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CSO/RP/1825/1861

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘Truth’ to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, warning the government against the appointment of William Hamilton, a former water guard. Condemns Hamilton as an ill disposed individual who robbed the ‘wretches engaged in private Distillation’ and was to blame for the ‘death of three unfortunate men in order to win a Boat Race’. He directs that reference be made to Colonel Edward Michael Conolly, high sheriff of County Kildare, for verification of his accusations.

May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1862

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘A Friend’ to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, denouncing the practice of collection of tithe by the clergy of the established church as a ‘great evil, which has so long disturbed the peace & happiness of Ireland, & sorely hindered the progress of Christianity’. As a remedy in law, he recommends the introduction of ‘a general arrangement on a moderate scale…such as will take every money Dealing out of the Hands of the Clergy’.

25 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1863

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘A Protestant’, 3 Redmond’s Hill, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, drawing attention to the sentiment amongst a large part of the Roman Catholic people of Ireland in response to the bill for emancipation [introduced in Parliament by Sir Francis Burdett, MP, in March 1825]. States ‘an Aggregate meeting’ [possibly of the Catholic Association] took place yesterday at the chapel of Clarendon Street, and a great number of handbills were distributed. Encloses copy printed handbill headed ‘Divide and Conquer’ with verse which continues ‘Thus Clergymen and People I’ll divide, (In Pastors brib’d, what People can Confide?)’.

15 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1864

Letter from an anonymous writer styled a ‘very sincere friend & well wisher’, London, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, using disparaging language to dismiss the advocates of popery in Ireland and Britain. Applauds the virtues of the Unlawful Societies Act [6th of George IV, chapter 4] but warns supporters of that measure have ‘the most subtle & artful Person on earth to deal with [?Daniel O’Connell]’. Asks has he not ‘avow’d himself the determined Enemy of his King, of the Church & Protestant Constitution of the British State?’.

18 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1865

Anonymous letter [postmark Northampton, England], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, raising some questions as to the effectiveness of the Unlawful Societies Act [6th of George IV, chapter 4] in addressing the funds flowing to the Irish Catholic Association. Proposes some adjustments to the bill to enable the crown to confiscate and retain all monies raised by that body.

2 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1866

Letter from an anonymous ‘Irish magistrate’, Bristol, England, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, drawing attention to a deficiency in the Unlawful Societies Act [6th of George IV, chapter 4] in respect of control of funds subscribed for use of the Irish Catholic Association. Anticipates the architects of the association will counter the stipulations of the bill by continuing with public collections under the guise of a charitable organisation. Suggests that funds raised by such charitable bodies, above and beyond that which is for their immediate benefit, be vested with the accountant general [Court of Exchequer] and be subject to a proper mode of invigilation and control.

20 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1867

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘Hibernus’, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, offering observations on orangeism in Ireland and on the threat represented by Daniel O’Connell and the Roman Catholic Association. Emphasises the limited membership of Orange societies in Connaught, Leinster or Munster, and observes in the province of Ulster most of the gentlemen of influence ‘have within the last 20 years seceded altogether’. To the majority of the Catholic population, he observes, ‘the term Orangeman means every Protestant’. Highlights the danger of the provisions of the emancipation bill [due to be introduced in Parliament by Sir Francis Burdett, MP, in March 1825] and warns we may see Catholicism erected ‘on the ruins of the Protestant Church as by law Established’ in Ireland.

19 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1868

Letter from an anonymous writer signed ‘JC’, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, [Irish Office, London], drawing attention to an instance of legal proceedings against a collector for distraining a farmer over his refusal to pay ‘rent’ to the Catholic Association. Remarks the case in question took place in the vicinity of Fermoy, County Cork, and the collector was jailed for three months, having drove off three sheep belonging to the farmer. Further information on the case, he advises, may be had from John Martley, assistant barrister for the West Riding of County Cork, or George King, 3rd earl of Kingston.

23 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1869

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘A friend to the Constitution’, [Wexford, County Wexford], to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, reporting on plans for a meeting of the Catholic Association in Wexford which is supported by several magistrates of that denomination. Encloses copy of printed handbill advertising the ‘Catholic Meeting’ to be held on 17 February 1825 in Wexford Chapel, to be convened for the express purpose of offering opposition to the passage of the Unlawful Societies Act [6th of George IV, chapter 4]. Lists beneath the names of c82 persons who support the proposed meeting [with names of Roman Catholic magistrates flagged in the hand of the author of the letter].

12 Feb 1825- 16 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1870

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘a South of Ireland Protestant’, [possibly written from Kinsale in County Cork], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, protesting against the intent of the legislature to extend to members of the Roman Catholic faith in Ireland a measure of emancipation. Complains members of that religion are disloyal, their doctrines subversive of the Protestant constitution, and their ecclesiastical leaders actively seeking supremacy. Warns of the consequences should men like James Warren Doyle, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, be vested with authority and urges caution against delivering the nation to the ‘Government of the Bishop of Rome and his Council of Priests’. [Contains list of names not given in this description.]

5 Apr 1825

1825