The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-10-20 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN..•

In your Philanthropic Journal of Wednesday last, I
saw a long and able article on the causes and cruise-
qatences of British misconception and misrule in the
affairs of Ireland. I agree with the writer.as to the neg.
Tet, or rather the oppressive system adopted to my un-
f•'rtettaie countrymen, and this must remain until a
political Change takes place. I aver, Mr. STaTesstsir
thit youis was the odly genuine account of causes, i eyer
ttair in an English Newspaper, particularly the cruelties
,e 1 tything, and the nevet-ending litigation and ill-blood,
created by the rapacity of tythe-farmers and their em-
'Skirts. • This., as a part of the system, has for centuries
.keptethe country in a state of distractioa,and the conduct
of absentee Agents not under any controuLbut left to their
own intolerance and persecution, will ever become an ob-
stacle to the peace and quietness of the Irish peasantry.
*lfiagratitade could be attributed to the Irish peasant, or
if the prejudice of ages conlal be obliterated, what must
the public opinion he of those in the very disturbed
districts: who, when they found a cousnaission ap-
pointed to replace an arbitrary agent of their land-
lords, both men, women, and children assembled, and
_met Ole commis: loners at the boundary of the estate,
• and drew their carriages in triumph to the town, where
bonfires and illuminations followed. A fete hundred
agents of this description to he sent adrift, and the
unfortunate natives allowed to eat their potatoes and
buttermilk in quiet, and only meet with that common
•civility and treatment an English labourer meets with,
. there would be no rows at Fairs nor unlawful aisetn-
kik.. It is well known to this Government that they
have long tried coercion in vain, but they could not
-remedy is without wresting power and patronage from
.the most worthless crew on the face of the earth, a
set of wretches oho counted on their promotion by
the number of their enormities ; abject slaves to those
in power, hut cruel tyrants to their poor countrymen,
to those brave fellows that filled up the ranks of the
Army and Navy. The Irish peasant always handed
out his potatoe and his stool to the stranger, and
never was known to insult him on account of his
country. This, Mr. Statesman, is a true picture, and
if he have been driven to insurrection, the fault s a
in the Government acd agents. Your comparison of
the United Irishmen's engagement in 1793 and 94,
with that of ti:e King's Letter in 1821 is correct.—
ILA the Prince of Wales of that day, however limited
Eis powers might have been, visited Ireland, and con-
ducted himself as he has done last August, there would
have been no insurrection in 1798 ; but that would
Let answer the flagellaturs, the picketteas and the mill

tiforioas Executioners.
• A Morning paper of yesterday took up the cause of
Ce Irish peasantry uith much ability, but his appa-
avidst of local particulars rendered his essay of
VW eonsequence to the English reader than yours
already alluded to. When he talks of savage
ferority,: he knows less of Ireland than 1 do of
La::casLire ; and when he introduces the centre of
• Ireland, and implicates it with the south, it is a pretty
strung provf that lie knows less of the north, which,
he says, was peopled from this country, and that their
habits ef industry are mire regular. For the infortna-
_ kion of this able Editor, I beg testate, that the mann-
ficturing of linens in the north fully occupy the people ;
besides. the farms are s'ilaller, and the laud touch
In the south and west, the land is rich, and
principally occupied in the feeding of cattle and sheep,
to fatten and to supply honest John Bull with but-
ter, bacon, beef and pork, which leave the population
lees emplqwent than they have in those counties
where tillage is general. Now, while this very able
Pdirot paying Compliments to the north, at the Pe-
ruse of the other provinces, I beg leave to ask him
from what part of Irelasd did the Hearts of Steel, the
Pci•p of Day Boys, or the (`range Wreckers proceed ?
Was it not hours those afflicted parts which he a • tui-
tuphantly claims as the civilized portion of I relaud ?
Theis, why does he talk of most civilized, s 'her and
'flans rious part of the labouring classes ? Did evils
Robevieriv or .llarat, organize gangs of more san-
guinary monsters, more hateful to human nature than
11:e ablve sober and industrious gentlemen ? With the
latter part of this gentleman Editor's essay, I fully
a; fee, and, on another occasion, sate more effcctuaily
ray approbation of his civilization. At the same
time I also agree with you, that the deinoral-
iz!ng of any country, is owing to its Governors.
Goad example produces good citizens, whereas perse-
cation creates a spirit of revenge—and when men are
seic•i'de of this, it is not to be supposed, they c in have
any veneration for the authors of them. We know
how little value the different governments of this coun-
try set upon the life of an Irishman; nor until late
years could he carry arms to defend himself. • About
the year of 17S0, when a French force threatened a
lan•liug, and there were not 6000 troops in Ireland to
oppose Gieut.the Government then assisted to arm 40,0011
volunteers, which they never would have otherwise done.
The leaders of these said volunteere, were afterwards
seduced by bribes, and persecuted with ingratitude.
Your readers, Mr. Editor, will be surprised when I tell
Gees, that a law existed, and I am not certain does
not disgrace the Irish statute book to this day, that if
an Englishman offered a mere Irishman 40s. fur a
'wise worth CU. he dare riot refuse the mousy and
surrender the horse. These are but trifles, out of the
Irish penal laws, which should be consumed with every
Irish enemy to the King's letter.

PADDY WHACK.

3

Corn-hill, Oct. 19. 1821.

DZSTRUCTIVE IFIAB.—At about threelo'clock on Satu..
day morning, a fire was discovered in, the corn-mill oc-
cupied by Mr. Reynolds, at Harlington, near Evesham.
Messengers were immediately dispatched to Evesham,
from whence a firs-engine was immediately sent off; we
regret, however, to state that the fire had got to such a
bead before it was discovered, that all efforts to arrest
the progress of the destructive element were unavailing,'
and before the arrival of the engine the roof had fallen
in, and the premises were rattail to? heap of ruins!
The destraction of property has been eery great ; it is
calculated that Mr. Reyoolis will be sufferer to
the moonlit of 3,0001. is corn, floor, &c. and we lament
to add he was nniasered. The mills (the property of
Mr. Marshall) were partially insurel.. The stock in the
adjoining paper-mill of Messrs. Flint, Tregent and Co:
was saved. 'The cause of this lament/4)le accident has
sot bees pedal ascertained, bat there ate*,soisie ap-
parition whisk Mad to the suppositi4a that the bra
etigisstal in the Maio* of the saskiatry.