Mr. D. Meagher. q8 February 1838. ,68 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 3845. Have you any doubt that they do?- I know that they do that in their CTfU6 Have VOU any doubt that they represent to the people, that it is their reli- gious duty to support those representatives who are the representatives of what they call the Liberal interest ?— I believe they have told them that those who are friends to them, have a right to receive friendship in return from them. <? 8a~ And that it is their religious duty to give them their support r— I think they have stated that the supporters of their religion deserve support in return. 0848 Have you any doubt that the lloman- catholic clergy represent to the neople under their influence that it is their religious duty to give support to those who are of their own political principles ?— I cannot say " religious ; they say it 1S 38401' They " fve'tiiem to understand that as Roman- catholics it is their politi- cal duty To support the friends of Roman- catholics they do. 3850 Have you a doubt that in their chapels they exhort the people to support the Liberal candidates ?— At elections, when tampering has been going on, they have exhorted them against the tempter, and against being led away from a certain line of duty. . 3851. From what line of duty ?— The voting for the men that are friendly to them, and that have always supported them and their religion. • 3852. Has that been the constant course of the Roman- catholic clergy within your recollection ?— It has been the constant course with them to call upon their flocks, as I said before, when there was likely to be an opposition, and when the party'opposing their friends were likely to have any influence, and they tried to stay it by every exhortation. 3853." Was that done previous to the last election, and at the time of the last election ?— It was; I have myself exhorted the people at the chapel yard ; the priest has allowed me to do so. 3854. Have not very strong measures been used upon different occasions to excite the people and to inflame their minds, with a view to carry the election ?— By no means, not to inflame. 3855. Was there not, in the city of Cork, in the election of 1835, a painting upon a large scale placed upon the front of the committee- room of those who were called the Liberal candidates, representing what was called the massacre of Gour- true?— There was, quite contrary and opposed to the wishes or knowledge of the com- mittee that managed the election; and they ordered it down immediately they found it. 3856. How long was that painting up upon the front of the house ?-— About an hour, or an hour and a half. 3857. Not more?— Not more than two or three hours. 38,58. You are sure it was not more than two or three hours ?— I do not think it was. I came out of the court- house and saw it, and I was angry ; and the members of the committee, when they heard of it, instantly ordered it to be taken down. It was done by some indiscreet person that wanted to show his taste for painting; it was a great daub of a thing, hung out of the front of the window; it was put out without their permission. 3859. Did not it create a most formidable excitement in the city of Cork amongst the lower orders of people ?— For a time I believe it did. 3860. Was it not in Castle- street, near the Royal Exchange, in one of the most public parts of the town, that that exhibition was made ?— In the North Main- street, near the Exchange. 3861. Is not that one of the most public places in the city of Cork?— It is. 3802. \\ as there not a very formidable excitement created by that exhibition amongst the lower order of people?— The dragoons were all out in the street before that; they brought an immense crowd, and when this was huncr out, it did. create a great sensation. 38C3. Then was it after the military was brought out by the authorities to keep the peace that this exhibition was made ?— Yes. 3864. Were there not persons going through the streets inflaming the minds of the people with regard to tithes and blood, and this Gourtrue massacre?- No. rlJ field of Gourtrue No . The widow Ryan of Gourtrue he stated was at tU W It G0UrtrU!! rN°- The uid0W R* an> ot' G° urlrue, was in Castle street, walking up and down as a spectator. uJrn% M/' Zf'° y'] „ YoU W6re miderstood to stat ® that the household voter, were qu. te free from all corruption, that the freemen were the only corrupt body in rs