The Sun. — 1834-07-16 (London, England)

WEXFORD, JULY 13.  (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.) At a time when " public opinion " is of the first importance to statesmen and journalists, it may be well to inform you how it is at present in this county, lately the scene of much political bustle and excitement. The Second Edition of the Sun newspaper of the 9th inst. having diffused throughout Ireland the latest authentic intelligence yet arrived of all circumstances connected with the resignation of Earl Grey, the public mind is now made up, and prepared, to hear of no other change in the management of affairs, than such as can, and will carry into effect the measures already begun or contemplated for our welfare and tranquillity. Be assured, therefore, that the " people "—and I include under this term the majority of numbers, as well as of wealth and intelligence--expect that ere this, a perfectly liberal Cabinet will have been formed on the principles, at least as regards Ireland, of the explanations given on Wednesday last by Lord 'Althorp, and Mr. Littleton, in the House of Commons. And here let me endeavour to show, what really is the state of " public opinion " here, for the late election, I find, is by no means a proper criterion whereby to judge of it. Though Mr. Waddy has been returned in the room of Lord Carew, in opposition to Mr. Harvey, an anti-repeal candidate, it must not be inferred either that the repeal question is a sine qua non with the electors of the county, or that the electors are disposed to vote against their landlords. Mr. Waddy owes his election to the following circumstances—the exertions of the young and least worthy portion of the Catholic clergy, the indifference of the Conservative landlords, and the want of time on the side of the sound portion of the constituency, who expected that Sir Thomas Esmond, a rational Reformer, would have offered himself. If there were a new election one month hence, the •county might exhibit a feeling totally different from that apparent in the return of Mr. Waddy. The Assizes commenced here yesterday. The state of the Calendar, containing only seven cases, none of them of an aggrav-ated nature, differs from many recent calenders in the county. It should not, however, be inferred from this circumstance, that this part of Leinste'r is an exception to the statements made in the Lord Lieutenant's late dispatches so much spoken of. On the contrary, the following fact, not much alluded to in any of the. Irish newspapers, but too fearfully verifies his Excellency's most aggravated statements. About two years ago, one of the most atrocious acts in the annals of crime, was perpetrated at Tourfarney, in the western part of this county, wherein four persons were murdered, and their residences burned to ashes. Two men were some time ago executed for the foul deed, and it was hoped that the spirit of mischief had been subdued, or expelled from the country. The premises were rebuilt, and the surviving part of the family (the Maddocks's) were about to return to their ill-fated abode. But, on the very night when it was supposed they had retaken possession, the premises were again reduced to ashes. This occurred about•six weeks ago !! !