The Express.
London, England, 1847-04-03 00:00:00

STATE OF THE COUNTRY.

The government officer' are using extraordivary activity
in organising the relief committees under the new relief act,
and every journal which has come to band to-day contains
reports of proceedings preliminary. to the commencement of
operations. In the electoral division of Limerick, the Lime-
rick Ezaminer estimates the numbers requiring relief
at 29,000, exclusive of the paupers in the workhouse. The
cost of relief for six months is computed at 56,0001., or
19s. 2.d. per pound on the valuation of the union. An at.
tempt, has been made in the open street of Rathkealc,
and in mid-day, to assassinate Mr. D. O'Grady; fortu-
nately, the attempt proved abortive, the cap having
fallen off the pistol, but the culprit walked away
through a crowd of bystanders, none of whom attempted to
seise him. Mr. O'Grady acts as agent to his nephew, Lord
Guillamore, and had gone to Rathkeale to prosecute several
civil bills, issued against defaulting tenants. The attempt
was made because he declined to forego the pursuit of those
proceedings. A bailiff on the estate of another gentleman,
named O'Grady, was fired at on the same day and wounded,
but not dangerously. The man who perpetrated this act,
and who is in custody, had been speaking to the wounded
individual ten minutes before the attack. The bailiff was
serving law pipers on the tenantry.
The guard of the Ballinasloe day coach decamped on
Tuesday with 3001. deposited is a parcel in the coach. He
escaped about a mile from Bellinuloe without his departure
laving been discovered.
An agent of the Irish Evangelical Relief Society of Ireland
in Castlebsr states that on Sunday last he discovered is two
cabins in that town fourteen human beings no better than
skeletons ; they were without clothes, or fire, or fond, and
their hair had fallen from their heads through famine.
The MagoTelegraph states that Lord Loran's drivers have
seized the cattle of a village on his lordship's estate for rent,
but have confined them in yards and houses to avoid the
exposure of placing them in the open pounds. The
tenantry, the nine journal Mum had gathered
the rent to within a few pounds, but it was
refused, as tho whole was not forthcoming. In the
same jonrcal there appears a letter from the
Rev. Mr. Hardiman, • Roman Catholic clergyman,
in which he states, that he applied to that noble curl for a
subscription for the poor of Kilmeena, where Lord Lunn
is "by far the most extensive of the landlords." The rev.
gentleman applied twice; but he received no reply. He
states, that his lordship's, as well as other tenantry, " are
withering with hanger." The same rev. enntleinan elates,
that from Mr. Knox, of Castleree, Sir T. O'Malley, or Sir
R. O'Donel, he has neither bad replies or subscriptions; but
the latter baronet is, be states; very zealous in his efforts to
relieve his tenantry at Newport.
Lola Ho:exec.—A fresh claimant appears for Um
" honour " of the birth-place of Lola Monies. The Galway
Vindicator, on the authority of a ecerrespendlent, insists that
Loughrea is the true locos u coo Betsy Widow, AM inhaled
the vital air. Her father, poor Jerry Watson, followed the
profession of a vagrant player, and often delighted the deni-
zens of Loughrea with his " mirror," which he held singu-
larly close " to nature." Betsy, too, was famous in her day.
The Vindicator concludes the notice thus "This is no
tale of imagination ; it is 'an own true taw of natural life.
We should not wonder if she inherit some mixture of Spanish
fire, obtained from the ' Old Spanish town,'. the ' ancient
cities of the tribes,' Galway,: which may account for the sur-
mises as to her Smith °ruin:" ft gvatitmen informed may
Le knew Lola wail in Dublin ex Mrs. James.
T=s RECENT DIDEDII,-.INTIONESS Or THE DECEASED
Aseaserti.—ln out last publication Megan, the particulars
of the loped upon the body of Roe, one of the naurderen
of Mr. Prim and the policeman, and wounded by the former
in his death straggle. In referents to the demise of this
villain we consider it worthy now to chronicle a rather extra-
ordinary setae which took place at Kells, with respect to hie
interment. The inquest was held on Wednesday last, and
on the following day the relations of Roe came to Kell.
peliartation to claim the body, bringing with them an orna-
mented been and a jaunting car to convey it away. The
r stated that they had received orders from their sub-
that the body should not be removed till the follcrw-
ing iperubs, mad eimuttiently time claiming it were obliged
ML sty UV" wii stated that she would put the re.
