety and policy of this sugges¬ tion, and recommend it to the consideration of the House. AS TO THE CONTROLLING POWERS OF THE BOARD. Colonel Burgoyne has stated to the Committee that it Powers d would be important to give the Board of Works, under “ the direction of the Lords of the Treasury, a control over ( 32 ) the county suiTcyors employed by tlie grand juries, as they at present act independently (726), and it would be for the advantage of the country that they should act bn a uniform system in the execution of their duties, and under competent direction. He has also suggested that each grand jury (739) should report to the Board of Works on the progress of all public works carrying on under its authority, for the purpose of enabbng the Board of Works to ascertain the extent of all the ope¬ rations of that kind going on throughout the country. Your .Committee recommend both suggestions to the consideration of the House. The attention of your Committee has been direeted, in the course of their inquiry, to a defect in the working of the ^and jury system, as to the construction of new lines of roads passing through distinct counties. By an 'Act of Parliament passed in 1805, the Postmaster-Gene¬ ral is empowered to have surveys made of mail roads that shall be considered desirable, which he then recommends to the grand jury; and he has a power, for one year. Tinder an Act of 1834, of causing repairs to be made on mail roads, through the Board of Public Works. With reference to these powers, and the defect above refereed to, it is deemed important to direct the attention of the House to the following statements in the Evidence. 451. “ Colonel Burgoyne .—I tliiuk some occasional compul¬ sory p'ower on the grand jury would be very desirable for for¬ warding public improvements in roads. I know of cases where very useful lines of road would be carried through a country, but for want of the power to pass through some very small portion of an individual county, which fancies its interests op¬ posed to it, the whole measure has been defeated. There are cases where a shilling presentment has been refused in order to defeat the measure, and perhaps a very useful measure for ( 33 ) the country. In such instances it would seem very desirable to have some powers to correct the evil. I have known in¬ stances of two counties presenting for a bridge, and if the plans of the two engineers employed had been followed, the two halves of the bridge would have been of different con¬ structions and at different parts of the river.” 543. “ Can you suggest any scheme by which, when one party proposes to make a part of a general line of communi- eatidn as far as it passes through that county, that an ad¬ joining county could be compelled to continue such line through its territory?—With regard to roads, the only way it could be done is by a commission appointed by Government; Government officers, and gentlemen of a different part of the country, would perhaps be most satisfactory. 544. “Can you mention any instance within your own knowledge where such a provision as has been suggested to you would be most desirable?—I can mention an instance where a road has been defeated for want of such a power. The Blessington turnpike trust has power to go to Carlow by a line which would be very advantageous to the country, but to carry it into execution it is necessary to pass through a small portion of the county of Kildare, whose grand jury have constantly refused to allow it, though only one shilling pre¬ sentment was asked for; the consequence is, that a very im¬ proved communication from Dublin to Waterford, saving seven miles, is in a great measure defeated. There is another case where the county of Mayo has refused to carry on a great leading-line of road, that would be very advantageous to the country in general, and which is already perfected up to the frontiers of that county.” On considering these important statements, your Com- £ mittee have no hesitation in suggesting that the Board of Works should he empowered to carry improved lines of roads through distinct counties, under regulations similar to those contained in the Act of 18.34, for the erection of bridges connecting distinct counties; and your Commit- ( 34 ) tee submit for the consideration of the House, whether the Act of 1834, for the repair of mail roads, might not be advantageously continued. In cases where the entire charge of constructing the roads is to be borne by Government, it is considered but right, that the Board of Works should have the power of undertaking and executing such works, without reference to the grand jury. In coimexion with these suggestions, your Committee beg further to state, that a useful power may be given to the Board, acting under the direction of the Government, of causing surveys to be made of lines of roads and other public works, for the purpose of suggesting improvements to grand juries and other public bodies; and in cases of applications for loans, it is also suggested by your com¬ mittee, that the Board of Works should send a surveyor in the first instance, for the purpose of avoiding the double expense of surveying, firstly, for the parties, and subse¬ quently, for the board, where a survey is not necessary for determining on the expediency of the works, and where a deposit shall be made of a sufficient sum to pay for the survey. This recommendation, your Committee believe, is to a great extent acted upon. There is another object of great public importance, to which your Committee desire to recommend that the power of the Board of Works should be extended. By an Act of 1 & 2 Will. IV. c. 57, powers are given to un¬ dertakers, grand juries, and individuals, for the reclama¬ tion and protection of lands on the banks of rivers and lakes, by sinking, embanking, and removing obstructions; and these powers, though efficient and important, have not been carried into operation from the want of enter- prize, or want of confidence in persons to execute the work; but were they conferred on the Board of Works, your Committee are of opinion, that the beneficial objects of the law would be speedily and safely accomplished: the interference of the Board to be called into operation, by a requisition from the majority in value of the land proprietors interested; the works to be completed under the direction of the Board; the benefit derived to each estate to be ascertained by a jury, and the charge of the works to be allocated accordingly, becoming a lien on the land. AS TO ROADS. The formation of roads in Ireland, with the aid of Par¬ liamentary grants, commenced in 1822; but in Scotland the formation of such roads was commenced in 1803. At present, the Iiish Board of Works is engaged in complet¬ ing the construction of new roads in the districts of Mayo and Galway; but is not provided with funds for carrying them to an extent commensurate with the wants of the western districts of Ireland, and the importance of such lines of communication to the public, as they promote the improvement of the local population, and enhance the re¬ sources of the revenue. The Board is also charged with the superintendence of the repair of Government roads, in the counties of Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Roscommon and Tipperary, extending, in all, to 581 miles (1004), the expenditure on 334 of which, in 1834, amounted to £5,255; and the whole charge is levied off the counties. Tire Board of Works for Scotland (1 to G), constituted in 1803, for constructing roads and bridges in the unculti¬ vated districts of that country, have constructed 874 miles of roads, and more than 1000 bridges, and is now charged with superintending the repair of the roads thus formed, and of 300 miles of Goveniment roads made in the same « ( 36 ) districts, during the last centiuy; for which repairs £5000 a year is paid out of the public revenue, as your commit¬ tee have already observed, in aid of the sums raised by local taxation (50, 52, 81 and 111). The local system of forming and maintaining roads in Scotland is very amply detailed in the evidence of Mr. Loch, a member of your Committee, and in connexion with the prosecution of public works in Ireland, is particularly important. Mr. Loch thus describes the effects produced in Scot¬ land, by the formation of the Government roads com¬ menced in 1803: 203. “ When I first became acquainted ivith the Highlands, the great proportion of the people, in place of being imme¬ diate tenants of the landlord, held of the different tacksmen. Since then almost all persons occupying land, and I do not confine my observations to Sutherland alone, though princi¬ pally to it, have become immediate tenants to the landlord. They were extremely irregular in their habits, being poachers on the river and smugglers; and since then, in Sutherland, they have given up both, and have become most industrious workmen in every class of agricultural labour. It was neces¬ sary, at the period I mention, to get ploughmen from Elgin, and that side of the Moray Frith, and there was not a person who could build a stone wall, the ordinary mode of enclosing land in that country; but it is so much the reverse at the present moment, that almost every ploughman in the coimtry is a native, and they are now the best builders of stone walls in the North, in consequence of which they are employed in all the adjoining counties. A great improvement has taken place also, arising from the greater extension of the English language. When the children on the coast-side formerly came out of school, though they were taught to read English in the school, they spoke nothing but the Gaelic language; now when they play after school hours on the coast-side, they all speak English. Nothing has tended so much to this as the institution of Gaelic schools, which were founded with the ( 37 ) object of preserving that language ; but the fact is, the moment persons have acquired the facility of reading Gaelic, they find it of no use, and immediately leave it, and teach themselves English. 204. “ You say that there were a kind of middlemen when you first knew the country; how do you account for their being given up ? It was given up first of all from the feeling on the part of the landlord that it was his duty to have all persons on his estate holding immediately from hhnself; and from the change in the agriculture of the country, it was ne¬ cessary that the tenant occupying the land should be freed from having his under-tenants on the lands, which were then parcelled in what we call lots. 205. “ Had the tacksmen leases?—They had all leases. 206. “How were they got out?—There were tenants at will imder the middlemen, and paid their rents under circum¬ stances of the most grievous natui-e. 207. “'Was it by an agi'eement between the tenant and the landlord that the middlemen were got rid of?—At the termi¬ nation of the lease the arrangement was always made to pro¬ vide some situation for the letters by the landlord, and then the farm was let to tacksmen, the letters being otherwise pro¬ vided for. 208. “ You got them removed to other places?—We placed them in other places; sometimes a large farm was cut up, and each person got a portion of arable land to maintain himself, and then they were allowed to possess for nineteen years, -with¬ out paying any rent whatever ; portions of land they brought into cultivation, in addition to such portion of arable land.” 'While on this part of the inquiry, your Committee hog to call the attention of the house to a valuable Paper re¬ ceived from Sir. Scrope, a member of the Committee, in which he proposes an allotment system to be resorted to for the protection of the poor occupiers of land along new lines of roads through unimproved tracts in Ireland. {See Appendix). ( 38 ) The outlay of the small gi'ants heretofore made for those important works in Ireland, have been productive of no less useful results than those described by Mr. Loch as having been obtained in Scotland; and your Committee deem it advisable here to quote, for the consideration of the House, the very apposite statements on the necessity and result of such works in Ireland, contained in the Re¬ port of the select Committee of 1830, appointed to in¬ quire into the condition of the Irish poor, and other public Reports before your Committee. “ The fertile plains of Limerick, Cork, and Kerry, are sepa¬ rated from each other by a deserted country, hitherto nearly an impassible barrier. This large district comprehends up¬ wards of 900 square miles; in many places it is very populous. As might be expected under such circumstances, the people are turbulent, and their houses, being inaccessible for want of roads, it is not surprising that, during the disturbances of 1821 and 1822, this dictriot was the asylum for Whiteboys, smugglers, and robbers, and that stolen cattle were drawn into it, as to a safe imd impenetrable retreat. Notivithstanding its present desolate state, this countiy contains ■within itself the seeds of futm-e improvement and industry.” (Mr. Griffith, in 1822). Mr. Griffith reports on the same district, in 1829, after the execution of certain road works: “ A very considerable improvement has already taken place in the vicinity of the roads, both in the industry of the inha¬ bitants, and the appearance of the country; upwards of sixty new lime-kilns have been built; carts, ploughs, harrows, and improved implements have become common; new houses of a better class have been built, new enclosures made, and the country has become perfectly tranquil, and exhibits a scene of industry and e.xcrtion, at once pleasing and remarkable. A large portion of the money received for labour has been hus¬ banded with care, laid out in building substantial houses, and ( 39 ) in the purchase of stock and agricultural implements; and nu¬ merous examples might be shoivn of poor labourers, possessing neither money, houses, nor land when first employed, who, in the past year have been enabled to take farms, build houses, and stock their lands.” In a report on a part of Kerry, Mr. Niinmo states, In 1824, that, “A few years ago there was hardly a plough, car, or car¬ riage of any kind; butter, the only produce, was carried to Cork on horseback; there was not one decent public house, and only one house slated and plastered in the village ; the nearest post office thirty miles distant. Since the- new road was made, there was built in three years upwards of twenty respectable two-story houses; a shop with cloth, hardware, and groceries; a comfortable inn, a post office, bridewell, new chapel, a quay covered -with limestone for manure, a salt work, two stores for oats, and a considerable traffic in linen and yarn.” Upon this subject the following communication has been made to us by Mr. O’Connell, a member of the Committee. “ The place referred to by Mr. Nimmo is now called the Mr. O'Coancll’s tmvn of Cahir Caveen. At the first period he alludes to, there was but one or two ploughs in the barony, or certainly only two cars. The quantity of wheat grown was confined to the consumption of a few families amongst the more wealthy classes, hot exceeding six; and oats were gro-wn in but a little larger proportion. “ Since 1824, the date of Mr. Nimmo’s Report, the houses Cahir Caveci. in Cahir Caveen have increased from twenty to upwards of 250. There are several shops, and many persons engaged in the import and export trade. The inliabitants, in 1831, ex¬ ceeded 1100; they are now more than 1,300. There are from jjousesin Cahir ten to fifteen new houses being built. A new and enlarged Caveen—shops. Bridewell, with a Petty Sessions Court, has been built. A well- supported dispensary, and a large and exceedingly well-regu- ( 40 ) lated fever hospital, has been built outside the town, affording the greatest advantages to the poorer classes. There was no medical person resident in 1824; there is now a large and exceedingly well-supplied apothecary shop, and a skilful resi¬ dent physician. Cars, bolting “ The number of cars has multiplied so much, that the writer has, in a single day, met upwards of 1,300 cars em¬ ployed in various works in that country, in which he knows these were but two cars a few years ago. “ A bolting-mill has been erected near Cahir Caveen, at an expense of from £4000 to £5000; and the quantity of wheat grown in the country has multiplied more than 200-fold, and of oats more than 1000-fold. “ All these advantages, and they are only beginning to do- velope themselves, have originated in the making of about seventy miles of a new road, on a level line.” Of a part of Mayo Mr. Nimino remarks, in 1821), on the improvements arising from a new line of road: “At Behuullet the advance is quite surprising: the place only commenced fom' years ago ; it now consists of about se¬ venty respectable houses, &c. Five ships were loaded with grain and kelp; iron hoops and coal were imported; spirits, beer, and rvine, British manufactures, and tea and sugar were sold; the produce of the fisheries were admitted to a market, and the population, formerly crowded in the narrow valleys, were fast settling along the new line of road.” inciTEiscd re- A most important result is noticed in the same Report, gmd roaX! &c. 1“ *^^6 district surrounding Clifden, in the county of Gal¬ way, no revenue was paid to the State prior to 1822. In 1826 taxation to the amount of £2500 was collected, and in 1828, it had augmented to £6080 Is. M., marking a consumption of spirits, tobacco, tea, sugar, &c., &c., and thus proving indisputably the increased wealth and im¬ proved habits of the people. ( 41 ) Mr. D’Arcy-, in part of his evidence, makes the fol¬ lowing statement respecting the same district. 1968. “ Are there not in the county of Galway 200,000 acres of that description of land, and in a state almost waste, at this moment?—To the west of Galway there are more than 200,000 acres of land lying in that state. 1969. “How many have you of your own?—Several thou- 1970. “How many are there in the neighbourhood imme¬ diately adjoining your estate?—The entire of the reclaimable district I alluded to is in the neighbourhood, and adjoins my 1971. “With reference almost to every part of that tractof land, do the facilities wdth respect to sea manure and lime exist?—The country is so indented by the sea, that the re¬ motest part is not more than six miles from it; if, therefore, there were-roads, the facilities would exist to every part. 1972. “ Have not Government made a considerable length of road in that district?—They have commenced several, none of which are as yet completed. 1973. “Have not those roads remained for several years with one part finished and the other utterly impassable?—They have. 1974. “How long have they been left in that state?— They commenced in the year 1822, and are yet unfinished. 1975. “Is there one passable?—Hot throughout. 1976. “ Has not the improvement in that part of the coun¬ try been very great?—Yes, the improvement of that country has been very great wdthin the last ten or twelve years; for instance, where you could scarcely get a stone of oats in 1822, from the quantity of waste land brought into cultivation, there was e.xported from the town of Clifdeu, this year, 800 tons to London and Liverpool. 1977. “To what do you attribute the increase of cultiva¬ tion?—Partly to the building of the town, and partly to the outlay of money on the roads, and the facilities afforded by them even in their imperfect state. ( 42 ) 1978. “Were cats grown in that country before?—Very little com was groSvn in that country prior to the building of the town, there being no market for it. 1997. “ If there was a main line of road made through the district, would the proprietors be able to make roads that wordd join it so as to be useful?—I think if the main lines were completed, the inhabitants of the barony would make some private roads by getting a loan of money, and paying the interest and principal by small instalments; the principal roads they are unable to make.” 2013. “When you first went to reside in that country, how many houses were there in the village of Clifden?—Only one. 2014. “ How many are there now?—^Upwards of 300. 2015. “ How many years ago is it since you went there?— Twenty years ago, in the year 1815. 2016. “Was there any revenue receivable from Clifden or its neighbourhood at that tune?—^Not a shilling. 2017. “ Can you state the amount of revenue received last year?—Upwards of £7,000. 2018. “ Does illicit distillation still prevail in Connemara? —^It does not; there is a party of Revenue Police who are very active to prevent it. 2019. “Are they sufiicient to put it down?—They are. 2020. “ Previous to the formation of roads was there much iUicit distillation at Connemara?—There was a great deal. 2021. “If the coimtry was more open byroads, would it be necessary to keep up so large a police for the purpose of sup¬ pressing illicit distillation?—It would not.” Jn further proof of the advantages accruing to the public revenue in Ireland, by the opening of roads through the hitherto uncultivated parts of the countiy, your Committee refer to a paper in the Appendix, re¬ ceived from Mr. Mahony. Mr. Williams states, that— ubir " Consequence of the expenditure of £160,000 in public works in Connaught, in seven years, the increase of llie an- ^rf ( 43 ) nml revenue has been equal to tlie whole of that expenditure.” “ I find also,” he adds, “ a corresponding inerease in the reve- From an cxpcn- nue of the Cork district, where Mr. Griffith expended £60,000 in seven years, and the increase of Customs and Excise has been nri‘as» of rcve- £50,000 a year, attributable mainly to the facilities of com- district*to* municationby which whole districts have been rendered avail- £50,000 a jw. able for productive purposes, and a miserable pauper popida- tion converted into a class of consumers.” Again, in another statement; “ The Customs and Excise of Galway have fully doubled Galway ami since 1822, and, exclusive of the improvement of Mayo and Sligo, the surplus must have gone far to pay off the sums Go¬ vernment have expended since that period in the province.” The Committee of 1830 adds, that “ The effects produced by these public worhs appear to have Advantage of been,—extaided cultivation, improved habits of industry, a pnUic'vorks. better administration of justice, the re-establishment of peace and tranquillity in disturbed districts, a domestic colonization of a population in excess in certain districts, a diminution of illicit distillation, and a very considerable increase to the Re¬ in the Reports of the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, 1833,1834, and 1835, it is stated: “ The very great benefit which the country has derived Advantage of fronrthe formation of these roads has been repeatedly repre- sented; nothing, however, short of witnessing the effects pro¬ duced, can give an adequate impression of them value. “ “ In traversing a country covered with farms and in a high state of cultivation, showing every sign of a good soil and of amply remunerating produce, it becomes difficult to credit the fact, that ten or twelve years since the whole was a barren waste, the asylum of a miserable and lawless peasantry, who were calculated to be a burden rather than a benefit to the nation; and that this improvement maybe entiiely attributed ( 44 ) to the expenditure of a few thousand‘pounds in carrying a good road of communication through the district. Necessity of aid “These and other advantages, however, are insufficient to nent. lead to the execution of such works without the direct and leading support of Government. Some, no doubt, have been constructed by parties feeling a paramount interest in the un¬ dertaking, and possessing adequate resources. Small tracts of land capable of improvement may thus be opened by the proprietors, but few individuals know where or how to begin on an extensive range of country, where the operations and results must necessarily be on a great scale, and where the interests are so multiplied and blended, and the relative anti¬ cipated advantages so little within the reach of calculation, that even interested parties cannot be induced to venture on the speculation. “ It might reasonably be expected that the grand juries would provide a remedy in such cases; but those are natu¬ rally the poorest counties in which these rmproductive dis¬ tricts abound, and it is with difficulty they can maintain the communications already established. They have the greatest wants and the smallest means, and the remote wastes attract little of their attention.” Fisherj'piers. On a most beneficial class of works, undertaken by Government aid, namely, the small fishery piers on the coast, it is remarked: “These piers appear to have been productive of great ad¬ vantages to the neighbouring districts, not only as affording encouragement to the fisheries, but also accommodation for the landing and shipment of produce, goods, manure, &c., on which considerations they seem to merit the attention of Government.” “The shelter these small piers afford to fishery vessels, and those employed in the distribution of manure and fuel, toge¬ ther with the facility they offer for the transmission of agri¬ cultural produce, has created in their immediate vicinity a ( 45 ) striking contrast to the wild uncultivated wastes by which they are in many instances surrounded.” Towards the conclusion of the Second, the Report “ It is not for this Board to give an opinion on the degree Political advau- of support which the Legislature should bestow on public ‘J!