difficulties in reclaiming waste lands--Platitudes--Change of
views--Requisition for meeting in Dublin--Unexpected publication of
the "Labouchere Letter" authorizing reproductive works--Verdict of
the Government against itself, 167

CHAPTER VII.

The Measures of Relief for 1846-7--Difficulties--Shortcomings of the
Government--Vigorous action of other countries--Commissary General
Routh's Letter on the state of the depôts--Replies from the
Treasury--Delay--Incredulity of Government--English Press--Attacks
both on the Landlords and People of Ireland--Not the time for such
attacks--View of the _Morning Chronicle_--Talk about
exaggeration--Lieutenant-Colonel Jones--Changes his opinion--His
reason for doing so--Mr. Secretary Redington's ideas--Extraordinary
Baronial Presentments--Presentments for the County Mayo beyond the
whole rental of the county!--The reason why--Unfinished Public
Works--Lord Monteagle--Finds fault with the action of the
Government, although a supporter of theirs--Expenses divided between
landlord and tenant--Discontent at rate of wages on public works
being 2d. per day under the average wages of the district--Founded
on error--Taskwork--Great dissatisfaction at
it--Combination--Attempt on the Life of Mr. W.M. Hennessy--True way
to manage the people (_Note_)--Stoppage of Works--Captain
Wynne--Dreadful destitution--Christmas eve--Opposition to Taskwork
continues--Causes--Treasury Minute on the subject--Colonel Jones on
Committees--Insulting his officers--Insult to Mr. Cornelius O'Brien,
M.P.--Captain Wynne at Ennistymon--A real Irish Committee--Major
M'Namara--His version of the Ennistymon affair (_Note_)--Charges
against the Gentry of Clare by Captain Wynne--Mr. Millet on