' mutat et ler 'WORM ado es has a man as that which had
=aOm *di qt,the murdered Mr. Prim. asst that he
above gaits as empeotable a funnel. This
*Mgt abrei weds and by several of the inhebinWa offret
asseeist whom Mr. Prim was universally and duomvectly
imierred, their Indignation was excited to the highest
• MA the pawns who came for the murderer's remelt
Vlore new& reinuenutat or admittance to every home of
adarlainuerut or otherwise in the village. The resentment
of the people, however, did not stop here. Oa the following
wanting, aa Ind y es sle o'clock, two men presented
tkrt-
mine at the Erells polies bunch', and asked far the=
Roe, statingediat they were his saareetei kin. The r
which bad boa by the pvertens Oder the mum, placid

in a deal coffin were immediately given to then son
who deposited ileam in a car and proceeded in the direction
of Shortallatown, the scene of the murder. They were joined
as they went along by immense crowds of persons who bad
been waiting for them, and a procession of about 200, from
the districts of Kells and Stoneyford, provided with guns,
blunderbusses, pickaxes, shovels, &c.' was soon formed.
This motley force marched in triumph to the turn of the
road at Shortallstown, where the ruthless deed had been
perpetrated, and there baring dug a pit in the ditch, 15 or
16 het deep, they flung in the coffin, and hurling upon it
immense stones, which must have smashed the body to
atoms, they filled up the grave and tired a volley over
it in token of their triumph. The commune, which
d much excited, then returned to Kells, where
encountered the wife and father of Roc, who
again come with the hearse and jaunting ear to
claim the body, and so exasperated against them were the
people that they at once surrounded them, and would have
tern them to pieces but for the providential presence and in-
terference of the brothers of the murdered Mr. Prim, and
some other parsons of influence, who with great difficulty
prevailed upon the mob to allow the wretched man and
woman to depart without injury. So far all appearance of
violence and disorder had terminated ; bat on the day hut
one following, which was Sunday, considerable apprehension
was excited amongst the authorities by a report which had
reached them, that a body of men from the borders of Tip-
petery had determined to come for the purpose of disinter-
ring Roe's body and carrying it off to give it " Christian
burial," and that the people of Kells were prepared to turn
out in large force with fire-arms to prevent the success of the
design. A bloody encounter being feared, Joseph Greene,
1t.11., Peter Blake, county inspector, and T. Trent, S.I ,
Bops., with a large police force, were early on the ground
to preserve peace, but fortunately no appearance of any as-
sembly for a hostile encounter took place. However, the
people of Shortelstown protested, it is presumed from a
superstitious feeling, against the body remaining interred by
the roadside in their locality; and we believe that, in cease
quence, Mr. Greene ordered the remains to be . xhumed and
to be transferred to the precincts of the county gee!, and
there to be re-interred in the:burial-ground assigned to
similar criminals. No trace has since been obtained of the
other miscreants concerned in this darner and diabolical
murder, and the Board of Work, has offered 1001. in addi-
tion to the government reward of 1001., for information lead-
to their discover}',—Kilkenny Moderator.
PORTPATHICZ.—COMMUNICATION NETWEEN SCOTLAND
AND IRELAND TOMMUNICATED).—As it is possible that
this question wil tee again discussed, in consequence of the
recent improvements in locomotion, and the present state of
the sister island, and being confident, also, that there are
few instances on record wherein government has been so
grossly misled by interested persons, we feel inclined to re-
, view and expose the circumstances which have led, end are
still likely to lead to a useless expenditure of the public money,
and also to point out the best mode of communication that can
now be adopted. About thirty years ago, when this question
was agitated, Col. James Hunter Blair was member
of parliament for the county of Wigton and pro-
prietor of the village of Portpatrick, and the late Mr.
Rennie, the eminent engineer, was employed by go-
vernment to ascertain the best position for a packet
harbour on the Scotch aide of the Irish Channel, for
sailing vessels, as steam vessels were not then thought of.
In 1818, Mr. Rennie produced two plans for the improve.
ment of Port Patrick Harbour, which he had deci,'ed was
the best, in opposition to the report of Captain M'Kerlie and
Mr. Teller, who had been previously employed. The fir.t
plan was to carry two piers out into the channel tide, and
into twenty-four feet at low water, by which the little Lin-
ing vessels could cast off, and with the wind westerly on one
tack or the other, clear the rocks to the north and south,
which berme had been found both dangirous and difficult.