® works of primary utility. We are, however, fully persuaded not only of the great political advantage of such an expenditure of the public money, but that it would be to a considerable extent repaid by the indirect returns made to the revenue arising from an increased general prosperity. In England P.epaid by iu- abundant sources of industry are struggling for vent, re- re'cauc. quiringonly the stimulus of such additional facilities of inter¬ course to enable them to come into full and immediate opera¬ tion. They are, therefore, in themselves fair sources of speculation for private capital. In Ireland, on the contrary. Advances in they are required to foster and encourage sources of industry J^J^terlndi^ which are yet latent; and though the consequences and advan- try, and natural tages are not so immediately apparent, nor (except in few instances) do they afford direct profits to induce the expendi¬ ture of private capital, they are not the less great objects of national interesti" The following are from the Third Report, 1835: “ The benefits which the country has derived from the con¬ struction of roads carried by the aid of Government contribu¬ tions' through extensive poor, uncultivated districts, which were previously without means of communication, continue to manifest themselves in the most satisfactory manner. “ These roads have been the means of fertilizing the de¬ serts, and of depriving the la-wless disturbers of the public peace of their place of refuge, affording them at the same time resources for an active, honest industry, of which we must do them the justice to observe, they have not sho-wn any in¬ disposition to avail themselves.” .... “ We cannot lose the opportunity of repeating the declaration of our firm conviction ( 46 ) Policy of pro¬ moting the con- Toads by liberal of the ^oorfj5o/% of promoting these eminently useful works by the most liberal and extensive support.” Your Committee, impressed with the important na¬ tional results detailed in these Eeports, and desirous of ex¬ tending them generally through all the uncultivated tracts of Ireland, present to the consideration of the House the following extracts from the evidence of Colo¬ nel Burgoyne: 455. “ Where would you apply the Government money?— In opening very extensive uncultivated districts; I would pro¬ vide one main thoroughfare of communication at the e.xpense of Government, and for opening less extensive districts I would give the moiety grants as at present; for these occasions they work very well. 456. “Do you include' great tracts of bog in your im¬ provable districts?—^Yes, bogs and mountain land. 457. “ Would it not be right to compel the landlord to contribute?—think not, in the cases of those very extensive districts I have referred to; they have no sufficient interest in it; the great benefit derived from opening these lines of roads would be to the lower classes for many years, and it would be only a distant prospective advantage that the landlord would have in them. 458. “Would not the people themselves be willing to con¬ tribute?—The people who would derive the principal benefit have no means of doing so, the poor people. Tlie people tm- 459. “ There is their labour ?— You cannot have people’s gra- bute. ' i^ltous labour who have nothing else to live on. 460. “ Did you ever hear of one-half of the estimated rate per perch being given to the people who executed the work, in consideration of the local advantage they derived from it? —I have; and in such a case the road might be constructed at a moderate expense, very beneficially to the country. 461. “ Is this generally applicable to the state of the country with reference to the people's contribution?—I think in some cases it is made the subject of oppression, by taking ( 47 ) advantage of tlieir necessities to get out of them their labour at a low rate.” 422. “What are the principal lines of communication which you think it would be most desirable to make with reference to the unfolding the resources of the country?—I cannot specify the particular lines; but the districts generally of Galway, Mayo and Clare, and I believe parts of Donegal, Mayo in particular. 423. “Have you taken into consideration the districts adjoining the counties of Kerry, Limerick, and Cork?—All these counties also are very susceptible of improvement in that 526. “ Wliat are the number of miles of general lines of roads of great and pressing importance which you think desi- r.able to be immediately made, and what would be an appro.xi- mationto the expense?— 1 should think, at a rough guess, that 200 miles would not be saying too much. 527. “What would be the probable expense?—The pro- Cost of roads in hable expense might be £120,000, about £600 a mile per- haps. 528. “ And is this the whole extent of the great lines of communication which you would contemplate making out of the public funds?—It would go beyond it. 529. “How much beyond?—I have not made a correct cal¬ culation; it would require some researches with reference to that particular object. I gave too precise an answer when I said 200 miles; there are at least 100 miles in Galway and Mayo alone that might be made with very good effect. AS TO EUTDBE LOANS. After four years’ experience of the tvorking of the Act, your Committee feel themselves authorized in stating, that although strict in many of its terms, it has been of much and essential service to Ireland. Your Committee, however, heg leave to observe, that the prescribed terms ( 48 ) ave so severe for individuals, only three or four loans have been taken; and even in respect of public bodies, loans which might have been safely made and most use¬ fully applied, could not be obtained under the Act, (Colonel Burgoyne). And it is in evidence before your Committee, that in consequence of the strictness of the terms on which loans are required to be made by the present Act (355 to 369, 374, 394, 549 to 560, 573, 587, 826, 909, 988,1013,1035, 1051,1067,1225), the benefits which might flow from them under less restric¬ tions, yet with equal safety to the loan fund, have not been diffused commensurately with the objects for profi¬ table outlay, to which the fimd was originally designed to be applied. It also appears that the rate of interest chargeable on the loans, as stated at the commencement of this Report, is considered high with reference to the cost of the loans to Government, the nature of the objects for which the loans are required, and the present general rate of inter¬ est on money (398, 402, 650 to 658, 909, 988, 1001, 1015,1018,1059 to 1063,1066,1083). In England, Your Committee find, from the experience of the loan system introduced into England under the Commissioners hnndred thon- for Loans in 1817, that the best possible effects have been ™piddicw^s. produced. By the evidence of Mr. Brickwood, it ap¬ pears, that since the year 1817, the sum of £500,000 has been advanced by the English Loan Commissioners on the security of roads and other public works in England, and nearly £200,000 in L-eland, out of the £250,000, the sum provided by that Act for Ireland. 3 Geo. rv. c. Previously to the issuing of Exchequer bills under the iv! c. 35^™4 present Act, (which is a revolving fund, the issue of Ex- 7&8^c^iv* chequer bills being always to be available to the amount c. 12. of £500,000) a sum of £500,000 has been from time to ( 49 ) 6-p time appointotl (and wliicli was advanced out ol'tlie Consolidated Fiind), for similar loans in Ireland, under the authority of various Acts of Parliament.* Of the £5,300,000 advanced in England, the sum of Advances (o £2,000,000 is now and has been outstanding at an average rate of interest of £4 2s. Grf. per cent., whilst Government, after the first year of issue, only pay an interest of 2^ per cent.; so that the gain to Government is nearly £40,000 a year; and although the Commissioners ill England are not in the receipt of the interest on the whole sum outstanding, after allowing for all expenditure, there is an annual sum of £30,000 received by Govern¬ ment, over and above all losses which have occun-ed. In proportion to the amount, an annual surplus must have arisen, and must continue to ansc, upon the sum of £500,000 Issued under the present x\ot. It is also in evidence, that the operation of the 18th and 58th sections already referred to, have very much deterred persons from borrowing money under the Act, or becoming sureties for others, or shareholders in useful undertakings ; and it appears to jmur Committee, that if the security was taken to the Commissioners without making the party entering into the security a Crown debtor, the same, if not greater security would be afibrded, as persons, would be more likely to become sureties. And in reference to the 48th section, it appears to your Com¬ mittee that the precautions taken by the Board as to security would admit of some relaxation in the rigour of clause. It is also in evidence (Colonel Burgoyne, 1125 to 1133) Colonel liur- • These sums are exclusive of the monies lent by Government to Gram! •luries in Ireland, for the hiiilding of gaols, court-honscs, and infirmaries, .and which are either actually paid or in progre,S3 ( 119 ) improvements with drainage? Ido; but they are perishable, and I do not wish to saddle the estate with them. 2769. Would you not give a similar power to lessees having an interest for three lives or thirty-one years? I w'ould. 2770. Under the same protection? Yes; but I would limit the payment for the improvements to two-thirds of the increased value of the land at the termination of the lease.' 2771. Would you not give power to tenants for life under those circimistances to borrow money from the Board of Works for this purpose? I would, to the extent already recommended. 2772. Does not difficulty frequently occur in respect of incum¬ brances upon the estate? Yes, certainly. 2773. Would you give a priority over all incumbrancers to the experimenter for a profitable outlay of money in the manner you have stated? With the permission of persons who have lent money, but not otherwise, or with the consent of the majority of incum¬ brancers, I would. 2774. Are you aware, under the present Act, if only one-fifth of the inciunbrancers agree that the security given to the Board will have priority, would you now limit it to one-half ? I was not a-ware of the enactment; but on consideration, I think if the work be of great value to the estate, provided it did not exceed two years’ income, exclusive of taxes, I w'ould give precedence to the loan from the Commissioners; if a greater latitude were permitted, proprietors might find it difficult to raise money on their estates. 2775. Would there be any objection to give a priority to the sum borrowed for the purpose of reclaiming and draining land over a particular portion of the estate to be reclaimed, leaving the pri¬ orities of the other securities over the remainder of the estate? I think under these circumstances it might safely be allowed, and I think there could be no objection on the part of the persons lending money. Mercurii, IT (lie Ju?iii, 1835. A. H. LYNCH, ESQUIEE, in the chair. BOGS. • Mr. liichanl Griffith called in, aud examined. 2786. Would you recommend the powers given by that Act (Mr. O’Ferrall’s act as to drainage), to undertakers, or individuals, or grand juries, to be given to the Commissioners of the Board of Works, upon the application of a moiety of the landed proprietors interested in the reclamation of bogs? I think the Board of AVorks should have the guidance of such works; and, in fact, I think that all works for which money may he granted or advanced on loan through that Board, should be conducted under its direction or control. 2826. But if, in addition to the repair of the roads, other public works were undertaken, in the nature of hog drainage, now roads, embankations of land upon the river, and other works that you have recommended, would there be full and profitable employment for the entire of the able-bodied population of Ireland? Undoubt¬ edly; and for that reason I would recommend the utmost exertion to be used in draining and improvement of aU kinds, not only through the contributions of individuals, but by public aid, in the manner I have already described. 2829. Would not the effect of bringing the bogs of Ireland into cultivation and also those lands upon the sides of rivers, would it not have the effect of raising the price of wages in that country? If there was a greater demand for labourers than the neighbourhood could supply, of course it would. 2830. Would not the effect of that be, that England would not be inundated, as it is annually, by labourers from Ireland? De¬ cidedly; in all parts of the country through which I have made roads, I have stopped nearly the whole of the labourers that were going to England, and employed them: at this moment I have ( 121 ) (p5S‘ about 1000 nieu employed, one half of whom would have gone to England to seek work, had I not offered them work. 2831. Is not, therefore, this country very much mterested in affording employment to the poor of Ireland at home? There can be no doubt of it. 2832. Would it not also have the effect of tranquillizing the country, and causing the administration of justice to be properly e.xecutcd and respected? That question has been put to me in va- vious ways at different times by Government; and in three suc¬ cessive Eeports which have been laid before Parliament, I have stated that, in the mountain districts of Kerry, Cork, Limerick, and Tipperary, where I have made 240 miles of road, when I com¬ menced the works, they were the receptacles for robbers and out¬ laws, who could not be arrested, and that the people were idle and c.'ctremcly poor; but that since the completion of the roads, the wliole Ilf the population has become industrious, and corn and agricultural produce of all kinds is now grown where formerly grouse were the most valued produce. 2833. If dispossessed tenants had a resoui'ce in constant eraploy- nieut, would they commit the outrages they are now guilty of ? I am certain they would not. 2834. Are you not aware that a great number of tlie agrarian outrages in the county of Clare arose from the difficulty which the poorer classes felt in procuring laud for the pui-pose of sowing their potatoes?—I do not know the fact myself, but I have beard it at¬ tributed solely to that cause. 2835. In your opinion is Ireland over-populated, as far as its e.vtent and resources? I think not. 2836. You do not see any necessity for emigration in respect of Ireland? I think if a judicious system of improving the land was adopted, that there would be sufficient employment for all the people of the country. 2840. Then, in yoru- opinion, there is ample scope for the em¬ ployment of all able-bodied men of Ireland athome? I think thereis. 2841,. And, in your opinion, they may be employed by a judi¬ cious system ol'public works? Certainly. ( 122 ) 2842. And in tlie cultivation ol laud? Xes; the cultivation ol’ land is the most important. 2843. Are the lands at present in cultivation properly culti¬ vated? They are not; very far from it. 2844. If they were, would there not be provided a much more ample scope for the employment of the poor? Certainly; I con¬ ceive that one hundred acres of arable land, if properly cultivated, ■ would give employment to ten families, and at present farmers rarely employ more than four, and sometimes in the proportion of only three families to that extent of land. 2845. Then, combining a proper cultivation of land with the improvement of the bog and other waste lands of Ireland, and also by employing the destitute in the manner in which you have stated, in the repair of the roads, you think the poor of Ireland would be sufSciently employed? I think they would; but, then, it is to be observed, the people of Ireland are rapidly increasing in nimibers, and what may be sufficient at present may not be at a future period. 2848. 'Would not the increased demand of labour, and thereby the increased price of wages, have the effect of inducing the people to look after more comforts than they have? I shoidd think so; and I am of opinion that the people are now looking after greater comforts than formerly; they are better housed, better fed, and better clad than they were ten years ago. 2859. Are you sufficiently- acquainted with the country and its neighbourhood, to say what are the facilities for the construction of a railroad from that harbour to a central district of the south of Ireland? Near to Valentia considerable difficulty would arise, in consequence of the nature of the country, but that only applies to the last twenty miles; to the eastward of that point no particular difficulty would arise. 2860. Do you consider that the formation of a railway from the most eligible eastern port, to the most eligible western port of Ireland, for the purpose of a communication between this country and .America, would be of great utility to the British nation in • general? That is a commercial question, and perhaps political one, which I have not stifficicutly oousidered; but I think it ivould be of very great advantage to Ireland. 2861. Do you consider that the return of such a work, taking Ireland alone into consideration, would be such as to authorize the outlay that it is estimated would be required for such a work? If Ireland was to be the sole object, I think a railroad to Valentia would not answer; but a railroad from Dublin or Waterford to Cashel, which would pass through the best part of Ireland, would probably become a remunerative speculation. 2862. Would not the line from Dublin and Galway be shorter, and also easier of connexion, than the line from Dublin to Valentia? Yes, it would be shorter, and perhaps easier of execution. 2863. Would it pass through a district equally fruitful and affording an equal quantity of produce to be transported, and an equal number of passengers to be conveyed? It would not pass through so fruitful a country, nor would it pass through so many towns, and consequently I think it would not be so good a specula¬ tion ; at present there is a canal from Dublin towards Galw’ay as far as Ballinasloe, and if there was to be any communication further westward, I should recommend either the continuation of the canal, or a railroad from Ballinasloe to Galway. 2864. The proposed railw'ay, then, would pass through Cashel, and would he a main trunk to the cities of Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork, and Limerick? Certainly; and in selecting the line, I would make a main trunk through the country, from which branches might be made to those towns without faking it direct to the totvns. FISHERIES. John Spencer, Esq., called in, and examined. 2882. You travelled throughout a considerable district of freland last year, as an Assistant Commissioner on the Irish Poor- Inquiry? Yes. 2883. Did you turn your attention to the subject of the fisheries ( 124 ) ill Ireland? I did, a great deal, partieularly in the counties of Clare and Mayo. 2884. Have you reason to suppose that the fisheries have been taken advantage of to as full an extent as they are capable of afford¬ ing employment to the poor, and adding to the resources of the country? By no means. 2885. To what circumstance do you attribute the want of atten¬ tion to such an important source of national wealth ? The defici¬ ency appears to me to have originated principally from the poverty of the lower class of fishermen, and from the commission of the Fishery Board ceasing, which took place in 1830. 2886. The Fishery Board was in the habit of granting bounties ? Yes; the board was in the habit of granting bounties, which ceased on the 5th of April, 1830. 2887. Has there been any decrease in the fisheries since that period? By aU the accounts that I have received, it is evident that the decrease has been very considerable. 2888. Your inquiries had reference to the fishing on the coast of Mayo and Clare entirely? Yes; and I would wish to add, that they are private inquiries, and were not in my instructions; there¬ fore I cannot speak to them so pointedly. 2889. Have you formed any estimate of the number of fisher¬ men employed at present on those coasts? From the observations of the men I have examined, I should think there may be probably about 3,000, not more. 2890. Have you had occasion to observe a want of accommodation in the way of piers on those coasts for the fishermen? I have, very 2891. Does the sun-fish or the whale visit the coast of Ireland? •The son-fish at about ten leagues off the west coast of Clare frequent it every season, which is in the month of April. 2892. Was the result of these inquiries such as to induce you to believe that these fisheries might be prosecuted with succes.-. upon that coast? It is my opinion, to a very considerable extent. If the fishermen were well supplied with fishing-tackle, Kinsale ( 125 ) hookers, and other boats, great advantage would accrue both to tlie public and to themselves. 2893. In what way do j'ou think that it would be iu the power of Government or Parliament to assist in this description of enter- prize? Government might, partly in the way that they did before, by forming a Board of Commissioners, and purchasing Kinsalo hookers, tackling, and other things necessary for fishermen, and lend them out on security', which they might easily do to the fishermen generally throughout the coast. 