The Express.
London, England, 1846-10-31 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, OCT. 29.
LOUD JOHN arsina. ON THE DUTIES OF THE GOVERN-

'MEET AND THE LANDLOIius.
The following important communication front Lord John
Russell to the Duke of Leinater on the respective duties of
the government and of landlords in the present conjuncture,
appears in the Evening Post of this day :
"Downing-street, October 17th.
"My dear Duke,—The Royal Agricultural Society, of which you are
the head, sent a deputation not long ago to the Lord Lieutenant, re-
pretienting that iudead of public works of an unprofitable nature, the
Baronies should have the power to undertake works of a useful and
profitable nature. It Waltham our hope and expectation, that landed
proprietors would have commenced works of drainage and other im-
provements on their own account: thus employing the people on
their own estates, and rendering the hied more productive for the
future. In that case, it would have been only the surplus labour which
would have been employed on nada, and other works, not immediately
profitable. The Act, however, was put in operation in the
baronies, in a spirit the reverse of that which I have deecribed. It
was taken for granted that the public works were the chief objects to
be regarded, sad proprietors began to adculate, that as so large a
sum was to be repaid from their estates, they should nut be able to
coctunenceor even to continue private enterprinee for the improvement
of their own lands. When the ease was brought before the germ-
ment by the Lord Lieutenant, we lamented the wrong direction in
which the act had been turned; but, admitting the neceaaty of the
ease, and anxiona to obtain the willing co-operation of the landlords,
we authorised the Lord Lieutenant to deviate from the letter
of the law, and gave our sanction for advances for use•
fed and profitable works of a private nature. But,
after having incurred this responsibility, I am sorry to
see that, in several parts of Ireland, culls are made upon the govern-
ment to undertake and perform tasks which arc beyond the power,
and apart from the duties of government. For instance—it seems to
be expected that we should not only pay at an unusual rate of wages,
but that we should maintain, in the' time of scarcity, the usual price
of food. A moment's thought will show that this Ia impossible. A
smaller quantity of feed is to be divided among the same number of
human beings. It must be scarcer—it must be dearer. Any attempt
to feed one elms of the people of the United Kingdom by the govern.
ment would, if successful, starve another part—would feed the pro-
ducers of potatoes, which had failed, by starving the producers of
wheat, barley, and oats, which had not faded. All that we have
undertaken with regard to food, therefore, is to endea-
vour to create a provision trade, at fair mercantile prices,
where no provision trade has hitherto exited, and where,
without assistance, none might be willing to undertake a
new and unpopular occupation. nut that which is not pos-
sible by a government is passible by individual and social exertions.
Every one who travels through Ireland observes the large stacks of
corn which are the produce of the late harvest. There is nothing to
prevent the purchase of grids by proprietors, or by committee., and
the disposal of these supplies in shops furnished on purpose with flour
at a fair price, with a moderate profit. This has been done, lam
assured, in parts of the Highlands of Scotland, where the failure of the
potatoes has been as great and as severe a calamity as it has been in Ire-
land. There is, no doubt, some inconvenience attending even these
modes of interference with the market price of food. tut the good over-
balances the evil. Local committees, or agents of landowners, can ascer-
tain the pressure of eistretei, measure the wantsof a (depict, and prevent
waste or misapplication. Besides, the general effect is to bring men
together and induce them to exert their energy in a social effort di-
rected to one spot; wherries, the interference of the state deadens
private energy, prevents forethought, and, alter superseding all other
exertion finds itself at last Lateral to the gigantic task it has under-
taken. There are other questions, however, extending beyond the
exigency of the day, which, it seems to me, demand the attention
of the landed proprietors of Ireland, much more than that
of the Government. It has been calculated that one-fifth
of the cultivated land in Ireland bus hitherto produced po-
tatoes. After the present lamentable failure what course is
to be taken! Some men of science deem that the potato
can no longer be relied upon as an article of ford ; others say, that
time may remove the disease. The Editor of the Gat timers' (lire.
sick states, that the explanation of the potato disease, founded on the
hypothesis of some unknown miasma, cannot be accepted as satisfae.
