after becoming Prime Minister—­The Potato Blight reappears—­Accounts from the Provinces—­Father Mathew’s letter—­Value of the Potato Crop of 1846—­Various remedies, theories, and speculations—­State of the weather—­Mr. Cooper’s observations at Markree Castle—­Lord Monteagle’s motion in the House of Lords for employing the people—­Profitable employment the right thing—­The Marquis of Lansdowne replies—­It is hard to relieve a poor country like Ireland—­Lord Devon’s opinion—­The Premier’s statement about relief—­The wonderful cargo of Indian meal—­Sir R. Peel’s fallacies—­Bill for Baronial Sessions—­Cessation of Government Works—­The Mallow Relief Committee—­Beds of stone!—­High rents on the poor—­The Social Condition of the Hottentot as compared with that of Mick Sullivan—­Rev. Mr. Gibson’s views—­Mr. Tuke’s account of Erris (Note)—­Close of the Session of Parliament, 131

CHAPTER VI.

The Labour-rate Act passed without opposition:  entitled, An Act to Facilitate the Employment of the Labouring Poor—­Its provisions—­Government Minute explaining them—­Heads of Minute—­Rate of wages—­Dissatisfaction with it—­Commissary-General Hewetson’s letter—­Exorbitant prices—­Opinion expressed on this head by an American Captain—­The Government will not order food as Sir R. Peel did—­Partial and unjust taxation—­Opposition to the Labour-rate Act—­Reproductive employment called for—­Lord Devon’s opinion—­Former works not to be completed under the Act—­Minute of 31st of August—­Modified by Mr. Labouchere’s letter of 5th of September—­People taxed who paid a rent of L4 a year—­In many cases a hardship—­Barren works the great blot of the Labour-rate Act—­Arguments against the Act—­Resources of the country should have been developed—­Panic among landowners—­Rev. Mr. Moore’s letters—­Level roads a good thing—­Food better—­A cry of excessive population raised—­Ireland not overpeopled—­Employ the people on tilling the soil—­Sir R. Routh takes the same view—­Relief Committee of Kells and Fore—­Reproductive employment—­Plan suggested—­Address to the Lord Lieutenant—­True remedy—­O’Connell on the Famine—­Writes from Darrynane on the subject—­Money in the hands of Board of Works—­Compulsory reclamation of waste lands—­Drainage Bill—­Mr. Kennedy’s opinion—­Who is to blame?—­The Government, the landlords, or the people?—­O’Connell for united action—­Outdoor relief will confiscate property—­Proposed Central Committee—­Several Committees meet in Dublin—­Mr. Monsell’s letter—­His views—­Against unproductive labour—­Money wasted—­Appeal to the Government—­Cork deputation to the Prime Minister—­His views—­He now sees great 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.