2894. Do you think that English capital could be turned with advantage, and considerable profit, to the Irish fisheries? I do; there is a field open for the supply of England and Ireland, the West Indies, and most of Europe, and 80,000 or 100,000 expert fishermen would find full employmtnt, and give support to a million of persons. 2895_ The Board of Public Works in Ireland have, you are probably aware, i-ecommended the appointment of a local commission for the purpose of inquiring into the Irish fisheries; are you of opinion that such a measure would be beneficial ? lam quite sure that such a measure would be beneficial, inasmuch as it woidd pourtray those advantages that cannot be brought forward to the public view in any other way'. 2896. Do the Dutch, French, and other vessels fish on the west coast of Ireland? By a letter that I have lately received from Lieutenant Boroughs, commander of the coast guard, I am informed that he has lately seen a Dutch fishing vessel on the coast of Clare. Another letter of this gentleman’s, containing very valuable infor¬ mation upon that subject, I would beg to read some extracts from: “Sir,—An article contributed to the United Service Journal in December last, on the subject of porpoise fishing, induces me to send you the following remarks on the fisheries of the north-west coast of Ireland, from the north islands of Arran to Killala, princi¬ pally on the coast of Connemara and May'o. At the period when Cromwell had kicked the Dutch aw.ay from this coast, and erected forts of considerable strength and beauty in the islands of Arran and Innisbofin, to prevent their re-assuming these stations, the ( 126 ) fisheries seem to have dwindled into progressive insigiuhcance. and are at this moment totally neglected. The station or harbours which they frequented appear to have been the islands of Arran and Boffin; the fort erected at the entrance of Boffin harbour must have ren¬ dered not only the harbour but the entire island impenetrable, as it commands the entrance of the harbour, and the only beach on the island where a landing could be effected, and only distance a short half mile; the other coasts of the island are one chain of iron-bound cliffs and inaccessible rocks. The harbour of Innisbofin is the best and safest I have ever seen for all vessels under 150 tons, and would contain 200 of different sizes, and is situated in the centre of the fisheries; there are many other capital harbours opposite on the main land. This island is now the property of the Marquis of Sligo, a nobleman who orders every accommodation to all strangers who may visit the island for business or curiosity. It is very ex¬ traordinary, and still very true, that this coast (one of the best fishing coasts in Europe, abounding from the most productive whales, both spermaceti and Greenland, to the common herring), possesses the worst and most ignorant race of fishermen, and (with a few exceptions) very indifferent boatmen. But the cause of the.se. remarks may be easily accounted for, their poverty, which prevents them from procuring proper stout vessels for so dangerous a coast, and almost total absence of all patronage and support, to follow up with energy and spirit the unbounded sources of wealth which nature has thrown within their grasp.. It may appear still more .extraordinary to those connected so expensively in the Greenland and South Sea -Whale Fishery, that they should so long have remained in the ignorance that those fish abound on the coast which I have described. In order to give proof to so bold an assertion, I shall state some circumstances which came under my own immedi¬ ate observation in my own vessels, and a subsequent period in com¬ mand of a revenue cutter prior to this fine class of vessels being placed under the inspection of rulers in the Custom House of London and Dublin. I shall first obsen^e respecting the whales, to prove beyond contradiction that they abound in the summer and ( 127 ) 'll bbi autumn ou this coast. lu company with the Rev. Mr. Mahon to the sun fishery at Bofin Island, we strayed on a blustery day to observe the coast and breakers; at a short distance from the shore we saw several large fish, which I supposed grampusses, or finners, and had taken shelter under the lee of the island; still looking closely at them, they advanced towards the rocks immediately under the cliffs, where we had a perfect view of them at a distance of 500 yards with a spy-glass, their double tufted heads quite conspicuous and no intervening back fins; I concluded at once their species, lu the month of July, after the sun' fishery, a large spermaceti whale was drifted on shore dead at the Bay of Bonowen, in Conne¬ mara, about two leagues from Cliffden or Ardbear Harbour; in consequence of the ignorance of the peasantry and boatmen, and continual squ.abbling and fighting, three-fourths of the oil was lost; the surface of the bay rvas dyed with a rainbow tinge from the floating particles of oil; shortly after an immense fish was towed into the island of Turk by three of the isl.aiid fish¬ ing-boats; the monster was observed floating about a mile from the shore, and had been but recently killed, but how, could not be ascertained: this fish completely filled up the small and only inlet in the island, and measured in length thirty-three yards; it was claimed by the proprietor, I believe the Archbishop of Tiiam, who, I had been informed, gave it up to the islanders. A small village near the place where they had towed it to shortly be¬ came deserted, the inhabitants never calculating on the foetid air caused by their imprudence. The islanders were two months em¬ ployed in cutting up and launching over the cliflTs the bones and remains of their prize. About the beginning of August, after having taken shelter from a north-wester in Blacksod Bay, I was ordered by the captain of the Harlequin, 18-gun brig, to proceed with his purser, Mr. Sparling, to West Port (I mention this as a proof of my recollection); in beating down the bay rvith light airs, and near the islands of Inniskeas, two large whales came nearly alongside the cutter; the day very fine, and making bnt little way, I ordered the gig and jolly-boat ont, and pursued them, and ( 128 ) liad I men sufficiently acqxininted with the ai't, I shoxild have suc¬ ceeded in hilling them: they allowed me to go alongside them; and I had only desisted from striking them by the boxvman, who inter¬ cepted me at the moment by panic, fearful of the event of a lash of the tail What the result might have been I know not, but nothing could have been easier accomplished than striking them, and only in fifteen fathoms water. I had been after these whales three hours, and they never went above about three hundred yards- from our boats, and at that distance turned their huge heads towards the boats, and got wary. I gave up following towards evening; had I struck them at the commencement of our chace, when they were perfectly tame, I might have succeeded, even with the sun-fish spear and line, owing to the small depth of water. I will now advance one more proof of the whale resorting to this coast. In the month of August, cruizing off Broad Haven, county Mayo, I fell in with a perfect fleet of whales, which surrounded the cutter; I would say about fifteen, probably more. About the 15th of April the ponderous fish make their appearance a few leagues west ofinnisbofin; their length, in general, is from forty to fifty feet; they in fine weather come to the surface about one or two o’clock afternoon, and remain so-until about nine next morning, and again rise about the same hour; they are struck by a rudely con¬ structed spear, with a -wooden shaft. Three lines of inch-and- half rope, each line about forty fathoms long. These fish are easily struck by keeping behind the back fin; their eyes are so placed they can only see directly forward. They appear in immense num¬ bers; I have seen, at times, leagues around the surface actually speckled xvith them, and at the time about 200 boats from different parts of the coast of Gahvay and Mayo, each boat having a fish harpooned, which is known by the boat lowering down her sails; it generally takes about four hours to kill a single fish. This depends much on the actmty and caution of the crew, both of which are necessary in taking these fish, for should they bear too hard on the harpoon before the fish is exhausted, the spear is apt to give -way, and the fish sticks close to the bottom, and must be 663 ( ) forcetlup; when at the surface liu is again struck and sccurcil ou Ins back alongside; he is then cut across the breast, and next longi¬ tudinally; a rope is then made liist -to the strong tendon, which connects the two lobes of the liver, and is disconnected from the internal part of the body. A small pull draws it out; it is then cut into large pieces; and barrelled until the bijportunity offers to render it into oil. Each liver averages a ton of oil*, of the best kind, and without the slightest smell ; this oil is far superior to any fish oil I have ever seen. I have killed sLx of them at dift’erent seasons,, choosing out of the flock the fish with the largest back fii!,- They are a species of shark; they remain six weeks on the coast, perhaps longer; they then go to the northward. It is rather curious that these fish, when struck, tow the boat due north; this fishery also has been neglected these last five years; nor even have the fish been looked after. The fishermen on the coast are too poor to fit out their boats with the trifling apparatus ; and when they did fit out at Galway, and got the necessaries on credit, if they had not been fortunate, their boats on their return were seized and sold by the creditor. During my three years’ cruizing on the north-west coast, I had been ordered by Lord ColvDle, then commander-in¬ chief at Cork, to take (according as my other duty might permit) the protection of the fishermen during the absence of the Plumper gun-brig, which vessel had been ordered to Plpnouth for a refit. This circumstance gave me an opportunity of observing closely the manner in which it had been conducted; there were generally about eight schooners or wherries, fitted out from the Skerries, situated at the opposite side of Ireland, with crews of ten men each; their lines sometimes extend to the length often miles; this depends on the state of the weather; their large stacks offish at Botin and Blacksod Bay consisted in cod, ling, glapen. The skates were also saved, and used as slates to protect the other fish from rain ; they generally went back at the end of the summer with a full freight and sold in the Dublin market The fishermen on the immediate coast tvere seldom or ever employed by them; they were considered perfectly by the.se expert fishermen, and even never profited by the ( 130 ) Sample which was daily before their eyes. Each boat was provided with a thral to procure bait, which W'ere chiefly congers, turbot, and plaice. Their provisions consisted of bread, oatmeal, and tea; of course, abundance of the finest fish. If at any period a company should start up to try their hand at these valuable fisheries, I would recotninend the following preparations. The expense to a company would be trifling, and might lead to a greater scale. Two fast sail¬ ing schooners, of 150 tons each, provided with every article for the whales and sun fishery ; each vessel to have attached to her four whale boats, and manned with expert and approved whalers. They should- rendezvous at Innisbofin. I have already remarked they should arrive at the island about the 15th of April. Each crew should consist of twenty-four men, in order to full man each boat, particularly for the sun fishery, which would occupy all the boats. Each vessel should have two large boilers, and should be well pro¬ vided with casks, and partly ballasted with salt, or even laden with that article, which could be stored on the island; the frequent want of which, I have often observed, caused the loss of hundreds of barrels ofheiTings, and were afterwards used as mamme.” 2897. .Are the fishing piers well built, the sites properly chosen, and are they kept in good repair? There are_few fishing piers on the coast of Clare, Galway, or Mayo, and those in general badly constructed, and the sites badly chosen. 2899. Have you formed any estimate of the number of piers which would be required along that coast? There are only about twelve, I believe, and a much greater munber would be very useful. 2901. Have you any return of the number of persons engaged in the fisheries in Ireland? I have one which I have taken from the tenth Eeport of the Commissioners on Irish Fisheries, shewing an increase of 27,262 within eight years, the numbers .being in the year 1829, 36,159, and in the ye.ar 1832, 63,421, viz.: 5th April, 1822 . . 36,159 5th April, 1826 . . 57,805 Ditto 1823 . . 44,892 Ditto 1827 . . 58,044 Ditto 1824. . 49,448 Ditto 1828. . 59,321 : Ditto 1825 . . 52,482 Ditto 1829 . . 63,421 ( 131 ) . 2904. From your observations in Ireland are 3'ou of opinion that the improvement of the country may be materially advanced by a judicious expenditure upon public works? Certainly. 2905. What description of public works do you consider most desirable? I should recommend roads being made in every part of Ireland that could be done judiciously, for I think that would pre¬ vent illicit distillation as much as any thing, by giving facility to bringing corn into the market, which they have not the means of doing now for want of roads. 2906. As assistant Poor Law Commissioner, have you been lately inquiring into the state of the poor at Munster and Clare? Yes. 2907. Is there not a great want of employment for the popu¬ lation there? Yes, there is a great want. 2908. And j'ou would recommend there being a system of Public Works under the supermtendeiice of a board? I should recommend the improvement of the country by all means, by Pub¬ lic Works of every sort that could be adopted, under the .superin¬ tendence of the Board of Works. James Naper, Esq., called in, and examined. 2931. It has been suggested that the reclamation of bog and moitntain lands would bo carried to a much greater extent than at present, if landlords under strict settlement had the power of charging the estates with a certain portion of the money expended ly them in permanent improvements; do you think there would be any objection to such a power being given, provided it was guarded with proper checks and controls ? No; I think it would be highly desirable. 2946. Do you not think the improvement of waste lands is carried into effect most beneficially by the tenants themselves having a permanent and durable interest in such land? I do not conceive long leases to tenants without considerable capital desirable leases, or that the}' are in every instance advantageous either to the tenant or the landlord; on the contrary, in Ireland it is generally ( 132 ) ■believed tlmt leases for three lives or thirt}vone years, have been most disadvantageous to both parties. 2953. ' 'Would not that be very hard on the mortgagee who had not entered into such a contract? I consider such is the state of Ireland, that unless aU persons interested in land will submit to some sacrifice, that the property from which mortgagees expect their capital will, in a very short time, not be able to pay the interest of the money, much less the capital. 2954. Would it not deter persons from lending upon mortgage in Ireland? It might do so; but I think it would be a great advantage if men were deterred in many cases. The return to cash payments has so much reduced the property of all landed proprietors both in England and Ireland, that the loss to the mortgagee would not be at all equal to that which the landed proprietor of Great Britain bore when the return to cash payments reduced the prin¬ cipal and interest of their property. Ve/ieris, IQ" die Jmiii, 1835. . A. II. LYNCH, ESQ., w the Chair. Mr. David Aher called in, and examined. 2957. Have you any suggestion to make to the Committee con¬ nected with public Works in Ireland? I beg leave to lay this plan before- the Committee, and which I consider, if carried into effect, would be a most useful public n'ork for the south and west of Ire¬ land. • 2958. What is this plan?. To make a raih-oad from Dublin to Kilkenny, 33j miles of which will be a main trunk towards Lime¬ rick and Galway. The Kilkenny branch may be continued to Callan, Fethard, and Caher, where it would join the proposed line to Valentia. The levels are very favourable; and it will appear, by reference to the section, that there are no slopes of more than one in ( 133 ) 500, and between Athy and Kilkenny tbirty-three miles are per¬ fectly level, and pass through the eastern out-goings of several valuable beds of coal and culm in the great Kilkenny and Queen’s County coal district. This line of railway may be considered as a main trunk of communication between the South and West of Ire¬ land and its metropolis. 2959. You are one of the engineers for the surveying of the bogs in Ireland? lam. 2960. Have you, in your Eeport, made an estimate of the ex¬ pense of reclaiming those bogs ? I have. 2960.* Have you any reason, from subsequent experience, to change your opinion as to the facility of reclaiming those bogs, and as to the expense at which it could be done? I have had some experience in the draining and cultivation of bogs since the publica¬ tion of that Eeport, and I think that it will not requhe a greater expenditure than I have stated. Mr. John Thomas Cramer called in, and examined. 3002. Would you not think it desirable, supposing Government was to grant or lend money to aid the I'eclamation of these wastes, and that terms shotild be made with the owners of the waste, secur¬ ing to the occupying tenantry the long leases on beneficial terns, or such encouragement as you have described to be desirable? I think a certain portion of the reserved rent should remain in the hands of the tenant, provided they proved to the satisfaction of somebody that they had expended to the amount of the rent proposed to be reserved in those permanent improvements, such as making fences and ditches and drains, which are what is required in lands of that description. Where these roads are made, we have improvements in cultivation increasing very fast, comfortable cottages, and the pea¬ santry very much improved in their habits, and from being a lawless set of people they have become amenable to the law; and I know no part of the county of Cork which is now more tranquil. 3032. Why should you expect Government would contribute, as ( 134 ) jw liave uo\v mentioned? Merely from the tjxteiit of the country that would he benefited by it, the general improvement that would result to the town of Kinsale, having a population of 9,000 souls debarred by natural impediments from nearly all communication with the neighbouring districts, from opening a short and easy road from the important naval and military station of Cove of Coi-k, through Kinsale, to ClonakUty and the west of the county, expedit¬ ing assistance, in case of shipwreck, for protection of life and pro¬ perty, and many other equally important reasons. Mr. Michael Malley called in, and examined. (Nothing material elicited). BOGS—RAILWAYS—WASTE LANDS, AND FISHERIES. Mr. William Bald called in, and examined. 3063. Wliat is the reason.for your preferring the harbonr of Blacksod to the harbour of Galway for the iwilroad you men¬ tioned on yom’ last examination ? The only reason,* that it was more seaward than the bay of Galway, aud the country all the way from Dublin to Clew Bay, and on to the harbours of Blacksod aud Broadhavon, level and suitable to the construc¬ tion of a railroad; but the line to Galway is equally level, and very much shorter than the one either to Clew Bay or the one to the harboni'S of Blacksod and Broadhavon. This main line of railway in this direction would cross the Shannon river, which requires so much to be improved, and would lay open the whole of the bog land lying in the middle region of Ireland, and which consists of about nearly three millions of acres; according to “Dr. Beaufort, the most extensive levels are about the middle of Mand, where a vast plain, stretches quite across, from sea to sea, from the coast of Dublin to the Bay of Galway, including in its extent the Bog of Allen.” I fiu'ther think, where such a great work, assuming a national charactei', is likely at some period to be carried hito execution through Ireland from sea to sea, that a very careful examination of the country should be made in various directions, aud also of the harbours on the wes- ( lo5 ) tkii coast; lor, altliougli some of tliese harbours may be objectionable on account of their great extent and capacity, yet it ought to be con¬ sidered how very easy it may be to constract works within, and render them perfectly safe and eligible to all the piurposes which may bo required to the security and safety of shipping. The more the capabilities of the country are investigated into for this project, and also the important public works which may be connected ivith it— such as supplying Dublin with cheap turf-fuel in abundance, the drainage of the bogs of AUen, also the circumstance of cutting Ire¬ land across in the very centre, and in the shortest and most level direction, where a railroad could be made at a very reasonable expense, are matters which require to be considered; and the more this is done, the more likelihood there will be of selecting the best line for all the purposes of general public utility. 3064. Would not steam-packets, established in the Bay of Galway, always enable vessels wishing to leave that port to go into the Atlantic? The only difficulty that steam-packets would have to encounter in that case would be the prevailing westerly and southerly gales in getting into the Atlantic free of danger. In the other case the harbours of Broadhaven and Blaoksod being, as I be¬ fore mentioned, more seaward, the steamers would get out at once into the open sea. 3068. At what expense might these mountainous districts be reclauned? I have already mentioned that I have estimated the expense of draining 200,000 acres of bog at about £1 British per English acre. I should think, however, in the mountainous districts of Ireland, where the bog is not deep, they might be drained at less than one-half of this expense. 