The Carlow Morning Post 1818

CORPORATION OF CARLOW

To the Editor of the Carlow Morning Post

    SIR,

    It must be gratifying to your readers, not only to learn the successful efforts that have been made, and still making in other places, to put an end to the illegal imposition of Tolls– but to find the subject so spiritedly taken up in your town, and so warmly supported by your Paper.– The individuals with whom the measure of resisting those illegal exactions originated, are justly entitled to the best thanks of their townsmen, who, will no doubt, evince their sense of the service, by a general subscription to defray every incidental expence, as it may not be an easy task to effect the object in view, and may even be a work of labour and expence, not to be accomplished by ordinary means, and therefore, its management should be confided to a select few. The eyes of the public will be on those, and their credit at stake. This will be sufficient guarantee for their conduct, and success is certain, if proper steps shall be taken.
    It is not right to hold out to the public, exemption from all Tolls:– some are due, and should be paid. They were originally granted for the public good and it is for the interest of the public, that the legal one's should remain. The property in and about Carlow, is so divided, that no individual is sufficiently interested in the prosperity of the town, to undertake the regulation of its markets at his private expence, and if no fund shall remain for their care, the markets will be destroyed and the public injured. It is therefore not the interest, and I am sure it is not the inclination of the inhabitants to resist any legal demand, and from the character of Lord Charleville the patron of the borough, with the example of the Lord of the Manor before him, there is little doubt, that on a direct communication with him, he will at once accede to the wishes of the inhabitant.
    In a former number of your Paper, you seemed to think that a forfeiture of the charter has been incurred. I am inclined to subscribe to that opinion from an attentive perusal of all the Charters, and some knowledge of the Corporation Acts under them: and am fortified in it, by the case of the borough of Sarum. The recent application of the Corporation of Cork to the Court of King's Bench, to correct some defects, and enable them to act in their corporate capacity, and the proceedings as to some of the Burghs in Scotland, a due consideration of this subject may not be worthy of the attention of the Committee you speak of, it will soon or later be taken up by some spirited enterprising individual, and there can be little doubt of his success. Pending these things, the following extract from the Irish Parliamentary Journals, may not be uninteresting to your readers:–

    Nomina Militum Comitatuum, Civium Civitatum, et Burgensium Villarum, sive, Burrorum; venientium ad Parliamentum, summonitum .... Dublin, vicesimo primo die Septembris, anno ragni dominæ nostra, Anna dei Gratia, Angloia, Scotia, Francia, et Hibernia, Regina, secundo annoque domnii, 1703.
    B. Catherlough Richardus Wolesley, Armiger.
    Honorabilis Carolus Howard vel
    Walterus Weldon, Armiger.

    This indenture certifies Charles Howard to have forty-nine votes of the Freemen inhabiting in that borough; and Walter Weldon forty-six votes of the like Freemen, inhabitants; but the said Walter Weldon had sixty-five votes of the like Freemen and others, not inhabiting in the said town and the said Charles sixty-one votes of the like not inhabiting; and that each of them had an equal number of votes of the Burgesses.
Jovis 2 die Octobris, 1703.

    Ordered, that the Committee of Privileges and Elections do report specially to this House, as well the merits of the Election as the matter of the double return of Burgesses to serve in the Parliament for the borough of Catherlogh.
Martis 12 die Octobris, 1703.

    Ordered, that the report from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, concerning the double return for the borough of Catherlogh, be made on Thursday morning next.
Jovis 14 die Octobris, 1703.

    Sir Richard Levinge, according to order, reported specially from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, the matter on the Election and double return for the borough of Catherlogh; and that they come to several resolutions, which he read in his place, and delivered in at the table, where the same were again read, and the resolutions are as follow:–

    1.    Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that Walter Weldon, Esq. is duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Catherlogh, in the County of Catherlogh.

    2.    Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Committee that the Honorable Charles Howard, is not duly elected a Burgess to serve in this present Parliament for the Borough of Catherlogh, in the County of Catherlogh.

    To which Resolutions, the question being severally put, the House agreed.

