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CSO/RP/1826/402

Letter from [Joseph] Raughan, Green Hill, Ennis, County Clare, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, noting that he is a seneschal of the manors of Inchiquin, Corcomroe and Burren and defending the position of seneschals and the manor court system. Refuting [Daniel] O’Connell’s statement on the courts before the parliamentary committee and an unjust report in the ‘Morning Register’ newspaper. Stating that he only receives £200 per annum and that the assistant barristers and attorneys are opposed to them because they draw business away from the [petty] sessions [courts]. Noting that Colonel O’Brien and Mr Hastings are also seneschals in County Clare. Offering to make a statement on the matter.

28 Mar 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/861

Letter from Rev James Martin, Kilmurry Glebe, Knock, County Clare, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, offering his detailed opinion on the mode of administering justice in the manor courts noting that the seneschal exercises a power of issuing a distraining order without any previous process being served. Also observing that in Ireland there is no law to compel the reputed father of a child to maintain his offspring and that amongst ‘many the lower class bastardy and whoredom are scarcely looked upon as disgraceful’. Includes draft reply from Goulburn acknowledging receipt of the letter.

7 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1826/876

Letters from Archibald MacDougall, Belfast, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, seeking to be reinstated in the Commission of the Peace; noting that he is a seneschal of the Manor of Castle Chichester and explaining why the people of Magee Island [Islandmagee, County Antrim] need a resident magistrate as was previously the case; claiming that Goulburn’s ‘manly and constitutional conduct concerning the Roman Catholic Relief Bill’ has endeared him to the ‘real … Protestants of this part of the County’; warning that they must ‘not suffer fanatics, dangerous utopian and superstitious characters’ to undermine the work of their ‘heroic ancestors’ and adding that the Catholic Association has commenced again ‘its infernal plans and movements’; noting that he has been unable to seek the assistance of the Marquess of Donegall at this time due to the death of Donegall’s son, Lord Spencer Chichester. Enclosing printed papers and testimonials in his favour. Including copy of reply from Goulburn, to stating that the appointment of magistrates rests entirely with the Lord Chancellor.

28 May 1825-22 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1826/1067

Letter from anonymous sender, Clonakilty, [County Cork], [probably to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary], offering observations on proposed changes in legislation concerning manor courts. Arguing that these courts are of great benefit to small dealers and the poorer classes of people in recovering small debts at little expense. Also suggesting that seneschals be allotted a reasonable salary.

13 Apr 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/1092

Letters from Rev John Barrett, Inniskeel House, Narin, [County Donegal], [probably to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary], identifying the problem of unqualified individuals acting as seneschals in the manor courts. Stating that he knows of one deranged individual occupying that position and adding that making an appeal to the King’s Bench on the issue is ‘mere humbug’. Also informing [Goulburn] that a circular letter has been addressed to all catholic priests by [Frederick] Conway of the Catholic Association, purporting to be concerned with education but really to ascertain the population of the county in order to challenge the income and status of the established church.

2 Mar 1826-11 Apr 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/1240

Letter from JO Woodhouse, seneschal, Portadown, [County Armagh], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, offering his observations on the deficiencies of the manor court system. Noting that the courts can only deal with petty cases and are often conducted in ale houses and that respectable persons are unwilling to take the position of seneschal.

23 Mar 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/1343

Petition of John McCarthy, Dunmanway, [County Cork], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, seeking to be discharged from the Marshalsea of Dunmanway where he has been imprisoned under the order of Francis Harris, seneschal for a debt owed to Florence McCarthy. Noting that he served in the 58th Regiment of Foot.

12 Jul 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/1404

Letter from Edmund Silk, Seneschal of Loughrea, Loughrea, [County Galway] to William Gregory, Under Secretary, drawing attention to the confusion over the value of currency in Loughrea where there are two weekly markets and a population of over 7000 persons. Welcoming the recent proclamations but noting that they relate solely to copper coinage and not silver

4 Aug 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/2020

Letter from Richard K Rice, postmaster, Ballincollig, [County Cork], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, complaining about a vexatious summons which he has received requiring him to appear before Gibbs R Dyer’s seneschal’s [manor] court and complaining about the disproportional legal costs he was made to pay. Case brought by [Louis Vaughan]. Including legal opinion of JS Townsend stating that the charge was not illegal.

25 Oct 1826-30 Ocrt 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1826/2089

Letter from WS Currey, Lismore Castle, [County Waterford], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, requesting that the Lord Lieutenant will authorise the gaol, erected within the manor of Lismore and at the expense of the Duke of Devonshire, to continue to be used as it facilitates the operation of the seneschal court there. Adding that the gaol was designed according to plans approved by the Inspector General of Prisons. Also covering letter from Goulburn, Dublin Castle, to the Inspector General of Prisons and reply from BB Woodward, Dublin, to Goulburn, raising no objections to the continuance of Lismore Gaol.

5 Oct 1826-10 Oct 1826

1826