3072. Are there considerable fishing banks on the coast of Ire¬ land? There are. 3073. Be so good as to state them. There is a large bank about sixty miles west from Achil Head, where boats from all parts of the west coast used to go searching for the sun-fish or basking shark. This great bank runs parallel to the eoast of Ireland. It is, however, broken in several places. It runs southward by Shark Island, and towards the south coast of Ireland, and upon this bank ( 136 ) are great quantities of cod audling. It has been said that the Dutch in former times fished upon this hank mth considerable success. Articles of Dutch manufacture have been frequently found in the peninsula, called the Mullet, near the harboiu-s of Blaoksod and Broadhaven, in Mayo. In 160.3, the Dutch alone sold £1,759,000 ■worth of fish. In 1615, they sent out 2,000 busses and employed 37,000 men. In 1618, they sent out 3,000 busses -vvith 50,000 men, and 9,000 vessels to transport and sell the fish, which by sea and land employed 150.000 men. I have seen charts of the western parts of Scotland, the Western Isles or Hebrides, and the western coast of Ireland, in Cowan the map-seller’s shop at Amsterdam, near the^tadt House, on which charts were represented busses fishing on these shores, and describing the kinds of fish found. In 1680, when Amsterdam was at its zenith in commerce, the Dutch employed alone in the whale fishery 260 ships and 11,000 sailors; that branch of.fishing has now fallen almost entirely into the hands of the British. ■ 3074. Are the fishermen of the western coast enabled to reach the bank now ? Ho, they have not vessels fit to stand the sea on the bank, except in fine weather, neither have they fishing tackle, tior skill to carry on this deep-sea fishery to any profitable extent, 3075. Who fishes upon the bank? Very rarely any one fishes ' Upon it, because the boats upon the western coast of Ireland are too Small, nor have the people fishing-lines suitable to carry on a deep- sea fishery with any .success. The only vessels that I have seen upon that coast were in 1822, when there were about twenty sail, princi¬ pally from the Skerries and Kush, situated on the eastern coast of Ireland; and those vessels, to the best of my recollection, carried about thirty-five tons of fish, and were manned by five or six sea¬ men. At that period they were fishing upon the ground outside the Black Rock, and returned into the harbour (of Blacksod) every Saturday night. Tlie fish were then landed, cleaned and salted, and packed in squares on the beach, and this was in the months of May and June; one man always remained ashore to cure and take charge of thefish; and when they had got their cargoes completed, which con- ( 137 ) sisted of cod and ling, they infonned me that tliey sold them in tlie market of Liverpool. These men fish round Ireland, and also upon the hanks which lie oif the coast of Bofin, which is situated on the coast of Galway (for there are more banks than one), hut which island belongs to the county of Mayo, and in which is a tolerably good harbour. The best fishing ground for cod and ling is said to be between the coast of Ireland and Barra Head, the southern pro¬ montory of the Long Island on the west of Scotland; but there can be no question that during the summer months, with good vessels and proper fishing tackle, the deep-sea fishery on the west coast of Ireland would become a source of national wealth and strength. Franklin has said, “ He that puts seeds into the ground reaps forty- fold; but he that puts a line into the sea and pulls out a fish, pulls out a piece of silver.” Fisheries are nurseries for seamen, and 'it ought to be recollected that at this moment the French have more than 25,000 men fishing on the coasts of Newfoundland and Labra¬ dor. T3y the last treaty of peace, Britain .assigned to them the islands of Miquelon and St. Pierre, which has given them stations on the best fishing grounds of the British Colonies; and the United States of America have now more than 30,000 men fishing at New¬ foundland. England ought, therefore, to e.xtcnd this branch of national industry and wealth, by every means and by every encou¬ ragement in her power, because, “ Le Iridant du 2!eptime est le scep¬ tre dti monded’ 3076. Are there any piirticular stations upon the Mayo and Galway coast which you would recommend for fishery stations or for small piers? I have answered that already for Mayo; but beg to mention the following for the coast of Galway: in Connemara, at Killeen on the west side of Costelo Bay; at Ternee, west side of Great Man’s Bay; at Eustreen, in Kilkerau Bay; at Ard Castle, in Ard Bay; to clear the jrass of Stradle; this would only cost about £40, and would then be fitted for ships of 200 tons to pass through, and do aw.ay with the necessity of going round Macdara Island, which is attended with much difliculty and delay; to complete the north pier at Eoundstone, one at Bunowen Bay, one at Ballinakill; ( 138 ) to finish the quay of Chf'den; one at 'fully, uei(r the entrance of the Killery Harbour. One of the most important things that could be done to benefit the people of this coast would be the clearing the pass of.Ballydaugan, at the head of Great Man’s Bay; much life and property is lost there annually; and to widen the channel to the new pier at Killany, in the island of Arran. 3077. Is there not a great want of asylum piers on the western coast of Ii'dand ? Extremely so for fishing pui'poses. 3078. And also for large vessels to run into for safety? Yes, in many places. 3080. Is not the west coast of Ireland very extensive? Yes; taking the sea line from Cork to Londonderry. The western coast of Ireland contains a greater extent of shore than the whole empire of France, being about 5,000 mUes. To illustrate this I shall just state one fact; the distance between Westport andNev’port in Mayo is only about Si miles in a chord line, and the configuration of coast upon that chord line amounts to fifty-five English miles. 3081. In thewhole line of5,000 milesof coast are there any asylmu harbours? To my knowledge there is no artificial asylum harbours of any magnitude, although there are very many excellent natural harbours. Amsterdam contains a population of about 180,000 inhabitants, •Dublin 250,000 inhabitants; Holland contains a population of 2,758,632, Ireland a population of nearly 8,000,000; the extent of Holland is 6,400,000 acres; Ireland contains an area of 20,000,000 of acres; Amsterdam possesses a ship canal 50^ miles long, more than 120 feet wide, and more than 20 feet deep. This canal is capable of floating into the very town of Amsterdam, from the deep sea at the Helder, the largest class of vessels, while the large and populous city of Dublin has no such advantage to carry on a foreign tiude. The extent of Ireland, the size of Dublin, the quays of the Liffey, the finest and most extensive in Europe, the position of the Custom-house and docks, all proclaim that there should be a canal from the deep water into the city of Dublin, capable of floating up the largest class of foreign vessels. In point of population, in point ( 139 ) of territory, the cujutal of Ireland requires a ship canal even inure than the capital of Holland.* Just glance at the position of Ireland in the Atlantic, facing with her southern and western shores the coasts of France, Spain, Portugal, the ATest Indies and the gigantic infant republics of the American continent; on the north opening to the whole wealth of the northern and western fisheries; while her eastern shore, since the invention of steam navigation, may be said to touch the greatest commercial and manufacturing nation in the world; yet her capital, Dublin, cannot be approached by any class of vessels engaged in foreign trade for the want of a ship canal of a very few miles in length, and which is juite practicable to be executed with facility. The Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway is .about 9 miles 420 yards long, and cost about £120,000. AVhere there are are so many thou¬ sand acres of bog lying witliiu thirty and forty miles of Dublin, with a level country descending from the bogs towards that city, extremely favourable to a trade in that direction, it appears to me, and has done so for some years, that it would be of the greatest public utility to endeavour to form some plan, by railway conveyance, to supply Dublin with turf-fucl in greater abundance, and at a cheaper rate. This would employ annually many thousand men, and keep immense sums of money in Ireland, to be expended among the la¬ bouring population, draining the bogs and preparing the turf-fuel to supply the Dublin market, and which now goes to England. Be¬ sides it would be the means of improving the great bog plains, converting them into e.xceUent com land, pastime, and meadow; and it would also purify the atmosphere and improve the climate. Ireland contains not less than 4,500,000 of bog requiring to be drained. About 350,000 of large lakes. Ditto 200,000 of land covered by the sea at high water. Ditto 200,000 of flooded lands along rivers requiringimprovement. ' TIa- fully ap ficcroy for Irclantl, the Marquis IVellesley, that ivouhl arise from tlie e.\ceution of such 5,250,000 (140) All this combined with the improveineut and formation of roads, canals, piers, harhonrs, railways, &c. &e. offers an immense field to the operations of the scientific and practical engineer. Although the formation of institutions and societies for learned purposes are very much to he admired and encouraged, yet on the other hand the es¬ tablishment of a school for engineering claims particular attention; because no such thing yet exists in any part of the British dominions. 3111. Have you turned your attention to the drainage of any of the large lakes in Ireland? Yes, I have. 3112. Do you conceive any considerable extent of ground could be restored by drainage? I am of opinion that a reduction of the waters of lake Mask to the level of Lough Corrib -would probably Iwe dry very nearly the ■\vhole of Lough Carra, containing 3000 acres; and also I should think the greater part of Lough Mask, which contains about 21,000 acres. Mackenzie’s Descmption of the IIabboubs. Bliicksod Bay. “Blacksod Bay is pretty well sheltered, the ground dean in. most parts, and the -water sufficiently deep for large sliips; but the groimd being a hard sand, it is not thought that it will hold well in hard gales from the W. or S. W., especially in the winter time, when these winds set in a great swell.’ The best anchorage is on the west side of the bay, about a quarter of a mile southward of Barnach Isle, on four and a half or five fathoms, Sic.” Bantry Bay. ‘‘BantryBay isalarge, safe, and commodious place for ships and vessels of all depth almost close to'the shore on both sides, and no rocks or shoals in the way going np, but what may be easily avoided in the night time. The best anchorage for large ships is at the east end of Whiddy Island, either on the north or south side of Horse Island, on from sLv to ten fathoms water, &c.” • Bearhaven Barbour. “ Bearhaven is an extraordinary good harbour; large, well sheltered, sufficiently deep for the greatest ships, and the ground veiy good every where. There are two entries to this harbour, one along the west end of the island, the other along the east • Moorings could be easily put down; but 1 have not he.ard of ships not being able to ride out safely the heaviest gdes of wind in that harbour. ( 141 ) anJ; tlie west entry is most direct mid readiest for vessels coming from the westward or southward ; but the east entry is rather the safest for one that is a stranger. The anchorage is any where on the north side of Bear Island, from five to eleven fathonia water, &c.’’ Vakntia Harbour. “This harbour is good grmmd, well sheltered and capable of the largest ship.i. The best entry to it is at the cast end of Valentin Island, where the best anchorage foot of eastmost point of Valentia, on five or six fathoms water, above a cable's length from the short; or pass Foot Point and anchor oil’ the Hon.se liinglass on four FitzStephen French, Esqtiire, a Member of the Committee, examined. 3114. Have you turned your attention to the waste lands of Ireland? I have. 3115. MHiat is their extent? Mr. Cowley estimates as capable of improvement 4,900,000 acres; as not improvable 2,416,000 ; the public records in 1824, gave them at five millions and a half im¬ provable waste lands, and half a million unimprovable; Mr. Newen- ham at 4,800,000 improvable, and 1,185,585 not improvable ; Mr. Griffith estimates the whole of the waste lands at 5,340,736 acres. 3116. Do you consider the reclamation of those lands of great importance? Certainly; if Ireland is so productive with 12 millions and a half of arable acres at present under cultivation, how mticji more so (independently of the emplo}Tnent to be given to the popu¬ lation) would she be when the amount of arable land was increased to eighteen millions of acres ? . 3117. Do you consider that labour could be profitably applied m Ireland? Nowhere is labour more required, nowhere is it so re¬ dundant; more than one-eighth of the population, for four months in the year, are without employment. 3118. Have you reclaimed any bog? I have. 3119. What do you consider to be the average expense per acre? The bogs that burn red or yeUow ashes are easily reclaimed; the bog that burns white ashes requires more time and a much greater outlay of capital. Generally speaking, as far as my experience leads me, I think they may be drained and levelled at about £1 IDs. an ( 142 ) aci:e, and covered with gravel or other calcareous substances at from £2 10a. to £3 per acre. I am aware that Mr. Griffith estimates the claying much higher, but I should be afraid to put four inches deep of gravel or clay on a bog at the time of reclaiming it, considering as I do that the weight of the gravel would sink it tlu'ough the bog. 3132. If the Government, or a company of mdividuals, were to undertake the reclaiming of the waste lands of Ireland, do you think they might equitably claim from the proprietors a portion of the improved lands in remuneration of their services? I do; this prin¬ ciple has been recognized and acted upon to a great extent in Eng¬ land; and without some such measure I see but little prospect of the. bogs of Ireland being brought into cultivation. Mr. Alexander Nimmo called in, and further examined. (Nothing material beyond former evidence). Mercurii, 24" die Jimii, 1835. A. H. LYNCH, ESQUIRE, in the Chair. Mr. Charles Wye WiUiatns further examined. (Same remark). William Blacker, Esq., called in, and examined. ■ 3185. In your opinion, -would it be beneficial if tenants for life had the power of expending money for the reclaiming of those waste or bog lands, and of charging the inheritance with the amount of that expenditure; and if that is your opinion, under what circum¬ stances would you recommend it? It -(vould be very difficult to say by what provisions the remainder-man might be secured against an injudicious outlay; otherwise the principle is good, and if generally adopted, not only by tenants for life but by all landed proprietors, and likewise extended to the inclosure of commons, &c. the most beneficial results would follow. It would not only. be the means of giving-immediate employment to a pauper population, but it would likewise correct, or, perhaps, remove the oppression and rack-rents ( 143 ) of middle men, by giving the tenant the alternative of being readily able to get a settlement elsewhere. Those who remained would also be benefited by being able to acquire an addition to their farms, and exorbitant rents would be checked by so much additional land being brought into the market; therefore in every view of the sub¬ ject the whole agricultural population would be most materially benefited. Taking off the malt-tax, extinguishing tithes or any other burthen pressing on the land, is only a temporary relief to the occupier, while his present tenure lasts, at the termination of which,- if the demand and supply continue .relatively the same, the land being worth more by being relieved from these burthens, will be of course set at a higher rent, and the advantage goes to the landlord. The only way effectually to serve the occupier of land is to increase the supply by' bringing more into cultivation, and thereby lessen the competition, which will enable him to make a better bargain with the landlord. Veneris, 26" die Junii, 1835. A. H. LYNCH, KSQUIEE, in the CiiAin. George Lewis Smyth, Esq. called in, and examined. (Nothing material elicited). Martin O'Mailley, Esquire, called in; and examined. (Same remark). Mercurii, ly" die xingusti, 18.35. A. H. LYNCH, ESQUIRE, in the Chaih. li. M. O'Fen-all, Esq. a Member of the House, was examined. (Nothing material elicited—principally on the fivilure of the Act called “ O’FerralTs Drainage Act,” and the reasons for such failure). ( 144 ) LIST OP APPENDIX. No. 1_PAPERS delivered ill to Uie Committee by Mr. iVff/jony .... 29:! No. 2.—P^VPERS delivered ill to the Committee by Colonel JoAk Fox Burgoi/ne 302 No. 3.—PAPERS delimed in to the Committee by Maurice Fitzgerald, Esq. S12 No. i .—SYSTEM of reclaiming bog and moory moimtain pasture, as practised on the Crown Lands of Piihhle O'Keeffe, County of Cork, by nichard Griffith, C. E.329 No. 5_OBSERVATIONS on a direct Steam Nai'igatioii witli St. John’s in Newfoundland, by William Bald, C. E.332 No, 6_OBSERVATIONS on the Reclamation of IVastc Lands in Ireland, from G. Poulett Scrape, Esq., M, P. .. 533 No. 7—SKETCH of a System of Poor-Colonics, for Employment of Labourers and Reclamation of AVaste Lands in Ireland, by John Winston .Rarron, Esq., H.P. . . ...3.3(1 MAPS: No. -I—3IAP of the British Empire, exhibiting the most level, the shortest, and least expensive Line of Railroad across Ireland, from Dublin to Galway; shewing also the direct Line acro.ss Ireland, taken from Liverpool to St. Jolin’s, in America, on an Arc of the Sphei^ By William Bald, C. E. No. 2—MAP, shewing St John's, in Newfoundland, in America, Ireland and England, the straight Lines on a Sphere acro.ss the Atlantic Ocean. By William Bald, C. E. -No. .3—A SURVEY of part of the county of Roscommon, shewing the course of the proposed Canal between Lough Gara and the River Shannon, near Camadofc Bridge. By Charles Tarratit, C. E. ( 145 ) STATEMENT ( 147 ) No. I Amount of j i % 3 1 ficpajinents. §'3-3o| fl; ■18 ! oO 52 53 58 62 64 65 To complete n Roman Ca tholic Chapel at Rurne, Road through liberty of AVaterford, and part of road to Tramore . . "For improvements to the harbour of Ballyshan- iioii, county Donegal . Bawn, CO. Kilkenny . Road from Killaloe to Tomgraney, co. Clare. To complete a Roman Ca¬ tholic chapel at Butte- vant, county Cork . . Road from Derrygonnellv to Manorhaniilton, cg . Turnpike road between _ Dublin and Mullingar . Road from Kilkenny to Piltown, CO. Kilkenny. Road over Cratloe Hill to Moyhill, county Clare . Road from near Ross to Borris, county AVexford Boyne Navigation from Oarrickdexter Lock to Drogheda. Road from Alallins to Gin- dore River, co.Donegal New Bridge at Belturbet, county Cavan.... Road from Carnew to TuIIow, CO. AVicklow . For rebuilding Thomond Bridge, city of Limerick Improvement in Turnpike ' Road fx’om Dublin to Dunleer. 1 Road from Bailieborough 1 by Moynalty to Kells, county Cavan . . . For clearing away a mass of very bad buildings in Barrack-street, for an improved entrance to the City of Dublin— AVide-Street Commisrs. The Ecclesiastical Com¬ missioners, pursuant to Act4&5AVill.IAL c.90 1 £ £ .. J, 2.3.50 0 0 1050 0 oj 1-00 0 0 2800 0 0 1750 0 0 7.50 0 o' 2000 0 oj 1600 0 oj 898 15 0 25,000 0 o; 46,000 0 o| £ ; £ s. d. 600 j 447 0 o! 350 j - 1500 i — 350 ! 46 2 7 \^ £ s. (i. |361,770 18 Oj 195,250 120,796 19 10 3435 9 1 ( 148 ) STATEMENT Of Loans and Grants 7na(le hy thn Board of Public iror/ts, pursuant to the Act of Me 1 & 2 Will. IV. c. 33, classed in order of the Description of Worhs for which they were advanced^ including those approved^ hut not definitively sane- Bristol to London.120 London to Falmouth.269 Falmouth to parallel of Valentia.; . 300 Bristol to Valentia dircci AN ABSTRACT of some Communications made to his Grace the Duke of Wellington in the year 1829, relating to Public Works in Ireland. INDEX TO MINUTES OF EVIDENCE. 5— III the following Index; the Figures following the Names refer to the Barrington, Mr. (Analysis ofliis Evidence.)—Opinion that a judi¬ cious expenditure of money on public works would be highly beneficial to Ireland, 2072-2077—No lands produce better oats than reclaimed motuitains, 2075—Advantages in the administra¬ tion of justice from the formation of roads, 2077—Opinion that public roads should be carried on by public boards, 2079—Cir¬ cumstances under which lands on the side of new roads are taken into cultivation, 2082-2085—Whether landed proprietors would consent to Government appropriating a certain portion of waste land, improved at the public e-xpense, ndth a view to the sale thereof in small lots, as a compensation for the money advanced in making roads, 2086-2102. Blacksod. Description of Blaoksod and Broadhaven harbours. Bald 3113. Nee also Harbours. Bog Lands. Quantity thereof capable of improvement, Holmes ■ 1281—Considerable quantity thereof in Tyrone capable of im¬ provement, Blacker 3150-3153—Description thereof in Tyrone, Blacker 3161-3163—Considerable quantity thereof bordering on Lough Neagh capable of being reclaimed. Blacker 3177—In¬ stances of small quantities of bog-land having been profitably reclaimed in Ireland, Holmes 1292-1294, 1302-1303—Process adopted for bringing bog-land into cultivation, Feathersione 2419-2426—No occasion to put manure upon it after it is drained to bring it into cultivation, Griffilk 2672—Difference in the ( 150 ) nature of the bog-lands in Holland and Ireland, Griffith 2781— AVliether in general the hogs of Ireland are capable of being re¬ claimed, and to what extent, Bald 2512-2517—Bog reports very much sought after, Griffith 2724. See dko Bonndaries. Gj-and Juries. Limestone. Limestone Gravel. Marl. Bedaiming Bog Land. Brickwood, John Streltcll. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Examina¬ tion respecting the sums advanced by the Exchequer Loan Com¬ missioners for the encouragement of public works in England and Ireland, 1168-1178—Bate of interest at wdiich loans are made, 1181—Losses more than covered by the current profit of the commission, 1179-1187—Whether Government ought to require a larger rate of interest than they themselves pay for the money so advanced, 1188-1191—Examination on the rate of in¬ terest paid by Government, 1192-1196—Commissioners never interfere with the negociation of Exchequer bills, 1197-1198— Interest of loans in general punctually paid, 1203, 1204, 1208— Period allowed for repayment of loans, 1205-1207. Nature of the security on which Commissioners in the habit of granting loans, 1209, 1210—No objection to government ad¬ vancing money upon a fluctuating rate of interest, 1211— Further examination as to security on which Commissioners ad¬ vance moneys, 1212-1215—Particulars relative to the loans made by the Commissioners for the encouragement of the fisheries in Scotland, and security on which loans made, 1216-1220— AVhether it would be to the advantage of jmblic works if the re¬ payment of loans was effected by a uniform rate per annum throughout the whole time allotted for payment, 1221-1224— Examination relative to the amount advanced by Commissioners for extension of public works in Ireland, and persons to whom loans granted, 1225-1227—Circumstances under which loans ■ made to the Ulster Canal Company, 1228. Bridges. Bridges considerably numerous in the north part of Scot¬ land, 111—The erection ofbridges formed a considcralflc ( lol ) b85' item ill the expense ol' milking, but a very simill purtioii ol' the expense ol' keeping roads in repair, in the north of Scotland, Hickman 112—By whom the bridge at Wick erected. Loch 126- 128—Not so many bridges in Caithness as in Sutherland, and reason thereof, Loch 129, 130—Sum subscribed by the towu ot Kinsale toward the construction of a bridge over the river Ban- doii, Thomas 2262—Probable cost of erecting a bridge over the river Bandon, Thomas 2266. See also Iliyhland Roads and Bridijcs. Broadhacen llarhour. Description thereof. Baldp. 