tory ; but, neither ran it be rejected, seeing how signally all other
explenations have failed. Seeing then, that science furnishes us a ith
no means of estimating the effects of the prevalent disease upon 'the
petit., plant in future years, it would be impoemible far the govern-
ment, with any propriety, to give any advice to the owners or occu-
piers of land in Ireland. they must form their own conclusions from
the facts that are known, and the experience of the present and
past years. It is clear, however, that potatoes cannot be
relied upon as they have been hitherto. A ember cannot
hope to be able to pay a large rent for con.arre, and the farmer cannot
hope to obtain the cottier's Latour by allowing him land for potatoes,
which may, probably, fall. It is, therefore, a most important question
for the people of Ireland, In what manner the deficiency of food is in
future to be supplied. The nature of the grain or root which is best
adapted for this purpose—the course of husbandry which ought to be
followed—the means of procuring seed—all these are important
problems, to which the attention of the Agricultural Society of Ireland
cannot too soon be directed. One thing is certain —ln order to enable
' Ireland to maintain her population, her agriculture must be
greatly improved. Cattle, oars, poultry, pip., eggs, butter,
and salt provision.% have been, and will probably continue
to be, her chief articles of export. But beyond the food exchanged
for clothing and Colonial products, she will require in future
' a large supply of food of her own growth or produce, which
the labourer Should be able to buy with his waves. In effect-
ing this great change, much good may ultimately be done. But, unless
all classes co-operate, and meet the Infliction of Providence with for-
titude and energy, the lore of the potato will only aggravate the woes
and sufferings of Ireland. " Such, then, is the great lesson which,
by the influence of the higher classes., and of such good land-
lords as yourself, may be taught to the Irish people. They
should be taught to take advantage of the favour-able
condition of thee soil and surrounding sea ; to work
patiently for themselves in their own country as they
work in London and Liverpool for their employers; to stUdy, economy,
eleanlinem, and the value of time; to aim at improving the condition
of themselves and their children. I would here conclude Lids letter,
which is already too long, but I cannot do so without expressing my
conviction, that there is every disposition in persons of property in
Ireland to meet their difficulties fairly, and submit to any ;writhes
which the public good may require.—t remain, my dear Duke, your's
very faithfully, (Signed) " J. Rt-atiau..
" ills Grebe the Duke of Leinater, tic., &c."

THE LABOUR RATE ACT.
G ALWAY. D PRESENTMENT SESSIONS.
An adjourned meeting of the magistrates and rate-payers of
this barony was held at the chapel of Clare-bridge on
Monday last. Owing to the fair of Tubberbracan, the at.
tendanee of the country people was not as great as on the
previous day, but the number of the gentry and secs-payers
was numerous. There were present a troop of the 7th
Hussars, under the command of Major Bush, and a com-
pany of the 49th Regiment, for the purpose of keeping
order. This was owing to an anonymous notice served
on the Chairman, the Hon. Denis Daly, to the effect that if
something was not done for the people recourse would be
had to violent measures. However, everything was very
peaceable and orderly, and the meeting passed over in a very
satisfactory manner. The Chairman said that that was an
adjourned meeting for the purpose of determining on pre-
sentments of a reproductive nature, and to the amount
of 30,0001., which remained unaplotted since last day of
meeting. He would read over the amount to be levied on
each electoral division in the different unions. The list
read as follows Galway Union, 12,5921. ; Loughrea Union,
7,291/. ; Gort Union, 10,1171. ; total, 30,0001. Mr. James S.
Lambert proposed the following resolutions, which having
been seconded by Mr. Lynch, passed unanimously :
Resolved—" That we respectfu ly request that the several sums
presented this day for reproductive works be charged exclusively on
the immediate townlands to be improved and benefited, and not on
tho electoral division."
Resolved—" That a deputation, consisting of the following gen-
tlemen, Lord Dunsandlc, Hon. Denis Daly, and Christopher St.
George, Esq., do wait on his Excellency, and solicit his attention
to the above."
The meeting then separated.
COUNTY DOWN.—COLERAINE.—A presentment ses-
sions was held on Friday, for the half barony of Coleraine,
under the late labour rate act. The attendance was very
large. Presentments to the amount of 3,799/. were passed.

THE Duxoassais RIOTERS.—Fifty-one persons impri-
soned (for the recent riots at Dungarvan and elsewhere in
Waterford, 'were indicted on the 27th inst. at Dungarvan
sessions. The whole of the parties pleaded guilty, and Mr.
