Mr. Patrick Flood. 11 May 1838. V 76 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 8qor Do you say that it is a case of persecution on the part of a landlord to get his rent from tenants who are not put too high ?- Indeed, I do not I would get my rent myself; but they were allowed to run in arrear, and then after voting they were immediately pressed. ^ , 8904. Mr . O'Connell.-] Did not you say that they were put to costs ?— They were put to costs and obliged to pay the costs. 8905. Did you hear Mr. Kift say anything to any of the voters P— No, I was not present with Mr. Kift. , . , . A ... 8906. You saw him interfering to obtain their votes it he could r— Yes, the freeholders told me themselves. 8907. Did you hear from them whether he threatened them .'— From the freeholders I did. 8908. With what did lie threaten them ?— He threatened them that they would get no accommodation as to rent; that they would not get land again. 8909. Which of the Mr. Kifts did the tenants say said that to them ?— The son. . 8910. Was it this that they said, that they would get no indulgence for the rent, and be obliged to pay it up, and that they would not at any time there- after get any land ?— Yes. 8911. If they did what ?— If they voted for Mr. White. 8qi2. Mr. Lefroy.] Will you name any one of the freeholders that told you that?— There was the son of one of the freeholders; it was a subject of general conversation at breakfast. 8QI 3. Can you name any one in particular ?— There was one that came to me and told me he was offered 15/. if he would keep his father at home. I told him he was a fool not to take it; I knew his father would act honest. I met hini upon the road going to Longford, but I believe he was too late; I cannot recol- lect his name. 8914. Can you recollect the name of any of those freeholders who told you that Mr. Kift threatened them with persecution ?— Yes, Matthew Flood, of Ballymore. 8915. When did he tell you that?— He came to my house about six weeks ago; he went to Dublin to pay his rent and the agent refused it. 8916. What was the persecution he alluded to?— He told him he would break the lease; he would not receive the rent. The man is able to pay the rent, and I told him to keep the money ready, and that Mr. Greville is now come, and he would not act such a shabby part. 8917. Have you any other instance of this persecution that you speak of?— Yes, I have; Bryan Sheridan, of Robins Town, told me that he had to pay 4 I. costs; he owed four years' rent. 8918. When was that ejectment brought?— About three years ago, 8919. Then it was not for his voting at the last election ?— He voted at every election. 8920. Mr. O'Connell.] Honestly ?— Decidedly. 8921. Mr. Lefroy.] Will you give another instance ?— I am not prepared with particular names, but there were 30 of them together at breakfast when the conversation was among them. Sheridan paid four years' rent, I think ; I can refer to Mr. Kift's testimony upon that. 8922. Mr. Hogg.] Are the Committee to understand that there was an arrear, varying from two to four years, due from every tenant against whom an eject- ment was brought?— I think there was 110 tenant upon the estate almost that did not owe two years' rent. 8923. Then you do not believe that an ejectment was brought against any tenant having an arrear of less than two years ?— I think they owed'two years when they were brought. 8924. At least?— Yes. 8925. And varying from two to four years?— There were very few four years. 8926. Is it the usage throughout the county for landlords to allow their tenants an arrear of two to four years ?— No; it was the custom upon this estate to allow two years up to 1833, but after that they were obliged to pay up, and it is not the custom now. 8927. You state that you believe the rent was demanded because they voted Is it your belief that if they had voted as the contrary to the wish of the agent.