268. Burgoi/ne, Colonel John Fox. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Class of persons forming the Board of Public M’’orks in Ireland, 228- 239—Number of clerks employed by the secretary, and their duties, 240-242—Duties of the engineer attached to the Board, 244-249—Cases in which the Board are bound to employ the county surveyor, 255-258—Board would not employ the county surveyor in cases of grand jury presentment for a road, and reason thereof, 259-263—County surveyors occasionally em¬ ployed by the Board, but never in lengthened or distant opera¬ tions, 264-268—Consolidation of the different public boards in Ireland, and advantages gained therefrom, 271-294—Number of unpaid commissioners belonging to the dilFereiit boards now con¬ solidated, 280-282. Difference in the expense of the establishment of the different 'boards now consolidated, and the expense of the present Board, ■ 283-284—Manner in which Parliamentary grant for inland na¬ vigation e.xpended, 286-289—Nature of the delects in the working of the former boards. 291, 302-304—Duties of the Board would be contracted for want of loans, 295, 296-Present constitution of the Board is sullicient I'or a more extended expen¬ diture, 297-301—Amount lent from the Consolidated Fund, and manner in which loans managed, 306-311—Sum remaining unpaid, and duties of the. present Board with respect thereto. 312-.'i23—Whether under tlic prcscnl system of granting loans ( 152 ) any deficiency will arise in the repayment -ol’ sums advanced, 324-330—Sum placed at the disposal of the Board, and manner in which appropriated, 331-343. Opinion that the roads under the management of the Board are both efificiently and economically managed, SI 1-523—Great improvement in the management of roads from the appointment of county surveyors, 524, 525—^Extent of roads which might he advantageously made, and probable expense thereof, 526-529— Opinion against charging co-onties with the expense of improving navigation of the Shannon, 535-542—^Further examination re¬ lative to the expense of keeping roads in repair by the Board, 545-548—Opinion that money cannot be obtained at a cheaper rate in Ireland than that charged by the Board, 549—Terms upon which loans are made might be relaxed as far as regards the rate of interest, 545-560—^IITiether it would be advisable to relax the terms in respect of payment by means of a sinking fund, 557-559. Opinion in favour of advancing money for the piu-pose of em¬ banking mudland from the sea, 603-608—Suggestion for reducing expense of making out titles of individuals applying for loans, 609-616—Whether grand juries should be empowered to let lands for the purpose of improving and cultivating them, 617- ■ 624—Opinion that no alteration required in the Act relative to the repayment of loans, 625, 626—Advantages derived from Exchequer bills for public works in Ireland being issued there, 627-639—Whether Board restricted from re-issuing money as it is paid off, 640-646—Desirable that all public accounts should be subject to audit, 647-649—Difference in the rate of interest charged to grand juries and public bodies, and reason thereof, 650-655—Act relating to fisheries inoperative, and reason thereof, 659-666—Sum belonging to the Fishery Board now in the hands of the Commissioners for Public Works, 664. Fishery laws requu-e consideration and revision, 669—Sug¬ gestions for preventing combination among fishermen, 670-676— Suggestions for providing for repairs of small piers and harbours ( 153 ) ivlicu erected, 676-679—Greater disposition among the Scotch to prosecute fisheries than either the English or the Irish, 680- 682—Whether an enlargement or extension of fishery piers de¬ sirable, 683-697—Further powers should be granted to the Board for advancing money to build piers, 685-686—Under whose control the makmg piers and keeping them in repair should be placed, 687, 688, 697. Glfden. Benefits to be derived from the erection of a small pier at this place, App. p. 307—Nature of the land about the town of Clifden, and examination thereon,bDarcy 1938-1967— See also Land. Oats. Outerard to Clifden. Roads. Consolidated Fund. The duties of the Board for lendhig money for Consolidated Fund in Ireland transferred to Board of Public Works,5«r(/oy«e 273—Amount lent from the Consolidated Fund of Ireland, and manner in which loans managed, Burgopne 306- 311—Sum remaining unpaid, and duties of the present Board of Ii-eland with respect thereto, Burgoyne 312-323. Dublin and Kingslomi Eailioay Company. Large portion of the ca¬ pital of the Dublin and Kingstown Eailway Company was subscribed m England, Pirn 1497-1501—Expense attendant on the security given by the Dublin and Kingstown Eailroad Com¬ pany, and sum advanced them, Stewart 803-806—Sum expended in constructing the Dublin and Kingstown Eailway, Pirn 1418- 1424—Eesolutions of the Directors of the Dublin and Kingstown Eailway Company as to the practicability of constructing a railroad from Kingstown to Valcntia harbour, and advantages to be derived therefrom. Pirn 1329-1534. 1541-1547.— See also Admiralty, Lords of the. Exchequer Loan Commissioners. See Fisheries. Interest. Loans. Securities. Fisheries. Act relating to fisheries inoperative, and reason thereof, Burgoyne 659-666—Fishery law’s require consideration and re¬ vision, Burgoyne 669—Improvements in Scotland have led to the extension of the fisheries. Loch 213—Particulars relative to ( 154 ) the loaus made by Exchequer Loan Commissioners for the encou¬ ragement of fisheries in Scotland, and security on which loaus made, Brickwood 1216-1220—Sum belonging to the Fishery Board now in the hands of the Commissioners for Public Works, Burgoyne 664—Suggestions for preventing combination among fishermen, Burgogne 670-676—Greater disposition among the Scotch to prosecute fisheries than either the English or the Irish, Burgogne 680—Considerable decrease therein since the non-existence of the Fishery Board, Spencer 2885-2887—The extension and success of fisheries in Ireland depends very much on the erection of harbours, &c., Mahong 1100—Opinion that the fisheries on the coasts of Clare and Mayo might be carried on with very great success, Spencer 2892-2804. Number of persons that the Irish fisheries would give em¬ ployment to, Spencer 2894—^Examination relative to the state of the fisheries on the coast of Clare and Mayo, Spencer 2882-2901 —Great advantages to them from opening roads in Ireland, ConoUg 1239, 1240—Capital might be advantageously employed in the Irish fisheries, Darcg 2003-2012—Very extensive fishery on the coast of Kilmore, Talbot 2258, 2259—Advantages to the fisheries from the appointment of a commission to inquire into the Irish fisheries generaUy, Talbot 2260 —Number of persons engaged in the Irish fisheries, Spencer’lQOX —Considerable fishing banks,on the coast of Ireland, and situations thpreof. Bald 3072, 3073—Fishermen of the western coast have not the means of reaching the fishing banks now, and reason thereof. Bald 3074, .3075—Advantageous to the fisheries if the passage of Bally- dangan was cleared, 0’jl/ffif% 3319, 3320. Government Grants. Sums granted by Government for tlie purposes of making roads in Scotland, Rickman, p. 22, 23 —Benefits de¬ rived by Scotland from the expenditure on roads, Rickman 24, 25—Purposes for which Government grants should be appro¬ priated, Burgogne 454-456, 493-495, 501-503—Statement of loans and grants recommended and sanctioned by Board of Public Works in Ireland, Burgogne p. 105—Conditions upon whicli ( 155 ) future grants of public money should be placed at the disposal of the Board of Public Works, to be expended in making newlines of roads, &o., Scrope 1717—Government grants should depend on whether it is a public work or solely for private advantage, Barrington 2162-2175—Suggestions for alteration of the terms on which Parliamentary grants are to be made, Burgogne 462- 471—Opinion that where Government contributes the whole expense they should have the charge of the execution of the work, 562-571—Greater facilities in procuring money might be afforded to parties from the Parliamentary grants, Bur- gogneS%-5S\ —Government advances should be limited, Williams 842-847.—-also Grants. Holmes, Dixon. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Very great want of roads and communication from one part of the country to the other in Ireland, 1267-1280—Nature of the soil in the south and south-west of Ireland, 1277—Bogs are capable of very great improvement, 1279, 12§0—Summary of the waste lands in Ire¬ land, 1280—Proposal for raising a loan for colonizing and culti¬ vating the waste lands of Ireland, 1281—Middling and small farmers are in possession of a great deal of ready money, 1282- 1288—Instances of small quantities of bog land harung been pro¬ fitably reclaimed, 1292-1294, 1302,1303—Opinion that a great many mistakes have been made in cultivating bogs by too much draining, 1306-1308. Advantages to be derived by Ireland from the introduction of railways, 1309-1323—Ileason ivhy that from Waterford to Limerick has not been carried into effect, 1310-1315—Estunated expense of the railway from Waterford to Limerick, 1322, 1323— Opinion that it ivould promote the reclaiming of waste lands if proprietors empowered to charge the inheritance with a certain portion of the expense thereof, 1324-1327—Description of lands on which capital may be most advantageously employed, 1328- 1331—Opiniou that there is the same room for expenditure of capital on land in England as in Ireland, 1331-1333—Ilcason ( 156 ) why English capitalists would prefer investing money in Irish over English lands, 1334. Kinsale. Causes to which the decay of the town of Kiusale may be attributed, Thomas, 2269, 2270. See also Bridges. Fisheries. Harbours. Kitt’s, Saint. Benefits derived from the erection of a small pier at this place, Apj). p. 307. Leases. 'Suggestions respecting the power of leasing lands which might be advantageously given to the landlords in Ireland with¬ out injuring the tenant in possession, MaJiony 2033-2036. 2058- 2066— Estates in Ireland granted in too large quantities, and evils thereof, Mahooiy 2060-2066—Suggestions respecting the manner in which money might be advanced by Government for the purpose of making roads and canals in Ireland, Cuhxtl 2060- 2067— Opinion that leases for three lives have been most disad¬ vantageous, Naper 2946—Short leasqs materially afiect the con¬ dition of the poor, Cramer 3008-3010. See also Bishops' Leases. College Leases. Loans. Statement of loans and grants recommended and sanctioned by Board of Public'Works in Ireland, Burgoyne,p. 105—Board of Public Works have not the power of assenting to a loan unless security sufficient, Williams 910—Expense attendant upon loans very great, Kerry, 1784-1800, Stewart 789-799—'Whether, under the present system of granting loans in Ireland, any defi¬ ciency will arise in the repayment of sums advanced, Burgoyne 324-330—Terms upon which loans might be obtained in Ireland for the purpose of carrying on public works, Stanley 1715— Money can be obtained on much better terms of individuals than of Board of Public Works, Williams 912—Opinion that money cannot be obtained at a cheaper rate in Ireland than that charged by the Board, Burgoyne 549—Opinion that the loans made by the Board could not have been obtained elsewhere, Burgoyne 402- 404—Impediments in the way of borrowing money from the Board of Public Works on landed security, Mahony 1035. Priority sliould be given to loans advanced by Board of Public Works over other creditors, Mdliamj 1036-1041—Whether any and what objection to loans from the Board of Public Works to private individuals being made the first charge on their estates, Barrington 2109-2115, GriffUh 2758-2116, Mger 2931, Bhcker 3185—Opinion that the loans by the Board of Works on per¬ sonal security should not be limited, Barrington 2133—Greater facility of making loans on personal seenrity than on mortgage, and reason thereof, Barrington 2134-2137—Opinion that the terms on which loans are made under the Act establishing the Board of Public Works are such as to discourage private indivi¬ duals from making application for them, Kerrg 1783—^Very small amount lent by the Board of Public Works in Ireland to private individuals, Burgoym 341, Stewart 170-177—NatuK of the works undertaken by public bodies to whom loans have been granted, Bnrgoyne 344-349—Public bodies incur great expense in making out specifications and plans previous to applications for loans, Bnrgoyne 582-586—Nature of the investigation with respect to titles of public bodies applying for loans, Stewart 300- 802—Cause of the refusal of the Board of Ireland to advance money for cutting a canal from the Shannon to Eoscommon, Bnrgoyne 357-369- Great risk in lending money on unimproved lands, Bnrgoyne >589—Suggestion for reducing expense of making out titles of individuals applying for loans, Bnrgoyne 609-616—Examination relative to steps taken by the Board to enforce payment of loans from county treasurers, Bnrgoyne 752-767—Commissioners have the power of lending money on personal security, Stewart 788— Opinion that the expense of levying tolls will not be sufficient to deter persons from applying for a grant for the purpose of erect¬ ing piers on the Shannon, Williams 901-906—Advances for making roads in Donegal might be made rvithout any risk by Government, Conolly 1235—Proposal for raising a loan for colo¬ nizing and cultivating the waste lands of Ireland, Holmes 1281— Advantages to be derived from enabling tenants for life to raise ( 158 ) money for the purpose of improving theii-estates, and charging the inheritance with the same, San-ington 2103-2108—Exami¬ nation relative to the amount of profit obtained by landlords on making loans to tenants for improving wastelands, Zffocfer 3247- 3252—^Examination respecting the sums advanced by Exchequer Loan Commissioners for encouragement of public works in Eng¬ land and Ireland, lirickwood 1168-1178—Period allowed for repayment of loans made by Exchequer Loan Commissioners, Brichsood 1205-1207—Examination relative to the amount advanced by Exchequer Commissioners for extension of publie works in Ireland, and persons to whom loans granted, Brichcood 1225-1227. Statement of loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, shewing the amount paid to engineers for preliminary investigations, surveys, inspectors, &c., by parties making application for loan or grant, ended the 31st December, 1834, App.p. 305—Statement of loans and grants made by the Board of Public Works pursuant to the Act of 1 & 2 Will. IV. c. 33, classed in the order of the description of works for which they were advanced, including those approved, but not defini¬ tively sanctioned, Ajo;;. p. 305—Statement of the several loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, pursu¬ ant to the pro-visions of the Act 1 & 2 WiU. IV. c. 33, up to the Ist'of January, 1835, App.p. 304. , See also Drainage. Interest. Landed Proprietors. Moiety Grants. Securities. Malumg, Peirce. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Opinion that certain clauses in the Act of 1831, for the extension and promotion of public works in Ireland, have been rendered nugatory, and reason thereof, 1013, 1014—Objection to the high rate of interest charged for loans, 1015—No distinction ought to be made in the rate of interest paid by public bodies and private individuals, 1018—Rate of interest that should be paid in all loans made by the Board, 1019—Principle of Scotch Act of 1770 should be ( 15!) ) extended to Ireland, and advantages to be derived therefrom, 1019-1026—College leases very unmarketable property, and reason thereof, 1029—Great portion of the surface of Ireland is held in mortmain, 1029-1034—Impediment in the way of borrow¬ ing money from the Board of Public Works on landed security, 1035. Priority should be given to loans advanced by Board of Public Works over other creditors, 1036—Opinion that nothing would improve the condition of Ireland so much as the reclamation of the waste and bog lands there, 1037-1039—Further examination relative to the priority to be given to Board of Public Works over other creditors, 1041—Further examination on the advan¬ tages to be derived by Ireland from an extension of the Scotch Act of 43 Geo. III. 1043-1049—Opinion that public money should only be .applied for the purpose of preparing bog lands for cultivation, 1053—E.xpense of laying down gravel very great in reclaiming land, 1054—No difficulty in ascertaining amount laid out upon land, 1055—IVliether the reclaiming of bogs should be c-irried on wholly under the superintendence of the Board of Public Works, 1056. Opinion that the profits arising from the reclaiming of bogs . would amply repay any advance of public money for that pur¬ pose, 1057, 1058-Bate of interest in Ireland has been gra¬ dually declining of late years, 1059—Power should be given to Board of Public Works to regulate the amount of sinking fund in each loan, 1059-1067—Loss to the public from a deficiency cannot take place, 1068-1072—Opinion against allowing grand juries to take tracts of bog land for the employment of able- bodied poor, 1074, 1075—Advantages to be derived from the establishment of .agricultural schools, 1076—Circumstances to which the failure of Mr. O’Ferrall’s Act may bo attributed, 1077, 1078. [Second Examination.]—Suggestions respecting the power of leasing lands which might be advantageously given to the landlords in Ireland without injuring the tenant in possession. ( 160 ) 2033-2036—Evils of the custodiam process to Ireland, 2037— Great distress existing in many parts of Ireland, 2041—Present price of potatoes there considered a famine price, 2041, 2042— Average wages of day labourers there, 2042—IVorking classes better fed now than formerly, 2044—Advantages derived from the formation of roads in Ireland, 2045-2050—Beneficial effects to he expected from the extension of railways in Ireland, 2051, 2052—Eeason why canals cannot successfully compete with rail¬ ways, 2053—Further examinations respecting leasing lands in Ireland, 2058-2066—Estates in Ireland granted in too large quantities, and evils thereof, 2060-2066. Nimmo, Alexander. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Nature of the works proposed to be executed by the late Mr. Nimmo, and reason they have not been proceeded with, 2188-2191—Eeason why the road from Outerard to Clifdeu has not been completed, 2192-2201—Opinion relative to the advantages derived from the extension of roads in Ireland, 2202-2205—Advantages to be de¬ rived from clearing the pass of Ballydangan, and reason why it is not cleared, 2206-2211—Great number of useful harbours might be erected on the coast of Connemara, 2212-2218—Great distress at Koundstone, and cause thereof, 2220-2224—Eoads in Connemara are impassable, and reason thereof, 2225-2236— Opinion that the enlargement of the pier at Kilmore would be attended tvith great advantage to shipping, 2237-2255. Pint, James, Jun. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—Beneficial effects to the monied interest from the issue of Exchequer bills by Board of Public Works in Ireland, 1339-1341—Period when Irish Treasury Bills ceased to be issued, 1342-1345—Advantages de¬ rived from laying out monies in Exchequer bills, 1346, 1347— Eate at which E.xchequer bills issued under the Pitblic Works Act, and examination thereon, 1349-1365—Premium on Ex¬ chequer bills at present, 1359, 1360—No reason why Exchequer bais should not bear as high a price in Dublin as in London, 1361-1365—Interest on Exchequer bills generally payable at ( 161 ) The Bank of England, 13C7—Great convenience if they were payable both in Dublin ami London, 1368—Exchequer bills payable in Ireland cannot be sold in the London market at any price, 1370—Further examination as to the convenience of making them payable in Dublin and Loudon, 1371-1379—Great benefit to the money market in Ireland from a further issue of Exchequer bills, 1380, 1383. No risk of the English market absorbing the whole, and reason thereof, 1384-1386—Government securities less Ikble to fluctua¬ tion in Ireland, 1387, 1388—Examination as to the manner in ryhich the difference between the amount of the exports and im¬ ports of Ireland are made up, 1389-1414—Sum expended in constructing the Dublin and Kingstown liailway, 1418-1424— Instances ofworkmen employed thereon having saved considerable sums of money, 1426, 1427—Number of passengers conveyed by the railway since the opening, and length of time occupied in the journey, 1428-1435—Opinion that railways judiciously laid out and constructed would be highly remunerative in Ireland, 1436— Reason why the Company cannot proceed with the ex¬ tension of the railwa}' as proposed by the Act of last session, 1437- 1457—Nature of the objections made by the Lords of the Admiralty to the proposed extension, 1443-1453—Price of shares in the Dublin and Kingstown Railway, 1460—Sum ad¬ vanced by Board of Public IVorks towards completion of the railway, 1461—Opinion that the rate of interest charged by Go¬ vernment to parties contributing the greater portion of the expenses is much too high, 1462-1464. [Second Examination.]—Nature of the difficulties thrown in the way of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway Company by the Lords of the Admiralty, and examination thereon, 1465-1472— Advantages to commerce from the extension of the railway being carried on as suggested by the Company, 1472—Cattle materially injured from the length of time occupied in voyage from Kingstown harbour to Liverpool, 1472—Dues payable to the Ballast Board Corporation on goods discharged in the port of Dublin, 1474- ( H)2 ) 1476—Port of Dublin contributed largely to the expense of constructing -Kingstown harbour, 1475—Memorial from the Dublin and Kingstown Railway Company to the Lords of the Admiralty, reqiresting permission to proceed with the extension of their railway without constructing the addition suggested by their Lordships to the harbour of Dunleary, and answer thereto, 1477. Advantages to be derived by Ireland from an extension of railways, 1478-1480—Increased water communication would be of essential benefit to the country, and manner in which it should be carried on, 1481-1493—Reason why capitalists are deterred from promoting public works of acknowledged utility, 1493- 1497—Large portion of the capital of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway was subscribed in England, 1497-1501—Causes to which the failure of the two great canals may be attributed, 1505—Opinion that the superintendence of the Board of Public Works would give great confidence to capitalists, 1506—The ex¬ tension of the existing canals of much greater importance than the construction of new ones, 1507-1512—Improvement of the River Shannon a matter of vast importance, and by whom it should be conducted, 1513-1521—Opinion that the making roads would be attended with great advantage to Ireland, 1522-1527 —Revenue has considerably increased where roads have been made, 1526, Resolutions of the Directors of the Dublin and Kingstown Railway Company as to the practicability of constructing a rail¬ way from Kingstown to Valentia harbour, and advantages to be dei-ived therefrom, 1529-1534, 1541-1547—Eurther examina¬ tion relative to the confidence that woidd be given to capitalists from the superintendence of the Board of Public Works, 1535, 1536—^Probable expense of constructing railroad from Dublin to Valentia, 1537-1539—Suggestions for obtaining the requisite sum for that purpose, 1548-1556—Ofiiniou that the employment of people on public works would have the effect of tranquillizing the country, 1557-1560—Usual practice of contractors for public ( 163 ) works to draft their men off in small lots to different parts of the country, 1561-1563—By increasing the demand for labour you raise the rate of wages, 1571-1573—Hate of wages paid on Kingstown Railroad, 1575—Employment of labourers by task¬ work very beneHcial in public works, 1575, 1576—Opinion that money payments are always desirable, 1577, 1578. Benefits to be derived from an advance of money by Govern¬ ment for carrying on public works, Cubitt 1615-1618, Barrhytou 2072-2077, Spencer 2902-2908—Great benefit derived to the county of Kerry from the e.