The second was to excavate a basin, which mare room
would be obtained. Both plans le the disadvantage
of putting to sea unremedied. The estimate of the
first plan was 100,0001.; and the second, 50,0001. It was but
natamil that the engineer. who was to be paid by a per
emit" should recommend the former, which he was sure
was te cost much more than the estimate,e and which
ins now amounted to nearly 300,0001. ! It is true that
ea examination took place before a committee of
the House of Commons; but we have strong reasons
es think that the question had not fair play. The expensive
plea was ultimately decided upon, and in order to prevent
eta alemstion, the pier on the south side (contrary to all
=t) was begun at the outer end! We know that
Die, in opposition to other opinions, stoutly main-
Mined that he would construct piers that should withstand
any storm; and we doubt not that he conseientiously be.
lieved what he then asserted, and that be could make a
harbour for the small sailing-packets then employed, that
would efficiently remedy the evil, although that has not
been borne out by subsequent experience ; but it cannot be
denied that both he and the hon. member for the county
were, in a pecuniary point of view, deeply interested. and
although the other position recommended by Capt. M`Kerlie
and Mr. Telfer for a packet harbour, possessing much supe-
rior advantages was known to Mr. Rennie, it is but natural
that he should have recommended the most lucrative one,
sad the one by which his fame for overcoming difficulties was
meet likely to be encoded. Portpatrick harbour has indeed
been a good speculation, not only for him but for his son and
successor. The last improvements recommended by Sir John
will add largely to the public expenditure, and something to his
own per centage. The next proposition will boa railroad ter-
minus, which will require several miles of tunnel, at probably
a guinea an inch, and after all be useless, for no person who
has common sense will embark for Ireland in thesmall steam
packets that must be employed on that station, which are
sometimes five or six hours going the nineteen miles, and
very often (as their loge, if called upon, will show) unable
to venture out of the harbour for days together. This last
fan will satisfactorily account for their being so seldom
obliged to take refuge elsewhere; for it is manifest that if
they do not venture out, they cannot be driven back, or into
Loch Ryan. A. no vessels of a larger size can possibly be
employed in Port Patrick harbour, it will never be the route
preferred by passengers. If there was no other place but
Port Patrick on the Scotch side of the Irish Channel, there
might be some excuse for adhering to it. Sir J. Rennie's
objection to Stranraer, Cam Ryan, Troon, and Ardrossan,
that they would render n an enermous increase of
sea voyage, is fetal. But there Port Nesaack (near Port
Logan), of which he only says, "it was recommended, but
not acceded to." ludeed, he could l no more, for his only
objection to the rest could not be male, because Port Logan
being a little to the south, and Port Patrick about as much
to the north of the point nearest to Ireland, they are equi-
distant fiam Donaghadee —namely, both 191 miles; and we
have so hesitation in declaring that, if the late Colonel
MeDouall's patriotic and liberal offer had been aoeepted,
government would have saved 150,000/. of the public money !
besides having not only an excellent harbour for such
packets am are absolutely necessary to induce passengers to
cross in them, but an excellent harbour of refuge, an a poll.
tion'which we know to be more wanted than any other platter
mart of Great Britain. But now there is another circumstance
which mast, in the end, oblige government to abandon Port
Petrie* for Port Logan, and that lA, the facility with which
• railroad an be carried to the latter, comparatively with
the farmer. The roads, both from Ayrshire and Dumfries-
shire, are nearly a perfect level to Port Logan, while Port
Patrick, being itself at the bottom of a steep hill, is sur-
rounded for miles by ground far above the common level.
so that the construction of a railway to it, if not impractica-
ble, would be ruinously expensive. The best description
that can be given of Port Lope ',Abet it is Plymouth Sound
(without Drake's island) in miniature ; this spacious hetet
has clean, good poling ground, deepens gradually, has on
each side abundance of the best material for the construction
of a hreskwater. The expense would run from 50,0001. to
100,0001., according to the roam inclosed, and the depth of
water required, from 12 to 50 feet. The rise and fall of tide
is 15 feet, And the ebb, on the north side, rune out eight
hours ; there is there a neat village, and a pier giving rise
dent protection for small craft, already built, and we have
no doubt that if the government will consult those that ere
not interested, say Admiral Bowles and Lord John Hay, they
will throw no mere public money into the sea, at Port
Patrfehs but immediately adopt Port Logan as by hr the
mat eYfibls sal pot useful for every purpose.
e, • • SCOTLAND.
