SELECT COMMITTEE ON FICTITIOUS VOTES, IRELAND. 625 TO Appendix, No. 16. Appendix, No. 16. Letters delivered TWO LETTERS delivered in by Thomas Lefroy, Esq., m. p., relating to the Evidence given Esq^ M p by the Rev. E. M'Gaver. — My dear Sir, Lissglassick, 5 June 1838. I THIS day received your letter of the 2d instant, and am much surprised at the unfounded assertions made by Mr. M'Gaver. Possession of the lands of Curmaglogher, & c., in the Callows, was of course regularly taken under the habere, by the sheriff turning- out the inhabitants; but Mr. M'Gaver would, I suppose, have it understood that they were so treated in the month of November, and not allowed to return into their houses. Every one of them did return, and remained till the following spring, when any that removed did so willingly, taking with them at least a year's rent, and whatever they were allowed, from 4/. downwards, according to their families. The woman in labour ( as stated by Mr. M'Gaver) was walking about when the sheriff and Plant went in; she went out as any other person ; and William Plant, of Barry, who was with the sub- sheriff, says he saw her go into the house again; he also says she did not complain to him of being ill, and does not think it possible she could be confined while out. On those lands there were introduced eight Protestant tenants, and nine Roman- catholics were retained; many of those who went away had no land, but merely bog- gardens and cabins. As to the rents of the estate being enforced when they became due, I believe one half- year's rent was generally paid before the other became due in Lord Newcomen's time, as there was no hanging gale on the estate ; and it was in the late Lady Rosse's time so expected they should be paid, but how they were enforced you may see, when I tell you as follows: 011 the townland of Abbey- derig, which is in Mr. M'Gaver's parish, there is due by Roman- catholic tenants at will, viz. by Patrick M'Garl, 42/. 15s. 2d., being three half- years' rent; by James Ward, 31/. 9s., also three half- years' rent; by Thomas York, 74/. 19s. 2d., being more than three half- years' rent; by John Ratigan, 15/. 12 s. 10 d., one year's rent; by James Kenny, 82/. 17s. Gd., being more than two years' rent; by James Reilly and Daniel York, 4/. 18 s. 10 d., being one year's rent. I give you the particulars of this townland, as it is in Mr. M'Gaver's parish; he of course knows it to be the fact, and knows as well how true his assertions were. As to the tenants turned out being wealthier and more intelligent than the Protestants, they may be so in Mr. M'Gaver's opinion, but to judge from appearances they were quite the reverse; if they were wealthy they were not honest, for they did not pay their legal debts. I never stated to John Finneran, or any other person, that " not one of his profession should ever get a sod of land from Lady Rosse." How could I; when on the very lands in question Roman- catholics did get farms, and are in possession of them ? Of 160 holdings on this estate, near 70 are occupied by Roman- catholics, which the late Countess Dowager of Rosse could have got rid of, was she so disposed; but she never disturbed the honest, industrious man, let him be Roman- catholic or otherwise. Right Honourable Thomas Lefroy, M. P. Baker- street. I am, & c. J. R. Robinson. My dear Sir, Lissglassick, 14 June 1838. IN my present state of health sea- sickness would be most injurious to me. At this time I have material business to attend to at the quarter sessions and assizes, and at this time also in getting in rents. If it pleased God to recruit me before the middle of July, nothing could give me greater satisfaction than to be able to attend the Committee. I remain, & c. J. R. Robinson. MAPS