\ecutiou of public works, Kerry 1744- 1746—Nature of the public works executed in Kerry, and how paid for, Kerry 1747-1754—Under whose control and direction public works should be carried on, Vignoks 1667-1670 —Clauses in Public AAhrks Act relative to navigation have remained a dead letter, \yilUams 906, 907, Thomas 2262—Cause to which the in¬ disposition of English capitalists to invest their money on public works in Ireland may bo attributed, Cubitt 1609, 1610—Opinion that the 48th section of the Public AVorks Act is a great impe¬ diment to the loans of money, and to the employment of private capital in public works in Ireland, Feat/ierstone 2480, 2481— Examination as to the proportions in which Government and private capitalists should advance money for carrying on works of public advantage, Vignoks 1662-1670 —Opinion that a com¬ pulsory power should be given to the Board of Public AVorks for the purpose of compelling the making short lines of roads where they communicate with large rivers, Tr(V/irt«(s 3143-3149—Usual ■practice of contractors for public works to draft their men off in small lots to difterent parts of the country, Pirn 1561-1563— Mode by which money might be obtained in Ireland for the pur¬ pose of public -works there, Stanley 1715—Advantages derived from Exchequer Bills for public -works in Ireland being issued there, Burgoyne 627-639—Instances where public money had been advanced in aid of public works in Scotland, Loch 227— The Board of AVorks should be intrusted with the power of giving an opinion upon works which might be beneficially under- L 2 ( 1C4 ) taken, O'Femill 334S, 3439—Wlietlier '™rk executeil by tin; Board of Works would be more expensively conducted by that body than by private individuals, O'Ferrall 3350-3353—State¬ ment of loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland, shewing the amount paid to engineers for preliminary investigations, surveys, inspections, &c., by parties making ap¬ plication for loan or grant, ended 31st December, 1834, />■ 302 —Statement of loans and grants made by the Board of Public Works pursuant to the Act of the 1 & 2 Will. IV., c. 33, classed in the order of the description of works for which they were advanced, including those approved, but not definitely sanctioned, App. p. 302—Statement of the several loans made by the Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland, pursuant to the provisions of the Act 1 & 2 Will. IV., c. 33, up to the 1st ol January, 1835, App. j). 303- See also Cajntalisls. France. Interest. Loans. Jlechimhui Lands. Seciirili/. Sinking Fund. Faikoads. Opinion that Government shoirld not be the originators of any railroads, but support them on some definite plan, Cubilt 1603-1605—Extent thereof now in progress in Great Britain, Vignoles 1609—Extent thereof now in profitable operation in the United Kingdom, Vignoles 1629—Suggestions as to the parties to be examined as witnesses relative to the utility of raUi-oads as mode of transit across Ireland, Kerry 1743—Eailways of considerable extent have been made at the expense of the public in America, Cubitt 1601, 1602—Advantages derived from the use of the railroad in reclaiming bog lands, Featherstone 2366, 2367—Opinion that railways judiciously laid out and constructed would be highly remunerative in Ireland, Pirn 1436—Examina¬ tion relative to the point in Ireland best adapted for the com¬ mencement of a railway to communicate with England, havimr Valentia as its ultimate point of destination. Harrison 1731- 1736. Opinion that no part of Ireland offers greater facilities to the ( 165 ) making a railroad tLaii tliat from Dublin to Galway and Mayo, and reason for that oiiiuiou, 2568-2579—Keason why that li'om Waterford to Limerick has not been carried into elfect, Holmes 1310-1315—Estimated expense of the railway from Waterford to Limerick, Holmes 1322, 1323—Cost of a moveable railway, and description of carriages travelling thereon, Feather- stone 2-133-2438—Advantages to be derived by Ireland from the introduction of railways, JA/mcs 1309-1323, Pha 1478-1480, Mahoaj 2051, 2052—Examination relative to the situation best adapted for the formation of a railroad throngh Ireland, for the purpose of communication between this country and America, Griffith 2857-2864—Reason for preferring the harbour of Black- sod to the harbour of Galway for making railroads in the south of Ireland, Bald 3063—Benefits derived by Scotland from the formation thereof. Bald 3108—Of more advantage in making roads than making the bog into soil, Blacker-i\~t‘i —Opinion as to the advantages to be derived from the construction of a rail¬ way between Valentia and Waterford, Griffith 2641-2648— Statement relative to the advantages to be derived from the con¬ struction of a railroad from Dublin to Valentia, Fn/zie/cs 1626- 1629. See also Austria. Canals. Dublin and Kiiystoicn Railicui/. London and Birmingham. Tramrouds. Reclaiming Bog Land. Opinion that all reclamation of bog or Bioun- tain lands must bo performed by degrees, Biugogne 703-711— ' Expense of reclaiming bog land per acre, and value thereof when reclaimed, Featherstoue 2368-2374, 2439, 2440, Grifflh 2662, 2673, Cramer 2967-2980, Frcnc/z ,3118-3120-Furthcr exami¬ nation as to the expense of reclaiming bog land, and value thereof when reclaimed, Griffth 2698-2708—Great advantage to be de¬ rived ii'om giving power to a tenant for life to lay out money in reclaiming land, and charge the inheritance therewith, Feather- stone 2485-2490—Manner in which the Crown would be recom¬ pensed for giving grants for improving waste lands, Featherstoue ( 166 ) 2503, 2504—ATlietlier Goverament ouglit to give any assistanee towards reclaiming waste lands, J’rencA 3121—Nature of tlie re¬ muneration held out to tenants on the Tyrone estates for reclaim¬ ing the land. Slacker 3205-3221—Further examination relative to the encouragement given to tenants on Tyrone estates for reclaiming waste lands. Slacker 3234-3246. Opinion that sulEcieut experiments of draining hog land are now making by private individuals, and consequently the inter¬ vention of Government is unnecessary, Griffith 2680-2696— Expense of reclaiming mountain Featherstone 2407-2418— Expense at which mountainous districts in .Scotland might he reclaimed. Said 3068—Suggestions respecting the reclaiming tvaste lauds in Ireland, O'Brien 1123—Opinion that the profits arising from reclaiming bogs would amply repay any advance of public money for that purpose, Malm^ 1057, 1058—Whether the reclaiming lauds should bo wholly carried on under the su¬ perintendence of the Board of Public Works, 2Iahony 1056— Opinion that public money should only be applied for the pur¬ pose of preparing bog land for cultivation, Mahomj 1053— Opinion that nothing would improve the condition of Ireland so much as the reclaiming of waste and bog lands there, Makony 1037-1039. Government experiments are attended with great expejise for agency, Griffith 2692, 2693—Different processes necessary to reclaim bog, and expense thereof. Bald 2520-2524—Opinion that the bog and mountain land of Ireland is generally to be profitably reclaimed, Griffith 2684-2688—Eeason why reclaimed bog has a tendency to return to its original state, Griffith 2711— Whether bog ivhen reclaimed is cap.able of yielding any descrip¬ tion of crop, Griffith 2712-2713—More advantageous to expend money in cultivating land already unproved than in reclaiming waste land, Griffith 2714, 2715—Examination relative to the ad¬ vantages possessed by the district of Connemara, and reason why the bog lands there have not been reclaimed, Griffith 2743-2751 —The Act introduced by witness is not at all applicable to the ( 1«7 ) iniprovemeiit of bog, O'Ferrall 3346—Peujjle might be advaii- tageously located on reclaimed lauds, French 3122—System of reclaiming bog and moory mountain pasture, as practised on the Grown lands of Pubble O’Keefe, county of Cork, by Richard Griffith, App. p. 329. See also Crojis. Gravel. Oats. Kcccuue. Increase thereof from the improvement of roads: In Scotland, Loch 152—In Ireland, Conolhj 1257— Phn 1526—In Clifden, Furcij 1994, 2016, 2017—Considerable increase in the amount thereof since the carrying on of public works in Ireland, Kernt 1745,-17?1. Spencer, John. (Analysis of his evidence).—Examination relative to the state of the fisheries on the coast of Clare and Mayo, 2882 -2901_Consideivable decrease in the fisheries since the non¬ existence of the Fishery Board, 2885-2887.—Opinion that the fisheries on these coasts might be carried on with very great success, 2892-2894—Extract of a letter from Lieutenant Bo¬ roughs, comm ander of the coast-guard, to witness, on the subject of Irish fisheries, 2896—Fishing piers are in general badly con¬ structed, and the sites badly chosen, and very much out of re¬ pair, 2897, 2898—Number of piers re(iuired along these coasts, 2899, 2900—Number of persons engaged in the Irish fisheries, 2901—Opinion that great advantage would be derived by Ire¬ land from a judicious expenditure upon public works, 2902- 2908—Great want of employment in Munster and Clare, 2906, ' 2907. Thomas, Colonel llcnri/. (Analysis of his Evidence.)—tjum sub¬ scribed by the town of Kiusale towards the construction of a bridge over the River Bandon, 2262—Probable cost of erecting bridge, 2266—Much better harbour at Kinsale than at Cork, 2268-Causes to which the decay of the town of Kinsale may be attributed, 2269, 2270. Waste Land. Quantity of waste land in the following counties ( 168 ) capable ot'iniproveineut: Antrim, Holmes 1280—Annagli, Holmes 1280—Carlow, Holmes 1280—CnTan, Holmes 1280—Clare, Holmes 1280—Cork, Holmes 1280—Donegal, Holmes 1280— 'Dov/n, Holmes 1280— 'DvihMw, Holmes 1280—East Meath, Holmes 1280—Fermanagh, Holmes 1289—Galway, Holmes 1280— Kerry, Holmes 1280—Kildare, Holmes 1280—Kilkenny, Holmes 1280—King’s County, Holmes 1280—Leitrim, Holmes 1280— Limerick, Holmes 1280—^Londonderry, Holmes 1280—Long¬ ford, Holmes 1280—Louth, Holmes 1280—Mayo, Holmes 1280— Mayo, Holmes 1280—Mouanrhau, Holmes 1280—Queen’s County, Holmes 1280—Roscommon, Lfo/mcs 1280-Sligo, Holmes 1280- Tipperary, Holmes 1280—Tyrone, Holmes 1280—Mhiterford, Holmes 1280—West Meath, Holmes 1280-'Wexford, Holmes 1280—Wicklow, Holmes 1280—Quantity thereof capable of im¬ provement in Ireland, Holmes 1281, Bald, 2546, 2547, French 3114-3116—Opinion that it would promote the reclaiming of waste lands, if proprietors empowered to charge the inheritance with a certain portion of the expense thereof. Holmes 1324- 1327—Suggestions for placing at the disposal of the Crown a certain portion of waste land after its improvement from the expenditure of public money, to.be divided into small lots, and let or sold by them on certain conditions, Scrope I7l7—Quan¬ tity of waste land in the county of Galway, Darcy, 1968-1970 —Ai'e injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the neigh¬ bourhood, Bolm 2547—Observations on the reclamation of waste lands in Ireland, from G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P., kpp.p. 333—Sketch of a system of poor colonies for employment of labourers, and reclamation of waste lauds in Ireland, by AYinston Barron, Esq., M.P., kpjnp. 336. See also Reclaiming Bog Lands. APPENDIX. SOCIETY FOK THE IMPROVEMENT OF IRELAND. A PUBLIC meeting was held on IVednesday in the Music Hall, for the pur- pose of petitioning the House of Commons for an advance of three millions sterling, out of the Consolidated Fund of the United Kingdom, to be ap¬ plied in the shape of loans, the repayment of which, with moderate inte¬ rest, io he secured on Public Works, together with a moderate sinking fund; and the other portion to be given as a free grant in aid of the Irish population, to meet in some degree the present alarming scarcity from the general failure of the potato crop. The advertisement convening the meeting further explained the ob¬ ject of the demonstration to be, the presentation of a petition to the Legislature, to obtain from it the sum of three millions for the present exigencies, to employ the people at this momentous crisis of impending famine, and to call for an annual advance of two and a half millions, in aid of the railways of Ireland, drainage, and reclamation of lands, improve- merit of the deep-sea fisheries, and the working of Irish mines, pursuant to a recommendation of a Parliamentary Report. At two o’clock the Chair was taken by the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor. Amongst those present on the platform, we observed the following Mr. Bermingham, Mr. Guinness, Mr. Dwyer, Q. C.; Mr. Daniel Stack, Barrister-at-Law; Mr. John Reynolds, Town-Councillor; Mr. David Daly, Mr. M’Dermott, Barrister-at-Law; Mr. D. C. Brady, Mr. Fogarty, Town-Councillor; Mr. David Daly, Jun.; Jlr. Massey, Mr. Dixon, Mr. William Dowling, Mr. M'Donnell, -Mr, F. W. Cusack, ( 170 ) Banister-at-Law; Mr. Pieiae Nagle, Mr. M. Sfaunlon, .Mr. Luke Buff, Solicitor; Mr. William J. O'Driscoll, Mr. Thomas Di.\oii, Abelinc; Mr. Caretv, Mr. James PhilliiJS, Barrister-al-Law; Mr. John J. Wilmott, Mr. Cusack, Barrister-at-Law; Mr. Classon, Mr. Shaw, Mr. R. Price, • Mr. John M'Donnell, Colonel Charles Fitzgerald, Robert R. Guinness, Bank Director; Richard Barrett, Jlatthew O'Donnell, Barrister. Mr. James Dwyer, Q. C., came forward, and said, that Mr. Bermiug- ham was the gentleman who had called the Meeting, at the request of several of the leading men of Ireland, the object of which was to advance the trade and the industry of Ireland, to raise (he condition of the poor, and give to the artisan food, employment, and equality, such as were enjoyed by the workmen of other countries. Mr. Bermingham concluded by moving''the resolution (for which sec page 7.) The resolution was seconded by Mr. M'Dounell, and carried unaui- Mr. Bermingham said he should apologise for having taken such a step at a time when the Assizes were coming on; but an e.\prcssion of public opinion was absolutely necessary at that period. They were ar¬ rived at a period when men should speak out, aud improve the condition of the labouring classes, and the honest artisan, to whom all the nobility .should look for support; for the nobility raised nothing from the earth; it ■was the artisan who did so; and it was held important that active steps should be taken to prevent the threatened calamity, from a failure in the -potato crop, the food of the poor countrymen, half of which has been de- :stroyed. Therefore, he was justified in calling upon them to see how the .plague could be stayed; and stayed it could be by the measure which he desired to propose. The people of England nobly gave twenty millions to free the black population of Jamaica. Lord Stanley proposed one night in his place in the House of Commons that five millions be lent to the slave-owners to induce them to give up the use of the bone and sinews of ■ the slaves; he withdrew that proposition, and within a fortnight carried a grant of twenty millions [liear, hear]. He was told that one hundred thousand pounds had been voted by the British Parliament to assist the Irish in their distress. He had also heard that there was a grant of £50,000 for fisheries and piers. All these things were right, but the grants were inadequate, and if the pressure did come, they should endea¬ vour to be prepared for it. Tliose who joined him upon that occasion. ( 172 ) Bermingliaiii. wlio, lo his oivn knowledge, in tiie year 1S37, paid out ofliis own pocket £2000 to engineers to make surveys on railways—wlien lie knew him for a length of years endeavouring to wring from Englisli ministers those rights to whicli Ireland was entitled—he felt it was grateful to their Irish hearts to render to him their best thanks, especially because his example would stimulate others to come forward at the present time, and endeavour to procure for Ireland what she was entitled to—food, em¬ ployment, and equality with England [loud cheers]—and without that equality, there was not a fair union [hear, hear, and cheers]. He did not hesitate to say, that Ireland was entitled to equality with England, and that without equality she would never enjoy happiness [hear, hear]. Perhaps he was trespassing on their time [cries of “ no, no”], perhaps he might appear tedious, but all he could say was, that his heart beat strongly for his country [loud cheers]. They would, he hoped, forgive him, but he had been labonring for the last two months under a heavy illness. He came there that day, notwithstanding, to speak for his country, as he thought he should join with them in calling for a fulfilment of the pledges given them, of their getting a sum of two and a h.alf millions of money, to which they were entitled in aid of the industry of their country [hear, hear, and cheers]. What a benefit, he would ask the meeting, woidd it have been to Ireland had that money been given to her at the time it was promised; what a country she would now be, instead of what she was at present? Although the English ministers were at present inclined to do something for Ireland, he regretted to say, that from 1835 up to the •present day, they had done nothing whatever for her, except the great public measures for imperial greatness, and some acts for Ireland, and £150,000 to the Drogheda Railway, which was repaid. They deserved credit for these [hear, hear]. They were nnder the apprehension of a famine throughout the country, and he would have the ministers come ■forward to relieve it without loss of time [hear, hear]. They came forward in 'contempt and mockery, as if they had not public men of their own ; he thanked God they had. They had a Lord Mayor.—One cheer more !— Give me your hand, my Lord. [Here.the learned gentleman shook his lordship cordially by the hand.] He repeated that he thanked God they had a Lord Mayor who did not shrink at that moment in coming forward to preside over a meeting of his fellow-countrymen. Thank God, that gentle¬ man of independent feeling and fortune had come forward to support the ■movement, for it would be, indeed, a mockery if they had called on a ( 1/3 ) minisliy to ask parliammit for £2J>00,000, and had no one—no Lord Maj'or—to take tlie eliair. But wliat wonld be said wlien it was known that tlie Lord Mayor of Dublin had presided, and that the meeting was most respectably attended? fhear, hear]. The day had come for the rege¬ neration of Ireland; for Irishmen of all creeds and politics were forgetting their dillerences, and coming forward in one grand arch of peace, to vindicate the rights of iheir country [cheers]. They had assembled there that day in large numbers, upon a short notice, to represent her interests; and could they anyway despair? No! despair was vanished, and, like the man spoken of in /Esop’s Fables, they were determined to. put their shoulders to the wheel of the cart, and push it out of the rut. They would put their shoulders to Ireland, and pitsh her through her difficulties [hear, hear]. Witli the help of God, and the assistance of the Lord Mayor, Mr. Bermingham, Mr. Guinness, and such men, Ireland would be taken out of the rut; and he (Mr. Dwyer) would tell the prime minister of England, no matter whether he be Whig or Tory, she should have her rights, and have an annual grant of £2,500,000 to accom- pli.sh Iheir restoration [cheers]. They had a charter to warrant them in obtaining those rights—the Blue Book—referred to by his esteemed friend, Mr. Bermingham ; and by it the tradesmen of Ireland should get employ¬ ment, and be well paid for it [hear, and applause]. He (Mr. Dwyer) was informed that he was trespassing at too great a length upon the meeting, and they would be happy to hear that he was nearly finished; he could not, however, sit down without saying a word or two more [hear]_ Gracious God, when he only considered what a prospect that was before his country when she obtained justice, he was astounded. In proof of it he would allude briefly to one subject, which would at once bring the truth of his assertion home to every breast [hear]. At this moment their noble fisheries were wholly neglected, whilst no less a sum than £100,000 was sent to Scotland annually to purchase fish—to purchase a commodity with which their own coast was teeming. What was the cause of this? Because their fishermen were poor, and had no boats and no fishing-tackle. I hear it was to cure this evil they wanted the money, and when they got it and had fisheries and railroads established and at work, they would be enabled to have the finest fish of all descriptions in Dublin at a nominal price [cheers]. They would then procure a turbot, for which Mr. Green of William-street would now charge them a guinea, for a half-crown [great cheering]. What right, I.e would ask, had England to rob them of the ( 1V4 ) Ireasm-es of tlie deep? What right had she to keep from llie arlizan what nature intended for him ? Why should a poor tradesman not have the benefit of purchasing a pair of splendid soles for six pence, for which he would now pay three or four shillings? If the object of that meeting was but once carried out, they would have the Irish mind developed and the people employed. They would then see the men of Tipperary living in a state of happiness with their families, instead of being daily brought to the gibbet, to misery, and to exile [cheers]. He (Jlr. Dwyer) had often seen those men (when on circuit), and their families, driven from their homes, where their forefathers had resided for a century, and ejected for nonpayment of rent; and that non-payment owing to the want of employment [hear, hear]. On one occasion he saw a family of sixteen persons thrown out upon the high road, who lived under their landlord and paid their rent for fifty years regulariy. He saw the father in despe¬ ration, and the mother mourning over her helpless children, who were deprived of a shelter by the olficers of the law. And why was this done ? Because the poor creatures had no money to pay the rent, and no means of earning it. But if the Government would only make the advances pro¬ posed, such a state of things would never again exist [hear, hear]. An eloquent countryman of theirs, who was then fighting their battles in Parliament, had often said, “that if justice was to be done to Ireland, Iilm- green hills and her fertile valleys would re-echo the song of plenty, of liberty” [cheers]. He had