Alt trIIikTOIAL loess.—()a Saturday monibgllest.
about 8 o'clock, as aremlne the end hada&
leading from • field ins tine wilittawais=
of a mile tithe village of In
his attendee was arrant . by Ike shoed zikryi
of the drain, lain whisk alone Ono lot Irma and
beaked up with 4 ifearn, Mil shiserlag be
heard afainths s 3 mad; aad al leusesareneedi
knocooded Area the link.. He- ieesdrody reukond do
nee hat as Woo and pereeivalthe logs if a boy, whoa
les ponly wet ; be west tease village for the osa-
with whoa he retuned bus Isar nuntes, and they .
tigetera took this hey, a shillabon eight years of age, how
liteheis. They ttnel that la ben lad boa put into a
beg, awl about* bens dawn INA been put over Ina;
bit WY Seelbens v but epowely He was knyikatsly
Yond la the Is the village, whole
bewas at. sow ea ow of an Ink
tastily which . had mini the aht before, and
had heap' hob loan to boss; y in
the hit sins at einlaultal sad, nilsetymeym=al
ems! the
halghpplesessorhytio when
(who ithlreatod the allnaisla AM (w ho war= a akeles73ou
been* ihrhskindareasiden out of balsa to the stone
&or. In the and II e'en*, the whole
goaily left the orb an tie road to-
words ileserishapn , osossihn the atro-
also; deed by_thoung.. on
ei.asaarar with
OkaiThihnireibli."dauldadili.4=tclisiest flis,.l=
on osabserirson nand Li shish, an it arra sato.
Thearamark. hassulith
eaarteyy.
The
a, se woman ated, the
hrt flew
hoist all of the ishon , bed allowards
Oternowledrei mho LA mond la-peatiog Ms the hole,
oventersiertia
Vgle died so near tlln hailleft the ,
astautanag what tirde illn, she harlot
lesareyt rash Thotehelegartg ippeosied
halm the &We inislibisfrs lbs ova* at
Deass,""Wroussied that he loner suroiralsa. and
ellesenChner werhousaudonsa albs bodylo bansh;
gaieslim dean ealiostilay. . The electors esediesta ado
No
nee of death .11 bars by songothoot Ss Ism
Mewl %renal neepkatian. The noon Ostailing
=li FASOMMIII•I4 holiehad ; that they sertemila
w, fryllelhatrealkinainfebyesauf lb*
uhanelne, oinked hashbeggiog ding afteehlehhalififg
atrinedin,hanniubat wenia I ssssyyelinsradetrerri
oaf !oak hrtrial if hot., Oa aerelty lesuelthr Gahm*
above .61. to silver swan was howls noled
, E.reeirpersa Os Tuesday. Ohlitit, they hen
1 .. conagaintio, when Ow wish parterfoospt=
V....leyes of age, was coutaaitimi to ftulimal. adieu at
w, fee trial for saarclar, aattlessase mind tithe
=Avseste. It would appear that the issossiline pur-
-1 possignpt two toed, so es to reads: hie appetnan hors

emaciated and dirtreeming, and thus oreite the cosusieera-
don noel:charity of the humane.
Svairrons or Aoc. The Old Bridge of Dumfries,
after standing 600 years, has begun to give way. Last week
a l■d tumbled through a •hole in it into the river. The
Dumfries Courier gives the following particulars respecting
this venerable fabric " The Old Bridge of Dumfries, waded
at an early period of the 13th century, consisted originally of
thirteen arches, with a guard-gate in the centre; and, in our
opinion, is the oldest structure of its size in Scotland, if not
Great Britain,—keeping out of view Roman single arches,
specimens of which are still extant. The kindred avainuity
at Stirling, we suppose, comes nearest to it; an old Forth
fabric of unknown date, but which figures in 1571 as the
scene of the public execution of Hamilton, Bishop of St. An-
drew's. In its youth it had only four arches, with flanking
towers, and a gate in the middle. Two silver keys belsoging,
each seven inches in length,are preserved in the town-house,
and were last presented to the Duke of Cumberland in 1746.
The year before, the south arch was destroyed by General
Blackeney, to prevent reinforcements joining the at indaid of
Prince Charlie. But a few months thereafter, wl en Cum-
berland chased the Jacobites, the fallen arch had to be sup-
plied with wooden legs and boards. to enable him to pass
over,--so curious sometimes, is tie fortune of war."

WALES.
PEHRHOLE.—COMMISSION DT THE LC/HD LITUTIWAITT.
—W. H. B. J. Wilson. Esq., to be Deputy Lieutenant.