    It is evident from these extracts that Carlow was an open Borough, and not as it is at present, in the hands of 12 Burgesses scattered through the United Kingdom, some of them Irish Peers and Peers of parliament, who cannot of course interfere in the election of Members of the House of Commons. What a farce is the election of a Member for your town. On the day appointed for it, a few of these Burgesses are collected, and by the arrival of the post, they are apprized of the name of the Member they are to elect. Their suspense on that head being relieved, the Court is opened with due form and solemnity; the Sovereign with his long white wand– the Sergeants at mace, with the massive silver emblems of their office, and old Tatterton the crier, in his green coat, with a Coronet and other hieroglyphic characters embroidered on its back, and a large gold laced three cocked hat. Some mighty man from the group, after again carefully reading the instructions, to avoid a mistake in the name, with great gravity and pomposity proposes a LONDON PRINTER, (your late sitting Member), with an eulogium on his qualifications, as a fit and proper Person to Represent your ancient and Loyal Corporation in the Commons House of Parliament, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, to guard your Interests and protect your Rights, and his election is carried by acclamation!! Oh! what a scene for HOGARTH!!!

I am, Sir,

Your's G.

    The Country People are now resolved not to pay Toll and Custom, except as far as they are prescribed by Law and Charter. There was a considerable opposition, at Graigue-bridge, on Tuesday– Coals, Potatoes, and Buttermilk claimed their freedom, by club law, and their rights were immediately recognized by the public, to discomfiture of injustice and oppression.

GRAIGUE FAIR.– Yesterday at the fair of Graigue, Carlow, we had an opportunity of observing that the prices obtained, for almost every thing offered for sale, were very encouraging to the country people. Pigs brought very high prices– and Cows of every description went off well.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 1818

CUSTOMS
On Tuesday, an action of trespass came on at the MONOR COURT of this town, in which a Mr. Warren, a respectable farmer , was Plaintiff ; and Mr. Edward O’Farrell, collector of Customs, Defendant. The cause of action was read by the SENESCHAL; and sustained by a very luminous and able statement of the facts, in a speech of considerable length from Robert Jackson, Esq. the enlightened Chairman of the Committee of Free Markets. Benedict Hamilton, jun. Esq. entered into a qualified defence of Mr. O’Farrell, in which however, he acknowledged the "brutal violence which this person is in the constant habit of exercising, towards the country people; and the impossibility of binding him by any moral tie, or obligation" – at the same time, urging it on the humanity of the PLAINTIFF and COMMITTEE, "to consider the family of the unfortunate ruffian," and requesting them not to press the decision for the present, as he (Mr. H.) "was willing to make one effort more to save the wretched man from utter ruin, which must be the consequence of a verdict, even for one penny 1" – As every person, from whom he had been in the habit of exacting money illegally, would institute similar proceedings. On a consultation between Mr. Jackson, and some gentlemen of the Committee, who were present, it was at length agreed, that the matter should not go to the Jury, for the present ; as Mr. Hamilton had humanely undertaken to oblige Farrell, in future, to give up all illegal exactions. – There were several Magistrates of the county present, all of whom approved of the arrangement. Adjourned to the 14^th April.

CARLOW CHARITY LOAN
THOMAS HAUGHTON.
Carlow, January 26th, 1818

SUBSCRIPTIONS

l. s. d.

Thomas Pleasants, Esq. 20 0 0

Right Honorable D. Latouche 25 0 0

Colonel D. Latouche 25 0 0

Lieutenant Colonel R. Latouche 10 0 0

Henry Bruen, Esq. 50 0 0

Sir Ulysses Burgh 10 0 0

Lady Burgh 10 0 0

Colonel Rochfort 5 13 9

Mrs. Rochfort 5 13 9

William Browne, Esq. 11 7 6

John Alexander, Esq. 11 7 6

Edward Butler, Esq. 5 0 0

John Humfrey, Esq. 5 0 0

Rev. Mr. Andrew Fitzgerald 5 0 0

Samuel Haughton, Esq. 5 0 0

Michael Finn, Esq. 5 0 0

Rev. Mr. H. Minchin 5 0 0

Edward Morgan, Esq. 5 0 0

Sim. Clarke, Esq. 5 0 0

William Burgess, Esq. 5 0 0

William Humfrey, Esq. 3 8 5

Rev. Mr. William Sutton 2 0 0

Robert Burroughs, Esq. 5 0 0

Mr. Francis Montgomery 2 5 6

Mr. Matthew Redmond 2 5 6

Mr. Joshua Paisly 1 10 0

Mr. Daniel O'Brien 1 0 0

Mr. Samuel Haughton, Jun. 1 2 9

Mr. Charles Warner 1 2 9

Mr. Joseph Crawley 1 2 9

Mr. John Thomson 1 2 9

Rev. Mr. Richard Fitzgerald 1 10 0

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1818

TOLLS ARE ABOLISHED FOR EVER, IN THE TOWN OF CARLOW
This day, every thing was finally adjusted by the Committee. The SOVEREIGN, and Mr. BERRY on the Part of Lord CHARLEVILLE, relinquished all claim to Tolls for ever! The Committee have allowed, on the part of the Public, that Poisage on Corn, shall be given to who-ever may be, at any time, the legal Weigh-master, agreeable to the statute of the 4^th of Ann:- Potatoes to be weighed GRATIS. – The Committee have now only to settle the Custom-man, who is still refractory, against even the opinions of his landlord, his friends, (if he has any,) and the public – the latter are cautioned, to resist, legally, all attempts at imposition.- They will be supported.