said so, and had spoken truly; and they were deeply indebted to him for what he had done. And he (Jlr. Dwyer) would also take the opportunity of expressing his thanks to Mr. Classon, who had gratuitously lent them that Hall for their meeting [hear, hear]. For the past six months that gentleman (Mr. Classon) had been working for Ireland [cheers], and was at that moment about forming a company for the reclaiming of bogs, to obtain for his fellow-countrymen cheap fuel. They w’ere all aware that coal, during the winter, had been so high as thirty-six shillings per ton; but he was happy to say that they were not likely again to be called on to pay such a price, as the company about to be formed by his friend would be enabled to supply fuel of equal value at a third of the price [cheers]. Such were their prospects, and could they despair? No, they could not and would not despair when they saw the aristocracy and gentry of all classes, and, above all, the ladies of Ireland, rallying round them [cheers], for there never was a cause failed which was supported by the fair sex [hear]. He (Mr. Dwyer) was happy to say ( 17C ) from tliem; every thing was paid by persons of fortune, tliat they might have tlie privilege of working for Ireland, and a great privilege it was. He said this as a working man; for he was a barrister, created that Term —by the selection of one of the highest judges in the land, a man who loved the purity of justice (Sir Edward Sugden, Lord Chancellor of Ireland)—one of Her Majesty’s Counsel, without solicitation or seeking. He did not say this by way of boast—God forbid he should, for the hand of sickness had been heavy on him ever since he appeared that day in Court; and he was in that Hall upon the present occasion contrary to the advice of his medical advisers. Sir Henry Marsh, ( 177 ) being told, in a most kind whisper, that the Lord Mayor pleaded guilty to the same impeachment [cheers and laughter]. They had in con¬ nexion with them men of all classes—Whig, Radical, Tory, Conservative. They had one of the purest-minded men in Ireland, of great wealth, and one of the first merchants in the city, and he was proud to say, his near connection [cheers], Jlr. Mac Donnell, one of the Directors of the Bank of Ireland, who told him that he w'ould be present at the meeting. They would have a Director of the Midland Railway, James Perr}-, who was well known as one of the best employers in the city, although he belonged to the Society of Quakers, who Wore a hat with a broad brim, and a coal with a curious cut, yet had Irish hearts beating within their bosoms [cheers]. Ne tt came John Ennis, who was worth nearly half a million of money [hear, hear, hear]. They hoped to have him, with 160 men of that stamp, to found the Society which was to advance the interests of Ireland. Had they not strong and ardent hopes for their country [loud cheers]. He would conclude in the beautiful lines of Burns, speaking of his countrymen, who were, like the Irish, ground down to the earth by poverty. He said— “ See yonder poor o’erlaboured So abject, mean, and vile. I'lie concluding lines were true as related to this country: “ And sec Ids lordly brother wonn Tile poor petition scorn— Unheeding, tiio’ a weeping wife And Iielpless cliildren mourn.” [Great cheering.] The learned gentleman, who sunk exhausted, concluded by moving the resolution. It was seconded by J. M'Dermoll, Esq., and passed unanimously. , Mr. D. Slack,Barrister, moved thenext resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Guinness, and unanimously adopted. (Petition to Mr. Wyse.) Mr. O'Driscoll, Barrister, in an able and eloquent speech, proposed the next resolution, to the effect that the members oftlie city and county, and all other members who felt anxious for the prosperity of Ireland, should support the jirayer of the petition. ( 178 ) The motion was seconded by Colonel 'Fitzgerald, and carried unani; mously. Mr. David Daly rose to move the next resolution. He said there was one matter which had been alluded to already, and which, he thought, needed explanation. He denied that they were asking money from the English people; he denied they were asking money from tlie English Treasury or from the Exchequer. He would say, on the contrary, that the Irish people were calling forpecuniary assistance from their own Treasury and from their own Exchequer. He asserted that they, as Irishmen, had deposited and laid money in their own Irish Treasury or Exchequer; but that Treasury and Exchequer, however, happened to be placed in Dowu- ing-street [hear; and laughter]; and they only intended to draw out from their own Treasury the money they bad deposited there. He considered that the English and Irish were co-partners in the Treasury [hear]. The English had lodged money there and so had the Irish: but it happened that the English had drawn more money from the national Treasury than they were entitled to draw [cheers, and laughter]. They were to hope that, at least, the Irish people would be allowed to become partners. Each in common had placed their funds in the Treasury, and each had a right to the use of their legitimate share in the common fund. I hey refused to give them their share, he would tell them that he would insist upon it—he would have it [cheers]. He had drawn up a resolution, which he proposed. The resolution was seconded by Mr. Comyns, and passed unanimously. Mr. Dixon, of Abeline, county of Dublin, moved the next resolution, conveying the thanks of the meeting to the late Secretary for Ireland. He said, my friend, Mr. Dwyer, has this moment put a resolution into my hands, and requested me to make a few remarks upon it; but can he expect, after the bright display of oratorical and intellectual power whereby he has enraptured and astonished this assembly, that I can venture to utter one word ? I fear tliere is a spice of vanity in his request He perceives, with his wonted acumen, that even bright things grow brighter still when contrasted with opake substances; but be it so. 'Mr. Dixon here read the resolution, which passed a vote of thanks to Sir Thomas Fremantle; and observed, that he was satisfied nothing could ■exceed the deep and intense anxiety felt by tliat honourable gentleman to subserve the best interests of Ireland; and he could not confer a higher compliment on him, than by contrasting his conduct with the conduct and measures of those who had ruled Ireland for the last fifly ( 179 ) yeai-s. It has been said, proceeded the speaker, that lie who willfully kills oue man is a murderer, while he who. murders a million is a hero. And, I ask, has not this latter sentiment, or something very like it, been re- echoed by our rulers, Whig and Tory, for the last half centnry? Can they be ignorant of the fact, that famine is and long has been doing its deadly work upon the Irish population, more slowly, it may be, yet as effectually as if war had drenched your green fields with blood ? When man would inflict upon his fellow-man the highest possible amount of human suffering, it is not his wont to employ the sword, the guillotine, or the gallows, but some slow and lingering torture, which makes the victim feel a thousand deaths ere he realizes one. I am not dealing in hyperbole. Consult the first medical authorities, and you will find that, in seasons more favourable than this, a vast number of the Irish peasantry die, if not from direct famine, yet from the diseases of which want is the inevitable precursor. Consumption itself does not at once despatch its.victim any more than that slow famine, which is the most distressing, because the most lingering of all consumptions. And is this a state of things for which I am to be told there is no remedy ? Does not the admitted fact, that while Ireland is, perhaps, the most fruitful country in the world, her population is the most wretched, afford in itself damning proof that there must be something fearfully wrong in the policy of out- rulers ? For a moment let us glance at the state of other countries. And here I pass by the least civilized nations of Europe, some of them half feudal and half military in their governments, and others purely despotic, as I sup- posenoone would think ofcomparing the condition ofthe semi-slave of Rus¬ sia, or of theover-fed Hungarian serf, with thatof any portion of our labour¬ ing people; and I proceed to those wretched regions of vice and ignorance which are peopled by the miserable dupes of the mighty cheat of Mecca, and who, it has been said, combine the intellect of the oyster and the industry of the sloth with the sensuality of the brute. I at once dare the dangers, and encounter the desolations of eventful Syria; I descend into the rude cells of the benighted Greek and savage Mussulman, and glance at the more ephemeral dwelling-place of the restless Arab; and then survey the dismal abode of that sad and sullen thing, the Judean Jew;—and I yet find no actual hunger—no want, like that endured by the martyr of Mayo. Even the motley tribes which inhabit the heaven-blasted “ hills which stand about Jerusalem,” are neither pressed to earth by an insupportable load of taxation, nor is M 2 ( 180 ) their substance devoured by that worst of all locusts—the absentee land¬ lord-[cheers]. They are not doomed to starve nr die in the midst of plenty which they dare not eat. No; they are at least permitted to con¬ sume the scanty fruits of their own scantier labour; and may well exclaim with the sainted psalmist of Israel, “ Let us fall into the hands of God, and not into the hands of man” [cheers]. Then, crossing the Levant, I glance at the semi-barbarous population of ancient Egypt, ruled as they are by the iron hand of the' infidel despot Mehemet Ali, and I find, again, that even they have reason to rejoice, if not that they first breathed upon the banks of Nile, at least that they were cradled not in Connaught [cheers]. But though the privations of the Irish poor are as unprece¬ dented as they are intense, the great question still remains, has the British Government the power to alleviate or remove them ? And here need I waste your time by again adverting to the inexhaustible resources of your own country, and which her own wealth and industry, if rightly directed, would unfold? Is it not patent as the light of day, that your bogs and waste lands, your fisheries and railways, your coal and iron mines, when viewed in connexion with a water-power which is calculated to confer benefits on the manufacturer of the highest order—I ask, can it be for a moment doubted, that with these advantages every able-bodied man in Ireland may be employed at a fair and reasonable rate of wages? Indeed, our difificulty is not so much in demonstrating that the field ot enterprise is vast and inviting, as it is in making the best selection from the crowd of objects which demand attention. Nor is there a moment to be lost. Should our fears respecting the potato crop be realized to their full extent, the Government, by employing tlie people, will rescue thousands from a premature grave; and even ifmatters turn out better than is expected, they will only have' done that which it was their duty to have done long ago. Let private companies be encouraged, first by granting them Acts of Par¬ liament, or charter!!, at the public expense; and then by advancing them loans, in all cases where, from the nature of the undertaking, there may be fair and reasonable proof that the money will ultimately be repaid; and they should do this not exactly on the pound of flesh principle—not with the cold calculating caution of the soul-less Jew-jobber, but with that promp¬ titude and liberality which the exigency demands [much cheering]. But, my Lord, if our rulers. Whig and Tory, have hitherto sadly neglected their duty to the people, is there not another party whose unaccountable and, might not I add, suicidal apathy demands a word? I refer to the Irish VI ( 181 ) landowner. “ Duller must he be (ban the fat weed that rots on Letlie's wharf," if he does not see that the days of tlie Corn Law are numbered; and tliat the time cannot be far distant when he will have to compete on equal ground with every corn-growing country in the world. But if pro¬ tective duties will no longer save him, I can tell you what will—a home market! And how, it will be asked, are we to create a home market? I answer, by employing the people at such a reasonable rate of wages as will enable them to give a better price for bread-corn (the ports being open) than it will bring after paying all shipping and other charges in England or elsewhere. The Irish landlord shonld never lose sight of the fact, that it costs 20 per cent., including merchant’s profits, freight, and insurance, and all the various expenses to transmit grain from the interior of this country to England; and why has England been the best market in the world for grain? Because her manufactories have furnished employment for her people at such wages as enanled them not only to con. sume her own corn, but to give a higher price for much of that produced in other countries (even after paying freight and duty) than it would bring at home. Methinks our present position, however alarming it may appear, has a natural tendency to bring about the most desirable results [hear, hear]. Speculation is on the alert. The cry of famine cannot be much longer suppressed; and the Government will be compelled, hoivever reluctantly, to exert all its energies to open up effectual and, I trust, per- mament sources of employment for the people [cheers]; and can any one be so blind as not to see that any benefit which the Irish labourermay derive from additional employment and increased wages, will most mate¬ rially benefit the Irish landlords ? I therefore emphatically ask, why do not these gentlemen join us in forcing this subject upon the attention of Her Majesty’s ministers? If they have no mercy on others, at least let them look to themselves [hear]. This is no question of a party or pole¬ mical nature: let us meet on the common ground of humanity, which, after all, is the only solid ground on which our prosperity, national and individual, can be based [cheers]. Indeed, I wish we were at peace among ourselves. I am anxious to see the Catholic and Protestant mixing together, not only in their mercantile and professional avocations, but also in the social walks of life. Before we go abroad to mend the condition of our poorer neighbours, let us try to do a little at home. If . we cannot think alike on political or polemical subjects, let us at least all bow’ before the benign and beautiful sceptre of that queen of graces—Bible ( 182 ) charily [much cheering]. This, I am more than ever convinced, is one of the first steps to be taken towards the moral and physical regeneration of our common country. I am not, let it be remembered, asking our landed gentry to become repealers. Nay, even admitting the Legislative Union to he, per se, a good, will any one at all acquainted witli the financial his¬ tory of England and Ireland, from the year 1800 to 1810, deny that the imperial parliament during that interval inflicted a gigantic evil on this unhappy country ? and that the financial policy of England since the latter period has been ruinously oppressive towards what is not very appropriately termed the sister country ? If time permitted, this might be demonstrated with mathematical certainty; but I need only say, that in 1800 our debt amounted to little more than one-eighteenth of England’s liabilities, and that the union minister of the day nevertheless charged this conntry with about one-eighth of the e-vpauses of the United Kingdom; thereby reducing Ireland, by the year 181G, according to his theory, to a state of oankruptcy. Nor can I doubt that we pay at this moment a tentli of lire imperial expenses; though I admit there is mucli difiiculty in proving this, from the fact that an immense amount is paid for duties in England on goods consumed in Ireland. If these things be sc, my case is proved; especially when we add to this, that Ireland never had the power to resist or control any measure which England deemed to be subservient to her orvn selfish ends. I learn from a previous speaker that it has been taunt¬ ingly said in an influential quarter, that Ireland is asking alms of England. Alms, indeed! On behalf of injured and insulted Ireland, and in the sacred names of outraged truth and justice, I indignantly repudiate the libel; and Saxon though I am, I know that I truly represent the feelings, and echo the sentiments of a proud though prostrate nation, when I say that I de¬ spise it. Let England give you only the bare annual interest on the millions of whioh you were plundered by Pitt, and I promise to burn the begging-box in the biggest bonfire that ever hlazed upon the memorable Hill of Tara. Let no one take for granted that a thing is white because the member for Cork calls it black; or good, because, the representative of Kilkenny calls it evil. Let us join, if not to repeal the Union, at least to repeal the wrongs of our common country. I am one of those eclectic, nondescript things which will neither he endorsed by the Tories, ensured by the Whigs, guaranteed by the Radicals, nor underwritten by the Re¬ pealers; but I may, perhaps, on that very account be permitted to implore you to lay aside your political and polemical animosities, and to unite in ( 183 ) driving the demon of discord back again to the shades from whence he came. It is more in sorrow than in anger that I have spoken of the party who have too long kept aloof from your counsels; many of them, I know, would aid us if Government led the way, nor do I by any means include them all. No; there are those among the Irish nobility and gentry (and need I refer to a Gloncurry f) [tremendouscheering]. My Lord, proceeded the speaker, it is just as I expected; I perceive that I have moved a chord which, however gently touched, vibrates with thrilling ecstacy through all the veins of the Irish heart. Yes, there are those among the Irish nobility, of whom Ireland may well be proud—who have been taught the momen- tous moral truth, that, apart from the nobility of soul which alone consti¬ tutes true greatness, the coronet is a bauble, the diadem a gew-gaw, and their wearers the most pitiable, if not the most pitied, of all slaves. If, then, you resolve that Ireland shall not be invested with “ the attributes of a nation,” if it be your deliberate fiat that she shall continue to be “ but a province,” let me at least implore you to resolve, with still firmer purpose, that she shall, not continue to be a plague-spot and a proverb among the nations of the world [continued cheering]. Mr. Bermingham had great pleasure in seconding the motion, and bearing his testimony to the interest which Sir Thomas Fremantle evinced in the welfare of Ireland. The resolution was carried. Mr. R. R. Guinness said it was unnecessary for him to make an apo¬ logy for appearing at such a meeting [hear, bear]. He knew what it was for, and he knew his friend Mr. Bermingham to have been for a great number of years struggling to have the resources of Ireland developed, for which purpose he not only gave his time, but his money, to a large amount. Now he (Mr. Guinness) was not as yet aware whether they were asking the money from Government as a gift or as a loan. Mr. Dwyer_We ask it as a right, under the Report of 183.5. Mr. Guinness continued to say, that no manner in what manner they got it, it was plain that it was badly wanted; and he hoped, therefore, it would be given, and given as soon as possible; for the people of Ireland, during the present season, would want employment badly; and he saw great difficulty in passing through the ensuing summer if some means of relief were not aflbrded to them immediately [hear, hear]. There were abundant opportunities of spending money advantageously : their mines were unexplored, their land was uncultivated, and their fisheries were ( 184 ) undragged, their railways near ruin [hear, hear]. All these works could be carried on with money, and then the people would not only be paid well, but be able to pay their rents and support themselves very com¬ fortably. Mr. Guinness moved that the Report of 1835 be printed, and presented to the Lord Lieutenant by a deputation, to be headed by the Lord Mayor. Mr. Kennedy seconded the motion, which was passed. Dr. Brady proposed the nezt resolution. Mr. Bermingham seconded if, and in doing so observed, that years back Mr. Dwyer had told him, that he hoped to have an opportunity of calling on his countrymen to aid him in such an undertaking [hear, hear]. He (Mr. Beimingham) was the nephew of Henry Grattan, and as a relation of that celebrated Irishman, he had also done what he could for Ireland, and was determined to do so whilst life was left him [cheers]. The motion having been carried, a resolution was adopted, giving the thanks of the meeting to the member for Somersetshire, Mr. Monck- ton Milnes. It was proposed by Mr. Dwyer, and seconded by Dr. Brady. One or two other resolutions having passed, Mr. Guinness was called to the Chair, and the thanks of the meeting having been passed to the Lord Mayor, amidst great cheering, it sepa¬ rated shortly before five o'clock, after giving three cheers for Queen Victoria, and three for Old Ireland. DEPUTATION TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR, On Tuesday, 24th February, 1846, by appointment, a highly respectable Deputation waited on the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, at his house, Stephen’s-green, to present his Lordship with the resolution passed unanimously to his Lordship at the public meeting held at the Music- hall, Lower Abbey-street, the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor in the Chair, to petition Parliament for two millions and a half of money annually, to employ the Irish people and forward their industry, pursuant to the Report of a Parliamentary Committee on Public Works in Ireland, dated February, 1835, of whom Sir R. Peel, and most of the present Ministry were Members, and Lord John Russell, Mr. O’Connell, and Mr. Wyse ; and which Report, though unanimously received by the House of Com¬ mons, has not been acted on since. ( 185 ) At one o’clock the following gentlemen from the Society were most graciously received by his Lordship; Robert R. Guinness, Esq., Bank Director; Thomas Bermingliam, Esq., Caramana, J. P.; Thomas Dixon, Abeline, Newtown Park; James Dwyer, Esq., Q. C., Mountjoy-square; Pierce Nagle,- Esq., Annakissey, Doneraile; David Daly, Esq., Sen., Fitzwilliam-square; David Daly, Esq., Jun.; William Green, Esq., York- street; and N. M. Mansfield, Esq. Mr. Guinness, the Chairman of the Deputation, then addressed his Lordship, and stated that the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor had afifixed his signature as Mayor of the city, and Chairman of the meeting of the 18th, to the resolution passed to his Lordship,- and which he then had the honour to present to his Lordship, and his Lordship intended to have headed the Deputation to have had the honour of presenting the resolution to his Lordship, but he was prevented by illness, as his Lordship would see by tlie following letter just received: “ Mansion-house, 2dth February, 184G. “ My DE.in Sir,— On my return from the Rotundo last night I got a sliglit attack of gout, which has confined me this day to