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CSO/RP/1821/1134

Draft report of John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to Chief Secretary's Office, and Major Benjamin Blake Woodward, directed to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, concerning their visit to Richmond General Penitentiary, Dublin, to investigate, as requested by government, various allegations and complaints made against the penitentiary. Complaints include that of JM O'Donovan, Roman Catholic chaplain to the penitentiary, concerning young Catholic boys, recently arrived from Smithfield, being forced to attend Protestant church services; also charges against the Protestant chaplain, William Higgins, for endeavouring to convert Catholic prisoners. Townsend and Woodward conclude that Higgins, acted with 'perfect good faith' in terms of the Roman Catholic prisoners and chaplain, and warn that accusations of religious persecution are an easy way for convicts to cause mischief. On the conduct of Samuel Hollingsworth, the penitentiary's governor, they state that he has shown a strong desire, 'to cultivate religious Feelings in the prisoners under his care and this without shewing [sic] the smallest preference in favor [sic] of either Religion..'. Also report on complaints concerning prisoner punishments and the provision of food, and on allegations made against O'Donovan, for preventing orphans in the penitentiary, from attending Protestant worship. Also emphasises the need to enquire into the legality of the imprisonment of those 'without any sentence, or any criminal charge whatsoever…'. Report also makes general recommendations for the improvement of the prison, concerning conditions in the prison, and the need to appoint a board of visitors, March 1821. Also opinion of Townsend, concerning the legality of the imprisonment of the young boys, as mentioned in his report, 26 March 1821.

Mar 1821-26 Mar 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1140

Report of John Sealy Townsend, King's KC and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, and Major Benjamin Blake Woodward, directed to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, concerning their visit to Richmond General Penitentiary, Dublin, to investigate, as requested by government, various allegations and complaints made against the penitentiary. Complaints include that of JM O'Donovan, Roman Catholic chaplain, concerning young Catholic boys, recently arrived from Smithfield, being forced to attend Protestant church services; also charges against the Protestant chaplain, William Higgins, for endeavouring to convert catholic prisoners. Townsend and Woodward conclude that Higgins, acted with 'perfect good faith' in terms of the Roman Catholic prisoners and chaplain, and warn that accusations of religious persecution are an easy way for convicts to cause mischief. On the conduct of Samuel Hollingsworth, the penitentiary's governor, they state that he has shown a strong desire, 'to cultivate religious Feelings in the Prisoners under his care and this without shewing [sic] the smallest preference in favor [sic] of either Religion..'. Also report on complaints concerning prisoner punishments and the provision of food, and on allegations made against O'Donovan, for preventing orphans in the penitentiary, from attending protestant worship. Also emphasises the need to enquire into the legality of the imprisonment of those 'without any sentence, or any criminal charge whatsoever…'. Report also makes general recommendations for the improvement of the prison, concerning its conditions, and the need to appoint a board of visitors. Report signed by Townsend and Woodward. [Draft version of this report, CSO/RP/1821/1134].

26 Mar 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1156

Memorandum by Samuel Hollingsworth, Richmond General Penitentiary, Dublin, governor of Richmond General Penitentiary, reporting that the 7 boys recently arrived from Smithfield penitentiary, Dublin, 'took it in their heads yesterday to cut in pieces and destroy all the work in their looms…', so that they might escape. States that they have threatened to break all the windows, and that they must therefore be kept in confinement, 13 March 1821. Encloses list of the name of each boy, stating their original crime, sentence, and duration of imprisonment so far. States that they are all held, '…for an indefinite term of confinement and have now on that pretence destroyed the work…'. Signed by Hollingsworth, [13 March 1821]. Annotation on reverse of memorandum, of legal opinion of John Sealy Townsend, King's Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, 15 March 1821.

13 Mar 1821-15 Mar 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1160

File of papers relating to the admissions policy of the House of Industry, Dublin, and in particular, that relating to the admission of sturdy beggars. Contains abstract list of copies of relevant correspondence, 14 September 1816- 7 February 1821; also some of the originals of these documents; and other originals not listed in the abstract. Includes copy of letter from Robert Peel, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, to the governors of the House of Industry, in response to their concerns respecting the increased demand on the institution, and 'the accumulation of lunatic patients'; and their subsequent request that steps be taken to remedy the situation. Peel concurs with their view that, 'indiscriminate admission is evidently quite impracticable', and discusses the various classes of persons admitted, and possible restrictions, 14 September 1816. Also copy of report of Dr Robert Perceval on the admission of sturdy beggars to the House of Industry, 30 January 1821; and letter from Perceval, to Alexander Mangin, first clerk in civil department of Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, reiterating his belief that the committal of individuals to the House of Industry, 'for begging in the Streets', should not be continued, 7 February 1821; also copy of legal opinion of John Sealy Townsend, King's Counsel and legal advisor to the CSO, respecting Perceval's recommendations, 21 February 1821. Also copy of printed booklet entitled, 'An Attempt toward A Plan for rendering the Charitable Institutions of Dublin more effective by Cooperation', Dublin, 1818.

