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CSO/RP/1825/1871

Anonymous letter [posted in Dublin] to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, commenting on the issue of requesting an oath from Roman Catholics in Ireland who wish to avail of public office under government. Reference is made to the constitution of the United States of America, where those wishing to hold citizenship are obliged to renounce allegiance to all kings, emperors and authorities; on this basis, he asks, is it not reasonable to expect an oath of allegiance from Catholics. Regrets the unsettled state of the nation and laments that ‘some men in power in this country are not trustworthy’.

Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1872

Letter from an anonymous writer signed ‘RS’, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, reflecting upon the heightening of local religious tensions over the issue of the ‘veto’ [likely a reference to a ‘wing’ of Sir Francis Burdett’s Catholic emancipation bill of March 1825 which provided for the monetary support of the priesthood by the state]. Makes reference to a meeting of the Catholic Association at the ’Cathedral Chapel’ of Kilkenny and an assertive speech by Father Magee of that district.

18 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1873

Letter from an anonymous writer styled ‘A Friend to Religious Liberty’, Armagh, County Armagh, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, drawing attention to the response of a ‘Protestant Minister’ to remarks on reception of the Bible by [JKL] James Warren Doyle, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin. Encloses clipping of a letter to the ‘Belfast News Letter’ newspaper from a retired Church of Ireland clergyman [signed ‘WHP’, Donagh, County Fermanagh] who conveys strong disapproval of Doyle’s apparent endorsement of a peasant from County Kildare who received a Bible using a ‘pair of tongs’ and later buried it in his garden. Complains the Roman Catholic Bishop’s sanction of this action is subversive both of the use of scripture in the legal as well as the spiritual realm.

8 Feb 1825-22 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1874

Letter from an anonymous writer signed ‘RD’, Cashel, County Tipperary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, complaining of the conduct of some police men following an alleged theft at the fair of Fethard in County Tipperary. Alleges the pickpocket was identified and pursued to his residence where he took lodgings under a constable; states his pursuers were prevented taking action against him and obstructed by ‘2 peelers’. Also comments upon the burden of local taxes and church demands, he being ‘a member of an association which you put down’.

21 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1875

Letter from Reverend Arthur Smyth Adamson, Church of Ireland chaplain to the Richmond Lunatic Asylum, 43 Arran Quay, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, complaining of the intention of government to divide a salary of £50 per year previously granted to him, with the Roman Catholic curate. He requests redress on grounds that exercise of his office represents considerable personal risk to his health and also because he is responsible for significant family commitments. Also two further letters from Adamson to Goulburn, expanding his plea for special consideration by government.

29 Jan 1825-10 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1876

Letter and enclosure from Reverend Isaac Ashe, Church of Ireland clergyman, Tamlaght Glebe, Moneymore, County Londonderry, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, recalling his past loyal services to government and requesting a measure of relief. Interprets his circumstances in terms of ‘a contest’ between himself and government and complains of a breach of promise by the latter. [See also description CSO/RP/1825/157].

18 Mar 1825-19 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1877

Letter and enclosure from Reverend Isaac Ashe, Church of Ireland clergyman, Tamlaght Glebe, Moneymore, County Londonderry, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, recommending the establishment of lending banks in each parish under the immediate control of the local rector. Such a facility, he enthuses, would ‘encourage a spirit of industry’ amongst the lower orders, and be of immediate benefit to tradesmen of every description. Small loans, he proposes, could be advanced to ‘industrious mechanics’ of good character, with monthly repayments charged at a modest rate of interest.

15 Mar 1825-23 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1878

3 letters from Henry Alcock, magistrate, Waterford, County Waterford, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, alluding to the dubious means through which a petition for emancipation has been circulated for the signatures of the Protestant inhabitants of the city of Waterford [Sir Francis Burdett’s Catholic emancipation bill is due for introduction in March 1825]. Indicates the document is left on the premises of Thomas Scott, banker, but, he supposes, it is unlikely to gain the support of one-tenth of Protestants in the locality, 19; 26 February 1825. Also letter from Alcock to Goulburn, commenting upon a meeting of the Catholic Association in County Kilkenny and speeches made by Father Magee and Major Bryan. Expresses his support for insertion of a clause to the Unlawful Societies Act [6th of George IV, chapter 4] to enable a magistrate to levy a fine on any person ‘either collecting or paying the Catholic Rent’, 23 February 1825.

19 Feb 1825-26 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1879

Letter from the Bishop of Meath [Nathaniel Alexander], Ardbraccan House, County Meath, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, remarking upon the state of lawlessness and robbery in his immediate district. With copy response on back from Goulburn expressing ‘thanks for the information’.

14 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1880

Letter from Henry Alcock, magistrate, Waterford, County Waterford, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, London, drawing attention to a false representation made by Mr [Richard] Shiel’s before a committee of the House of Commons, as regards the contribution of Thomas Kiervan in saving the lives of men of the 59th regiment, following the wrecking of the ‘Seahorse’ transport vessel at Tramore Bay on 13th January 1816. Encloses affidavits of Thomas Ivie, Arthur Powell Hunt and David Burke, emphasising their central part in rescuing persons from the stricken ship. They claim they had as much, if not greater entitlement, to the recognition and reward given to Kiervan. On the night in question, they affirm, ‘no act of barbarity was committed’ to steal rings or jewellery from those in distress; all sworn before Alcock.

6 Apr 1825

1825