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According to promise we submit the following correspondence to our readers, together with a Letter from Col. BRUEN, to the Chairman of the Committee.

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Oak Park, 16^th March, 1818
SIR – I returned home last night, and had the honor of receiving your letter of the 10^th inst. Had I been aware of the Meeting, which you state the High-Sheriff to have called, nothing should have prevented my attendance. – I have the honor to be you obedient servant, H.BRUEN.
To R. Jackson, Esq.

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Copy of a Letter to Wm. Fishbourne, Esq.*
Graigue, 13^th March, 1818.

DEAR SIR, - On the part of the Committee, I think it my duty to inform you (as you are one of the Magistrates concerned in the transactions), that Farrell the Collector of Customs has this day declared, that he will not submit his claims to arbitration as agreed on Tuesday last, respecting him ; in consequence of which breach of faith, (so far as regards him) the Committee intend to adopt such measures as may be deemed expedient; and the proceedings, now about to be had, are with the concurrence of Mr. HAMILTON, jun. one of the Arbitrators.
I am Sir,
Your most sincerely
THOMAS HAUGHTON.

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To W. Fishbourne, Esq. &c. &c.

Carlow, 13^th March, 1818.
SIR, - I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day, and to state that I am unacquainted as a Magistrate, with the subjects to which you seem to allude, and equally so with your official capacity.
I am Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
WILLIAM FISHBOURNE.

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To Thomas Haughton, Esq

    DEAR SIR – I regret that the Committee should have met with any obstruction in the course of their laudable exertions. Farrell’s conduct has been unconciliating and mulish since his father’s death: and I think, many of the late unpleasantries have arisen from it.
    You may command me, and my humble efforts, at all times, in any thing, tending to an amicable arrangement, "and in saying thus much" you may believe me. I speak the sentiment of my friend Lord Charleville.
I remain, Dear Sir,
Very truly your’s,
E. BUTLER.

To Thomas Haughton, Esq.14^th March, 1818.
A copy of the same was sent to E Butler, Esq.

To the Editor of the Carlow Morning Post.
SIR– I belong to a Smoking Club, in this town, and some of my friends are of opinion that I am rather too fond of smoking: nay, they are occasionally angry with me, because, I am sometimes in such good humour, that I make them smoke, often against their wishes to the contrary. However, Sir, I confess that I am so partial to this kind of amusement, that, I am much afraid I not only forget all my own cares, but inflict certain punishment on others. This is by no means my object. I only feel anxious to promote health and comfort, both to the body and mind– in a physical, as well as political sense, for I contribute to the necessities of the State, by the consumption of an article which brings a considerable revenue to the Crown, as well as finding employment, and entertainment, for a great number of his Majesty's liege subjects. In this innocent enjoyment, I am supported by the opinions and practices of some of the wisest and best men of those ages which have succeeded the introduction of it. Sir Walter Raleigh, John Milton, Doctor Isaac Barrow– the "philosopher of Malmsbury," as the celebrated Mr. Hobbes was designated, Sir Isaac Newton, and many others, indulged themselves in this harmless recreation; and left to succeeding generations the most invaluable fruits of the cogitations produced behind a pipe! Nor do I recollect any great man, who ever objected to this, except King James the first, who went so far as to write a quarto volume against it, which he entitled, "a Counter Blast to Tobacco."– And I firmly believe, Mr. Editor, that the mortal antipathy of this Monarch to the salubrious plant, aggravated his eninity towards the first man who introduced it into England!– But, we do not now, live in King James's time; and therefore, are allowed to smoke freely, even though our neighbours may take snuff at it, and endeavour to prevent us. I shall only make one observation more, viz. that all who disapprove of my plan of smoking, may keep themselves quiet, and chew their cud in silence.– I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
PUFF.
Carlow, March 20, 1818.

Selected transcripts from The Carlow Morning Post Jan 1818 to Aug 1822 transcribed by Susie Warren:

Source: Susie Warren

The above details have been transcribed from the "The Carlow Morning Post" newspaper, which can be found on micro film at County Carlow Library, Tullow Street, Carlow, Co Carlow IRELAND.

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