Hatch'', Q.C., who prosecuted on the part of the Crown,
then said, that " taking into consideration the circumstances
under which the prisoners violated the laws, as well as the
feeling of regret they have manifested for their ;transgres-
sions, he would not, on the part of the Crown, call upon the
court to pass the sentence of the law on them, except on one
of them, the ringleader of the mob, and even him he recom-
mended to the merciful consideration of the court."—The
men were then severally discharged on finding sureties in
40.. each to keep the peace, with the exception of the ring-
leader, a man named Power, who was sentenced to twelve
months' imprisonment.
FOOD. SUPPLY AND PRl6E9.—During the last week
there has been a decided and remarkable fall in the prices of
fat cattle throughout Ireland. The peasantry throughout
the country are disposing of the; small pigs, not more than
two or three months old, for whatever they will bring, as
they are totally unable to rear them. It is well known that
"it was the pig that paid the cottier's rent," and it would
seem to follow that the cottier class in Ireland will feel great
difficulty in paying next year's rents; it would also seem to
follow that the position of the Irish landlords will not be
much improved next year, and that very little bacon can be
exported from this country to England. The price of oat-
meal at Belfast is 181. to 191. per ton; India corn and meal,
141. to 151. lOs. per ton. The millers of Athy have entered
into a resolution to prosecute, for breach of contract, all
farmers selling corn by sample, and not delivering agreeably
thereto. Of 201 car-loads of potatoes at Limerick market in
the last week, only 37 were sound. The prices varied from
9d. to 111 d. per stone. Bread is generally substituted for
potatoes at the dinner table in housekeepers' families. But
what, says the Limerick Chronicle, must be the privations
of the multitudinous poor, unable to have a sufficient meal
of one or the other in twenty-four hours ? Meal of Indian
corn has risen in Limerick to 18!. • ton, and oatmeal
to 20/. The Limerick Relief Committee sell at 121. a ton,
being 21. over the price of last season ; they lose, therefore,
61, on every ton seld.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY.
LIMERICK.—A correspondent of the Limerick Examin

records the following outrage committed on Monday night
last, within four miles of that city.—The house of a man
named Lillis was attacked last night and robbed of 9/., to-
gether with his wife's wearing apparel. The man himself
was so severely beaten that the Rev. Mr. Scott was called
out this morning at three o'clock to attend him. The
son of Lillis had his hand broken in a struggle with the
miscreants who committed this outrage, and who are well
known to be strangers, so that the crime can be no reproach
to this peaceable barony. The police and some of the
people are on the alert, and I am gratified in being able to
state, that the family of Lillis will be able to identify the
guilty parties.-1 am informed that a farmer, residing in
this neighbourhood, whose name I could not learn, lias
succeeded in growing Indian corn, and has a small crop
about one foot high, in the most promising condition.
On Monday evening, as a party of carmen were proceeding
along the road, from Tipperary to Limerick, with malting

coal, they were attacked just outside Tipperary, by a num-
ber of countrymen, and severely beaten. Two men named
Meany, and one of the name of Patrick Hogan,vrere severely
beaten, the last man (Hogan) so seriously, that ho was
obliged to be taken back to Tipperary. The reason assigned
for this outrage is, that the carmen were accustomed to take
back house coal from hence, to dispae of in and about Tip-
perary. The Meanys and Hagan lived in Cashel. On Sun-
day, while tho family were at mass, a party of seven
men, who came from the direction of Broadford,
entered the house of Mr. James Frost, of Derra, above
hleelick, and told the servant-girl they wanted fire-
arms. Having searched the dwelling, and broke
open a desk in which money was depasited, they did
not remove a shilling, but decamped with a few loaves of
bread they found in a cupboard, and an old gun which was
is do bedroom. Several armed men have been for some
ttspast near bridge, county Clam, on the road
roadford. They visited two tenants of Mr. Jackson's,
tar arms, at Mount-Rice, and beat them severely; also, a
tenant at Clontra, and cut his head in several places. After
leaving them, they fired shots. A police station would be
much wanted at hillally bridge or Ssllybank, on the present
toad to Broadford. Eleven armed into, firing shots, paraded
the neighbourhood of Trough, county Clare, on Sunday, and
threatened destruction to any person who sent corn into
Limerick.