bed. Iregretthat it will not be in my power, as intended, to do myself the honour of joining the Deputation to the Right Hon. the Lord Chancellor of Ireland. “ J. Keshax, Lord Mayor." Mr. Guinness then read to tlie Lord Chancellor the resolution passed to him at the public meeting, as follows: “ Proposed by James Dwyer, Esq., Q.C.; seconded by Sir James Murray, Knight; and adopted unanimously: “ Resolved,— That a copy of the said Report of 1835, the Resolutions and petition, be likewise presented by a Deputation from the Society for the' Improvement of Ireland (including the mover and seconder), in the most respectful manner, to that able, upright, and impartial judge, the Lord Chancellor of Ireland.” Mr. Guinness read the resolution with marked emphasis, and the entire Deputation rose and bowed to his Lordship. His Lordship appeared much affected, and said he felt profoundly grateful for the good opinion of the meeting. No man felt more anxiety for the welfare of Ireland and her people than he did. His Lordship re- marked, that since last Saturday lie had carefully read, the Report of 1833 ( 186 ) (shelving the great interest his Lordship took in the welfare of Ireland), and he did not therein observe any recommendation of a specific sum to be granted to Ireland. Mr. Dwyer remarked, that his Lordship would find it in the Appendix of Evidence, which, however, was very voluminous. His Lordship then remarked, that he had no control over the public Treasury, of which they must be well aware; but thathe could well believe that pecuniary aid would be most useful to the country. He might ex¬ press his opinion to that efiect, though he was not called upon to do so, nor did the resolution presented to him in so flattering a manner (and which was so gratifying to his feelings) seek to elicit any expression of liis opinion upon the contents of the Report, It was not his province to decide on such matters; but, of course, he felt that Ireland was entitled to such aid as the wisdom of the legislature would decide upon. He felt a deep interest for the Irish people, and would be very happy at any matter for their advan¬ tage. It was, of course, open to him to express his opinion, and that he would not fail to do in such manner as the subject justified. His Lordship then remarked, tliat it was gratifying to think that, however other branches of Irish industry might require it, the railways would be perfected with British and Irish capital; at least it so appeared to him. Upon which a Gentleman of the Deputation remarked, that he feared such would not be the case, without the prompt and liberal aid of Government; for, in the instance of the Drogheda railway (then so prosperous), the individual of the Deputation who had the honour of addressing his Lordship, knew, of his own knowledge, that that railway would have utterly failed, or been greatly impeded in its perfection, had not Sir Robert Peel and the present admi¬ nistration, in 1841 or 1842, advanced a sum of £150,000 in aid of that most promising undertaking, which was now at a premium of 60 per cent., and which, at the period of the loan, was at a discount of 40 per cent. He (tile individual in question) had the good fortune to suggest to that distin. gnished and able man, Mr. George A. Hamilton, the chairman of the company, the expediency of applying to Sir Robert Peel for a loan of £150,000, grounded on the principle of the Report of February, 1835. He was happy to say, the application to Sir Robert Peel was promptly attended to. The undertaking was saved, and the enterprise of the country increased and strengthened. Again, in the case of the great Kings¬ town Company, now at a premium of 130 per cent, over the original cost, his Lordship would find in the Appendix to the Report of 1835, by the evi. C 187 ) dence of Mr. James Pini, tlie treasurer of the company, that that magni¬ ficent concern would have utterly failed but for the liberal advance of £120,000 by the Board of Works in 1834, the proprietors themselves, at tile time of tile loan, not having advanced one-third of tlie sum requisite for the undertaking; the result of which loan was to encourage the Irish and British people to invest largely in its sliares. It shortly after the loan raised the value of the stock 40 per cent, discount to 150 premium. Those facts, submitted to his Lordship, demonstrated the vast benefit of public aid in sustaining private enterprise; and it must be gratifying to know, as the fact was, that the loan had been repaid to Government witli interest, the property of the proprietors preserved and increased, and railway enterprise fostered and encouraged. They especially pressed on his Lordship that similar principles should now influence tlie present Administration, as they regretted to state that railway enterprize in Ireland was, with some excep¬ tions, in a prostrate and ruinous condition. His Lordship reiterated, that he felt most strongly for the good of Ire¬ land, and would feel most happy in forwarding any measure for her benefit. Upon his Lordship remarking that we are sure of English capital for our Irish railways, Mr. Bermingham begged to throw in one remark, that however fa: voured some of the main trunk lines of railways in Ireland may be by ca¬ pitalists, the distant parts of the country will not have those railways unless assisted by aid from the state; and as to the exact sum of two and a halfor three millions sterling not being distinctly named in the Report, it will be found in the evidence, expressly or by implication; but in the Report it is distinctly stated that all loans to Ireland have been amply repaid with a high rate of interest, and have added incalculably to the revenue, and served the country immeasurably; and that the object of all the genUe- inen of this Society was to aid the industry of Ireland, and set the people His Lordship then bowed most graciously and cordially to the Deputa- tation, who withdrew, liighly pleased with their reception and the result. RESOLUTIONS OF THE GRAND JURIES OF IRELAND, IN FAVOUR OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF IRELAND. GRAND JURY, COUNTY OF WATERFORD. Important Resolution of the Grand Jury of the county of Waterford, assembled in their Grand Jnry room, 9th March, 1846. William Villiers'Stuart, M.P., Foreman; Sir Richard Keane, Bart., Belmont; Richard Smyth, Ballynatray; Sir H. Barron, M. P., Bart., Belmont; William Christmas, Whitfield; James William Wall, Coolua- mnck; Richard Chearnley, Salterbridge; John Keily, Slrancally; Arthur Usher, Ballysaggarthmore; RobertUniacke, Woodlioiise; George Meara, Maypark; William Curry, Lismore Castle; Thomas Fitzgerald, Ballyna- parka; James Barry, Macollop ; Sir John Kennedy; Christopher M. Ussher, Camphire; Maurice Ronayne, Knockaderry; Pierse Marcus Barron, Glenview; James Galway, Glenlodge;. George Wyse, Ormond. Grand Jury Room, Waicrford, m March, 1846. A deputation from the Society for the Improvement of Ireland having waited on the Grand Jury of the county of Waterford, and explained to them the objects thereof, to seek “ grants and loans” of money from Government in pursuance of a Report of a Committee of the House of Commons, in February, 1835, on Public Works in Ireland of approved utility, and to employ the people, and the said money, if obtained, to be placed under the Board of Works— ■ “ Resou'ED, —That we approve of the objects of said Society, and con¬ sider the present position of Ireland and her enterprise to call for the prompt aid of Government, in pursuance of the recommendation of the said Report of 1835. “ Signed, for self and fellows, “William Villiers Stuart, M.P., Foreman." ( 189 ) GRAND JURY, COUNTY OF TIPPERARY—Csouth iiidixg). Tipperary Assizes (Soulli Ridiug), Clonmel, Monday—^Tliis day, about half-past ten o’clock, the Grand Jury of the South Riding of this county was sworn in by John Trant, Esq., D. L., Dovea, who was accom¬ panied by the Under-Sheriff, S. Going, Esq. The following gentlemen were sworn on the Grand Jury: The Hon. C. O’Callaghan, Shanbally Castle; John Bagwell, Marl- field ; Lieutenant-Colonel William Purcfoy, Greenfield; Matthew Pen- nefather, Newpark; Ambrose Going, Ballyphilip; Laurence Creagli, Castlepark; Stephen Moore, Barn ; William Quin, Loughloher Castle; Samuel Perry, Barona; Richard Butler H. Lowe, Kennelworth; Thomas B. Barton, Grove; Hugh Baker, Lismacue; Stephen O’Meagher, Kil- moyler; Samuel W. Barton, Rochestown House; Joseph Cooke, Cor- dangan; Henry Langley, Coalbrook; Chailes Clarke, Craignoe Park; James Archer Butler, Garnavella; Thomas Lalor, Cregg House; God¬ frey Taylor, Annsgift; Matthew R. Millet, Kyle; Lorenzo H. Jephson, Garrick House. SOCIETY FOK THE IMPROVEMENT OP IRELAND. The following Resolution was unanimously adopted by the Grand Jury of Tipperary (South Riding), the Honourable Cornelius O’Callaghan, Foreman, in favour of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, irre¬ spective of sect or parly: Grand Jury Room, Clonmel, Wth March, 181C. A deputation from the Society for the Improvement of Ireland having waited on the Grand Jury of the county of Tipperary (South Riding), and ex-plained to them the objects thereof, to seek grants and loans of Money from Government, in pursuance of a Report of a Com¬ mittee of the House of Commons in February, 1835, on Public Works in Ireland, for the furtherance of Irish industry, and public works of approved utility, and to employ the people, and the said money, if obtained, to he placed under the Board of Works in Ireland, with the approbation of the Government of the country— ( 190 ) “Resolved,— Tliat we approve of such the objects of said Society, and consider the present position of Ireland and her enterprise, to call for the prompt aid of Government in pursuance of the recommendation of the said Report of 1835, signed by most of the present ministry, and by the leading members of the Opposition, including Lord John Russell, Mr. O'Connell, and Mr. Wyse, &o. &c. “ C. O’Cauaghan, Foreman." GRAND JURY, CITY OF LIMERICK. The following important Resolution was passed by the Grand Jury of Limericli, John O’Brien, Esq., M. P., Foreman, in favour of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland: “ Gentlemen,— The Foreman of the Limerick Grand Jury has much pleasure in enclosing the Resolution of the Grand Jury, a copy of which has been forwarded to His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant; by this post. "'To the Committee for the Improeemcnt of Ireland, “ ‘ 9, HoUes-streetj Duhlin. “ ‘city of limerick grand jury, spring assizes, 1846. Resolved unanimodsly,— That the Grand Jury highly approve of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, having for its objects the pro¬ motion of Irish industry, and the employment of her people, and to obtain from Government loans and grants in aid thereof, to be administered ■through the agency of the Board of Public Works, in pursuance of the recommendation of a Report of the House of Commons, on Public Works in Ireland, adopted unanimously, in 1835, and signed by most of the pre¬ sent ministers, and by the leading members of the present Opposition; and we sincerely wish success to tlie Society for the Improvement of Ire¬ land, in furtherance of the above. “ ‘ Signed, for self and fellows, “ ‘John O'Brien, M. P., Foreman: "'March 18.”’ ( 191 ) GRAND JURY, CITY OF KILKENNY. Tlie Grand Jury of lire City of Kilkenny, assembled at Spring Assizes, 1846, John M'Craith, Esq., Foreman, having been waited upon by a De¬ putation from said Society, and the objects of said Societj’, as stated in the published Resolutions of a public meeting, held at the Music Hall, in the City of Dublin, the Eight Hon. the Lord Alayor in the chair, having been fully explained to the Grand Jury—to seek for the benefit of Ireland, through the Board of Works, or some other properly constituted authority, under the control of Parliament, advances and loans of money from the Government, in pursuance of a Report of a Committee of the House of Commons appointed in February, 1835, on Public Works in Ireland, for the furtherance of Irish industry, her mines, her deep-sea,fisheries, the reclamation of her bogs and waste lands, the construction of approved lines of railway, public works, canals, and the opening and improvement of in¬ land navigation—the advances by the State to be aided by the subscrip¬ tions of private enterprise, as recommended by the Report of the House of Commons, 1835, and to promote the employment of the labouring classes in Ireland, and, by so doing, promote peace, ordei and contentment amongst the people of this country, and great resulting benefit to the empire at large— “ Grand Jury Rooni, Kilkenny, Wh March, 184C. “Resolved unanimously, —^Thatwe highly approve ofsuch the objects of said Society (combining all classes of Irishmen, irrespective of politics, for the general good); and we are of opinion that the present most critical position of Irish enterprise in railways and otherwise, and the destitution of the people, and want of employment for the labouring classes, together with apprehended famine from the now certain failure of the potato crop, imperatively demand the prompt attention of the Legislature and the Go¬ vernment, so as that Immediate relief be afforded to avert that wide-spread ruin and desolation which must be the consequence of tlie neglect by the Legislature and the Government at the present awful juncture in this country; and we feel bound to declare, that all classes of Irishmen should come forward in aid of ‘ A Society for the Improvement of Ireland,’ which seeks through the legitimate channel of the Constitution, to save the en- C »92 ) terprisc of Ireland from ruin, and to promote the employment oflier people, in pursuance of a Report of the House of Commons, solemnly agreed to, and signed by most of the present Administration, and by Lord John Russell, and the leading members of the Opposition. “ Signed, “Jolin M'Craith, Foreman. “ George P. Helsham. “ Richard Sullivan. “ Edward Smithwick, Alderman. “ Henry Lloyd. “ Henry Potter, Alderman. “ William P. Leech. “ Alexander Colles, “ Thomas Hart, Alderman. “ James Sullivan. “ Daniel Smithwick. “ Abraham Denroche. " Robert Gosling. “Cornelius Maxwell. “Owen O’Callaghau. “William Jones. “ James Cumerford. “ Henry M'Creery. “ John Potter. “ William Lauder. “Joseph Empson. “ Joseph Wright. “ William Lanigan." At a meeting of the Committee of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, held at temporary rooms, 9, Holles-street, Dublin, 19tli March, Thomas Bermingham, Esq., J. P., Caramana, Co. Galway, in the chair, important resolution from the City of Kilkenny, received, read, ordered— That it be published, and also inserted on the Minutes. Alderman Joseph Haoket, Mayor of Kilkenny, and Edmund Byrne, Esq., late Sub-Sheriff of Kilkenny, were proposed as Members of the So¬ ciety, by James Dwyer, Esq., Q. C., on circuit; seconded by David Daly, Esq. Passed unanimously. tfSi ( 193 j GRAND JURY, CITY OF CORK. ■SI’KINC ASSIZES RESOLUTION_M.H’cll, I84G. The following Resolution was unanimously adopted on Wednesday, the IStli March, by the Grand Jury of the City of Cork, Samuel Lane, Esq., Foreman, expressive of their approval of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, irrespective of politics or party: “ Resolved, —That we approve of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, and, considering it well calculated to be beneficial to the country, ■iVE SINCERELY WISH IT PROSPERITY. “Samuel Lane, Foremun." “ Sir Thomas Deane. “ James Morrogh. “ Thomas S. Reeves, “.lames Murphy. “ F. B. Beamish. “ A. J. kVood. “ Thomas Lyon.s. “ Daniel Murphy. “ W. J. Sheehy.' “T. R. Boiirke. “ Robert Carr. “.lolni Leahy. “.lolin Gould. “ W. L. Perrier. “W. Fagan. “ Richard Coppinger. “ Charles Siigrue. “ Henry Hardy. “ .lames E. Leslie. “ Isaac Morgan. “ John Perrott- “ Ebenezer Pike." ( m ) GRAND JURY, COUNTY OF T1PPERARY._(noutm uidintO. A Deputation from the Society fertile Improvement of Ireland having explained to the Grand Jury the general objects contemplated hy the So¬ ciety, viz., to seek grants and loans of money from the Government, in pursuance of a Report of a Committee of the House of Commons, in February, 1835, to be expended on Public Works in Ireland, tending to afford increased employment to the labouring classes, the money so ob¬ tained to be at the disposal of the Commissioners of Public Works iu “ Resolved,— That we, highly approving of the general objects of the Society referred to, as they have been explained to ns by James Dwyer, Esq., Q. C., do earnestly press upon the Government the consideration of the present wants of Ireland, and the claims of the country to prompt aid being extended to it, by such measures as are for the general benefit, and especially those in pursuance of the recommendation of the said Report of 1835. “ Signed, for self and fellow Jurors, “F. A. PniTTiE, Fomimn." GRAND .JURY, COUNTY OF GALWAY. Thomas Martin, Esq., M.P., Foreman; Honourable S. P. Vereker, Loughcouter Castle; Honourable Anthony A. Nugent, Pallas; Honourable Denis Daly, Dunsandle; Sir Joseph Burke, Bart., Glinsk; Sir M. D. Bellew, Mountbellew; Thomas Burke, Marble Hill; Thomas N. Rcding- ton, M. P., Kilcornan; Stephen St. George, Headford Castle; Denis H. Kelly, Castlekelly; Robert French, Monivea; John Marfyn, Tullyra; John Eyre, Eyrecourt Castle; Robert Bodkin, Annagli; Jlichael J. Browne, Moyne; Burton Persse, Moyode Castle; James Martyii, Ross House; Walter Lawrence, Belleview; Edmund Blake, Castlegrove; F. Manly Shaw Taylor, Castle Taylor; Robert D'Arcy, Woodville; Andrew W. Blake, Fnrbo; Charles Lynch, Pelei borough. ( 195 ) The following is extnieted from o leller, dated 22nd iMaicIi, oflliat inestimable resident landlord, and invaluable friend to Ireland, Sir Jlichael Dillon Bellow, Bart., JIbunt Bellew, County Galway. “ Club IIou6e,Gultva,j,2ind March, lSd6. “ 1 had yesterday mneh pleasure in proposing a resolution (the same as lameriek), in support of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland ; it was seconded by the Honourable S. P. Vereker, Loughcouler Castle, and passed unanimously. “ Sincerely, your's, “ M. D. BtxLhW. “ Thomas Bermiagham, Esq. One o/lhe Tice-Presidents." CITY OF LIMliRlCK GRAND JUltV IinSOLUIloN; “ Resolved UNANi.tiousLY,—That the Grand .fury highly approve of the Society for the Improvement of Ireland, having for its objects the promotion of Irish industry, and the employment of her people, and to obtain from Government loans and grants, in aid thereof to be adminis¬ tered through the agency of the Board of Public Works, in pursuance of the recommendation of a Report of the House of Commons on Public Works in Ireland, adopted and passed unanimously in 1835, and signed by most of the present Ministry, and by tlie leading members of tlie present Opposition; and we sincerely wisli succe.ss to tlie Society for the Improvement of Ireland, in furtlierance of the above. “ Signed, for sell'and fellons, “John O'Brien, M.P.,7i'ore«i;/iL “ GrandJunj Roon., Galtca]/." Proposed by Sir Jlichael Dillon Bellew, Bart., JIoii nt Bellew, county of Galway; seconded by the Honourable S. P. Vereker, Loiigh- conler Castle, county of Galway— “Resolved UXAN1.MOUSLY, —That the Grand Jury of the county of Galway, at Spring Assizes of ISdG, ajiinove highly of the Society for (he Improvement of Ireland. “Signed, for self and fellows, “TiioMAs MaiiTtN, M. P., Foreman." ( 196 ) GRAND JURY, COUNTY OF KILKENNY. Spbing Assizes.—1846. We. the undersigned Grand Jurors of the County of Kilkenny, having heard from the deputation of the Society for the improvement of Ireland, their desire for our co-operation, beg leave to declare our anxious wish that Government should persevere in their exertions to mitigate the dis¬ tresses of the people of this country, and largely and liberally promote the immediate execution of public works for their employment ; William Morris Reade, D. L., Rossenarra, Co. Kilkenny. Peter Connalan, D. L., Coolmore, Thoraastown. Robert Tyndall, J. P., Oaklands, near Ross. Joseph R. Aylward, Shankhill, Whitehall. William F. Finn, Tullaroan. Arthur St. George, Kilrush. Henry Ryan, Kilkenny. J. Shenton Ball, Kilkenny. Hemy J. Loughnau, Kilkenny. Michael Cahill, Bonnetstown House, Kilkenny. Richard Smithwick, BirchHeld, Kilkenny. Thomas St. George, Woodsgift. Thomas E. Lalor, Cregg, Carrick-on-Suir, Clayton Savage, Skilcreen. Thomas Neville, Borrismore House. N. B.—Several other Grand Juries (as time permitted) have signified their approval of this Society, as well as various public bodies, which space does not permit enumerating, but which can be seen at the Society’s temporary Rooms, Holles-street. ( 198 ) LETTER OF TUOJIAS WYSE, Esa., M. P. “ 17, H^illmi-place, Belgmve-iqmre, Feb. lS-l(i. “ Sirs,— I liave liad Ihe honour of receivinjf this morning yonr com¬ munication of the 20lh inst., with the accomiianying Number of Saunders Neics Letter, conveying to me the report of tlie proceedings whicli took place at the late Meeting at tlie Music Hall, Dublin, for the purpose of forwarding a Society for the Improvement of Ireland, without reference to sect or party; and amongst their Resolutions, one appointing me one of the Presidents of the Society, and condding the Petition of the Alecting to my care. “ I beg to express in answer, my sincere acknowledgments for this high honour, and to offer my humble but zealous co-operation, not only in the position in which their kindness has placed me, but in any other in which I can assist in advancing the patriotic object of such a Society. I rejoice to find that Irishmen of all political and religious colour can cor¬ dially unite for the good of Ireland, and anticipate, from a persevering continuance in the same right, blessings physical and moral, which we have in vain looked for in our mutual distrust and separation. “Beggingyou will have the kindness to make this crjiumunication to the Society, and thanking you for your personal courtesy. “ 1 have the honour to be. Sirs, “ Your obedient Servant, “ Thom, vs Wvse. “ ToD. Stack, Esq., Barrister at Law, T. C. D., and D. F. Brady, Esq., Hon. Secs., Society for the Improvement of Ireland." LETTER I. WINSTON BARRON, BART., JI.P. "London, Feb. (i, iSIG. “Sirs, —I shall be most happy to act as one of the Vice-Presidents for the Improvement of Ireland. “ I am faithfully yours. “ H. IViNSTOx Barron. “ D. Stack, Esq., and D. F. Brady, Esq., Hon. Secs., Saciety for the Improvement of Ireland." ( 200 ) of persons of all sects and parties, must have influence witli any Govern- ment. Again wishing tlie Society every prosperity, “I remain, your’s faithfully, ‘‘J. S. Lambert." LETTER FROM BENJAMIN MORRIS WALL, ESQ., MAYOR OF WATERFORD. “ Waterford, dlh March, 1846. “ Sir, —I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant, informing me that I had been elected one of the Vice-Presidents of‘The Society for the fmprovement of Ireland.’ I feel much honoured- and obliged, and trust that a Society formed on such a basis will unite every Irishman, in one/gener.il desire to benefit and improve our country. “I have also received the receipt for my subscription for the present year, which you enclosed in your letter. “ I have the honour to be. Sir, “Your most faithful Servant, “Benjamin Morris Wall, “Mai/or of Waterford. “ H. Gibbon, Esq,, Assistant Secretary, ^v., 9, HoUes-street, Dublin." F.KD.