14 Sep 1816-Mar 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1170

File of papers relating to the Richmond General Penitentiary, concerning the dispute between JM O'Donovan, Roman Catholic chaplain to the penitentiary, and William Higgins, its Protestant chaplain, respecting the religious worship provided for young boys, recently arrived from Smithfield penitentiary. Includes copies of letters from each chaplain, complaining of the conduct of the other; also copy of letter from Samuel Hollingsworth, governor of the penitentiary, on the dispute, and complaining of the 'mutinous and rebellious spirit', of the boys in question. This he attributes to, their 'considering the Priest as their advocate & the redresser of imaginary grievances..', and details their refusal to work, and the destruction of the work on their looms, February 1821. Also includes copies of the papers relating to the investigation of the complaints, instigated by the Chief Secretary's Office, and carried out by John Sealy Townsend, King's Counsel and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, and Major Benjamin Blake Woodward. Includes copy of the report of Townsend and Woodward, which concludes that Higgins, acted with 'perfect good faith' in terms of the Roman Catholic prisoners and chaplain, and warn that accusations of religious persecution are an easy way for convicts to cause mischief. On the conduct of Samuel Hollingsworth, the penitentiary's governor, they state that he has shown a strong desire, 'to cultivate religious Feelings in the Prisoners under his care and this without shewing [sic] the smallest preference in favor [sic] of either Religion..'. Also report on complaints concerning prisoner punishments and the provision of food, and on allegations made against O'Donovan, for preventing orphans in the penitentiary, from attending protestant worship. Also emphasises the need to enquire into the legality of the imprisonment of those 'without any sentence, or any criminal charge whatsoever…'. Report also makes general recommendations for the improvement of the prison, concerning its conditions, and the need to appoint a board of visitors, 26 March 1821 [original copy of report CSO/RP/1821/1140].

6 Feb 1821-24 Apr 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1181

Letter from Edward Leslie Hull, Donaghadee, County Down, secretary to commissioners for Donaghadee harbour, to Charles Grant, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, stating that they have appointed David Logan as resident engineer, with a salary of £400, as recommended by John Rennie. Requests approval of Earl Talbot, Lord Lieutenant, for the appointment, 6 February 1821. Annotation on reverse, of legal opinion of John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, concerning the commissioners' right to employ an engineer, 9 February 1821.

6 Feb 1821-9 Feb 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1190

Legal opinion of John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to Chief Secretary's Office, Dublin Castle, as requested by the CSO, concerning the accounts of the commissioners for Donaghadee harbour, County Down; recommends that the case be submitted to the Attorney General.

29 Jun 1821

1821

CSO/RP/1821/1871

Minutes of an investigation into the Theatre Royal, Crow Street, Dublin, held from 31 May 1819-30 July 1819, concerning the disputed claims of several individuals to shares in the theatre, prior to the granting of a new patent. Investigation held at request of Earl Talbot, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, and heard before Thomas Langlois Lefroy, 3rd sergeant at law, and John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to Chief Secretary's Office. Includes lengthy appendix of copies of statements, petitions and accounts, referred to during the investigation, detailing the position of Frederick Edward Jones, patentee; and also the claims of the family of Richard Daly, former patentee; Humphrey Minchin; John Crampton and Edward Dalton; Thomas Goold; George Pardey; George Gregory; Maurice Fitzgerald; James Taylor and Myles O'Reilly; Mrs Rock; and Messrs La Touche.

31 May 1819-30 Jul 1819

1819

CSO/RP/1821/1872

File of papers relating to Theatre Royal, Crow Street, Dublin. Includes originals and copies of letters and petitions from Frederick Edward Jones, Clonliffe House, Dublin, former patentee of the theatre, concerning the refusal of the Irish government to renew his patent and concerning the claims against him by his creditors and investors in the theatre, 1819-1821. Also letters from Henry Harris, manager of Covent Garden Theatre, London, concerning his application to Irish government, to be granted the patent in place of Jones, 1820-1821. Also petitions from ticket holders of the Theatre Royal, and creditors of Jones, to Irish government, respecting their claims for compensation; also petitions from the performers of the Theatre Royal, emphasising their financial distress due to the protracted disputes concerning the theatre’s ownership and future. Also report of Samuel Beazley, London, theatrical architect, on the condition of the buildings of the Theatre Royal, with sketch plan of the theatre, March 1820. Also report of Thomas Langlois Lefroy, 3rd sergeant at law and John Sealy Townsend, King’s Counsel and legal advisor to Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, commissioners appointed by Irish government to investigate into the state of the Theatre Royal, August 1819.

10 Aug 1819-23 Oct 1822

1822

CSO/RP/1821/1892

Letter from Major James Palmer, House of Industry, Dublin, governor of House of Industry, to Charles Grant, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, concerning claim of Gabriel Smith, former superintendent of horses for House of Industry, for superannuation, 8 January 1821. Annotation on reverse of opinion of John Sealy Townsend, KC and legal advisor to the Chief Secretary's Office, 13 January 1821.

8 Jan 1821-13 Jan 1821

1821