We have been informed, says a Waterford paper, that
robberies are of frequent occurrence at present in the county
Kilkenny. Bands of marauders are going about the country
at night, entering the farmers' houses, and carrying off'
everything they can lay their hands on. The police should
patrol every night in their respective districts, and prevent
such occurrences in future ; or, if those well paid servants
neglect to do their duty, the farmers should form themselves
into a police force, and protect both themselves and their
property from the attacks of fellows who are taking advan-
tage of the present excited state of the country to rob and
plunder with impunity.
HORRIBLE PICTURE or lIISERT—MACROOK.—The fol-
lowing picture of abject misery and destitution I extract
from a communication in the Cork Examiner of yesterday :
I visited on this day a lane In the town of Mseroom, calk l "Hol-
land's Lane," where I was informed a portion of the destitute people
resided. I entered the miserable cabins, and I say, without fear of
contradiction—for, if necessity compelled it, I would appeal to the
observation of a respectable inhabitant who accompanied me—that in
more than one or two instance, I saw persons absolutely dying for
want of sustenance. I saw persons, who informed me that they had
not tasted a morsel of food during that nor the preceding day—because
their able-bodied providers were unemployed, and because tkey
were nut themselves strong enough to crawl to the work-
house for the waist:use afforded there. This was the ease
particularly in a hovel, occupied by a Mrs. Lynch, her
mother and three children—the young woman lay extended on
the mud floor, apparently in the last sage of exhaustion, occasioned
by this lengthened abstinence from food; and the children were clus-
tered about the wretched tire-place, where a few sods of turf were
burning. In another of these cables, the extent of which was
about twelve feet square, with a single dm', exclusive of the
lower apartment, I was informed that right families existed.
I was actually shown the "beds," completely destitute of
covering, on which they lay at night. There are in this lane,
extending a distutee of 127 test, a population of one hundred and
Jeff y-fire persons, and this exclusive of other families and individuals
that ocatitionally procure a lodging here. In many casesthe furniture of
these tenements was confined to the sop of straw which fermi d their
bed—for long since every disposable article has been reluctantly con-
fided to the care of the pawnbroker. Of course, the inhabitants of the
other lanes and inferior streets are In a similar position ; and in some
instances these localities are even notorious for, if posaible, more
extreme destitution, and an equally dense population. I called at the
workhouse to-day, hearing that out door relief was afforded to a con-
siderable extent ; but my information fell far short of the eight which
the interior of this establishment presented. In the yard of this
building there were assembled one thousani and fifty persons on the
master's author ity —able-bodied labourers and doerepol men --women,
young and active ; others, so reduced that it appeared extraordinary
how they could have crawled there—boys capable of perfsgm-
lag active labour, and children of the most tender years
—each waiting for the nourishment afforded in a solitary toxin
of stirabout, without a drop of milk. In several eases I was informed
that these people had arrived from distances of from six to eight
miles—occasionally bringing an infant, or delicate child, to share their
scanty meal, and then returning home six or eight miles more, to
continue without food until the next day would provide a similar
subsistence at the expense of similar exertbm and fatigue. The ma-
jority of those applicants arrive about II o'clock; and, alter receiving
the wretched food for which they endure so much hardship,
remain from three to four hours in the workhouse-yard, and
then, about three or four o'clock, prepare to return to their homes.
The rate of wages here is, however, a shade better than that paid In
the Fermoy district. There, n man is paid only at the rate of Hit per
day, =led there is a family of four dependent on his exertions, in
which ease he gets 10d. per day. In this district, the general pay is
10d. per day to oven, when employed, and tad. per day to boys ; in all
conscience little enough, or too little with food prim such us theyjnet
now are. In Kilworth the rate of wages is roily ad. per day
to "able-hodied " workmen; and a more wretched or famine-
stricken-looking set of creatures could not well be am-
eeiced ; in fact, it is a shameful mockery to term them
" able bodied." They only resemble the ghosts of such.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.—An English company has been
formed to work the valuable slate slab quarries at Valencia
Island, on a scale of magnitude which the increased use of
the material appears fully to sanction. The slabs from this
(the most western land of Europe) have been used in London
and in the colonies, for a great variety of purposes, from a
topof a billiard table to the flooring of a factory or sugar house.